Luke 11:37-54
Pharisaism: Alive and Well in the Church Introduction: Please turn in your Bibles to Luke 11:37-54: When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised. Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did…
Luke 12:1-34
Three High Hurdles to Human Happiness Introduction: We sang a great hymn a few moments ago. It was written by Martin Luther, a German monk with a very troubled conscience, who, on October 31, 1517 (480 years ago this Friday) had the courage to challenge the ecclesiastical authorities of his day with a higher authority—that of Holy Scripture. The result was the Protestant Reformation and a serious movement back to the Bible. One verse we sang stands out very clear to me in light of…
Luke 12:13-21
How Do You Become Rich Toward God? Introduction: Last Fall we examined a very strange parable from the mouth of Jesus as found in Luke 16:1-9–the story of a man who used his money to buy friends. While the man himself was a scoundrel, Jesus presents him as a positive example of what Christians should do in one area of their lives–invest their money in friends. The particular kind of friends Jesus is concerned about are those who will welcome us into Heaven,…
Luke 12:35-48
Are You Ready for the Second Coming? Introduction: Friends, Jesus is coming again. We sang about it this morning. We believe it! The second coming is one of the fundamental, foundational truths of the Christian faith. It is not possible to read the Scriptures with any sort of objectivity without seeing Jesus’ return as a major theme, expectation, and hope. And we need to be ready for it! The second coming is the culmination of the person and work of Jesus Christ. As a member of the…
Luke 12:49-13:9
Have You Responded Rightly to His First Coming? Introduction: Last week Mike brought a sobering message to us from Luke challenging us to question our readiness for Jesus’ second coming. In the passage that follows, Jesus makes a significant transition in his teaching. He moves from speaking about the future to speaking about the present. Jesus confronts his audience with the reality that before his next coming, they must first respond rightly to his first coming. He shifts gears with the disciples and the…
Luke 12:54-13:5
What Do You Do When the Good Guys Don’t Win? Note: This sermon was preached two weeks after 911. Introduction: One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, let us reason together,’ says the LORD. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Last Lord’s Day I preached to you; today I want to reason with you. Last week we explored the events of 9/11/01 from…
Luke 13:10-30
Clues to the Kingdom Introduction: Please turn to Luke 13 with me, and we will read verses 10-30: On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately…
Luke 14:1-24
Table Talk: Parables About Banquet Invitations Introduction: Four days from now most of us will be gathered around a table for Thanksgiving Dinner with our families. Some of us will invite others to enjoy that meal with us—perhaps some very special friends or a new family in the neighborhood or an international student. Suppose you invited a dozen guests for Thanksgiving Dinner. In the middle of the meal one of them did something really offensive to everyone else, then instead of apologizing he…
Luke 14:25-35
Come at All Cost, But Count the Cost Introduction: I love odd-numbered years because there are no national elections. I never cease to be amazed at the fact that so many politicians in our country, of both major parties, are so willing to tell people whatever they want to hear: lower taxes, inflation, and crime rates; higher Social Security checks, farm prices, and employment. Anyone teetering on the brink of indecision is wooed by grandiose promises of less work, more money, and a…
Luke 15:1-24
Lost and Found Introduction: Please give attention to the Word of God, as found in the 15th chapter of Luke: “Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the…
Luke 15:11-32
What’s So Amazing About Grace? Note: This sermon was preached at First Free St. Louis in a series on Marks of a Healthy Church. Please give attention to the Word of God, as found in the 15th chapter of Luke, beginning in verse 11. Jesus has just told two fascinating parables–one about a lost sheep and another about a lost coin: Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of…
Luke 15:25-32; 1 Timothy 1:12-17
The Other Prodigal Son Introduction: Today is Christmas Sunday. The music and worship have drawn our attention to Advent in a special way, but if you looked at the sermon title and outline, you might wonder whether the pastor even knows it’s Christmas. Yes, and before I’m done, I think you will understand why I’ve chosen to continue with Luke 15 this Sunday. While not in itself an Advent passage, I trust that the message of Christmas will come through loud and clear. Our…