Fellowship Bible Church, Tacoma - Weekly Sermon

We are drawing into one of the darkest sections of the story of Jesus. In Luke 22:54-62, we see one of Jesus's top disciples (arguably THE top disciple) desert Jesus in his time of greatest need. So what can we learn from Peter's example? We learn plenty about temptation, tests, and how to fail. But even more importantly, against the dark backdrop of Peter's faceplant, we see the faithfulness, power, and grace of Jesus shine out all the brighter, even for failures like us.

The world, as we know it, is going to end someday. In the second half of Jesus's famous "Olivet Discourse" (go back and listen to the first half from Bruce last week!), Jesus tells his followers what that end will look like and, more importantly, how to prepare right now.

There is one clear theme in our passage today: Jesus is Lord. Once again, he faces challenges (this time about taxes and marriage), and once again - Jesus emerges victorious. In the process, he addresses questions like "Do we have to pay taxes?", "Will there be sex in heaven?", "What's the point of marriage if it's going to end in eternity?" and more. Jesus then ends with one of the most thrilling declarations of Lordship in all of scripture, prompting all who listen to respond in submission and rest.

In Luke 15, Jesus tells a series of three stories: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son...or is it "sons"? What we'll see as we walk through this passage is that there is more than one way to be lost. These stories call us to look in the mirror, assess our hearts, and turn to Jesus for grace.

It's possible to be both very smart and very wrong when it comes to the question of Jesus. Why? How do we explain why the most obviously compelling and beautiful person that has ever been laid before the eyes of men can be rejected by a majority of logical, even brilliant, minds? The words of Jesus in Luke 12:54-59 provide some insight on this question and point us toward some compelling indicators that should prompt every person who hears about Jesus want to follow Him, worship Him, and give up everything for Him.