Luke Toward the Light

Identity in Christ

I Am God’s Child and Christ’s Friend

This is the first in a 5-part sermon series entitled, “Who I Am In Christ.” Rather than believing the lies often sold to us (‘I am a sinner because I sometimes sin,’ ‘I get my identity from what I have done,’ etc.), this series is intended to help us be very clear about our true identities (‘I am a saint who sometimes sins,’ ‘I get my identity from what God has done for me,’ etc.). Today’s message will focus on…
4 wooden chairs around a square wooden table

Pull Up a Chair

Scripture: John 6:35, 41-51 A few weeks ago I commented in my sermon that in pastoral ministry, there are a fair number of things one can complain about. I want to clarify that I absolutely love pastoral ministry. I can’t imagine getting the same joy out of doing anything else. For me, pastoral ministry is truly a blessing to my soul. And one of the biggest blessings comes from being invited into people’s homes. It really is a privilege to…
"Radical Love"

The Goal: Loving Radically

Read: John 5:1-6 and John 15:9-17 Yes or no: it is your desire, or at the very least, something you think is a good idea, to live a life that reflects Jesus Christ? As much as you possibly can, would you like to emulate Jesus? If you answered yes, then I want you to pick a number between 1-15 for each of the following two questions. Note that your answers may not match. Please be as honest with yourself as…

Set Free to Live!

This is the first in a 3-part Easter sermon series entitled “Set Free!” Each of these messages focuses on one aspect of life that Jesus Christ’s resurrection accomplished for us. Today’s message is that his resurrection gave us true life. Sermon #2: “Set Free to Serve” Sermon #3: “Set Free to Transform the World” Scripture: John 20:1-18 Many of you might have heard about Nevest Coleman (picture on the left). He’s been in the news this week on account of…
person walking on the beach

Sainthood: Being an Everyday Christian Every Day

Today is the 2nd in a 4-part series entitled “Why Church?” Because many Christians are uncomfortable inviting others to worship, the aim of this series is to help us become a more invitational congregation by equipping us with an understanding of why it is important to invite others as well as a some practical ways to issue an invitation to people we know. Today is also All Saints Sunday on the Christian Calendar. Sermon #1: “Do You Know Your Own…
hands with the text on the palms, "Use me"

Being Informed

This is the first in a 3-part sermon series about spiritual gifts. This series will address the special abilities God gives all followers of Jesus Christ at the moment they come to faith in Jesus Christ. Today’s message focuses on how our spiritual giftedness is the very power to continue the work Jesus was doing while on earth. It will begin to answer the WHY? question. Scriptures: John 14:12-18, 26;  John 15:26-27; Luke 12:11-12;  Luke 24:46-49 On Thursday and Friday I attended…

Peace Is In Our Hands

This is the first of a 2-part post-Easter sermon series entitled, “What Difference Does the Resurrection Make?” This message focuses on the deep, abiding peace of heart and mind the risen Christ offers us. Scripture Text: John 20:19-31 How does anxiety manifest itself in your life? For me, it effects my sleeping patterns. Most often, it wakes up in the middle of the night, and usually for no apparent reason. I can lie awake for a long period of time not…