Tulsa Bible Church: Sermons

What do you really want from Jesus?At the cross, two criminals looked at the same suffering Jesus, heard the same words, and faced the same reality. Yet they responded to Him in completely different ways.One criminal wanted Jesus to fix his immediate situation. The other recognized that he needed something far greater: a Savior for his soul.In Luke 23:32–43, we see two radically different approaches to Jesus. One treats Jesus like a servant who should meet our needs and work according to our timing. The other recognizes Jesus as the King who offers forgiveness, grace, and salvation.The question is not simply whether you believe in Jesus. What are you looking for from Him?This message explores the crucifixion, the substitutionary death of Christ, the forgiveness we receive through the cross, and how experiencing Christ's forgiveness should transform the way we forgive others.

What happens when we want Jesus, but only on our own terms?In Luke 22, we see the power of darkness at work through the disciples' self-sufficiency, Judas's betrayal, and Peter's self-confidence. But beneath each of these failures is something uncomfortably familiar: our tendency to trust ourselves, pursue our own strength, and follow Jesus only when the cost is manageable.The disciples slept when Jesus prayed. Judas sold Jesus when following Him stopped being profitable. Peter promised he would never deny Jesus, and then denied Him three times.Yet the hope of the Gospel is that our salvation does not ultimately rest on our commitment, our resolve, or our ability to remain faithful. It rests on Jesus, the ready servant who stayed faithful when everyone else failed.This message from Luke 22 challenges us to beware of creating a Jesus on our own terms and instead trust the One who perfectly carried out the Father's will for us.

What if you could be rejecting God's authority without even realizing it?In Luke 20, Jesus confronts religious leaders who appeared to follow God while continually resisting His authority. They evaded the truth, divided their allegiances, and ultimately reduced Jesus to someone who could fit into their own understanding of life.And the uncomfortable truth is that we can do the same thing.We may accept God's authority in some areas of our lives while keeping Him out of others. We may avoid difficult truths because they challenge us. We may even reshape Jesus into someone who never challenges our desires, decisions, or way of living.But Jesus doesn't call us to simply admire Him. He calls us to surrender to Him.In this message from Luke 20, we'll look at what it means to become a truth seeker rather than a truth evader, to give God our complete allegiance, and to recognize Jesus as the rightful authority over every part of our lives.

We all have a king.The question is not whether you will give something or someone authority over your life, the question is who will sit on the throne?In Luke 19, Jesus enters Jerusalem as the rightful King. But He isn't merely the gentle, sentimental Jesus we sometimes imagine. He is the rightful King, the righteous King, and the resident King, the One who has authority over His house, His people, and ultimately all of creation.As Jesus begins the final week leading to His crucifixion and resurrection, we see something that changes everything: the King has come, and every person must respond.Will you crown Him... or will you reject Him?And what happens when we try to put something else on the throne?In this message from Luke 19, we look at Jesus as the true King, the fulfillment of God's promises, and the sacrifice who ended the old system of religion by becoming the perfect Lamb of God.Scripture: Luke 19:28-48

What if the reason you're exhausted isn't because you're carrying too much, but because you're carrying things God never intended you to carry?In Isaiah 46, God contrasts two completely different ways of living: the way of burnout and the way of rest. The idols of Babylon had to be carried, protected, and transported by their worshipers. But the God of Israel does the opposite. He carries His people.As a new school year begins, students, parents, and grandparents face pressure, expectations, achievement, relationships, and uncertainty. It's easy to place our identity and security in grades, popularity, success, sports, careers, family, or our plans for the future. But those things were never meant to carry the weight of our lives.God calls us to something different: to let Him carry what we were never meant to carry, to identify the idols behind our goals, and to trust His purposes when life doesn't go according to our plans.Because the question isn't whether you'll carry something.The question is who will carry you.

What does your relationship with money reveal about your relationship with Jesus?In Luke 18-19, three very different people encounter Jesus: a wealthy young ruler, a blind man, and Zacchaeus. One walks away devastated. Another receives mercy. Another encounters Jesus and becomes radically generous.Why the difference?Jesus shows us that money and possessions aren't merely financial issues, they can reveal what we truly treasure, what we trust, and what sits on the throne of our hearts. The rich young ruler had everything, yet couldn't let go. Zacchaeus had lived for himself, yet grace transformed the way he lived.This message explores the wrong way to approach Jesus, the right way to approach Him, and how grace leads to generosity.

Have you ever wondered why following Jesus sometimes feels harder than expected? Many people assume that faith should make life easier—but in Luke 14, Jesus says something completely different.In this message, we explore one of Jesus' most challenging teachings on discipleship. He calls His followers to count the cost, carry their cross, and place Him above every other priority. While these words may seem difficult, they reveal the path to lasting joy, purpose, and true devotion.Whether you're a new believer, exploring Christianity, or have followed Christ for years, this sermon will challenge your understanding of what it really means to follow Jesus.Learn more about us:https://www.tulsabible.org/Instagram: / tulsabible TBC - To know God, and make Him known.(Matt. 28. 18-20)

In Luke 13, Jesus gives one of the most sobering warnings in all of Scripture. He tells His listeners to strive to enter through the narrow door because many will seek to enter and will not be able.What does that mean? Can someone be close to Jesus and still miss Him? Is church attendance, biblical knowledge, or a religious background enough to save us? And what does true discipleship actually cost?In this message, we explore Jesus' call to count the cost of following Him, examine the false securities that can keep people from genuine faith, and look to Christ as the ultimate example of surrender and obedience. As Jesus continues His journey toward Jerusalem and the cross, He reminds us that salvation is found in Him alone and that the narrow door is still open today.Whether you're a new believer, exploring Christianity, or have followed Jesus for years, this passage challenges every one of us to ask an important question:Have I truly entered through the narrow door?

What if your anxiety is revealing something deeper than stress?In Luke 12:22-40, Jesus connects anxiety, generosity, and readiness in a way that may seem surprising at first. But beneath each of these topics lies a deeper question: What do you treasure most?In this message, we'll explore how our fears often reveal the things we value most, how our treasures shape our generosity, and how our hearts are ultimately oriented toward either earthly possessions or the eternal kingdom of God.Jesus reminds us that our Heavenly Father knows our needs, cares for His children, and has already given believers an eternal kingdom. When our security is rooted in Christ rather than temporary things, fear begins to lose its grip and our hearts become free to trust, give, and live with eternal hope.

Can evil really stand against Jesus?A story about an unexpected arrest warrant leads to one of the most important questions in Scripture: Who truly has authority?In Luke 11, Jesus confronts accusations that His power comes from Satan and responds with a bold declaration that reveals the reality of God's Kingdom. This message explores Christ's authority over evil, why spiritual neutrality doesn't exist, and how Jesus fills lives with God's glory rather than simply improving behavior.Whether you're skeptical, searching, or have followed Jesus for years, this passage challenges every one of us to consider who we're ultimately trusting.

We all like to believe we're in control of our lives: our careers, our relationships, our future. But Jesus tells a story in Luke 20 that exposes a deeper problem: we've mistaken ourselves for the Owner when we've always been tenants.In this message, we explore the Parable of the Wicked Tenants and discover how the desire for control quietly shapes our decisions, fuels anxiety, and keeps us from trusting God's sovereignty. If you've ever struggled with uncertainty, disappointment, or the need to have everything figured out, this message is for you.Learn more about us:https://www.tulsabible.org/Instagram: / tulsabible TBC - To know God, and make Him known.(Matt. 28. 18-20)

In Luke 18, Jesus shows us two very different approaches to God. One person trusted in his own goodness, while the other came with humility and a desperate need for mercy.This sermon explores the difference between pride and humility, and how an honest heart before God leads to transformation.

The younger son wasted everything. The older son did everything right. So why did Jesus say they were both lost?In this message, we look deeper into the Parable of the Lost Sons and discover how Jesus challenges both the rebellious heart and the self-righteous heart.The gospel is not about becoming good enough for God, it's about receiving the grace of a Father who comes looking for His lost children.

What if the thing you're pursuing most is the very thing keeping you from true satisfaction?Near the end of his life, Johnny Cash recorded a song that reflected on success, regret, and the emptiness that can come from chasing everything the world promises. Thousands of years earlier, Jesus told a story with the exact same warning.In Luke 14, Jesus describes a great banquet prepared by a generous host. The invitation is free. Everything is ready. Yet one by one, people turn it down because they have something "more important" to do.A new purchase.A growing career.A relationship.A busy life.The shocking truth of this parable is that the greatest danger isn't always bad things, it's good things that slowly take God's place in our hearts.If you've ever achieved something you thought would make you happy, only to find yourself wanting more, this message is for you.

Most people know the story of the Good Samaritan. Few understand why Jesus actually told it.When a religious expert asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life, Jesus responded with one of the most famous parables ever told. But this story is about far more than kindness, morality, or being a good neighbor.In this message, we explore:• Why Jesus used parables to reveal the Kingdom of God• The dangerous desire to justify ourselves before God• What the Good Samaritan teaches about true compassion• Why we cannot save ourselves• How Jesus is the Savior who came to rescue us when we could not rescue ourselvesThe Good Samaritan is not ultimately a story about becoming a better person. It is a story that points us to the mercy, grace, and compassion of Christ.Scripture: Luke 10:25-37Learn more about us:https://www.tulsabible.org/TBC - To know God, and make Him known.(Matt. 28. 18-20)

In a world filled with notifications, endless responsibilities, packed schedules, and constant pressure to do more, many Christians find themselves spiritually exhausted.In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus gives a surprising warning through the story of Martha and Mary. Martha wasn't distracted by sinful things. She was distracted by good things. Yet those good things were quietly pulling her away from what mattered most: the presence of Christ.In this message, we'll explore:• The danger of distraction• Why activity often produces anxiety• The difference between productivity and spiritual peace• What Jesus says is truly necessary• How to keep Christ at the center of a busy life

Why do so many Christians feel spiritually restless today?In this message from Luke 10, we explore how easy it is to drift through life without purpose, direction, or mission. Using the story of Castaway as a powerful illustration, this sermon challenges believers to stop living spiritually adrift and rediscover the mission God has called them to.Jesus never intended His followers to simply survive culture. He called us to live intentionally, make disciples, and find our identity in Him.This sermon covers:• Spiritual drift• Identity in Christ• The mission of the Church• Why modern culture leaves people restless• Finding purpose through the Gospel• The urgency of sharing Jesus with others

Many people want Jesus... until following Him costs something.In Luke 9, Jesus challenges His disciples with one of the hardest truths in Scripture: whoever wants to save their life will lose it. This sermon dives deep into surrender, sacrifice, eternal perspective, and the glory waiting for believers who remain faithful.Learn more about us:https://www.tulsabible.org/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tulsabible/TBC - To know God, and make Him known.(Matt. 28. 18-20)

Everyone wants a Savior… until Jesus starts confronting the things we want to control.In Luke 9, Jesus forces a question that changes everything: Do you want the real King? Or just a version of Him that makes life easier?This message explores why people wanted a Messiah they could use, but rejected the Messiah who demanded surrender. From Herod, to the crowds, to the disciples, the same struggle still exists today: we want comfort without repentance, inspiration without authority, and a Jesus who affirms us without changing us.

We don't trust authority anymore.. and honestly, there are good reasons why. But what if rejecting authority isn't actually freeing you… it's trapping you?In Luke 8, everything is on the line: a dying child, a desperate father, and a moment that feels like it came too late. Right in the middle of it, Jesus interrupts, and raises a deeper question:Can you trust an authority you don't control?This message explores what happens when your control runs out, why faith doesn't have to be perfect, and whether there's an authority that doesn't just lead, but actually saves.Because one day, you'll face something you can't overcome.Will it defeat you… or save you?Learn more about us:https://www.tulsabible.org/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tulsabible/TBC - To know God, and make Him known.(Matt. 28. 18-20)

There is an ongoing battle, a war that takes place not in the news but inside your heart.This war is depicted in Luke chapter 8 when Jesus faces two mighty storms. In this narrative, Jesus comes against an external storm of rage and against an internal storm of possession of demons. But more than that, what is revealed is that this same God has dominion over all evil. While external evil can cause you problems, internal evil can bring you into bondage. But remember, the most dangerous storm isn't always the one raging outside; it's the one brewing within you.Learn more about us:https://www.tulsabible.org/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tulsabible/TBC - To know God, and make Him known.(Matt. 28. 18-20)

When Philip meets the Ethiopian official, God reveals a powerful truth the Gospel is for everyone regardless of culture, background, or status. From Isaiah 53 to the resurrection of Jesus, this message shows how God orchestrates moments, answers honest questions, and offers hope to anyone seeking truth.If you have ever wondered whether Christianity is too exclusive, whether God still guides people today, or whether one decision can change everything, this message is for you. The same Jesus revealed in Isaiah 700 years before His birth is still transforming lives today.Learn more about us:https://www.tulsabible.org/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tulsabible/TBC - To know God, and make Him known.(Matt. 28. 18-20)

What if death isn't as powerful as we think?Acts 2 makes a bold claim: death tried to hold Jesus... and failed. The resurrection changes everything about fear, hope, and how we live today. This message explores the paradox of the cross, the power of the resurrection, and the living hope that cannot be taken away. While most hope is circumstantial and fragile, the hope found in Jesus is unshakable, because death itself couldn't hold Him.Learn more about us:https://www.tulsabible.org/Instagram: / tulsabible TBC - To know God, and make Him known.(Matt. 28. 18-20)

What if the biggest threat to your faith isn't rebellion… but distraction?In this message, we explore Jesus' Parable of the Soils and a sobering truth: what you listen to is shaping your life... and your eternity. Not everyone who hears God's Word is changed. Some hearts grow hard, some get distracted, and some fall away. But those who truly listen are transformed. In a world full of noise and competing voices, the question becomes simple,Which voice are you listening to?Learn more about us:https://www.tulsabible.org/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tulsabible/TBC - To know God, and make Him known.(Matt. 28. 18-20)

Forgiveness is one of the most discussed concepts in Christianity, yet one of the most misunderstood. What happens if guilt lingers? What if the things you've done are too big to forgive?Jesus meets two vastly different people in Luke 7:36-50: a self-righteous man who thinks he's done nothing wrong, and a broken woman overwhelmed with guilt for her wrongs. Only one of them really understands forgiveness.In today's message, we will examine: The reasons guilt and shame still dominate our culture The perils of moral superiority The price tag always attached to forgiveness How Jesus cancels a debt we could never repayIf you've ever struggled with forgiving yourself, or wondering if God could ever forgive you, today's passage will reveal a truth that could completely revolutionize your understanding of grace. We, as believers, should be the most forgiving people in the world because we are the most forgiven people in the world.

In Luke 7, three different responses to Jesus are revealed: faith, fear, and doubt. A Roman centurion trusts Jesus with remarkable humility. A crowd witnesses a miracle but responds with fear. Even John the Baptist wrestles with doubt.These encounters reveal a powerful truth: everyone has faith in something, the real question is who your faith is in.Learn more about us:https://www.tulsabible.org/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tulsabible/TBC - To know God, and make Him known.(Matt. 28. 18-20)

The world says love makes your life easier. Jesus said it reveals what your life is built on.In Luke 6, Jesus describes a kind of love that reverses everything, blessing the empty, warning the comfortable, and exposing the foundations we trust. It's not a comfortable love. It's a love that confronts pride, frees us from false security, and rebuilds our lives on something unshakable.Because storms don't destroy strong foundations. They reveal them, and Jesus invites you to build your life on the only foundation that will never fail.Learn more about us:https://www.tulsabible.org/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tulsabible/TBC - To know God, and make Him known.(Matt. 28. 18-20)

n the Gospel of Luke, chapters 5 and 6, Jesus is not one to tiptoe around controversy. He wades right into the middle of it. He forgives sins, dines with sinners, and heals on the Sabbath, and the Pharisees are consumed with rage. What's there to be angry about with grace?In this sermon, we will examine the healing of the paralytic, the calling of Levi, and the Sabbath incidents, and discover a surprising truth: conflict was not the problem. It was the revelation of the heart. Jesus was not simply rebuking behavior, He was laying bare pride, challenging false security, and offering true grace.If you've ever wondered why following Jesus can be so uncomfortable, why the gospel is so awkward, or why Jesus confronts before He comforts, then this series is for you. The cross is not safe, but it is good. And the conflict of the cross is where restoration begins.Learn more about us:https://www.tulsabible.org/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tulsabible/TBC - To know God, and make Him known.(Matt. 28. 18-20)

What if following God meant leaving everything comfortable behind? In Luke 5, Jesus calls ordinary fishermen, and they walk away from their boats, their income, their security. We love the idea of purpose... We don't love the cost, but sometimes faith isn't about clarity, it's about surrender.

In Luke chapter 4, Jesus starts His ministry in public, but with teaching instead of miracles. But as soon as He does, His words become divisive, with some admiring Him, others amazed at Him, while others want Him dead because He offends them.The question is what kind of listener are you? This message shocks the comfortable Jesus we like to believe in, but meets people who are interested in the Jesus who teaches with authority, grace, and power.

Temptation doesn't shout... it sings. This message will look at the reality of temptation as revealed through the story of the sirens, as well as Jesus' temptation as recorded in Luke chapter 4. You will see the reality of temptation as something that is real because evil is personal, something that is difficult because our desires are disordered, and something that must always be named but never normalized. Ultimately, you will see the solution in Christ, who knows our temptation intimately and has already overcome it for us.

In Luke 3, the Gospel message comes in an unexpected manner. Based on "The Iliad" and "The Ministry of John the Baptist," this message will uncover how God performs true transformation, not by power, might, or authority, but by humility, repentance, and surprise. Meet this surprising voice in the wilderness by entering into this surprising message, this surprising people, and this surprising King. Uncover how Jesus comes to stand among sinners rather than stand above them.tulsabible.org

In Luke 2, Jesus is both a unifying and a dividing figure. In this sermon we'll explore the division which brings about ever greater unity, ever greater wholeness, in a division which is the separation of the true and the false, faith and religion, the values of God and the values of humanity, and so on, through the examples of Simeon, Anna, and the young Jesus, a Jesus, a savior, who disturbs and transforms worship and values.

As we enter into yet another year filled with many changes and many uncertainties, this message from a sermon on Philippians 1 examines what it means to have an unchanging foundation. Using such simple examples as Paul's experience of incarceration as backdrop, this message encourages and challenges us to examine carefully what it is we are placing our trust in, and to work toward having an unchanging foundation in Christ alone, Who is the only foundation that can withstand whatever comes throughout the year.Visit us: tulsabible.org

The birth of Jesus is preceded by the announcement and birth of John the Baptist. If Jesus truly is the Promised Messiah, the messenger must come first to prepare the way. Luke's presentation of John the Baptist includes the theme of reversal. When Jesus comes he will reverse the trajectory of Israel's story toward redemption, hope, and joy.

Joshua closes with three farewell speeches. Each of them are from Joshua and each gets progressively longer. One main takeaway is that for Israel to remain faithful to God, they must remember his miracles. They also need to remember how faithful God is to keep his promises. Join us as we close our sermon series on Joshua by talking about identity and memory.

In the latter half of Joshua, the promised land was allocated to each tribe of Israel. God sovereignty and wisely distributed the land as He saw fit. We can learn about physical and spiritual boundaries in this part of the Old Testament. Also, we see God's character revealed with certain cities serving special purposes.

As Joshua distributed the land of Israel to the 12 tribes, 2 individuals receive a portion: Caleb and Joshua. Caleb's account is described in chapters 14 and 15 as God gave him one of the strongest and oldest cities in the land: Hebron. Join us as we look at the ardent example of one man who stood on God's promises.

When we finally reach Joshua 13, the land begins to be divided among the 12 tribes of Israel. Despite their success up to this point, there is still much work to do to secure the land. The promises were given and some were experienced, but Israel still had to act on faith and there were still Canaanites in the land. Join us as we begin to talk about God's promises being delayed.

The book of Joshua is filled with several troubling verses. God commanded the Israelites to go throughout the land and totally annihilate the Canaanites. Was this a command for ethnic cleansing or genocide? How do these difficult verses mesh with Jesus' command to love our enemies? Join us as we address this difficult issue and several others.

Joshua 12 has been skipped over far too often. The majority of readers see only unnecessary redundancy and a list of defeated kings. Nevertheless, this chapter forms a key bridge into the next section of Joshua. It's a faith building chapter that recalls God's power and faithfulness.

Joshua 11 depicts the Northern Campaign of Israel's conquests. Just like chapter 10, kings and enemies form a strong alliance against Israel. Despite the opposition, Joshua trusts God and the Israelites chase their enemies in victory. Join us as we explore the topic of God's Rest in our sermon series through Joshua.

During the Southern Campaign, Joshua and the Israelites had the Canaanites on the run. Some of them looked for safety from nearby fortified cities. Five Amorite kings fled to a cave. God overcame all of them teaching lessons about real security in God alone. Join us as we continue our study through Joshua 10.16-43.

As Joshua leads Israel's southern campaign, 5 Amorite kings united against him. Israel's new alliance with Gibeon was tested. With a strong word of encouragement from the LORD, Joshua routed Israel's enemies in a miraculous way. Join us as we talk about having faith over fear in Joshua 10.

With word of God's power spreading across the land, one group of people realize they are in trouble. The Gibeonites knew Israel could not be defeated and created a deceptive plan to preserve their family. Join us as we address several aspects of following God when times are good including walking by faith and trusting God's promises.

Joshua 8 is a story of restoration. After Israel was defeated in Ai, Joshua and the leaders dealt with Achan's sin. The difference between Joshua 7 and 8 was one of restoration with God. When God was with the people and the sin was handled, there was a completely different outcome. Join us as we continue our sermon series through Joshua.

Joshua 6 and 7 are juxtaposed for a reason. In Joshua 6, the Israelites obeyed the LORD despite a very unreasonable attack plan. They succeeded and enjoyed the blessings of victory. In the smaller, less threatening, city of Ai, the exact opposite happens. Joshua 7 is a summary of what happens when sinful choices affect an entire nation. Join us as we discuss the nature of sin in Joshua 7.

Joshua 6 and 7 are pivotal chapters for understanding Israel's conquest. Both the victory at Jericho and defeat at Ai will set the tone for the rest of the conquest. When Israel faithfully obeyed God, waiting on His timing and instruction, God gave them overwhelming victory. However, when they fought their own way with unconfessed sin in the camp, they were defeated. Join us as we continue our sermon series on Joshua and talk about spiritual battles.

Joshua 5 is the last chapter before Israel begins the conquest and invasion of Jericho. God's timing is very surprising. After crossing the Jordan, Israel does not move immediately to Jericho. Instead, they are commanded to wait and prepare. Joshua also received an unsettling encounter with the Commander, who is neither for him or against him.

As Israel continues to prepare for the conquest, God miraculously orchestrates the crossing of the Jordan River. There are many similarities to the Red Sea crossing from Exodus, but several key differences. Israel was learning to wait on God, trust His commands, and step out in faith. Join us as we continue our series through the book of Joshua.

After God called Joshua to courage, chapter 2 is a call for faith. Faith and confession in the One True God of Israel comes from one of the most unlikely sources, a Gentile prostitute, named Rahab. In this sermon, we'll see how the testimony of God was strong in the Transjordan as well as God giving second chances. Join us as we continue to provide the setting in the book of Joshua.