From One Degree to Another

My 9/29/24 sermon at Crestview, Jesus Engages (Luke 24:1-35), is online. Of course, the big idea is that Jesus rises from the dead. However, Jesus engages people in many ways in this passage, which intrigued me. I think it helps us see how the Risen Christ is still on the move for the good of people, helping us to really live on this side of the resurrection. I hope the sermon encourages you. Have a great week.

My 9/22/24 sermon at Crestview, Exchanges (Luke 23:1-56), invited us to consider all the exchanges in the passage of Jesus’s death. Of course, this points to the great exchange of 2 Corinthians 5:21, where Jesus, the One who knew no sin, became sin so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. I hope the sermon encourages you.

My 9/15/24 sermon, The Passover Lamb (Luke 22:1-71), is now online. The sermon dealt with a long chapter in Luke’s Gospel with everything from Jesus’s Last Supper with the disciples to His betrayal and denial. Digging through all of this narrative proved profitable, though, as we sought to see how Jesus is not just saying God loves us but proving it with action after action. I hope the sermon encourages you.

My 9/8/24 sermon, Jesus and the Future (Luke 21:5-38) is online. It was encouraging to work through this passage and again see that when it comes to the future, Jesus isn’t interested in what or when certain events will happen (which seems to be all many people care about — just like Jesus’s disciples in this passage). Jesus is committed to helping His followers (both now and then) understand what kind of people we should be. And, of course, it all comes back to centering on Him, keeping our eyes on Him, and living in the here and now appropriately. I hope this sermon encourages you for the future.

My 9/1/24 sermon at Crestview, Jesus and Religion (Luke 20:1-21:4), is online. Religion seems to be a fairly good whipping post these days. The tension in this passage is that Jesus isn’t out to “put religion in its place” as much as to draw out the hearts of those bent on relating to God on their own terms to come to God through Him. I hope this good news is clearly seen in this sermon.

I did mention this Keller chart in my opening.

Many people also appreciated seeing the story of the widow’s gift in context. So, here are some details related to this sermon. I hope they encourage you.

My 8/25/24 sermon, King of Peace (Luke 19:28-48), is online (both video and audio are available). This passage included three narratives: Jesus’s Triumphal Entry, Jesus Weeping over Jerusalem, and Jesus Cleansing the Temple. And each of these is showcasing Jesus. They show who He is. They show that He’s unlike any other king we could imagine. They help us lean into a king who is full of compassion and has the authority to call us to reorder our lives. I hope the sermon encourages you as you lean into Him for hope.

My 8/18/24 sermon at Crestview, Jesus’s Mission Revealed (Luke 18:31-19:27), is now online. The thing is, when we understand what really drives people, their deepest purpose, it has an effect on our lives. And, for people of faith, understanding what drove Jesus to work for the greater good in people’s lives helps us. His vision and mission were not only compelling for Him as He lived on earth, but they are compelling for us, His followers, as we live life in the here and now. I hope this good news encourages you.

My 8/11/24 sermon at Crestview, Kingdom Trust (Luke 18:15-30), dug into the narratives of “let the little children come to me” and “the rich young ruler” to help us see the atmosphere of God’s kingdom. Specifically, God’s kingdom produces faith or trust in Jesus Christ our Lord. And, this leads to all kinds of ramifications. I hope the sermon encourages you.

My 8/4/24 sermon at Crestview, Kingdom Living (Luke 17:20-18:14), is online. This sermon dug into Jesus’s explanation that His coming to earth meant the kingdom of God was here. Further, He envisioned a day when He would return and how His followers were to act accordingly. The text addressed issues of focus, prayer, and relationships with others. I hope it encourages you.

Someone asked me to post the quote from part of the sermon. Jesus relates the days of Noah and Sodom to eating, drinking, selling, buying, and rather normal mundane activities. And, Ralph Davis put it so well:

“[There is] Nothing wicked about these activities in themselves. But those things were the sum total of their lives. Jesus does not hammer on their wickedness but their preoccupations. They were completely absorbed in their own interests…  There is also a warning in this text for professing believers in our day, at least in the West. It is easy to assume that it’s non-Christians who are always preoccupied with their own ‘stuff’ and, as we say, are only gazing at their own navels. But there’s a word here to the modern disciple. You too are liable to be so taken up with brushing your teeth, choosing your earrings, closing real estate deals, building houses, going to work, getting through school, passing your exams, taking kids to music lessons, running Junior to Little League, going to church, the beauty shop and the grocery store, text messaging, mowing the yard, finding a new hair salon, paying the orthodontist, getting allergy shots, that it’s almost like you’re living in Sodom. It’s the frenzied pace of one thing after another that loses sight of the coming of the Son of Man.” (from his commentary on Luke in the Focus series)