Bent Oak Church

In our final sermon of the Values series, we discuss the role of a local church in the broader work of the church's mission. Having a perspective on what God is doing around the world is crucial for the support and work to which we commit ourselves.

As we continue our series, guest speaker Donna Barrett, explores the importance of community and how our fellowship reflects the life and health of the church.

What is it that a church does when it meets together? In Acts 2, the church commits itself to teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer. These have often been called the four marks of the church. We look at the importance of these marks and how they shape who we are as a church.

As we continue our series looking at the values of Bent Oak Church, we come to an unexpected value: the church as an institution. There are two temptations when it comes to the organization of the church. We are tempted either to make it an idol or to refuse participation. We take a closer look at why the institution of the church matters. 

As we continue our series on the values of Bent Oak, Pastor Barry unpacks the importance of worship and why worship should be the response to everything the church does and receives together.

In the second part of our series on the values of Bent Oak Church, we take a look at how scripture and the gospel anchor in life. It was because the early church was dedicated to the teaching of the apostles that they could share all things in common.

In the first sermon of our values series, we're looking at what it means for a church to live life together and how the church should fit with our common life. 

In our final passage of Luke, we take a look at Jesus's appearance to his disciples and the surprising details that Luke includes. Jesus told his disciples to touch his hands and asked them for something to eat. 

Having found Jesus's tomb empty, his disciples weren't sure what to make of it. In their disappointment, two of those disciples set out for home. Their discouragement blinded them from seeing that it was Jesus who joined them on the road. We take a closer look at Jesus's first appearance after his resurrection. 

On this Easter Sunday, we're looking at Jesus' resurrection and the disciples discover that the tomb was empty. Though Jesus had told them he would rise on the third day, his disciples still struggled to understand. The angels came with the message to remember. When they did remember, everything was changed. 

Upon Jesus's death, Luke introduces us to a new and unexpected character: Joseph of Aramethia. A Jewish leader, Joseph, took a risk in requesting Jesus's body. Having received approval from Pilate, Joseph hurried to bury Jesus with dignity before the Sabbath. In our study, we take a closer look at Joseph and why Luke sees him as an important figure. 

We have been working slowly through the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. In this week's passage, we come to Jesus's final moments and his death. We'll also look at the responses of those gathered beneath Jesus's cross. 

As we continue our study of Luke's gospel, we come to Jesus' crucifixion. We take a closer look at the two stories: the perspective of Rome and the Jewish leaders and the deeper story of what Christ was accomplishing. Through these two perspectives, we learn to understand better how God is working in our own lives and suffering. 

The religious leaders sought Jesus's death, but they didn't have the power to carry out that sentence. They needed Rome. So they handed Jesus over to Pilate. Jesus's death came as the leaders of the world coalesced around his execution. We take a closer look at Jesus's interrogation before Pilate and Herod Antipas. 

Jesus had predicted that Peter would deny him three times. Peter protested that he was ready to face arrest and even death with Jesus. But once Jesus was under arrest, Peter began his denials just as Jesus had predicted. We take a closer look at the passage and how it was Jesus' look that finally brought Peter back to himself. 

The hour had finally come. Jesus made his way to the Mount of Olives, where he would face his betrayal and be arrested. We take a closer look at Jesus' prayer and how he models prayer for our lives and temptations. 

Still at the Passover table with his disciples, Jesus began to speak of the testing that they were about to face. It would not only be that night, but also in the years to come as they continued Jesus' work. As was common, the disciples didn't understand Jesus's warning. The disciples reveal our own tendency to overestimate our abilities and faithfulness. But even in their failure, Jesus would be praying for them. He does the same for us. 

The time came for Jesus to celebrate the Passover with his disciples. Jesus served them the meal, but his disciples' minds quickly shifted to which of them was the greatest. Jesus explained that leading in his kingdom is not like leading in the world. We take a closer look at the Passover elements and how they model Christ's kingdom leadership. 

As Jesus' final hours approach, Luke prepares us with two stories of preparation. While Jesus' disciples prepare for the Passover meal, Judas prepares with the chief priests to betray Jesus and arrange his death. We look at both stories and discover how they offer us an image of true discipleship.

Having warned those worshipers in the temple of its coming destruction, Jesus turned his attention further into the future to warn of the last days but also to give his disciples hope of his return. We take a closer look at Jesus' words and how we should think about the end times. 

The Chief Priests and elders sent spies to trap Jesus with their questions. They appeared to be sincere, but Jesus saw through their questions. He answered them with remarkable insight and then turned the crowd's attention to an image of true sincerity. We take a closer look at how our own lives can be disguised by false sincerity. 

While Jesus was teaching in the temple, the chief priests, scribes, and elders confronted him. They wanted to know by what authority he taught and acted. But Jesus sensed they had already decided. They were not really interested in the truth. We take a closer look at how our own reluctance to know the truth can keep us from receiving what Jesus offers.

Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem moved him to tears. Seeing the city and their indifference to his arrival, Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem. As he came into the city, he went up to the temple and proceeded to interrupt the sacrificial system. Like an Old Testament prophet, Jesus was moved and acted out of the destruction that awaited them. 

For several chapters, we've followed Jesus' trip to Jerusalem. With Chapter 19, Luke records his arrival. We take a careful look at how Jesus presents himself to the great city and how the groups around him respond to his coming. 

Pat Ferguson offers her reflections on the meaning of God with us as a part of our Christmas Immanuel series. She shares examples of how God has faithfully guided her and how through prayer and his word, he will lead you too.

As a part of our Christmas Immanuel series, we heard from Buddy and Sarah Baumann this week about discerning God's leading in unexpected circumstances. 

David Raley kicks off our annual Immanuel series with a reflection on God's faithfulness and the life of faith we are each called to. 

Passing through Jericho, Jesus told the crowd a parable. He told them the parable because they believed his kingdom was about to appear. We take a closer look at Jesus' parable and how it contrasts the kingdoms of this world with Jesus' coming kingdom. 

As Jesus enters Jericho, he is met by two men: a blind beggar and Zacchaeus, the tax collector. Amongst the pressing crowd, neither was likely to get Jesus' attention, yet Jesus took time to stop for both. We look at these critical stories and how they anticipate Jesus' arrival as king to the city of Jerusalem.  

Many are familiar with the scene of Jesus welcoming children to his side, but Luke uses the image in a far more profound way than most recognize. Jesus commands us to become like those children to receive his kingdom; it is a call to radical need and vulnerability and a warning that our own self-sufficiency is prone to rob us of the gifts of God.

Pastor Barry Kinzer takes a look at Jesus' parable of the persistent widow and the prayers of the tax collector and Pharisee. He explores Jesus' models of prayer and how we should approach God in prayer as his disciples. 

The Pharisees wanted to know the signs of Jesus' kingdom coming. His own disciples wanted to know where it would happen. What they all missed was the way Jesus' kingdom was present in their midst. We take a closer look at Jesus' predictions of his return and where true disciples should focus their attention.

Jesus has spent the last several chapters teaching and switching between the Pharisees, crowds, and disciples. In this week's passage, we'll take a look at how he summarizes that content in warning his own disciples not to be come obstacles but to serve as faithful servants. 

The Pharisees continued to ridicule Jesus and his teaching. After everything they had seen and heard, they still could not understand what Jesus was teaching. Jesus recognized that though they appeared righteous, it was a question of the heart that blinded them to his words. 

Joshua Kansiewicz takes a look at one of Jesus' most intriguing parables and helps us better understand how the shrewd manager shapes our lives as disciples and followers of Jesus. 

Having offered the crowd one of his most challenging words, Jesus turned his attention to three parables, each describing something lost and found. Though Jesus calls his disciples to die to self, he also offers an image of God searching for those who are lost, 

Having given a strong warning to the religious leaders, Jesus turned his attention to the crowd. They could not continue following Jesus if they were unwilling to count the cost of being a true disciple. A true disciple is called to the cross. We take a closer look at Jesus' hard words. 

Barry Kinzer shares from Jesus' parable of the great banquet. He explores Jesus' warning to hosts and digs into those who reject the host's invitation. God will fill his banquet, compelling those in the streets to come in. We must be willing to not only hear his invitation but also to respond with determination. 

Again, Jesus went into the home of a Pharisee, and again, they took offense at his work. But Jesus was watching them. And again, he saw what they could not see about themselves. Jesus told a parable to illustrate their self-obsession and their addiction to honor. 

Jesus' description of his kingdom as a seed and leaven confused the crowd. Did that mean God's kingdom was small? Did it mean only a few would be saved? Jesus answered their question by turning it on them. Were they each striving for the narrow door to enter? We take a closer look at Jesus' answer and his compassion for the lost Jerusalem.

Jesus healed another woman plagued by a demon. And again, it caused controversy. This time, it was a leader of the synagogue who saw Jesus's healing as a violation of the Sabbath. It is a familiar story in Luke. The leaders continue to oppose Jesus, and the crowd grows more impressed with his miracles. But few recognize how the kingdom is actually at work. Jesus offers them the comparison of mustard seeds and leaven. 

Having concluded a long teaching on fear and having called the crowd to repent, it must have been frustrating that they still did not understand. Jesus wanted to talk about their need for salvation; all they could think about was other people. The beginning of chapter 13 offers us a honest look at our own humanity but it also offers a remarkable view of Jesus's patience. 

Jesus concluded his conversation on fear by discussing the coming judgment. For many people, the idea of judgment can create fear, but Jesus understood judgment as a revealing of what is true from what is false. We take a closer look at the images Jesus uses to explain the judgment of God. 

Special guest Donna Barrett offers an exploration of the prayers in Luke's gospel and how they can shape a life or prayer for believers today. 

In the middle of talking about fear, Jesus turned his attention to the fact he would one day be gone and would then return. He commanded his disciples to keep watch. We look at how the promise of Christ's return offers hope and peace in the anxieties of our world today.

While Jesus was teaching about fear and anxiety, a man from the crowd interrupted. He wanted Jesus to command his brother to share the inheritance. Jesus saw something deeper. He forced man to see his own covetousness, and Jesus warned us not to measure life and meaning based on the things we possess. 

Before the crowd and the growing opposition, Jesus turned to his disciples and taught them not to fear those in power. Jesus explained that only the fear of the Lord can free us from the fear of this world. We take a closer look at his words and how they guide us toward courage today. 

The Pharisees had often criticized Jesus, but it was not until chapter 11 that Jesus fully addressed what was wrong with the Pharisee's perspective on life and faith. We take a closer look at Jesus's warning and discover that the leaven of the Pharisees is still a danger today. 

Having witnessed Jesus cast out a demon, his opponents accused him of dark powers, but the crowd asked for more miracles. Jesus answered their questions but also pushed the conversation further. They came to evaluate Jesus and his power, but he challenged them to evaluate their own hearts and their own eyes. 

Jesus's disciples often saw him praying, and they recognized something he possessed in prayer that they did not. Coming to Jesus, on disciple asked, "Teach us to pray." Jesus answered the man's question, but he pushed the disciple further and shifted the question from how to why. 

Many remember the familiar images of Mary and Mary, Martha busy with her work, and Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus. In this week's sermon, we take a closer look at why Luke has included this little story and how it fits into the questions Jesus was trying to answer. We discover there is more going on in this scene than most remember.