Luke 16 In response to the scandal of His table practices and the anger of the religious establishment, Jesus continues to offer alternate narratives on what God is like and what is blessed. Lazarus lives everyday in poverty and need, the unnamed rich man lives in luxury. Eventually both the rich man and Lazarus die, as all do, regardless of social position (Luke 16:22). Our social status and poverty/wealth do not accompany us. Lazarus likely died because of his poverty and the dis-ease that pov...
Sep 29, 2019•40 min
Luke 16 In response to the scandal of His table practices and the anger of the religious establishment, Jesus continues to offer alternate narratives on what God is like and what is blessed. Lazarus lives everyday in poverty and need, the unnamed rich man lives in luxury. Eventually both the rich man and Lazarus die, as all do, regardless of social position (Luke 16:22). Our social status and poverty/wealth do not accompany us. Lazarus likely died because of his poverty and the dis-ease that pov...
Sep 29, 2019•36 min
1 Timothy 6:6-19 2 Corinthians 9:6-13 2 Corinthians 9:13 says this, “Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the Gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing.” The pairing of confession with generosity is the culmination of two chapters of reflection on generosity in giving and sharing. It is useful to quote from 2 Corinthians 9 at greater length to illustrate this: The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingl...
Sep 25, 2019•35 min
Luke 15:11-32 The table practices of Jesus were scandalous and getting Him into further trouble with the Pharisees. This parable is part of the set of three, the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son, that offer a new perspective on the God that Jesus knows. This portion of the parable tells the story of the prodigal son - but more importantly invites us to become like the Father in welcoming both the prodigal and the elder brother. “I am the prodigal son every time I search for unconditio...
Sep 22, 2019•1 hr
Luke 15:11-32 The table practices of Jesus were scandalous and getting Him into further trouble with the Pharisees. This parable is part of the set of three, the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son, that offer a new perspective on the God that Jesus knows. This portion of the parable tells the story of the prodigal son - but more importantly invites us to become like the Father in welcoming both the prodigal and the elder brother. “I am the prodigal son every time I search for unconditio...
Sep 22, 2019•38 min
Luke 15:1-10 Jesus tell us what God is like. God is like a Shepard, God is like a woman. These parables tell us things about our Father that we had gotten wrong. Sheep wander but we are reminded that coins do not lose themselves. A Father who looks for us even when those who were supposed to care for us, value us and protect us failed. In our places of brokenness, lostness, that we ourselves did not earn or deserve, Jesus tells us God will come and look for us, and find us. Support the show This...
Sep 15, 2019•48 min
Luke 14:25-33 Follow Me- into a life where family means more than those who look just like you. Carrying the cross is a daily struggle and the commitment must be renewed every day when confronted with the temptation to lay it down (Luke 9:23-25). Perhaps what Jesus means by hating family is to refuse to live by narrow, exclusive ideas of family when it comes to meeting human needs and contributing to the wholeness of all human beings. It is the Lucan Jesus that tells the parable of the Good Sama...
Sep 08, 2019•35 min
Luke 14:1,1-14 Jesus is invited to dinner at a Pharisees house, there he sees trouble. People clamoring for the good seats, seats of honor, and Jesus offers us another way. Luke’s Gospel begins with this theme of lifting up the marginalized and oppressed. When Elizabeth, a childless married woman, conceives, she declares that God took away her social shame and exalted her (Luke 1:24-25). Mary, a young unmarried virgin, conceives with Holy Spirit, but like other women the baby will grow in her wo...
Sep 01, 2019•44 min
Luke 14:1,7-14 The Seating Chart- Give up your VIP tickets...... Jesus is invited to dinner at the Pharisees house..... At dinner the Pharisees closely watch Jesus; this was not first time (Luke 14:1; refer to 6:7 to see if Jesus would heal on the Sabbath). Likewise, Jesus is very observant of the behavior of the dinner guests (14:7). Their problematic snobby and exclusive behavior prompts Jesus to share a parable with them. Jesus observed that as the guests arrived they scrambled for front row ...
Sep 01, 2019•38 min
Luke 13:10-17 This account where Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath is really an instance of God’s kingdom breaking into the present world. Jesus explains his actions: “He said therefore , ‘What is the kingdom of God like?”” (Luke 13:18). It is like a tiny mustard seed that grows into a tree for sheltering birds, or like yeast that leavens bread for provision and fellowship (Luke 13:19-20). Notice the similarities to the bent-over woman: something seemingly small and insignificant becomes, with ...
Aug 26, 2019•1 hr 4 min
Luke 13:10-17 This account where Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath is really an instance of God’s kingdom breaking into the present world. Jesus explains his actions: “He said therefore , ‘What is the kingdom of God like?”” (Luke 13:18). It is like a tiny mustard seed that grows into a tree for sheltering birds, or like yeast that leavens bread for provision and fellowship (Luke 13:19-20). Notice the similarities to the bent-over woman: something seemingly small and insignificant becomes, with ...
Aug 25, 2019•34 min
Hebrews 11:29- 12:2 ...So great a cloud of witnesses..... The letter recounts over and over again how it was “by faith” that Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses’s parents, and Moses endured. The list of names, clearly intended to inspire and encourage the letter’s readers, surely would have caused them to recall the stories of these biblical figures in all their complexity. It is because of their faith alone that the writer sees each of them, these flawed and messy hum...
Aug 19, 2019•38 min
Hebrews 11:29- 12:2 ...So great a cloud of witnesses..... The letter recounts over and over again how it was “by faith” that Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses’s parents, and Moses endured. The list of names, clearly intended to inspire and encourage the letter’s readers, surely would have caused them to recall the stories of these biblical figures in all their complexity. It is because of their faith alone that the writer sees each of them, these flawed and messy hum...
Aug 18, 2019•50 min
Luke 12:32-40 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). These words speak an unqualified promise about God. They root God’s generosity in God’s desire. Jesus has just spoken (in 12:22-31) about trusting God while also seeking the “kingdom”; now he reminds everyone that the point isn’t to coax a grumpy or frugal deity into being nice to us. Rather, God eagerly wants the “kingdom” -- a whole new set of affairs reflecting God’s int...
Aug 11, 2019•42 min
Luke 12:32-40 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). These words speak an unqualified promise about God. They root God’s generosity in God’s desire. Jesus has just spoken (in 12:22-31) about trusting God while also seeking the “kingdom”; now he reminds everyone that the point isn’t to coax a grumpy or frugal deity into being nice to us. Rather, God eagerly wants the “kingdom” -- a whole new set of affairs reflecting God’s int...
Aug 11, 2019•30 min
We don’t need to reject Martha in order to understand Luke’s point about Mary, who is portrayed as a disciple sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to him. She violates the cultural expectations in ways that Martha does not. This is the sort of thing that Jesus does, breaking the cultural constraints and setting people free for the kingdom. That’s necessary if we are actually going to love our neighbors and love God. The church needs to be set free for such faithful listening and discipled ...
Jul 21, 2019•35 min
Luke 10:25-37 The question and Jesus' shocking answer. The question we should ask ourselves, and reevaluate our lives based on what the Good Creator has invited us to join with Him in. How lives and the whole world is renewed. Join us as we discuss this important passage. On a narrative level, Jesus is the one who tells the story. On the theological level, however, the image of God is carried by the one in the ditch. The image of God is reflected by the one who shows compassion and mercy. Those ...
Jul 14, 2019•53 min
What must I do to inherit eternal life? The lawyer asks a legitimate question, a question that appears to want a real answer. He engages in dialogue with Jesus that seems to desire an honest response. What does it really mean to follow the law? To live the law? We need regular reminders, constant instruction, of what it means to be a citizen in the Kingdom of God. We wonder every day. We question every day. We should, really, wake up each day and ask Jesus, pray fervently, where and how can I ac...
Jul 14, 2019•39 min
Luke 10:1-20 The offer of peace to every house. This discourse begins what is another of Jesus' direction to repent (change our thinking). Jesus sends out disciples with the first proclamation that sounds simple: “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’” (verse 5). Notice that Jesus does not tell them to do any sort of assessment before making this proclamation. He doesn’t ask them to determine whether this house follows the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, or whether this ho...
Jul 07, 2019•41 min
Romans 8:14-39 The Holy Spirit given to us to be able to LOVE- and demonstrate real love- to the other. To those in the margins, to those who need to know there is room for them at the Table, the feast God has prepared for them. #egalitarian #Spirit #radicalLove #church #community Support the show This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving In the...
Jul 03, 2019•59 min
Luke 9:51-62 We may have missed the point. James and John seem eager to punish the Samaritans for their refusal to receive Jesus. They appear pretty confident, offering to command fire to come down and consume these that are unwilling to receive the good news. And there was precedence (2 Kings 1: 10-12) for calling down fire. Add to that their previous argument about who is the greatest (verse 46), maybe James and John are simply eager to project their own authority.But Jesus shows us another wa...
Jun 30, 2019•41 min
Luke 9:51-62 51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; 53 but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" 55 But he turned and rebuked them......... We recognize the need to j...
Jun 30, 2019•1 hr 9 min
Drawing from research done by the Gottman Institute, we continue our marriage enrichment sessions. This session we discuss LOVE MAPS. Support the show This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving In the service of LOVE, Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake...
Jun 30, 2019•1 hr 4 min
Luke 8:26-39 Galatians 3:23-29 The account in sacred text that tells us of a Jesus who came to the rescue of a man who was mentally ill. Rescued, he is sent back to tell his family, how good God is and how He has been KIND to him. From our Galatians reading- there is no longer Jew or Gentile slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Equality for all. Support the show This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the...
Jun 23, 2019•53 min
Luke 8:26-39 Galatians 3:23-29 The account of the man in the tomb and a Jesus who finds us when we cannot look for him. To remember our true name, beloved child of God. "Now go back to your family and tell them everything God has done, and how KIND he has been to you."- vs.39. Support the show This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving In the ser...
Jun 23, 2019•36 min
John 14:19-20 John 16:12-15 God the Father, Son, and Spirit in perfect unity and fellowship, each honoring the other. This is our blueprint on how to love the world. Without diminishment the Triune God celebrates the diversity and unity and invites us to do the same. #egalitarian #TriuneGod #Spirit #unity #diversity Support the show This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://w...
Jun 16, 2019•58 min
God who lives in community, who exists in three separate persons, Father, Son and Spirit. This God who is loving unity and yet exhibits diversity, calls us to a unity that does not diminish other, but creates and invites us ALL to the table. Support the show This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving In the service of LOVE, Pastors Dennis and Hea...
Jun 16, 2019•40 min
From the book of Acts 2:1-4 Romans 8:14-39 Come Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life. At the beginning of time you moved over the face of the waters; you breathe into every living being, the breathe of life. Come, Creator Spirit, and renew the whole creation. The Comforter- God's own Spirit, given to us, so we have the power of radical Love- Love enough for neighbor and for enemy. Support the show This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support ...
Jun 09, 2019•33 min
Joel 2:28-29 Acts 2:1-4 Romans 8:14-39 The Holy Spirit given to us for empowerment to love. For His spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. Support the show This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving In the service of LOVE, Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake...
Jun 09, 2019•33 min
John 17:20-26 Chapter 17 is Jesus’ closing prayer. He looks up to heaven and prays first for himself. This is not the agonizing prayer in Gethsemane found in the other gospels. Jesus is not in agony nor is he confused. “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you.” Jesus’ prayer doesn’t stop with those seated at the table. “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one.” Jesus is ...
Jun 02, 2019•38 min
