The sermon text for this Lord’s Day (Luke 12:49-59) includes three paragraphs that, at first glance, seem unrelated, but closer evaluation suggests that they combine to create a powerful challenge. Jesus begins with a description of his mission that includes judgment and conflict. Next, he derides the crown for their unwillingness to see the signs…

This Lord’s Day the worship service sermon text weaves together a series of brief parables that call the followers of Jesus to eagerly anticipate his return. This expectation serves as the motivation for faithful service. The passage climaxes with a clear declaration: the greater the privilege, the greater the responsibility.

In Luke 12:13-21 (the sermon text for last Sunday), Jesus challenged his followers to resist covetousness because those who covet value the creation above the Creator. Rather than working to amass treasure for self, the follower of Jesus must be “rich toward God” (Luke 12:21).  The following passage (for this Lord’s Day sermon) explains that…

In Luke 12:13-21, Jesus tells the famous parable of the rich fool who tore down his barns to build bigger barns to stash his hoard for the future. The problem the rich man had was not his riches, but his worldview. He hoarded for himself and left God out of the picture, resulting in greed…

The twelfth chapter of Luke begins with a series of warnings. In 12:1-3, Jesus warned against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees clearly implying that his disciples should not be pressured to follow them. In 12:4-7, Jesus warned against fearing man and called his disciples to fear God, instead. Finally, in 12:8-12, Jesus specifically warned against…

In the sermon text for this Lord’s Day (Luke 11:37-54), the theme of opposition to Jesus and his message continues. Jesus directly assaults the false teachers who oppose him, exposing their hypocrisy, legalism, and pride. Most of all, he condemns them for leading others astray. Their words and works were directly antithetical to the message…

In Luke 11:29-32 (last week’s sermon text), Jesus warned against the judgment that would fall on those who rejected him and his message. In the text for this Lord’s Day, Jesus compares his message to light and speaks of its value.

The sermon text juxtaposes two paragraphs that contrast blessing and cursing. Those who are blessed hear and keep the message of Jesus; judgment awaits those who do not. Luke presents Jesus as One wiser than Solomon bearing a sign greater than that of Jonah.

Luke 11:1-13 tells us about Jesus training his disciples regarding prayer. As we begin 2021, our study of the Gospel of Luke has slowed down so that we can savor Jesus’ teaching in this passage, thus making January a “prayer emphasis month.” In the service this Lord’s Day, we will focus on the fourth request…