Despite its brevity, the book of Obadiah can seem obscure. It depends on the readers' cultural, historical, and geographical knowledge. But the message God speaks through Obadiah is short and simple\: what you sow, you will reap. Pastor Luke looks at Obadiah 1:1-21 in "What Goes Around... One Hit Wonders, Part 1," the first message in a new series, "One Hit Wonders."
In the inaugural edition of "Ask Me Anything" (formerly "Extreme Preaching") we covered three topics\: (1) (0:53) How should Christians think about evil people like Hitler or Stalin? (2) (8:54) Jesus' teaching in Luke 9\:59-62 seems harsh. Why? (3) (15:18) What does Psalm 18:2 mean about taking refuge in the Lord? (4) (22:15) How can 'refuge' encompass the idea of God's provision? (5) (23:53) Is it really a sin to be angry? How can we avoid it? Pastor Luke looks at Matthew 5:43-48 in "Ask Me Any...
What is the relationship between God the Son and Jesus Christ? What does it mean that God the Son changed in becoming incarnate? How can we trust a god who changes -- even if it was for our sake? Pastor Luke looks at Hebrews 2:9-17 in "The Elder Brother," the concluding message in his series, "The Trinity."
Jesus described God as a loving heavenly Father, but sometimes people see God as a stern disciplinarian. If God were really loving, they ask, how could he sit idly by while his children suffer? Pastor Luke teaches from Romans 5:1-8 in "Antifragile," part 2 of his 3-part series, "The Trinity."
The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was accompanied not only by tongues of fire, but also by linguistic tongues as well. To understand that phenomenon, we look back to the story of the Tower of Babel. What is its significance for us today? Pastor Luke preaches from Genesis 11:1-8 in "A City and a Tower," the first message in a new series, "The Trinity."
Humans have the ability to be disgusted, and can even transmit their disgust to others around them. How much does that overlap with religion -- for example, in purity laws and speech codes? If disgust is related to religion, what does disgust say about God? After God called him to visit a Gentile's home, the Apostle Peter needed answers to these questions. Pastor Luke teaches from Acts 11:1-18 in "Purity Code This Changes Everything, Part 5," part 5 of his 6-part series, "This Change Everything....
Occasionally, Christians who have a warm, comfortable faith find themselves envying people who are "on fire" with a burning faith. But there's no reason everyone can't have that kind of faith. The New Testament tells us how to get it. Pastor Luke preaches from Acts 9:32-43 in "Upscaling This Changes Everything, Part 4," part 4 of his 6-part series, "This Change Everything."
Two thousand years ago the Church was the original cross-cultural innovator. Today, Christians have spread around the world to almost every nation and people group. But that success at engaging new cultures has to be repeated every twenty years. Pastor Luke teaches from Acts 9:1-20 in "Road Through Damascus - This Changes Everything, Part 3," part 3 of his 6-part series, "This Change Everything."
Honesty is the best policy, but sometimes it can be, if not dangerous, then at least socially awkward. If we have unpopular opinions, they might be off-putting to others. But the first Christians were admired, even by their critics, for having the courage of their convictions. We can have it too, because the Resurrection changes everything. Pastor Luke looks at Acts 5:27-32 in "Fear of Public Speaking - This Changes Everything, Part 2," part 2 of his 6-part series, "This Change Everything."
The first Christians struggled to carry out the mission that Jesus gave the church. We still find it difficult today, for the same reason: because it requires us to cross boundaries. Sometimes, however, we are able to succeed ... because the Resurrection changes everything. Pastor Luke looks at Acts 10:34-43 in "This Changes Everything (Part 1)," the first message in a new series, "This Change Everything."
On Good Friday, Christians often reflect on the cross of Christ: how it unfolded, and what it cost. But the writer of an ancient document called "Hebrews" focuses instead on what it achieved. What can we do now that we could not do before the crucifixion? Pastor Luke teaches from Hebrews 10:16-25 in "Struck Down."
Maundy Thursday is a time to remember Jesus' new commandment to love one another. His disciples found it remarkable that he demonstrated that kind of love when he washed their feet. So do we. But Jesus did something else that was every bit as remarkable, and we rarely stop to consider what it means. Pastor Luke teaches from 1 Corinthians 11:2326 in "Old Meal: New Covenant - Maundy Thursday."
Why are Christians involved in works of charity, if it is God who provides the resources? Why would God complicate that simple idea of divine assistance by involving people especially people who sometimes don't feel like being generous? What is God trying to accomplish? Pastor Luke looks at 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 in "High Yield - Profit Participation, Part 5," the concluding message in his series, "Profit Participation."
Beside the desire, one thing is required for us to be generous. And it's not money. Pastor Luke teaches from 2 Corinthians 9:1-5 in ""Show Me the Money" - Profit Participation, Part 4," part 4 of his 5-part series, "Profit Participation."
The Apostle Paul wrote that churches must not only handle donations honorably, but be seen by others as doing so. It's true that how we treat money is part of our witness. But behind this point lies a larger one: being a Christian doesn't mean you'll never make a mistake again, or do something you'll regret later. What does Paul teach about that? Pastor Luke looks at 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 in "Web of Trust - Profit Participation, Part 3," part 3 of his 5-part series, "Profit Participation."
Under the First Covenant, Israelites were obligated to support the religious system. Is that still in effect? Are Christians obligated to give money to the church? And if so, how much? (Technical note: The original audio recording of this message could not be used, so another recording of the message was substituted.) Pastor Luke teaches from 2 Corinthians 8:8-15 in "Earnest Money - Profit Participation, Part 2," part 2 of his 5-part series, "Profit Participation."
Most people today probably enjoy being generous -- except when they can't, due to the circumstances of their lives. That was probably true in the first century, too. What should we do if our circumstances don't permit it, but we still want to be generous? Pastor Luke teaches from 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 in "Profit Participation (Part 1)," the first message in a new series, "Profit Participation."
Ash Wednesday begins the liturgical season of Lent, a time of fasting and self-discipline. What's the point about these practices? What's special about these disciplines is how they convincing people about the authenticity of our faith. Especially when we're the one who needs the most convincing. Pastor Luke teaches from 2 Corinthians 5:16-6:10 in "Ambassadors."
Three of his four biographies describe when Jesus was transfigured, but none of them explain its significance. What was revealed in his transfiguration? What does it matter to us now? Pastor Luke preaches from 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 in "Unveiled."
Which do you need more: new things, or new places to store them? We conclude our "Uncluttered" series with a lesson from Jesus about what to do when we start thinking we might need bigger barns. Pastor Luke preaches from Luke 12:13-21 in "Bigger Barns," part 6 of his 7-part series, "Uncluttered."
Do you have enough time to do everything you'd like to? Would you like to make better use of the time you have? Jesus taught how we can unclutter our time by focusing on the present. Pastor Luke preaches from Exodus 8:1-15 in "Right Now," part 5 of his 7-part series, "Uncluttered."
We've been discovering some spiritual disciplines that make our lives less cluttered. This week, we'll look at prayer. What does prayer have to do with clutter? Pastor Luke preaches from Luke 18:1-8 in "The Lord Will Fight For You," part 4 of his 7-part series, "Uncluttered."
This week, we'll talk about something that's never been easy, but it is increasingly rare in our society: forgiveness. Why is it a discipline, and how can we practice it? Pastor Luke teaches from Ephesians 4:30-5:2 in "Relinquish," part 3 of his 7-part series, "Uncluttered."
This week we'll study one of the most difficult spiritual disciplines. But it doesn't need to be. People rarely struggled to practice it in Bible times, or even 200 years ago. Pastor Luke teaches from Genesis 28:10-19 in "Stairway to Heaven," part 2 of his 7-part series, "Uncluttered."
Being a disciple means trusting Jesus enough to put his teaching into practice. But when you're stressed out and have too much going on, taking on a new project doesn't seem wiseeven if Jesus recommends it. But what if Jesus already knows that? Pastor Luke looks at Mark 2:23-28 in "Uncluttered," the first message in a new series, "Uncluttered."
People often begin a new year by making resolutions. We might finally kick a bad habit, say, or to tackle some project or take on a responsibility. How can people of faith make that kind of change in their lives? What guidance does our faith give us? What help is it? Pastor Luke looks at Exodus 3:7-12 in "Now Go."
In the most recent "EXTREME Preaching" occasion, we covered two subjects\: (1) The connection in the Gospel between repentance and faith. (2) The story of Naaman the Syrian. Pastor Luke preaches from Acts 20:21 in "EXTREME Preaching."
Peace on Earth is what the angels sang to the shepherds. But people sometimes find it difficult to experience that peace, especially in December. Maybe we aren't thinking about peace the right way. What else might the angels have been trying to communicated? Pastor Luke teaches from Luke 2:1-20 NLT in "Peace on Earth."
In the Magnificat, Mary sees her unborn child as inaugurating a revolution. When will it happen? Who carries out the revolution? What kind of revolution is it? And what is our role? Pastor Luke preaches from Luke 1:39-56 NLT in "Exalting the Humble The Coming Light, Part 5," the concluding message in his series, "The Coming Light."
The Day of the Lord means salvation is available to everyone. But do our actions matter? John the Baptist seemed to think so. Why? And if so, is salvation really for everyone? Pastor Luke teaches from Luke 3:7-18 NLT in "Fruit of Repentance The Coming Light, Part 4," part 4 of his 5-part series, "The Coming Light."
