Lighting Up the Sky — Stories for the Journey, Part 8

Jesus taught about the end times and the events that will take place before the age to come. What he taught can be mysterious or even distressing. But it can also inspire us with great hope. Pastor Luke preaches from Luke 17:20–37 in “Lighting Up the Sky,” ” the concluding message in his series “Stories for…

THX — Stories for the Journey, Part 7

People benefit in a number of ways from practicing gratitude. Sometimes we don’t know who to thank, however, or how. We might not even be sure if the circumstances are just the natural course of events. But Jesus has a lot to teach us about how we can practice gratitude. Pastor Luke preaches from Luke 17:11–19 in “THX,”…

Sixpence to the Good — Stories for the Journey, Part 6

Jesus challenged his disciples to do something very difficult, but not for a reward. In fact, he didn’t really want them to do it. Pastor Luke teaches from Luke 17:1–10 in “Sixpence to the Good,” part 6 of his 10-part series “Stories for the Journey.”

Worldly Wealth — Stories for the Journey, Part 5

Because Jesus is a master storyteller, he was able to take a conventional idea, and give it a twist that still makes it unsettling even two thousand years later. But better still, he could make it liberating. Pastor Luke looks at Luke 16:1–13 in “Worldly Wealth,” part 5 of his 10-part series “Stories for the…

Party in Heaven — Stories for the Journey, Part 4

How does God react when someone becomes a Christian? Or when someone who’s been sinning realizes they ought to stop? Does God say, “Too little, too late?” or wait first, to see how well they follow through? Not at all! According to Jesus, there’s a party in heaven. Pastor Luke looks at Luke 15:1–10 in “Party…

Count the Cost — Stories for the Journey, Part 3

Sometimes Christians are so eager to spread the good news about Jesus that they can find themselves using high-pressure sales techniques to do so. But Jesus didn’t. He cautioned people not to jump into discipleship without counting the cost. Pastor Luke looks at Luke 14:25–35 in “Count the Cost,” part 3 of his 10-part series “Stories for the…

Guest List — Stories for the Journey, Part 2

If you’ve been in situations where you weren’t sure you were welcome, you might have wondered the same thing about God’s kingdom. Are you really welcome in it? What happens if you decline the invitation? Pastor Luke preaches from Luke 14:15–24 in “Guest List,” part 2 of his 10-part series “Stories for the Journey.”

Table Manners — Stories for the Journey, Part 1

Many people have felt awkward or out of place in certain social settings. Jesus uses some principles about how we behave, (or might behave) at those times, to teach about God’s Kingdom. Pastor Luke teaches from Luke 14:1–14 in “Table Manners,” the first message in a new series “Stories for the Journey.”