Sermons from 2017 (Page 3)
Dying Again
Pastor Emeritus Marc Erickson continues our series on the parables of Luke’s Gospel account with a message on Lazarus from Luke 16:19-31. SERMON OUTLINE The universe of God is a place for persons…and you belong! the storyteller Jesus is hyper-personal (Joshua = YHWH saves) Luke 3:21-22—Father, Son, Spirit, incarnate, wading and praying Luke 20:27-38—All are alive to Him an unknown rich man a beggar named Lazarus = God helps his transporters to the gate his angelic transporters to Father Abraham’s…
Ready for Dinner
SERMON OUTLINE “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.’” (Luke 14:23) Dinner with Jesus (Luke 14:12-15) Jesus Invited to Dinner Jesus Challenged the Status Quo Response of Pharisee (Luke 14:15, Isaiah 25:6) Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:16-24) Invitations Sent Excuses Made Invitations: Round 2 The Banquet is a Picture of Heaven God is _______________________________ God longs to be…
Hidden Power
Visiting Pastor Stuart Briscoe brings a message on the Kingdom of God from Luke 13:18-21. After Jesus healed a woman who was “bound by Satan” a debate erupted that left the people deeply divided. Jesus took the opportunity to raise the question, “What is the kingdom of God like” and answered it himself by way of analogy. The kingdom of God is “like a mustard seed” and can be compared to “yeast…worked through dough”. Clearly some interpretation is needed! SERMON…
Empty Accounts
Key Passage: Luke 12:13-21 SERMON OUTLINE Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15) Dispute Brought To Jesus (Luke 12:13-15) Jesus Interrupted Living the Wrong Story Jesus and Money The Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-20) Being Rich in God (Luke 12:21) The Empty Life Heart focused on Possessions Life Chasing Bigger Barns False Sense of Security A Rich Life…
Good Samaritan: The Back Story
Key Passage: Luke 10:25-37 SERMON OUTLINE I. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35) The wounded man (10:30) The priest (10:31) The Levite (10:32) The Samaritan (10:33-35) II. The Back Story First Round of Confrontation Between Lawyer and Jesus Lawyer confronts Jesus with Question #1 about eternal life. (10:25) Jesus responds, not by answering Question #1, but by asking lawyer Question #2. (10:26) Lawyer recites Scripture in answer to Jesus’ Question #2. (10:27) Jesus admonishes lawyer, “Do this and…
Lost and Found
Will Branch unpacks three parallel parables from Luke 15:1-32 of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost sons. SERMON OUTLINE Who are the Lost? Pharisees: “Those people.” Tax Collectors and sinners: “Us people” Jesus: “All people.” How to be found Pharisees: “I’m found because of my service.” Tax collectors and sinners: “I need to be found because of my actions.” Jesus: “I seek. The lost repent. There’s joy in heaven.” What they conclude: Pharisees: “My service proves my…
Seed and Soil
Pastor J.C. Heiden kicks off the final part of our 10-month exploration on the Gospel of Luke with a new series called “Stories Worth Living: Parables of the Kingdom.” This first message is the parable of the sower from Luke 8:1-15. SERMON OUTLINE “Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.” (Luke 8:1) “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who…
Holy Spirit
On Pentecost Sunday, we remember the gift of the Holy Spirit that enables us to enter into the life of Christ on earth with a look at Luke 24:36-53. SERMON OUTLINE “I am going to send you what my Father promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49) Jesus Appears to Disciples (Luke 24:36-38) Jesus Never Leaves People Empty-Handed (Luke 24:39-49) Jesus Ascends (Luke 24:50-53) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Have you ever had…
Reading the Signs
In Luke 11:29-32, Jesus gives us the sign of Jonah as a key signifier of who He is and what He’s about in His kingdom. What does this tell us about kingdom living? Pastor Jim Caler unpacks this passage on a Family Worship Weekend. SERMON OUTLINE The Context The Text The Point DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Open Up What is your favorite “sign”? Why? What would you “go to the ends of the earth” to experience? Dig In Why do you think Jesus…
Stay Awake
What does it mean to stay attentive until the end? What is Jesus looking for with our lives and how do we wait until the end for Him? Bishop Walter Harvey brings a message from Luke 12:35-48. SERMON OUTLINE Stay Awake His second coming is sure. His second coming is sudden. His second coming is secret. His second coming is surprising. He is coming, so what type of persons should we be? Wait eagerly. Watch expectantly. Work enthusiastically. He is coming,…
Kingdom of God
What is the kingdom of God, anyway? In a western setting where kingdom doesn’t mean much to us in our everyday living, it’s time to get a grip on the kingdom. Nancy Erickson delivers a message from Luke 17:20-37; 18:15-30, 35-43; 19:1-10. SERMON OUTLINE The Kingdom of God is Among Us (Luke 17:20-37) “Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it.” How can you become a part of the Kingdom? (Luke 18:15-30)…
Worry and Faith
What?! Me, worry?! Sure we do. Jesus gives us a picture of the kingdom life in relation to worry. The resurrection changes the meaning of this earlier teaching of Jesus. Pastor Matt Erickson delivers a message from Luke 12:22-34. SERMON OUTLINE “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” (Luke 12:31) Don’t Worry (Luke 12:22-31) Food & clothes The ravens The flowers Pagans versus disciples The Father and His Kingdom Don’t Fear (Luke 12:32-34) The…