Luke: God's Promise Fulfilled
In recent weeks we’ve been looking at the question presented by Luke: “Who is Jesus?”. This week, we’ll keep exploring that question, but also look at a question that Jesus asks his disciples: “Where is your faith?”. From Luke 8:22-56, we’ll see that because Jesus has power over the creation, over the demons, and over sickness and death, our faith should be in him. We can believe without fear, because Jesus has all power and authority.
Resources:
Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)
Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1
Mike McKinley – Luke 1-12 For You
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Hearing God’s Word is not enough – we must respond to it. That’s Jesus’ teaching in Luke 8:1-21: When you hear the word of Christ, make sure you receive it with a sincere heart. We’ll look first at the spread of that word, then at the responses to that word, then at the weight of that word, and finally we’ll see the family formed by that word.
Resources:
Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)
Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1
Mike McKinley – Luke 1-12 For You
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Read sermon transcriptThis week, Pastor Wayne Lee from Chinese Christian Church joins us to preach on Luke 7:36-50. We’ll see that much forgiveness leads to much love, our biggest need is the forgiveness of sins, and that the opposite of sin is not virtue, the opposite of sin is faith
Resources:
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In Jesus’ time on earth, even his cousin John asked, “are you really the one that we were promised?” From Luke 7:1-35, we’ll see that there is never a need to move on from Jesus and there is no one greater than him coming because no one greater than him exists. Jesus is the one who was to come. So we’ll see in this passage what it looks like to recognize him, then how to recognize him, then the privilege of those who do recognize him, and finally why some don’t, and others do, recognize him.
Resources:
Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)
Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1
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Read sermon transcriptEven though they are “just words”, there are real consequences to ignoring things like stop signs and weather forecasts. So, as we conclude the Sermon on the Plain, what are the consequences of ignoring Jesus’ words? In Luke 6:46-49, we’ll see that the one who hears the words of Jesus and does not do them will come to ruin. We’ll look at the problem of hearing without doing, the alternative to hearing without doing, and then finally at the outcome of hearing without doing.
Resources:
Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)
Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1
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Read sermon transcriptTherapists know that “cognitive distortions”, like discounting positives and thinking in all-or-nothing terms, can affect your relationships. In Luke 6:37-45, Jesus teaches about an ever more serious “cognitive distortion”: the sin that causes us to harshly judge others. Jesus teaches his disciples to treat others with the mercy you need from God. First he tells us why to do so, and then he tells us how to do so: Why? Because God will treat you the way you treat others. How? By repenting of the sins for which you need mercy.
Resources:
Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)
Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Read sermon transcriptYou might already know that Jesus says, “love your enemies”? But, why would anyone possibly want to do that? We’ll see that God promises a better reward, and that loving your enemies makes you like your heavenly Father. Finally, we’ll see how to love your enemies like God loves his enemies.
Resources:
Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)
Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Read sermon transcriptBeing a citizen of a country is a big deal: it can determine where you’re allowed to live, where you pay your taxes, and which laws you have to follow. But being a citizen of Jesus’ kingdom is an even bigger deal. Pastor Mike teaches, “Blessed are the people of Jesus’ kingdom”. To see that in this text we’ll look at the leaders in his kingdom, the power of his kingdom, the people of his kingdom, and then finally at the people outside of his kingdom.
Resources:
Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)
Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Read sermon transcriptOnce in a while, something new comes along that changes everything. Pastor Mike shows us from Luke 5:33-6:11 that Jesus has brought a new age with a new way of life. Jesus brings about this new age because he’s the greatest joy, he’s the highest lord, and he’s the lawful savior.
Resources:
Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)
Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Read sermon transcriptLast week, we heard that Jesus saves people through his people. This week, we’ll look to answer the question, “what kind of people will Jesus save?”. It may not be who you think! Pastor Mike preaches from Luke 5:12-32 that Jesus is willing and able to bring the outcasts back to God. He is willing and able to cleanse the unclean, he is willing and able to forgive sin, and he is willing and able to call the sinners.
Resources:
Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)
Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Read sermon transcriptIn this sermon, we’ll see not just that Jesus will save people, but that Jesus will save people through his people. To see that, Pastor Mike walks through Luke 5:11 in four parts: His power, his peoples’ response, the mission he gives his people, and then once again his peoples’ response.
Resources:
Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)
Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Read sermon transcriptEvery good organization has a mission statement. So, does Jesus have one? Today, we’ll learn about Jesus’ mission statement: Jesus went public to preach the good news of the kingdom of God. We’ll see in this passage the good news announced, the good news rejected, the good news displayed, and finally, the good news exported.
Resources:
Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)
Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Read sermon transcriptA book we like to give away at our church is titled, Who is Jesus?. Our answer to that question will determine what we do with the rest of our lives. If Jesus wasn’t who he said he was, he can be relegated to the realm of history. But if he really is who he says he is, it changes everything. Pastor Mike argues from Luke 3:21-38 that Jesus is the ultimate Son of God. He was anointed with God’s Spirit, he was declared to be God’s Son, and he was like God’s first son.
Resources:
Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)
Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Read sermon transcriptThis week, Pastor Harry Fujiwara joins us from The First Baptist Church in the City of New York to preach God’s Word. From Luke 4:1-13, we’ll see that Jesus is the true, perfect, obedient Son of God.
Resources:
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Read sermon transcriptTerminology, accents, sports teams—these things characterize true Philadelphians. What characterizes true Christians, though? Who are God’s people, really? We’ll see from Luke 3:1-20 that God’s people are repentant people. God’s people are not characterized by terminology, accents, or sports teams. God’s people are characterized by repentance. And we’ll see that in this passage as we see that repentant people are ready, repentant people are fruitful, Jesus will only save repentant people, and unrepentance only gets worse.
Resources:
Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)
Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Read sermon transcriptWhere does your ultimate allegiance lie? We’ll see from Luke 2:41-52 that Jesus’ ultimate allegiance is to his Father. In fact, Jesus has a relationship with his Father like no other. It gives him a wisdom like no other, it gives him a mission like no other, and it doesn’t exempt him from the humanity common to others.
Resources:
Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)
Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Read sermon transcriptThe Gospel of Luke does not end with the Christmas story! Even as the cold, dark, post-holiday period of winter sets in for us, the joy of the coming of Jesus remains. In fact, we’ll see from Luke 2:22-40 that Jesus is the joy of every longing heart. He consoles the longing heart, he reveals the longings of the heart, and he redeems the longing heart.
Resources:
Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)
Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Read sermon transcriptWhy do Christians celebrate with such joy at Christmas time? Because God has sent us the savior we need.
Resources:
Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)
Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Read sermon transcriptThe classic Christmas carol “What Child is This?” is about the birth of Jesus. But this week, we’ll see that many Israelites in Luke ask “what then will this child be?” of another miraculous child, John, and see how his birth is related to the coming of Jesus. With John’s birth, the time of mercy has come. We’ll see that God’s promise to John’s parents has come, God’s covenant fulfillment has come, and God’s preparing prophet has come.
Resources:
Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)
Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Read sermon transcriptWhat does it look like to be “great”? How does someone get to be “great”? Is it even something that we should want? This week, Pastor Mike teaches us that God has made his people great through the greatness of Jesus. We’ll see that Jesus is great, Jesus is the greatest, and Jesus has made the lowly great.
Resources:
Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)
Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Read sermon transcriptMany times, we feel hopeless about the things we wait for the most: children, good health, a job, deep friendship. Luke 1:5-25 is good news to those who wait for God: God gives real hope to his people when things look hopeless. To see that we’ll talk about when things look hopeless, how to live anyway, the hope God promises, how not to respond to it, and then finally at the hope God provides.
Resources:
Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)
Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Read sermon transcriptHave you ever decided on something, only to later question your life choices when someone asked, “Are you sure?“. Luke’s Gospel was written to remind you that you can be sure of the message about Jesus. We’ll see in Luke 1:1-4 that it’s a message that’s already been fulfilled, it’s a reliable message, and it’s an orderly message.
Resources:
Arthur Just Jr (ed) – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament III (Luke)
Bede – Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Darrell Bock – Luke 1:1-9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)
J.C. Ryle – Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke, Vol 1
Daniel Wallace and Darrell Bock on the reliability of the New Testament (video)
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