Sermons on Luke (Page 5)

Escape Into Grace

This week we begin Eastertide and a new Worship series titled The Grace of Les Misérables, based on the book by the same title by Rev. Matt Rawle. This opening week of the series, we focus on the main character, Jean Valjean, who moves physically and spiritually from imprisonment to grace. Scripture: Luke 6:32-38 (CEB)

From Darkness to Light

Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! Each year, Easter Sunday is the culmination of a season of introspection and spiritual discovery, an emerging from a time of authentic introspection to a time to celebrate the natural transformation that takes place as a result of such work. We sing hymns and we recognize the newness that is made possible! We celebrate a fuller understanding of new life, especially new life in the risen Jesus! Scripture: Luke 24:1-12, Acts 10:34-43 (CEB)

Giving Up Popularity

Technical Note: We apologize. Once again, the embedded video has no sound, this time until the 32:55 marker. This Sunday is the traditional celebration of Palm Sunday, and is a peak of celebration in Jesus’ ministry that leads to the valley of death on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Ultimately, we arrive at an even higher peak on Easter Sunday! And we must acknowledge the fullness of this journey—a very real journey for Jesus and those in first-century Jerusalem, and…

Giving Up Judgment

A few months ago, we focused our Worship on this same text; and instead of a traditional didactic message, we heard the story through song. For the most part, congregation members were supportive. I confess that I worried it was too out-of-the-box. I worried about judgment. It occurs to me that this is similar to the worry that the prodigal son faced as he wrestled with going back home to his family. I wonder if the father experienced some worry…

Giving Up Expectations

I’ve often found wonderful humor in this familiar phrase: “If you want to make God laugh, tell God your plans.” In our lives, we sometimes have a tendency to build up our expectations on how things are going to turn out with every circumstance. Even so, I find from time to time that God draws something unexpected—and sometimes incredible—out of whatever meager imaginings I may have had. Perhaps you have too… Scripture: Luke 13:1-9 (CEB)

Giving Up Fear

We live in a world that often feels like it’s ruled by fear. There are so many of us fearful of disease and illness, of being judged, of losing abilities or freedoms. Yet so often our scriptures remind us not to be afraid! Scripture: Genesis 15:1-12,17-18; Luke 13:31-35 (CEB)

Giving Up Control

This week we begin our Lenten Worship series entitled I Give Up that explores what we might give up during this season of introspection and preparation. In the Gospel text, Jesus is drawn into the wilderness for forty days and endures hardship and temptation. Understanding where this lies in the context of the Gospel of Luke, we may understand this in part as Jesus’ preparation for ministry. It is a time—remembering the mystery of trinity as both togetherness and separateness—that…

Seeing & Re-Seeing

As we have continued to Worship in various ways including online, we regularly claim that the act of Worship changes us and that we are called to respond to the change that takes place. Perhaps we might consider that this change is not only an inward spiritual change, but that this inspires an outward and visible change—perhaps even a change that shifts our perspective to see more clearly. Scripture: Luke 9:28-36 (CEB)

Well Pleased

This Sunday we begin a new series called The Body of Christ: Learning & Re-Learning How to Be a Christian. This is also the time in the Christian year that we conclude Christmastide and Epiphany and begin Ordinary Time (sometimes called “season after Epiphany”). But this time is anything but ordinary! And so we seek comfort from the true source of comfort and goodness, the One who claims us and names us and loves us. Scripture: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 (NRSV)

Lost at Home

The Scripture for this Sunday is the story from Luke 2:41-52. Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and those who observed the Passover Festival at Jerusalem just finished their big holiday celebration, and they were on their way home.  They were returning to the normalcy of home and the everydayness of life.  But unexpectedly they found themselves in a predicament.  They couldn’t find their son anywhere, and they were terrified! Perhaps you can empathize with Mary and Joseph because you have had a…

Family Candlelight Service

Our 5:00 pm Christmas Eve Service focuses on children and families and will tell the story of Christmas through scripture and song. Children may be invited to join an informal visual tableau (no rehearsal required!) with fun costumes and easy movements. We will conclude with Christmas carols and candles.