This Lord’s Day, the last Sunday of 2020, we will resume our study of Luke. The text is a famous one, usually called the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1-4). The next paragraph continues the Lord’s teaching on the subject of prayer. Each year we take a Sunday at the end of January to focus on prayer—a…
Throughout the tenth chapter of Luke, Jesus guided his disciples into a deeper understanding of what is means to follow him. In the final paragraph, Luke makes certain that we understand the devotion to Jesus and his teaching is a disciples’ one essential priority.
Jesus was the itinerant preacher who lacked all credentials but God’s approval. As he made his way toward Jerusalem, a lawyer put him to the test asking, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus in turn asked him his interpretation of the Law regarding that subject. The Lawyer responded correctly, citing the great…
In Luke 10:17-24, 72 of Jesus’ followers return from a preaching tour, rejoicing at the outcome. Jesus joins in with their enthusiastic joy, connecting their part his mission with the grand plan of God for the outcome of history. He also sorts their priorities, encouraging them to rejoice that the Sovereign Lord has made them…
For a second time, Jesus sends his followers out on a preaching mission. This time, he did not limit the ministry to the Twelve. Their goal was to announce the coming of the long-awaited Messiah in every city, village, and hamlet. The text serves as a precursor to the church’s mission. In the sermon, we…
As Jesus traveled through Samaria and on toward Jerusalem, he encountered three would-be disciples. They understood that discipleship meant following Jesus, but had not counted the cost. Jesus challenged their priorities, revealing the unconditional nature of discipleship. Follow Jesus. Nothing is more important.
The sermon text for this Lord’s Day contains an unusual story from the life of Jesus. On his way toward Jerusalem, Jesus was rejected by the people in the city of Samaria. James and John instinctively wanted them punished, but Jesus showed them mercy. Even so, the story develops with the idea of judgment lingering…
The sermon text for this Lord’s Day (Luke 9:37-50) is made up of a series of short stories about the disciple’s failure. Taken together, these undergird the importance of faith that exalts Christ and excludes all selfish pride.
In the ninth chapter of Luke, Peter proclaimed with certainty the identity of Jesus as the Christ. Immediately, Jesus explained that he must be crucified, die, and raised. He further explained that those who trust him will see him returning in glory. In the text for this Lord’s Day (Luke 9:28-36), Jesus gave three privileged…
Peter had just declared that Jesus is the Christ of God (Luke 9:18-22). In the sermon text for this Lord’s Day, Jesus began to explain the implications of trusting in him. “Take up your cross and follow me,” he said. To trust him is to follow him; failure to follow him has eternal consequences.