Casting Hope

Matthew's House is a foundational passage about discipleship. It dismantles three powerful myths that keep us from a life of invitation.

What if our obedience is not about earning God's salvation, but extending God's invitation to the world?

God treasures us and trusts us to be his representatives to the watching world. Election does not freeze invitation, it fuels invitation.

Jesus compares himself to a cornerstone. This means he is essential and foundational to our lives, not optional. This changes everything! Especially how we build our identity and our understanding of community.

Jesus comes to his house in power to restore intimacy with God... for all who come to him.

Luke 19:45–20:8. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

Jesus enters Jerusalem as Israel's King. But he does not fit any of our expectations for a mighty king. Instead, in the words of the prophet Zechariah, King Jesus is lowly. This is historically interesting, but what does it mean for us today?

Luke 19:28–40. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

Most of us are motivated by fear in the church. We live in fear of others disapproval and ultimately the Lord's disapproval. But what if Jesus already approves of us? How would that change our lives?

Luke 19:11–27. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

What should we do when Christianity stops making sense?

Luke 18:31–43. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

The Rich Ruler and Zacchaeus the Tax Collector provide two contrasting ways to approach Jesus with our material wealth. This mini-series will explore both.

Luke 19:1–9. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Aaron Badenhop. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

Luke 18:9–14. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

Luke 18:1–8. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

There are two ways to approach God. One is with our accomplishments. The other is with our need. One is the way of religious pride. The other is the way of gospel humility. Only one makes us right with God.

Luke 17:20–37. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

True prayer is vulnerable. How do you continue to appeal to God and not lose heart? Especially when prayer seems fruitless? Jesus addresses this difficult question with a story. And his answer will surprise us.

Luke 17:11–19. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

Life in the Kingdom is upside down and strange. We need guidance. In our passage this morning, Jesus gives us critical guidance: we must learn the difference between hope and hype; fascination and decision.

Luke 17:1–10. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

The Pharisees cannot see God's kingdom even though it is right in front of them. So Luke wants us to learn to see the Kingdom from an unlikely person.

Luke 16:14–31. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

On this Pentecost Sunday, we are going to focus on the gift of the Holy Spirit. What does it mean that God's love has been "poured out" into our hearts?

Luke 15:1–32. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

The life of Jesus depicted in the Gospels is a deep resource for the Christian life. So is the death and resurrection of Jesus. But how many of us are drawing upon the ascension of Jesus on a daily basis? One scholar calls the ascension of Jesus our hidden resource. Let's explore how this Sunday.

Luke 14:25–35. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

Exploring our intellectual barriers to belief in the bodily resurrection of Jesus.

Luke 14:15–24. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

When we are desperate for change we so quickly run to "religion" (our human efforts at reaching the divine and changing our behavior). It gives us an illusion of control. And in some cases, when our religion is really hard, it provides a satisfying sense of accomplishment, not to mention attention and praise from others. The book of Colossians tells us that even Jesus followers can twist their faith into a human religion. But this week, Paul will tell us that we have all we need in the resurrection of Jesus. This week we are going to explore the simple and surprising pathway to real change (hint: it isn't human religion).

Luke 14:1–14. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

The resurrection of Jesus is proof of our future resurrection. But there seems to be a lot of time in between! How should we live as we wait for our future resurrection? Should we expect perfection? If not, what?

Luke 13:31–35. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

The resurrection of Jesus is not just a good ending to tragic story. It changes everything. For the seven Sundays of Easter we are exploring the implications of the empty tomb. This week we will explore what the resurrection means for our daily work, our jobs, our vocations.

Luke 13:22–30. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

The resurrection of Jesus is not just an event outside of us; we are joined to Jesus. This means we can "practice resurrection" (Berry) today. We are joined to Jesus in his death and his new life. And so we can walk in new life today. Showing the world what our future resurrection will one day look like.

Luke 13:18–21. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

Life is scary. Matthew's report of the resurrection of Jesus does not erase this truth. In fact, the first witnesses of Jesus' resurrection were afraid even as they worshipped the Risen Jesus. But Jesus gives us two gifts when we are afraid: 1/ a merciful response to our fear, and 2/ a purposeful mission. We will explore both this Easter Sunday.

Luke 13:10–17. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

Jesus describes what it means to follow in his Way. We practice forgiveness and humilty. Both of these practices are humanly impossible. But God gives us a mustard seed of faith.

Luke 12:49–13:8. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

Jesus says to the Pharisees: "you are the ones who justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts." Jesus is calling us to live before an audience of one.

Luke 12:35–48. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

Luke 12:13–34. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

Jesus tells three stories to describe, and invite us into, his welcome.

Luke 12:1–12. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

Luke 11:33–54. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

Jesus looks at a large crowd of people following him around. And instead of rejoicing in his own fame, he challenges his followers to consider what it means to truly follow him. As Hans Bayer once said, following Jesus is like giving him a blank check. We surrender our life to his purposes. At first this seems impossibly bad. But it is the truest path to freedom.

Luke 11:14–28. Part of the series “The Gospel of Luke”. Preached by Joe Haack. Hope Presbyterian Church, Columbus, Ohio.

Who will eat at the table with God? This is actually a question the Biblical story wants us to ask. And it is answered by Jesus while dining with the Pharisees and Bible scholars of his day. His answer very much surprised them. And it will also surprise you.