As Luke draws close to the conclusion of his book, he records Jesus’ words as he entrusted his followers with a message and mission. The message is the good news of forgiveness declared in the Scriptures and secured by Christ’s death and resurrection. The mission is global in scope, proclamational in nature, and empowered by…
In Luke 23:39-43, one of the two thieves condemned to die with Jesus joins in the ridicule, blaspheming the crucified Messiah. The other thief challenges and rebukes him for his failure to fear God. He reminded the first thief that, unlike them, Jesus had done nothing wrong. Turning to Jesus, he asked Jesus to remember…
In the sermon text for this Lord’s Day (Luke 22:54-62), Luke shifts the focus of the story from Jesus to Peter. The one disciple who declared his undying allegiance to Jesus and who was ready to defend Jesus with his life now cowers in fear while Jesus is interrogated and sorely abused. As Jesus foretold,…
In Luke 17, Jesus continued to contrast the path of those who trust him with the way of the Pharisees. The focus of Luke 17:1-4 is the Christian’s relationship to others. Specifically, we must “pay attention to ourselves” so that we do not sin against others, thus causing them to stumble, and we must quickly…
The sermon will continue our journey through the Gospel of Luke entitled, From Bethlehem to Emmaus. The text is Luke 6:37-42, the third section of Luke’s brief account of Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount. The main point focuses on the Christian’s responsibility to deal with others mercifully. The larger context challenges the hearer to…
In Galatians Paul is dealing with people who thought that the Law was the answer to all spiritual problems. Paul has been arguing against that. The answer to the works of the flesh is found in the life-giving and life-transforming ministry of the Holy Spirit. If people will walk in the Spirit and be led…
The storyline of Luke’s Gospel fast-forwards from the childhood of Jesus to the beginning of his ministry at about age 30. Chapter 3 begins with a description of the ministry of Jesus’ cousin, John (elsewhere called “the Baptist”). The sermon text for this Lord’s Day identifies John as a prophet who served as the forerunner…
We are ever in danger. There is an evil one who, like a roaring lion, prowls about, seeking to devour us. He’s wily. He can even appear to be angel of light. He seeks to destroy the church through moral laxity or callous insensitivity. Failing to deal with sin will bring us to ruin. Failing…