Jewel Lake Parish Sermon Podcast

If sin is how God sees the evil that robs people of their true humanity, what is the remedy for sin? What does true humanity even look like, and how can we obtain it? Pastor Luke teaches from Luke 18:9-14 in "Sin, Part 2: the Remedy," the concluding message in his series, "Buzzwords."

In the New Testament accounts, listeners of John the Baptist, Peter, and Paul seem willing to stipulate Sin. Today, people bristle at the word, and conversation gets hung up there before it can move on to grace and redemption. Is there a better, more productive, way for Christians to talk about "sin?" Pastor Luke looks at 2 Samuel 11:2-4 in "Sin, Part 1: the Diagnosis," part 3 of his 4-part series, "Buzzwords."

Last time, we discussed what faith means to Christians, and why it's so important. Today we talk about where faith comes from, and how. What if our faith is weak? What if we have doubts? Can our faith grow? What are we supposed to do with our faith? Pastor Luke looks at Ephesians 2:8 in "Faith, Part 2: Where Faith Comes From, and How," part 2 of his 4-part series, "Buzzwords."

People who talk in buzzwords can be really irritating. Christians have plenty of our own buzzwords. How can we avoid being irritating? One of the buzzwords that non-Christians find most irritating is "Faith." What do we mean by it, and is there a way to get the same idea across without using buzzwords that irritate our listeners? Pastor Luke looks at Hebrews 11:1 in "Faith, Part 1: What It Is," the first message in a new series, "Buzzwords."

Sometimes, people think Christians butt in where they have no business, and the Christians protest, no, we're just trying to be helpful. The problem might not be what they're doing as much as how they do it. Fortunately, the Apostle Paul models how Christians can influence the people around them. Pastor Luke teaches from Philemon 1:1-25 in "How to Influence People," the concluding message in his series, "One Hit Wonders."

Christians believe that following Jesus will make their lives better. But it probably won't make them easier. What can we do when discipleship is difficult? Pastor Luke teaches from Jude 1:1-25 in "Shifting Goals," part 4 of his 5-part series, "One Hit Wonders."

It isn't obvious at first why 3 John is in the New Testament. It's a letter from one Christian to another about a problem so small it never made it into church history. But on the other hand, the Church is always dealing with small problems ... and 3 John shows how God can use them to grow us as disciples. Pastor Luke looks at 3 John 1:1-15 in "Growing Christians — One Hit Wonders, Part 3," part 3 of his 5-part series, "One Hit Wonders."

We want to be truthful and loving, but doing both can be difficult. Is there some way to do both? Or is there a rule we can use to help us know which side to pick when truth and love are in conflict? Pastor Luke preaches from 2 John 1:1-13 in "Litmus Test — One Hit Wonders, Part 2," part 2 of his 5-part series, "One Hit Wonders."

Despite its brevity, the book of Obadiah can seem obscure. It depends on the readers' cultural, historical, and geographical knowledge. But the message God speaks through Obadiah is short and simple\: what you sow, you will reap. Pastor Luke teaches from Obadiah 1:1-21 in "What Goes Around... — One Hit Wonders, Part 1," the first message in a new series, "One Hit Wonders."

In the inaugural edition of "Ask Me Anything" (formerly "Extreme Preaching") we covered three topics\: (1) (0:53) How should Christians think about evil people like Hitler or Stalin? (2) (8:54) Jesus' teaching in Luke 9\:59-62 seems harsh. Why? (3) (15:18) What does Psalm 18:2 mean about taking refuge in the Lord? (4) (22:15) How can 'refuge' encompass the idea of God's provision? (5) (23:53) Is it really a sin to be angry? How can we avoid it? Pastor Luke preaches from Matthew 5:43-48 in "Ask Me Anything."

What is the relationship between God the Son and Jesus Christ? What does it mean that God the Son changed in becoming incarnate? How can we trust a god who changes -- even if it was for our sake? Pastor Luke teaches from Hebrews 2:9-17 in "The Elder Brother," the concluding message in his series, "The Trinity."

Jesus described God as a loving heavenly Father, but sometimes people see God as a stern disciplinarian. If God were really loving, they ask, how could he sit idly by while his children suffer? Pastor Luke looks at Romans 5:1-8 in "Antifragile," part 2 of his 3-part series, "The Trinity."

The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was accompanied not only by tongues of fire, but also by linguistic tongues as well. To understand that phenomenon, we look back to the story of the Tower of Babel. What is its significance for us today? Pastor Luke preaches from Genesis 11:1-8 in "A City and a Tower," the first message in a new series, "The Trinity."

Humans have the ability to be disgusted, and can even transmit their disgust to others around them. How much does that overlap with religion -- for example, in purity laws and speech codes? If disgust is related to religion, what does disgust say about God? After God called him to visit a Gentile's home, the Apostle Peter needed answers to these questions. Pastor Luke teaches from Acts 11:1-18 in "Purity Code — This Changes Everything, Part 5," part 5 of his 6-part series, "This Change Everything."

Occasionally, Christians who have a warm, comfortable faith find themselves envying people who are "on fire" with a burning faith. But there's no reason everyone can't have that kind of faith. The New Testament tells us how to get it. Pastor Luke preaches from Acts 9:32-43 in "Upscaling — This Changes Everything, Part 4," part 4 of his 6-part series, "This Change Everything."

Two thousand years ago the Church was the original cross-cultural innovator. Today, Christians have spread around the world to almost every nation and people group. But that success at engaging new cultures has to be repeated every twenty years. Pastor Luke preaches from Acts 9:1-20 in "Road Through Damascus - This Changes Everything, Part 3," part 3 of his 6-part series, "This Change Everything."

Honesty is the best policy, but sometimes it can be, if not dangerous, then at least socially awkward. If we have unpopular opinions, they might be off-putting to others. But the first Christians were admired, even by their critics, for having the courage of their convictions. We can have it too, because the Resurrection changes everything. Pastor Luke looks at Acts 5:27-32 in "Fear of Public Speaking - This Changes Everything, Part 2," part 2 of his 6-part series, "This Change Everything."

The first Christians struggled to carry out the mission that Jesus gave the church. We still find it difficult today, for the same reason: because it requires us to cross boundaries. Sometimes, however, we are able to succeed ... because the Resurrection changes everything. Pastor Luke teaches from Acts 10:34-43 in "This Changes Everything (Part 1)," the first message in a new series, "This Change Everything."

On Good Friday, Christians often reflect on the cross of Christ: how it unfolded, and what it cost. But the writer of an ancient document called "Hebrews" focuses instead on what it achieved. What can we do now that we could not do before the crucifixion? Pastor Luke preaches from Hebrews 10:16-25 in "Struck Down."

Maundy Thursday is a time to remember Jesus' new commandment to love one another. His disciples found it remarkable that he demonstrated that kind of love when he washed their feet. So do we. But Jesus did something else that was every bit as remarkable, and we rarely stop to consider what it means. Pastor Luke teaches from 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 in "Old Meal: New Covenant - Maundy Thursday."