Podcasts about in luke

Luke 1:26–38 For centuries, theologians have wrestled with how God could become a human being. The mystery of the incarnation—God taking on flesh—strains the limits of human comprehension. But Scripture doesn't leave us to wonder. It tells us how it happened. In Luke 1:26–38, Pastor Chuck Swindoll examines the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary and the Holy Spirit's role in bringing the Son of God into the world. The Spirit's most significant mission was not power—it was presence, bringing Christ to earth. Stand in wonder before the Spirit's greatest work. Let this passage renew your awe of the incarnation and deepen your confidence in a God for whom nothing is impossible.

Luke 1:26–38 For centuries, theologians have wrestled with how God could become a human being. The mystery of the incarnation—God taking on flesh—strains the limits of human comprehension. But Scripture doesn't leave us to wonder. It tells us how it happened. In Luke 1:26–38, Pastor Chuck Swindoll examines the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary and the Holy Spirit's role in bringing the Son of God into the world. The Spirit's most significant mission was not power—it was presence, bringing Christ to earth. Stand in wonder before the Spirit's greatest work. Let this passage renew your awe of the incarnation and deepen your confidence in a God for whom nothing is impossible.

What if you're in the middle of a dust storm right now — and you don't even know it?When visibility drops to near zero, when you feel disoriented and alone, it's easy to miss what God is actually doing. In Luke 24, two disciples walk seven miles with the risen Jesus — and don't recognize him. Not because he's hidden. Because they're downcast.Drawing from the Road to Emmaus, guest speaker Chris Simning unpacks three questions that stop us in our tracks: Is something blinding you from seeing God at work? How can you be fully alive in your brokenness? And what truth do you need to acknowledge today?Through his own story of living with two disabilities, Chris shows what it looks like to find road signs of God's faithfulness — even when the storm hasn't passed.Jesus is ever so near. You may just need new eyes to see him.Scripture: Luke 24:13–31, John 5, Ephesians 3:16–19, 2 Timothy 3:16For the full gathering of this message which includes worship, visit our Youtube channel. Stay Connected With Hillside Community Church.Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/c/HillsideCommunityChurchInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/hillsidechurches/Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/hillsidechurchesWebsite | https://hillsidechurches.com

In Luke 13, Jesus tells about a fig tree that hasn't produced fruit in three years, and a gardener who asks for one more year to dig around it and add fertilizer. This week at New Vision Church in Fayetteville, Georgia, we talked about what it looks like to let God dig into our hearts and use even the hard parts of our lives to help us grow. We also talked about discipleship as a friendship, not a program, lived out in the ordinary moments people actually see.New Vision Church, Fayetteville, Georgia. A community to belong, be loved, and believe. newvisionc.com | @nvcnextgenChapters:0:00 - Introduction And Personal Updates2:30 - How To Understand The Parable5:15 - Why God Is The Master Gardener6:39 - How To Dig Into Your Faith12:10 - Why Deep Roots Produce Fruit23:32 How to Disciple Naturally36:00 Dung it for Your Faith37:50 Headwinds and Tailwinds in Your Life40:26 Recognizing Your Circumstances as Fertilizer47:32 Dig it and Dung it: Lessons from Luke 13

The Spiritual Treadmill and the Life of Grace Or Salvation: Our Two Identities Scott Kardash 19th July 2026 Introduction: Two Identities I named this talk "The Spiritual Treadmill and the Life of Grace," and today I want to contrast both of these. The song we heard talked about letting go. That represents the left-hand side... the treadmill that we're on. I had a little alternate title: "From Striving to Flow: Our Two Identities," because we all live out of two identities. It's a matter of moving from one identity, our old self, to our new self. In my view, that is in fact what salvation is all about. We have a bit of a different view of salvation which has been taught, particularly in the Western church. If we step back and think about it, what actually is the gospel? What is the good news? If someone asked you today, "What's the gospel? What's the good news?" your answer might be a bit different to what's commonly taught... or even preached... today. Let me give you an example, because some of us might have heard a version of it that goes a little bit like this: "God is sending you all to hell forever. Well, unless Jesus stops him, of course. And that's the good news." It's a caricature, obviously. No-one actually says it quite like that, but it's a little clip just to give you an example. It's a fear-based gospel presenting an angry God, not a God of love, but an angry and unforgiving God. Now, God tells us to forgive even our enemies, but this view says, no, God can't forgive. There's actually something wrong with this picture. The Impact of a Fear-Based Gospel I lived in Japan for three years. Some of you may know that Japan is only about 1% Christian. It's not because there haven't been missionaries going there; there have been. But it has something to do with the Japanese culture, and even the broader Asian culture, where they revere their ancestors. In fact, they have these ceremonies where they practice ancestor worship. When their ancestors were alive, they didn't hear this gospel, so they didn't know Jesus. For them to accept this modern Western gospel message is essentially to condemn all their ancestors to hell forever. So, it goes down like a bit of a lead balloon, as you can imagine. It's not well received. It can be experienced a little bit like this: picture Jesus knocking on the door of our heart... which is a misquote of Revelation 3:20... and the little guy inside saying, "Well, why should I let you in?" And Jesus replies, "Because of what I'll do to you if you don't." It comes across a bit like a threat. Where is this loving God that we're talking about? I think it's a complete distortion of what the gospel actually is. Paul's Gospel to the Gentiles If we look at Paul the apostle, his job was to go and preach the gospel to the Gentiles. Jesus preached to the Jews... His mission was for the Jews first, then the Gentiles. So Paul went and preached to the Gentiles. Not many people realise that Paul didn't even mention the word "hell." He didn't even mention it. He wrote most of the New Testament and didn't mention the word hell. He talked about judgment, and Jesus did warn the Jews about Gehenna... which is a physical place outside Jerusalem with a very shady past... and he talked about outer darkness, and John warned about the lake of fire. Paul... I'm sure he will cover the lake of fire in his upcoming Revelation series if he hasn't already, and talk more about its purpose. But there's a good example in Acts 17 where Paul is preaching on Mars Hill. You might remember when he talks to the men of Athens. He doesn't go up there and say, "Turn or burn forever." He doesn't say that. He says, and I'll quote, "God is not far from each one of us, for we are all God's offspring. The times of ignorance God overlooked. God now commands all men everywhere to repent"... which means to turn to him. "He has appointed a day in which He will be judging the habitable earth in righteousness by a man he has appointed"... which is Jesus. And listen to this: "...offering faith to all by raising him from the dead." I want to pick up on this phrase later... "offering faith to all." This is something very much in line with what Paul's been talking about. The Modern Transactional View vs. True Transformation The common, modern-day process of salvation goes something like this: you'll likely begin with a prayer. More often than not, before you know what's happening, you'll be asked to pray at the end of a meeting. You'll be asked to "repeat after me" and just say these words. The words might include a declaration of future repentance, but that's optional. But repentance isn't something we say we will do; repentance is something we do. It's not a verbal promise, it's an action. Once you say this prayer, you're then deemed to be saved. People will ask, "When were you saved?" and you'll say, "Well, I was saved on the day I said that prayer." It's a very common view, presenting salvation as a finishing point rather than a starting point. What I want to put to you today is that making that declaration is actually just the starting point. Here is a bit of a challenge. The proposition is: to be saved from hell, you say this prayer, and you're now saved from eternal punishment. Try to find a passage in the Bible that talks about hell where this is the criteria for not going there. It's pretty hard to find. I can tell you the passages that talk about hell don't talk about some sort of verbal declaration. Under that view, salvation becomes a legal transaction where God is now obliged not to send you to hell forever. You were just lucky enough to find the legal loophole before you died, whilst most won't find it. Unfortunately, this can lead to an attitude that sin doesn't matter, or "cheap grace," as it's known. Some of the most devastating moral failures occur in church leadership and congregations. I suspect this kind of mindset contributes to the problem. People think, "I said the prayer, I'm saved, I'm not going to hell, so what does it matter?" Sin does matter, because it damages us and it damages the people around us. As we will see later, it's evidence that we're operating out of the wrong, false identity. Unpacking John 3:16 and Perishing Here's the classic "ticket to heaven" verse, John 3:16. We can probably all recite it: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that everyone who is believing in him should not perish but have eternal life." A couple of things here. "Believing" is the translation, but Paul would have covered pistis with you... to have faith. It's talking about having faith. It's not a matter of, "Did I believe hard enough so that I'm not going to perish?" No, it's about having faith. Paul has talked about having faith in Christ to allow the faith of Christ to flow. People often conflate perishing with judgment and eternal punishment. But actually, this word "perish" in the Greek is apollumi. It's the exact same word used for "lost" in the stories of the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the prodigal son. It doesn't mean "destroyed beyond existence" or "beyond redemption." In Luke 15, which contains those three parables, the father of the prodigal son says, "Listen to this: my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost"... was perishing, same word... "and is found." To perish doesn't mean to cease to exist. People often conflate judgment with perishing and endless punishment in hell without any hope of redemption. But we're talking about God's righteous judgment, and God's judgment always has a righteous purpose. What is Eternal Life? What is eternal life? The picture many of us have had is sitting on a cloud in heaven playing a harp, thinking, "What am I going to do for the rest of eternity? Will it get boring?" Well, actually, your eternal destiny isn't up in heaven. Where is it, Zara? Where will we be eternally? Zara: New Jerusalem. Speaker: New Jerusalem, exactly... the new earth. Our destiny is actually here. Jesus will return here as King. Heaven is just a waiting room until he returns. We're not going to stay up there forever sitting on a cloud playing a harp; that is a waiting room. Fortunately, Jesus defined eternal life for us. He said, "This is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." So, eternal life is not about the length of time. We have this Western mentality that eternal life means a long period of existing alive. No, it's about the quality of life. It's about knowing God. The word "eternal" is actually translated from the Greek term aionios, which means "of an age." It doesn't inherently mean endless. But when it got translated into Latin... which is where a lot of Western doctrine comes from... the Latin word used really did mean endless eternity. We've lost some of the nuances of the original language in our English translations. It is an age of life where God is the source of our life. In Jesus' view, salvation stops being a transaction to avoid punishment and becomes the process we go through to know God and experience this life. Salvation isn't just a one-time event or a prayer; it's a process. The Post-Pentecost Reality I think this leads to one of the most startling verses in the Bible. How can we actually know God? Paul tells the Corinthian church that he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. That's quite amazing. When did this become possible? It only became possible at a certain period of human history: after Pentecost. God said, "I will pour out my spirit on all flesh." We now have the Holy Spirit. Prior to Pentecost, they didn't have the indwelling Holy Spirit in the same way; they were dealing with rules, regulations, and laws to try to be good or obedient enough. After Pentecost, we are equipped with the Holy Spirit for a transformation process. We're moving way beyond the concept of just wanting to escape punishment or go to heaven forever. We're talking about a total transformation. Does anybody remember what I presented last time? It was in November last year. It's all right, because I didn't remember either! Yes, Barbara? Do we have an award for Barbara? Very good, Barbara. Paul and I did a series on the Ten Commandments, and the summary was about living by the law... what they used to have to do to live up to those commandments. Today, we flip those commandments completely through the Holy Spirit into a transformed life. Instead of "don't steal," it becomes "be a generous giver." Everything is flipped from "don't do this" to "do the opposite." That is the transformed life available to us because we have the Holy Spirit, the spirit that heals and reshapes us. The Three Dimensions of Salvation Today I want to build upon that concept and pick up on some of the things Paul has been talking about recently. I'll reuse one chart from my last talk, which highlights the fact that we are spirit, soul, and body. * Our spirit has been saved in the past... Jesus accomplished that for us. * Our soul is being saved now... that is present tense, and that's what the healing of the soul is all about. It's the ongoing transformation process. * Our body will be saved at the resurrection, when we receive our new bodies. That is the complete salvation process from soup to nuts. To say "I was saved on this date"... well, okay, but that was just the beginning of the journey. The Two Operating Systems: Striving vs. Dependence We live in a culture obsessed with life hacks and self-optimisation. It's incredibly easy to drag this exhausting striving straight into our walk with God, treating holiness as a behavioural self-improvement project. Does that sound familiar? I know kids who are on their devices all the time, with constant, on-demand entertainment. They never have a chance to get bored. I tell them that boredom is a necessary ingredient for creativity. If you're constantly receiving input, you can't be creative because there's no space for it. We can get trapped in the exact same exhausting treadmill... like a hamster wheel... where we're striving to be better and trying to fix our flaws. "Oh, I keep doing this and I need to stop." It becomes exhausting. We are running on the wheel but getting nowhere. Why does that happen? Because we operate out of two distinct operating systems. The first is the system of self-reliance. Picture a rigid, geometric tree of self-reliance, which represents the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden. On the other side, we have the flowing tree of dependence. As believers, we often operate out of both, but the goal of salvation is to shift from the left to the right. Living out of the system of dependence results in an organic union and spontaneous fruit, modelling Jesus, who only did what he saw the Father doing. But dependence requires trust... or believing loyalty. It's much harder for us to let go, like the song was saying, and trust. We'd rather be self-dependent and ensure everything is controlled. Andrew was talking about OCD earlier, and that is essentially a striving to control everything around us. We need to let go. I call the system on the left the "old self." I couldn't think of a name for the one on the right at first. What could the one on the right be called? The "new self." Okay, that's a good label! Crucifixion, Not Rehabilitation Looking at the old self, it cannot be upgraded or rehabilitated; it must be crucified. That is a pretty startling statement. When we operate out of the old self... which the Bible often refers to as the flesh... trying to fix it is like trying to dress up a corpse to make it look good. Our old self must die so our new self can live. There is no resurrection without crucifixion. We have to die first before we can be born again. We all go through two births and two deaths. We are born physically and we die physically. We also have to die spiritually to be born again spiritually. Everybody will go through this process at some point. Paul talks about this specifically in Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Notice he says, "I have been crucified." It's past tense and decisive. Paul talked in one of his recent sermons about this being ontologically true... it is objectively true. It's just that it is often hidden from us, or we fail to acknowledge it. The old system is finished. The old self has been put to death, and we have a new source of life. It is Christ living in us, requiring a present and continuous dependence... a believing loyalty. You can see the echoes of John 3:16 rephrased here: living by faith in the Son of God who loved us. Dead people don't require a more rigorous rule book; they lack the capacity to be resuscitated. When someone dies physically, their body is still there, but their life force... their spirit... is gone. You cannot rehabilitate a corpse. It is an error to think we can reform the old man. We see many religions trying to do exactly that... trying to perform better, strive harder, and follow rules. That's the old man. We don't need a rehabilitation programme to dress up a corpse; we require an entirely different kind of life. As Paul says in Ephesians 2, we were dead in our trespasses. We need to shift from a corrupted identity to an entirely new species. On the left, you have a protective castle driven by self-protection, hiding, performance, and control, cut off from the primal source of life. Who is that primal source? Jesus. He is sustaining us all right now. There is nothing about us that he doesn't actively sustain, but we need that spiritual awakening. The model on the right is a creation model, not an evolutionary upgrade of the old flesh. It's a complete paradigm shift. The old self has to die. As Paul told the Corinthians: "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." The Faith of Christ Let's talk about our faith allowing Christ's faith to flow. Paul previously shared a crude diagram of this, which I've significantly improved, and I'll let him use it whenever he wants! He'll probably listen to this recording, so I'm sure he'll follow up. In modern translations, many verses are translated as faith in Christ rather than the faith of Christ. That comes down to the theological bias of the translators. Every translation acts like a tightly worded commentary. Because there are far more English words than Greek words, they have to choose the word that fits their doctrine. If they believe it's purely your personal faith in Christ doing the heavy lifting, they will translate the phrase pistis Christou that way. But it is actually the faith of Christ. Remember what Paul said to the men of Athens: Jesus is "offering faith to all." Paul was saying this to Gentiles who knew nothing about Jesus until Paul opened his mouth. The faith of Christ is the very environment of God's grace. Our faith in Christ is simply the valve. It allows God's faith to anchor us and his Spirit to flow into our spirit, connecting with our soul. Our soul then becomes the expression of our spirit. Relational authenticity and believing loyalty to our King is what biblical faith is all about. The proclamation of the gospel originally meant the declaration of a new King. That's the good news: we have a new King, so swear allegiance to Him. Isaiah 45 says: "By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance." That is the end state God saw for humanity. It's not forced submission; it's a voluntary allegiance once everyone finally sees who the King of the cosmos actually is. As Paul writes in Corinthians, once all that is done and Jesus has reconciled the world to himself, he hands the kingdom back to God the Father. That is the ultimate end of the story, where God is "all in all"... all things in all people. In Revelation, you see people in the lake of fire, but that isn't the final chapter. The end of the story is when God becomes all in all. Inside-Out Transformation As Peter Carbless would say, when we're "fair dinkum" with God, we step out of the anxiety of daily performance reviews. (I like using Peter for Australian slang because he's Greek... it's a nice flip, he should be teaching us Greek instead of Aussie English!) Under the old operating system, we try to improve our quality of being through an upward movement. We try to set external boundaries and learn rules, hoping they will eventually change our heart. That's the Ten Commandments approach. You use the rules to manage behaviour. I tell my kids they have to wake up early, so they set an alarm. Zara had to work at 6:00 this morning at the bakery. Her alarm went off, and what did she do? Went straight back to sleep! She was operating under a rule. She didn't set the alarm because she passionately wanted to wake up; she set it because she had to. The alarm clock became the rigid focus. She wasn't responding to the internal reality of needing to be at the bakery. God works the exact opposite way. The old man works from the rules upward. God starts at the very top: the quality of being. He begins with an internal infusion of divine life. He joins his Spirit to our spirit. How do we access this? We turn the valve of faith. That transformation then affects our principles. We receive a new nature that naturally understands God's ways, and the external boundaries become completely obvious. We want to do what is right because our core identity has changed, not because we're managed by a checklist. Sin management attempts to fix the perimeter to heal the core. God heals the core, and the perimeter naturally aligns. True Fruit vs. Dead Works Let's talk about works. People often say, "I'm a good person." But who is actually good? No-one. We can manufacture good actions out of self-reliance, but they are still dead works. Who is truly good? Jesus. We could copy his actions perfectly, but if they come out of the old self, they are just forced labour. True good works are a natural fruit blossoming out of our new life in him. We become his masterpiece. Galatians 5:22 says: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit." We can exhibit nice attributes from either operating system, but the source is what matters. If they come out of the old man, they are dead works. This is why the author of Hebrews talks about "repentance from dead works." It's not just repenting of obviously bad things; it's repenting of the good things we tried to manufacture out of our own fleshly identity. Summary of the Framework To pull this framework together, let's contrast the two systems: The Old Man (Flesh) The New Man (Spirit) Self-protective castle New creation & resurrection life Performance-led striving Absolute rest & conjoined union Adam (Dust of the earth) Christ (The life-giving spirit) Pre-Pentecost (External law) Post-Pentecost (Indwelling Spirit) Damaged, unhealed soul Healed, transformed soul False identity / Dead works True identity / Fruit of the Spirit When we operate out of the new man, our desires naturally become his desires. Instead of praying for a new model Porsche because our current one is out of date, we pray into his desires. That's what the Lord's Prayer is all about. We all have a damaged soul that needs healing. This transition from a damaged soul to a healed soul is what the present process of salvation is. We often believe a false identity ("This is just who I am, I can't help it"), but we need to move into our true identity in him. I have gathered a lot of scripture that maps this out, and I'll share the slides later. Please be like a Berean: don't just accept what someone says from a pulpit. Check the scriptures to see if these things map out accurately. Look at Ephesians 4, which tells us to put off the old self, renew our minds, and put on the new self. Scripture is full of this paradigm. It is completely different from simply saying a sinner's prayer and assuming you're completely done. This is a call to total transformation. Application: Presence Prayer How do we apply these principles? We begin with presence prayer. Paul recently put up a brilliant six-episode series on the Uncreated YouTube channel about this. The goal of presence prayer is to restore us to the exact purpose for which we were created: full communion with God. Jesus prayed, "That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they may also be in us." That is full, beautiful integration. Our primary responsibility is simply to open the valve of faith and allow the life of Christ to flow. When you notice yourself slipping into striving, stop. Take a physical breath, open your lungs, and receive his grace like oxygen. To close, I'll share the Peter Carbless translation of Romans 5: "Therefore, since we have all of our ducks in a row because we are fair dinkum with God, we have peace with God. We stand and we rejoice in the hope and glory of God." That is what salvation is all about. It's not a transaction you did once at the back of a church building years ago. My mother used to get up at 3:00 am and sit in a small study chair. Sometimes she had a Bible on her lap, sometimes she didn't. I'd come home at all hours, see her there, and ask, "What are you doing? Are you praying?" She would always say, "No, I'm just waiting on the Lord." She didn't have a laundry list of demands. She was simply waiting on the Lord actively and deliberately. That is what presence prayer is. Closing Prayer Let's pray. Lord, bring us into the full communication and organic union for which we were created—the secure reality where we are already seated together with you in finished victory and absolute rest. We simply thank you as we permit your life to flow through us, naturally growing your beautiful fruit and transforming us into a healing presence for everyone around us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Some of the hardest prayers to pray are the ones we've prayed a hundred times before. In Luke 18, Jesus tells the story of a persistent widow, not because God is reluctant to answer, but because He wants His people to keep praying and never lose heart. The point of the parable is not that God must be worn down by our persistence. It is that our loving Father is nothing like the unjust judge. He delights in showing mercy, defends the vulnerable, and longs to answer His children with compassion. This message reminds us that delayed answers are not evidence of God's indifference. They are often invitations to deeper trust. Scripture repeatedly calls us to devote ourselves to prayer, to present every request to God with thanksgiving, and to remain faithful even when the answer has not yet come. Persistent prayer is not about convincing God to care. It is about staying connected to the One who has cared all along. When we refuse to let delay define God's character, our faith grows stronger, our hearts become more aligned with His, and we discover that He has been at work even while we were waiting.

In Episode 586, Fr. Marc Boulos asks what it truly means to welcome someone in Scripture. In Luke's account of the feeding of the five thousand, the answer is far richer than simple hospitality. Examining the Greek verb ἀποδέχομαι (apodechomai) alongside the Hebrew root צ-ר-ר (ṣ-r-r) and the Arabic ص-ر-ر (ṣ-r-r), Fr. Marc demonstrates that biblical welcome is not merely greeting a stranger—it is binding someone into the community of God.Beginning with Luke 9:14–17, he traces the literary and lexical threads that unite the crowd's welcome of Jesus (Luke 8:40) with Jesus' welcome of the crowd (Luke 9:11), culminating in the wilderness banquet. Along the way, he explores Luke's distinctive vocabulary of reclining (κατακλίνω), the companies (κλισίαι) of fifty, Israel's wilderness camp, the Greek symposium, the Gibeonite covenant meal, Abigail's "bundle of the living" (1 Samuel 25:29), Abraham's guests in Sūrat al-Dhāriyāt (Qur'an 51), Noah's self-bound hearers, the manna traditions of Exodus, Psalms, and the Qur'an, and the recurring biblical contrast between those whom God binds to himself and those who bind themselves to the old.Rather than treating Greek, Hebrew, and Arabic as isolated languages, this study follows their shared literary and lexical patterns to illuminate the grammar of the biblical text, revealing how the wilderness table gathers Jew and Greek into one people under one God. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Life is a series of choices, but following Jesus begins with something even more important: His invitation. In Luke 5, Peter makes four life-changing choices—from lending Jesus his boat to leaving everything behind—but each decision is actually a response to Jesus taking the first step. This message launches our Pathways series by exploring what it means to begin walking with Jesus. Discover how Christ still calls ordinary people to trust Him, follow Him, and take their next step of faith. The post Choose to Walk with Jesus | Pathways first appeared on Cornerstone Church.

Have you ever wondered why the angel Gabriel responded so strongly to Zechariah's doubt?In Luke 1, Zechariah receives incredible news: after years of waiting, he and Elizabeth will have a son who will prepare the way for the Messiah. But instead of responding with faith, Zechariah responds with doubt. Gabriel's response wasn't simply about one question—it revealed the importance of trusting God's promises and His perfect timing.In this message, guest speaker Pastor Adam McCain from Hill City Church and Overseer of Global Ministers Network shares practical wisdom for anyone waiting on God.You'll discover how to:Trust God's timing instead of your own.Stop trying to control the "how" and "when."Remain faithful while God develops your character.Refuse to make villains out of people you think are in your way.Guard your words so they align with God's promises.Even when God's timing doesn't make sense, His promises will come true at the proper time.Scripture: Luke 1:5–20 (NIV)If this message encouraged you, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to trust God's timing today.#Faith #Luke1 #TrustGod #GodsTiming #WaitingOnGod #Zechariah #ChristianSermon #BibleTeaching #OverflowChurch #PastorAdamMcCainSupport the show

In Luke 22:49–51, one of the most unexpected moments in Scripture unfolds as Jesus is betrayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. As soldiers arrive to arrest Him, Peter reacts the way many of us would—drawing his sword and striking one of the men, cutting off his ear. Determined to defend Jesus, Peter believed the battle would be won through force. But Jesus stopped him, picked up the severed ear, healed the very man who came to arrest Him, and revealed a completely different way to respond. While Peter answered betrayal with an attack, Jesus answered it with forgiveness. This message explores the power of pressing pause before we react, showing how God's greatest victories often come not through retaliation, but through grace, mercy, and obedience. If you've ever struggled with anger, offense, or the urge to fight back, this sermon will challenge you to respond the way Jesus did.

What's keeping you from the table? In Luke 14, Jesus tells a story about a great banquet—and the surprisingly ordinary reasons people miss it. Then he turns to the crowd and raises the cost of following him. Same passage. Two movements. One unavoidable question. Join us as we continue the Way of the King series through the Gospel of Luke.

Follow Me: The Meaning & Blessings of Discipleship-- Prayer was at the heart of Jesus' relationship with the Father. In Luke 11:1-13, the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, and He responded with both instruction and example. This message explores when Jesus prayed, where He prayed, and why prayer remains an essential practice for every disciple today. Listen in...

In Luke 12:32–40, Jesus offers a radical invitation: “Do not be afraid, little flock… it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” But how do we live in that kingdom when our lives are already overflowing with noise, possessions, and pressure?In this message, Rev. Shawn Garan reflects on the call to live more simply, drawing connections between Jesus' teaching, the ancient Christian practice of asceticism, and modern movements like minimalism. Along the way, we consider how challenging economic times might actually be a spiritual invitation to let go of what does not last and make room for what truly matters.Whether you are curious about minimalism, longing for more peace, or wondering what Jesus' words mean for our cluttered world, this sermon will encourage you to slow down, open your hands, and receive the gift God is already giving.If this message speaks to you, please like, share, and subscribe for more reflections on faith, Scripture, and the life of the soul.

Why would Jesus praise a dishonest manager? In Luke 16:1–13, Jesus tells one of His most confusing parables. On the surface, it looks like a story about shady accounting. But beneath the surface, it is really about the soul, the ego, and the radical freedom of grace.Life often feels like a ledger we can never balance. The bills pile up, mistakes weigh heavy, and the debts—emotional, spiritual, even relational—seem too much to repay. Yet in this parable, Jesus shows us that the good news of the gospel is not about keeping perfect accounts. It is about grace that cancels the debt entirely.Through everyday stories, biblical reflection, and psychological insight, Pastor Shawn Garan invites us to discover what it means to stop keeping score and start living free. The books are closed. The debts are forgiven. Grace has balanced it all.

What if your greatest spiritual growth isn't found on the mountaintops, but in the valleys? In today's Crosswalk Devotional, we explore Matthew 5:3 and discover why Jesus calls the poor in spirit blessed. Seasons of loss, uncertainty, and weakness often create the very space where God's presence, grace, and strength become most real. While it's natural to long for life's mountaintop moments, our deepest dependence on God is often formed during difficult seasons. When our hearts are emptied of self-reliance and worldly security, they become open to being filled with Christ. The valleys may not be easy, but they often become the places where our faith grows stronger and our relationship with Jesus grows deeper. Highlights: Discover why Jesus calls the poor in spirit blessed in Matthew 5:3. Learn how seasons of difficulty can deepen your faith more than seasons of comfort. See how Peter's failures revealed his need for God's grace rather than his own strength. Understand why childlike dependence on Christ is central to the Christian life. Be encouraged that God often uses life's valleys to draw us closer to Him. Find hope knowing that when we feel empty, God is ready to fill us with His presence and strength. Join the Conversation Have you experienced a season where God met you most powerfully in the middle of hardship? How has a difficult valley strengthened your faith and dependence on Him? We'd love to hear your story in the comments. Join the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/ Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: The Blessing of Being Empty By Hannah Benson Bible Reading:“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3 ESV). Have you ever considered that perhaps the blessing isn’t in the mountaintops but found in the valley? So many of us live our lives longing for the proverbial “mountaintops,” for the moments when everything is perfect. Or, at least, seems to be. It’s not wrong to pray and hope for good things. For good jobs, loving families, great friends. Besides, we know God loves to give good gifts to His children. But what if instead of living our lives longing for the mountaintops and enduring the valleys because we think we have to, what if we saw the valleys as a gift? Now, don’t get me wrong. The valley isn’t a gift because it feels good. If anything, it probably doesn’t feel very good at all. Instead, it’s a gift because the hard times are usually when we grow in our faith the most. Think about it. The disciples walked with Jesus for 3 years. Surely, their time walking physically with Jesus was the “mountaintops” of their faith. Everything was going swimmingly. They saw miracles, witnessed healings, and watched Jesus raise people from the dead. In their minds, Jesus had no doubt come to conquer the Roman Empire (Acts 1:6). But then Jesus died. Those 3 days before He rose again were the darkest days in history, and no doubt, the hardest times in the lives of His disciples at that point (Luke 23:44-45, John 20:19, Mark 16:10). But you know what? They grew more during those 3 days than they had in 3 years. Peter is just one example of this. Before Jesus’s crucifixion, he wrestled with pride and reliance upon his own strength, telling Jesus that “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away” (Matthew 26:33 ESV). But in fear, he denied Jesus 3 times (Matthew 26:75). We’ve all made promises on the mountaintops that we realize in the valleys we aren’t strong enough on our own to keep. Peter’s story is a reminder to us that our faith is sustained by God’s strength and grace alone, not anything we could do on our own. For the 3 years of Jesus’s ministry, they walked by sight. They had Jesus physically with them. But after His crucifixion in those 3 days where they didn’t understand what was happening and then later when He ascended to heaven, they had to believe what they couldn’t see. Consider this. When we’re walking with the Lord, and everything seems to be going great, perhaps we landed our dream job, or we were given a relationship that we’ve been praying for, in those moments, we are on the “mountaintops.” While I’m grateful for the “mountaintops” in life, I’ve realized that it’s in the “valleys” where I truly grow. Often on the mountaintops, we find ourselves filled with good things that we struggle to find room in our hearts for God. But in the valleys, when everything might be taken away from us, or we’re struggling, and our hearts are being emptied of the things of the world, that’s when our hearts may be more receptive to the Lord’s presence filling the empty spaces in our lives. It’s like the rich man and the poor man. In Luke 18, a rich man comes to Jesus and asks what he must do to inherit eternal life (v. 18). When Jesus tells him to keep His commandments, the rich man responds that “all these I have kept from my youth” (v. 21 ESV). Jesus then tells him that there is one thing he lacks: “Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Luke 18:22). The Bible tells us that when the rich man heard this, he became sad because he was extremely wealthy. On the outside, he appeared to have everything he could ever want. He was “full.” Full of worldly possessions, perhaps power, of following his own path. Luke 18:24-25 continues: “Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, ‘How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.’” What is Jesus saying here? That if you happen to be wealthy, you won’t go to heaven? No, of course not. When we’re standing on the mountaintops and our lives are filled with such good things, sometimes, we may find it difficult to open our hearts to Jesus when our hearts are filled with things of the world. Earlier in Luke 18:16, 17, it says: “But Jesus called them to him, saying, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’” Jesus commends childlike faith. In most cases, children are simple, carefree, and completely dependent on their parents to provide and care for them. When we have faith like a child, we recognize the true essence of our faith, which is full dependence on Jesus to accomplish what we cannot. Sometimes, we have an innate tendency to feel independent and empowered, but that way of thinking can be false when it leads us to place an emphasis on our strength above Jesus in us. Yes, God loves to give us good things. To bless us with moments on the mountaintops. But I’ve found that the greatest blessing is found in the valleys, when we realize God’s grace is the only thing sustaining us and we find ourselves empty enough to be filled by Him. If you are in the valley today, instead of viewing it as something you must endure, why not view it as a blessing? Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying the tragedy we may be walking through may be easy or a gift in and of itself, but the result (which can often be a deeper closeness with God) is the true gift. Why not view our empty places as a gift and an opportunity to be filled with the presence of God? Pray with me: Father, thank You for the valleys that make me like a child again. Thank You for the seasons that strip away my false independence and remind me that I am sustained by Your grace alone. Help me to stop longing for the next mountain and instead look for Your presence right here, even in the empty spaces. Fill me with Yourself today. In Jesus’s Name, Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Presented by Jenn Miller What do the women of the Bible teach us about lament? Often when I think of lament, I think of casting the burdens of life at the Lord's feet. But the Bible also instructs Christians to lament their sin. In Luke 7, a woman does just that. We don't know much about her, not even her name. The main detail we are given is she had lived a sinful life in that town. In the verses that follow, she comes to Jesus weeping, her tears dripping onto his feet. She dries his feet with her hair and then anoints them with precious perfume. This was not only a display of worship, but a display of lament over sin. Notice the most important part though—she does not hide from Jesus when he comes to town; she does not wallow in self-condemnation and pity; she doesn't turn to other things to dull the pain of conviction. No, she comes to Jesus with her sin. That is the difference between Satan's condemnation and the Spirit's conviction. Condemnation focuses my eyes on my sin where conviction of the Spirit focuses my eyes on my great Savior's ability and willingness to forgive. Condemnation tells me to run from God and hide, but the conviction of the Spirit calls me to draw near to Christ. And Jesus graciously welcomed her saying, your sins are forgiven (Luke 7:48); your faith has saved you. Go in peace (Luke 7:50). Dear sister, what do you do with your sin? Do you ignore it or try to hide it? Do you defend it or seek to justify yourself? Does shame overwhelm you? Christ is calling you to rightly mourn your sin and agree that it is wrong. But you are called to more than that. Come lament your sin and worship the one who forgives it. Come and receive the truth of the Savior for all who come to him in faith, your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.

Year of Parables – Episode 29: In Luke’s version of the Parable of the Lost Sheep, discover how God reveals His love towards sinners and how we are able to help bring joy to those in heaven! Listen to this episode and/or subscribe on ReflectiveBibleStudy.com...

Hosts Pastor Rico Basso and Pastor Lloyd Pulley Question Timestamps: Suzie, email (2:19) - Why did Jesus call out "my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Chris, NY (4:40) - Were Syria and Assyria different empires? What are the differences between precepts and statutes? Eric, NJ (10:37) - What is the right way to go about getting married? Jim, email (14:55) - In Luke 8 Jesus heals two people, why does he tell the man to tell everyone about it, but tell the girl to keep it a secret? Ricardo, email (18:21) - How do we overcome doubt? Lynda, Facebook (24:03) - Why does 1 Corinthians 14 say women should keep silent? Luis, CA (34:33) - Do you believe the Rapture will happen? Where does the Bible mention the Rapture? Mark, NY (40:08) - How do you fight against beliefs people have in racism? Jerry, KY (48:47) - Can you explain the ability to speak in tongues? Alice, GA (53:15) - Why is the devil searching "waterless places?" Ask Your Questions: Call: 888-712-7434 Email: Answers@bbtlive.org

Welcome to Day 2904 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2904– “The Ultimate Close Encounter”  based on Luke 9:51-62 Putnam Church Message – 06/14/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “Snapshots From An Amazing Album.”   Last week's message was “Snapshots From An Amazing Album,” in which we studied four snapshots from Christ's ministry. Today, we continue with our twenty-eighth message from Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: “A Face Like Flint.” Our core passage today is Luke 9:51-62, on page 1611 of your pew Bibles. Samaritan Opposition 51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them[a]?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56 Then he and his disciples went to another village. The Cost of Following Jesus 57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Opening Prayer Father, we come before You today grateful for the steady, determined love of Jesus Christ. We confess that our hearts are often divided. We are distracted by comfort, delayed by excuses, wounded by rejection, and tempted to look back when You call us forward. Lord Jesus, as we watch You set Your face toward Jerusalem, help us see the depth of Your love and the seriousness of Your mission. Teach us what it means to follow You with unreserved sacrifice,>undivided devotion,> and unwavering commitment. Give us courage to press on. Give us grace to forgive. Give us faith to follow. May Your Word shape our hearts today. Amen.   Introduction: The Finish Line in View The 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles gave us one of the most unforgettable marathon moments in Olympic history. Gabriela Andersen-Schiess entered the stadium near the end of the women's marathon, but something was terribly wrong. Heat exhaustion and dehydration had taken hold of her body. Her legs were stiff. Her movements were uneven. Her body looked like it might collapse at any step. Doctors moved toward her, but she waved them off because if they helped her, she would be disqualified. She had already run more than twenty-six miles. Only a few hundred meters remained. So she kept moving. / Step by painful step. / Lean, stagger, recover. / Another step. / Another step. / Another step. For nearly six agonizing minutes, she willed herself forward until she crossed the finish line and collapsed into medical care. What stayed with people was not that she won the race. She did not. What stayed with people was her determination. The finish line had become her single focus. She had come too far to quit. In Luke 9:51, Luke brings us to a major turning point in his Gospel. Jesus has healed the sick, calmed the storm, cast out demons, raised the dead, fed the multitudes, revealed His glory on the mountain, and taught His disciples what the Kingdom of God is like. / But now the story turns. Luke says, “As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”  That phrase — “Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem,” — is powerful. It draws from the Old Testament image in Isaiah 50:7, where the Servant of the Lord says, “I have set my face like flint.” Flint is a hard stone. It does not bend easily. It is not soft clay. It is firm, sharp, and unyielding. Jesus set His face like flint toward Jerusalem. / Why Jerusalem? Because Jerusalem was where betrayal waited. Jerusalem was where rejection waited. Jerusalem was where false trials waited. Jerusalem was where the cross waited. Jerusalem was where the tomb waited. But Jerusalem was also where resurrection would break the power of death. Jerusalem was where salvation would be accomplished. From this point forward in Luke's Gospel, the cross is always in the background. Every conversation, every parable, every miracle, every encounter is moving Jesus closer to the place where He will give His life for the sins of the world. The theme of this passage is simple| but demanding: Jesus pressed on toward the cross, and He calls His followers to press on after Him. Here are the four truths that we can glean from today's passage, as found in your bulletin insert on the side ‘A Face Like Flint.' Main Point 1: Jesus Set His Face Toward the Father's Mission Luke tells us that the time was approaching for Jesus to be taken up. That points beyond the cross, beyond the grave, beyond the resurrection, all the way to His ascension. Jesus knew the whole journey. He was not stumbling into Jerusalem unaware. He was not trapped by circumstances. He was not surprised by the hostility waiting there. He was not swept along by political events beyond His control. Jesus knew where He was going. And He went anyway. That is love. In the previous message, “Snapshots From An Amazing Album,” we saw Jesus tell His disciples again that He would be handed over into the hands of men. They did not understand. They were afraid to ask. But Jesus understood fully. He knew the cost before He paid it. / Now, He begins the journey. This is the beginning of what many Bible students call Luke's “travel section.” From Luke 9:51 through much of chapter 19, Jesus is moving toward Jerusalem. Luke will remind us again and again that Jesus is on the way. He is not He is not He is not He is pressing on.     Ancient Context: The Servant With a Flint Face Isaiah 50 gives us the background. The Servant of the Lord says He gave His back to those who struck Him, / His cheeks to those who pulled out His beard, / and His face to humiliation and spitting. Then He says, “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone.” That is the spirit of Luke 9:51. Jesus knew humiliation was coming. / He knew suffering was coming. / He knew the cross was coming. / Yet He set His face like flint. This is not stubbornness. Stubbornness can be foolish. This is holy resolve. This is obedience anchored in the Father's will. Object Lesson: Flint and Clay Hold two objects: a piece of soft clay and a slate. Clay can be pressed, shaped, bent, and changed by almost any outside force. But flint is firm. It holds its edge.

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.

Why do we keep trying to change our behavior without changing our hearts?In Luke 6:43–45, Jesus teaches that every tree is known by its fruit. The problem isn't the fruit we produce—it's the root from which it grows.In this message from The Kingdom Way, Pastor Clayton explores Jesus' powerful illustration of trees, fruit, and the human heart. Our words, actions, and habits don't create who we are—they reveal who we are. Real transformation doesn't happen by trying harder; it happens when Jesus changes us from the inside out.The Kingdom of God isn't about behavior modification. It's about heart transformation.

Ever wonder why your faith feels strong one day and falls apart the next? Or why life's hardest moments seem to reveal what's really happening inside you?Jesus teaches that the greatest danger isn't failing publicly—it's building a life that only looks solid on the surface. In Luke 6:43–49, He compares our lives to trees, storehouses, and houses built on foundations, showing that pressure doesn't create what's inside us; it reveals it. The answer isn't trying harder or appearing more spiritual. It's coming to Jesus, allowing Him to change the heart, and building your life on the only foundation that stands when the storms come.If you're searching for truth, wrestling with doubt, or wondering whether your faith is real, this message is for you.Watch, reflect, and discover what it means to build your life on the Rock.

In Luke 22, everyone heard the same story, saw the same Savior, and witnessed the same events—yet many still failed to recognize who Jesus truly was. The religious leaders saw a threat; Judas saw an opportunity; Peter saw his own strength; and the disciples argued over greatness. In this message, we'll discover how easy it is to be close to Jesus and still miss the story He is writing. Don't settle for knowing about Jesus when you can know Him personally. Don't miss the story—and don't miss His glory.

In Luke 23:50–24:12 we come to Luke's account of the resurrection of Christ. We read this account as those who believe in the risen Lord Jesus, as did Luke's readers. The resurrection is in our confession of faith, after all. Luke is not evangelizing us. He is, rather, assuring us of the certainty of the things we have heard (Luke 1:4). But even more, he is assuring us of the certainty of Jesus' reliable word. In this account we meet the disciples in their grief and confusion. And Jesus meets them—as he meets us—with an announcement of great hope: life from the dead.

You've heard this story so many times you can't hear it anymore. In Luke 15, Jesus tells a story about two sons — one who runs into self-destruction and one who stays home and turns to stone. Most of us know it as "the Prodigal Son." Most of us have heard it wrong. In this first week of The Parables of Jesus, Pastor Greg unpacks why Jesus told parables designed to break open your view of the world — and why this one has been working on him for ten years. You'll wrestle with the stories you tell yourself, why you do that, and why both 'finding yourself' and 'being a good person' leave you lost. Whether you've walked away from God, never met him, or have been quietly resentful in the back of the sanctuary — this story ends without an ending on purpose. The question is...what will you do with it?

In Luke 6:27–38, Jesus calls His disciples to extend to others what they themselves desire—love, mercy, forgiveness, generosity, and grace—even toward those who do not deserve it. He then closes by making clear that in God's kingdom, we should expect back what we extend, because the measure we use toward others becomes the measure we live under ourselves.

We all long for mountaintop moments with God—times when his presence feels especially real. But what are those moments actually for? And what do we do when they seem elusive? In Luke 9, one mountaintop encounter between Jesus and his disciples reminds us that whether we find ourselves on the mountain, in the valley, or somewhere in between, Jesus is inviting us to see him more clearly and follow him more faithfully.

In Luke 7:31–35, Jesus compared the people of His generation to children in the marketplace who refused to join the game—whether it was a wedding dance or a funeral dirge. Nothing satisfied them. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explains that Jesus' analogy exposes a dangerous spiritual condition: apathy that makes people resistant to the Gospel and unwilling to participate in the family of God. John the Baptist came with a message of repentance, and people complained that he was too severe. Jesus came with the same message while eating with sinners and attending dinners and weddings, and people complained that He was too approachable. Their problem was not the messenger's style—it was their self-focused, critical hearts. Dr. Youssef warns that this same attitude still keeps many away from meaningful involvement in the local church. Instead of worshiping the one true God, people nitpick the delivery, criticize the congregation, and remain on the sidelines. But Jesus says wisdom is proved right by those who look beyond themselves and respond to God's Truth. When we lift our eyes from ourselves to our Savior—the only sure foundation—the Gospel moves us from selfishness and purposelessness into abundant joy, unexplainable peace, and brotherly love. Pray with me.  Precious Lord, may I dwell on Your matchless character and love for me so that I think of myself less and find complete joy in You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

In Luke 7:1–10, Jesus heals the servant of a centurion soldier at Capernaum. These verses illustrate the faith this soldier has that Jesus can heal his favorite servant.We also learn in these verses that the Jewish people of the city knew of this particular centurion and put in a good word for him with Jesus, because he had built the Jewish temple in Capernaum on their behalf.Imagine that! A gentile, a man who was a soldier of some esteem in command of other soldiers in his city, built the local Jewish synagogue.This brief window into the centurion's character shows us that generosity can and should extend not just within our own family or our most familiar community, but to others who look, think, and act differently than we do.This man's willingness to complete such an act on behalf of the Jewish people in his community is an example for us today, that we should seek to be generous whenever God provides the opportunity to do so—even if the recipient is not who we expected it to be.2 Corinthians 9:6 says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”A godly man is generous.Let's pray.Lord, you have given us so much! Every good thing comes from you, and we are blessed to call you Father. Plant a seed of generosity in our hearts and help it grow, that we will share the gifts you've given freely, and at every opportunity. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

In Luke 19:3, Zacchaeus is unable to see Jesus because he is short. Is it possible that the short person in question is Jesus?  Jon C. Laansma is Gerald F. Hawthorne Professor of New Testament Greek & Exegesis and the Director of the Classical Languages program at Wheaton College, and also the Wheaton-based director of this podcast series. Some of his publications may be found here. He is currently working on a commentary on 1 Corinthians for the T&T Clark International Theological Commentary series.   Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4uOCpV1  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4uu1Ivc 

Why is it so easy to see someone else's flaws—but almost impossible to recognize our own?In Luke 6:41–42, Jesus gives one of His most memorable illustrations: a person trying to remove a speck from someone else's eye while ignoring the log in their own. His words aren't simply about hypocrisy—they're an invitation to humility, repentance, and spiritual transformation.In this message from The Kingdom Way, Pastor Clayton explores how self-righteousness blinds us, why Jesus always begins with our own hearts, and how genuine transformation enables us to lovingly help others.The Kingdom of God doesn't begin by changing everyone around us—it begins by changing us.

Have you ever prayed for something so long that you finally just... stopped asking? Not because you stopped believing God could — but because you weren't sure anymore that He would. If that's where you're at, this message is for you. In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells the story of a widow with no power, no status, and no advocate — who refuses to stop showing up before an unjust judge. It's not a story about praying harder. It's a story about what your prayer life reveals about what you actually believe about God. In Week 5 of our "Stories: Parables" series, Pastor Kim walks through this parable and unpacks four qualities of a persistent prayer life: discipline, patience, trust, and perseverance — showing why God's delay is never His absence, and why waiting is often where He does His deepest work. If you've ever wondered whether your prayers are getting through, this message will change how you see the wait. Watch now, and if it encourages you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs it. Luke 18:1-8 (NIV)

In Luke 16, the parable of the dishonest manager warns against spiritual corruption, misplaced ambition, and the love of money. It challenges believers to pursue God's kingdom with the same intentionality that the world pursues temporary success, using their resources to bless others, build unity, and advance the gospel. Ultimately, the message calls Christians to faithfully steward everything God has entrusted to them, remembering that no one can serve both God and money.

From the Gospel of Luke (8:26-39): And They Asked Jesus to Leave Introduction -- Compassion Unpacked: God wants to have a heart-to-heart talk with us. Therefore, if there is anything in our lives blocking this talk with God, we must remove it – we need to open ourselves to what God will do for us if we will just let go of our life impediments. We must pray for God's guidance that He keeps us from becoming judgmental, self-righteous, self-centered Christians like the Pharisees in Luke 7:36-50. Today's Message -- And They Asked Jesus to Leave: When Jesus stepped ashore after a storm-tossed sail across the Sea of Galilee, Luke 8:26-39 tells us that Jesus was met by a demon-possessed man. True Christians cannot be demon-possessed; the Holy Spirit indwells and possesses Christians. For non-believers, their spirit is void and open to passion by demons. However, Christians can be oppressed by demons. In Luke 8:32-33, Luke tells us that the demons called Jesus by name and asked that they not be removed from the demon-posed man and be sent to the “abyss”. Therefore, Jesus removed the demons from the man and transferred the demons into a large herd of pigs: “Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.". Subsequently, the people from the town came to observe the formerly possessed man and the fate of the pig herd (Luke 8:36-39): “And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him {Jesus} to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.'". The people of the town asked Jesus, the Creator of the Universe, to leave because he had cost their economy, and they were afraid. However, “asking him {Jesus} to depart” is something we Christians do. We learn from this story of the demon-possessed man and the people of “Gerasenes” that: 1) Jesus has power over demons (demon passion and oppression are real and should not be taken lightly); 2) it is easy to talk those people that we do not know well about what Jesus has done for us, but Jesus wants us to witness to our families and friends; 3) we should be careful what we invest, especially those investments that are against God's law; 4) we do  “ask Jesus to leave” – every time we sin, every time we begin our day without Jesus, every time we walk away from His calling on our lives, every time we say “my will be done” rather than “they will be done”; 5) Jesus wants us to share what He has done for us – wherever we are and whomever we are with, especially where we live and work; and 6) this story tell us Jesus  who Jesus is – the demon-possessed man tells us (Luke 8:32) who Jesus is: “When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.'”. The ultimate question that we all must all answer: “Who do we say that Jesus is?”.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM A CHILD OF GOD. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:12f SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Ephesians 6:10; Luke 8:22-25; Luke 8:26-39; Psalms 141:1-10. SCRIPTURE REFERENCE SEARCH: www.AWFTL.org/bible-search/ A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Jesus Followers' Righteousness Will Flow, with the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, from Their Heart Through Their Personal Relationship with Jesus”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Podcast Title:After the Rooster Crowed | Anchored in Troubled Waters | Season 9 Episode 28Podcast Description:Peter promised he would stand with Jesus, but when fear pressed hard, he denied the Lord three times. Then the rooster crowed, Jesus looked at him, and Peter went out weeping bitterly. In this message, we look at failure, conviction, repentance, and the grace of Christ that does not abandon broken disciples. The rooster crowed, but Peter's story was not over.Alternate Podcast Description 2:Peter loved Jesus, but he overestimated his own strength. In Luke 22, fear pressures his faith, and Peter denies the Lord three times. When the rooster crows and Jesus looks at him, Peter remembers the word of the Lord and weeps bitterly. This message reminds us that failure is painful, but repentance is possible and Jesus still restores broken disciples.Alternate Podcast Description 3:What happens after the rooster crows? Peter's denial was real, and his sorrow was bitter, but his story did not end in failure. This message looks at Peter's fall, the look of Jesus, the pain of conviction, and the restoring grace of Christ. Failure may break your heart, but Jesus can still restore your life.

Luke 6:43-45 | Like a tree bears fruit, so do our hearts — and it matters where we're rooted. Where are you rooted? What is your treasure? And how do we find out what we treasure? In Luke 6:43-45, Jesus illustrates that our fruit comes from the treasure of our heart and is exposed by our words. But this is more than behavior modification, Jesus is telling us we can't bear fruit on our own, but only through fervent dependence on Him.

In Luke 8, Jesus encounters a demon-possessed man who had been isolated, bound in chains, and considered beyond hope. Yet the demons that controlled him were powerless in the presence of Jesus. In one encounter, Jesus brought freedom, restoration, and complete transformation.Listen to discover how an encounter with Jesus can change everything for you.

In Luke 16:16-18, Jesus declares that the Law and Prophets ended with John the Baptist, after whom the kingdom of God is preached. John pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God. Jesus affirms the Law's permanence and teaches that divorce and remarriage constitute adultery, calling people back to God's original design for lifelong, one-flesh marriage rooted in Genesis 2.

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.

Prayer is easy when answers come quickly. It's much harder when heaven seems silent. In Luke 18, Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow to remind us to keep praying and not lose heart. This message explores why God invites us to persevere in prayer, what it means when His timing doesn't match ours, and how biblical hope gives us the strength to keep trusting even when we don't yet see the answer. God is not an unjust judge who must be persuaded to care, He is a loving Father who hears every prayer. As we wait for His perfect timing, we're called to remain faithful, confident that His promises will be fulfilled. Don't give up. Don't ever give up.------------Join us for service online or in-person in Grand Rapids every Sunday at 9AM & 10:45AM.Decided to follow Jesus? We would love to help you figure out what's next! Let us know at https://bit.ly/TLC-i-decidedStay Connected!Website: http://localchurchgr.orgFacebook: http://facebook.com/localchurchgrInstagram: http://instagram.com/localchurchgrWeekly Email Newsletter: https://bit.ly/trendingatTLCVisit & What to Expect: http://localchurchgr.org/expectEvents: http://my.localchurchgr.org/eventsIf you would like to support The Local Church GR's ministry and help us continue reaching people in the Grand Rapids area, click here: https://localchurchgr.org/giveNeed prayer? Please let us know! https://localchurchgr.org/care

When America's “Founding Fathers” signed the Declaration of Independence, they knew there was going to be a great cost in breaking from Great Britain, but they didn't shrink back from embracing that cost. In Luke 9, Jesus talks with three different men who didn't understand the true cost of following Jesus. What are some of those costs, and how do they still exist today? How can fathers and grandfathers communicate those costs to their families? (Fathers Day 2026)

Have you ever assumed that sharing your faith is someone else's job? Jesus tells a very different story—one where ordinary people are sent into everyday places to make an eternal difference.In Luke 10, Jesus sends out seventy-two ordinary followers and reminds them that the greatest obstacle isn't a lack of people searching for hope—it's a lack of people willing to go. This message explores how prayer changes our perspective, why ministry isn't reserved for professionals, and how to faithfully represent Jesus wherever God has placed you.In this message, you'll discover:Why Jesus believes the harvest is plentiful—and what that means for your everyday life.How to prepare for both encouragement and rejection while living on mission.Why your greatest joy should never be ministry success, but belonging to Christ.Key Scriptures:Luke 10:1–24Isaiah 14Wherever God has placed you, He has given you opportunities to represent Him. Ask Him to shape your perspective, take a faithful next step, and share this message with someone who needs encouragement. If you're looking for a church home, we'd love to welcome you at Bayou City Fellowship.Bayou City Fellowship Spring Branch Campus | Kevin Barra | June 28, 2026https://linktr.ee/bayoucityfellowship

Who is shaping your life?In Luke 6:39–40, Jesus tells two short parables that reveal one powerful truth: every one of us is becoming like someone.The question isn't whether you're being formed—it's who is forming you.In this message from The Kingdom Way, Pastor Clayton explores Jesus' warning about spiritual blindness, the danger of following the wrong voices, and what it truly means to become a disciple of Christ. If we're not careful, we'll spend our lives following blind guides instead of the One who gives sight.Jesus doesn't simply want better behavior—He wants transformed people who reflect His character.

Most of us picture the Christian life as a long to-do list — more to carry, more to manage, more to keep up with. But what if Jesus never intended it to look that way? In Luke 6, Jesus challenges the religious leaders' exhausting, rule-heavy approach to the Sabbath and reclaims rest as something God designed for our good — not another burden to bear. Pastor Joel Hastings walks through two Sabbath encounters in Luke 6 where Jesus pushes back against performance-driven religion and offers something better: a life rooted in trust. Sabbath isn't just about stopping — it's a declaration that God governs the world better than we do, and an invitation to rest, delight, and worship in that truth. Here's a couple key takeaways - Sabbath is a gift, not a rule — when we skip rest, we miss one of God's greatest blessings in our lives. - Resting is an act of trust — it's our way of saying God is on the throne, even when our to-do list isn't finished. - Sabbath means more than doing nothing — build rhythms of rest, delight, and worship that you and your family can actually look forward to. SUBSCRIBE for weekly sermons, stories, and other resources: https://www.youtube.com/@GracePointNWA?sub_confirmation=1 ============================= Connect with Grace Point Church: ============================= Instagram: https://instagram.com/gracepointnwa Facebook: https://facebook.com/gracepointnwa Website: https://gracepointchurch.net #Sermon #GracePointChurch #NorthwestArkansas

In Luke 10:19, Jesus reminds the disciples, "Listen! I have given power to you. You will even stand on dangerous snakes and insects and you will have authority over all the power of the Devil. Nothing will hurt you."We have the authority, yet how many of us are actually using it to bring our lives into alignment with the Kingdom?! In today's episode of the Shine with Frannie Show, I share a story about a humble missionary, Don Richardson, and how he wielded the power given to him by the authority of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. The same power lives in us! It's time to start using it! tune in and be inspired by Don's amazing testimony and then join the Miracle Mindset Masterclass where we will learn about your rights as a Kingdom citizen and give you the practical steps to activate them every single day. The training is free but you have to register to receive the link and other essentials.If you are ready to show the enemy who is boss, regain total control of your life, and take back exactly what the enemy stole from you—this training is for you!Don't wait. Click here to register for this free live training today! You are going to leave this masterclass equipped with the tools you need to walk, talk, and live in your divine authority.

Minimalism isn't about removing the things you love. It's about removing the things that distract you from the things you love. That insight from Joshua Becker gets to the heart of a much deeper issue than messy closets or crowded garages. Clutter competes for more than our space. It competes for our attention, affection, time, energy, and generosity. Joshua Becker, New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author and founder of Becoming Minimalist, joined the show today to talk about his book, Uncluttered Faith: Own Less, Love More, and Make an Impact in Your World.  His message is not that every Christian needs bare walls, a tiny home, or a life stripped of beauty and enjoyment. Rather, it's an invitation to ask a better question: Are the things we own helping us live faithfully, or are they quietly distracting us from what matters most? Minimalism Is Not One-Size-Fits-All For many people, the word “minimalism” brings to mind stark white rooms, empty shelves, or getting rid of nearly everything they own. But Becker is quick to point out that minimalism will look different from one person to another. Some may enjoy a simpler aesthetic. Others may not. Some may feel called to live with very little. Others may simply need to become more intentional about what they own and why. Becker defines minimalism as “the intentional promotion of the things we most value by removing anything that distracts us from it.” That definition moves the conversation from rules to purpose. The goal is not to own less for its own sake. The goal is to make room for what God has called us to value most. When Possessions Begin to Possess Us Becker's journey began on an ordinary Saturday morning. He set out to clean his garage while his young son wanted him to play. Hours later, still surrounded by stuff, he realized he had spent his day maintaining possessions instead of investing in his son. That moment became a turning point. He and his wife began removing unnecessary possessions from their home, eventually giving away or discarding 60 to 70 percent of what they owned. With each step, Becker noticed practical benefits. Their home became easier to maintain. Their lifestyle costs less. They had more time and energy. They also found new opportunities for generosity. As a pastor, Becker began to see the connection between simplicity and faith. Jesus had been inviting His followers into this kind of life all along—not as deprivation, but as freedom. He calls us away from storing up treasures on earth and toward a life oriented around the Kingdom of God. Consumerism Shapes Us More Than We Realize We live in a culture that constantly tells us more is better. Advertisements, social media, algorithms, and comparison all work together to convince us that the next purchase will make us happier, more secure, more admired, or more complete. The message is subtle but powerful: your life will be better if you buy what we're selling. Over time, that message shapes our desires. We begin to define success by accumulation. Bigger homes, newer cars, fuller closets, upgraded technology, and constant consumption start to feel normal. But normal is not always wise. And common is not always faithful. Scripture repeatedly warns us that riches and possessions can deceive us. In Luke 8, Jesus describes the seed choked by “the cares and riches and pleasures of life,” keeping it from bearing mature fruit. Possessions are not evil in themselves, but they can become thorns when they crowd out our attention to God, neighbor, and calling. Simplicity Is Not Deprivation Biblical simplicity does not mean rejecting every comfort or refusing to enjoy God's gifts. 1 Timothy 6:17 reminds us that God “richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” Money can be used for celebration, hospitality, beauty, rest, and meaningful experiences with family and friends. Those are good gifts from a generous God. The issue is not whether we enjoy what God provides. The issue is whether those gifts become idols. When possessions begin to promise identity, security, comfort, or joy in ways only God can provide, they no longer serve us. They master us. That is why simplicity can be a path toward abundance. When we own less of what distracts us, we gain more of what matters: time, margin, focus, generosity, relationships, and availability to God's work. Clutter Steals Margin Many people today feel hurried, anxious, and stretched thin. While clutter is not the only reason for that exhaustion, it often contributes more than we realize. The more we own, the more we must clean, organize, protect, repair, insure, store, and pay for. Possessions require attention. They make demands. They quietly add weight to already busy lives. A less cluttered life can create margin—space to pray, rest, serve, listen, give, and be present. It can help us become more attentive to God and to the people He has placed before us. Becker shared the story of a woman named Trish, whose grandmother modeled a simple and faithful life. Her grandmother gardened, gathered eggs, sat on the porch, and lived with a peaceful attentiveness that left a lasting mark. Trish remembered that example as the kind of life she wanted to cultivate in her own family—not disconnected from the world, but less rushed by it. That kind of legacy is often caught more than taught. Owning Less Can Free Us to Give More One of the clearest connections between simplicity and faith is generosity. When we spend less on accumulation, we have more freedom to give. For someone in debt, owning less may create room to pay down what is owed. For someone living paycheck to paycheck, it may provide breathing room. For someone already financially stable, it may open the door to greater generosity. This is not merely a financial principle. It is a spiritual one. Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Our spending and giving reveal what we value. And as we direct our resources toward God's Kingdom, our hearts are shaped in the process. Generosity helps loosen the grip of materialism. It reminds us that money is not our treasure, our protector, or our purpose. It is a tool entrusted to us by God for His glory and the good of others. A More Faithful Question The goal of an uncluttered faith is not to make everyone's home look the same. It is not to shame people for enjoying good gifts. And it is not to create a new form of legalism around how much a Christian should own. The better question is this: What is God calling me to make room for? Maybe it's more time with your children. Maybe it's more generosity. Maybe it's less anxiety. Maybe it's a greater availability to serve. Maybe it's simply the freedom to stop chasing what the world says you need and begin living more deeply in what Christ has already given. Owning less is not the treasure. Christ is. But when we remove what distracts us, we may find ourselves freer to love Him, love others, and make an impact with what He has entrusted to us. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: Can I borrow from my 401(k) instead of taking out a loan from the bank? My house is paid off, but I'm considering moving and may need funds available for a bridge loan. As the primary beneficiary of my late husband's IRA, do I have to move the full account into my name, or can I transfer part of it directly to my children since they're listed as contingent beneficiaries? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Uncluttered Faith: Own Less, Love More, and Make an Impact in Your World: A Minimalist Book by Joshua Becker Becoming Minimalist Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How does our Western/individualistic perspective limit our understanding of the Bible that was written from an Eastern/collectivist perspective? Discover some cultural norms left unsaid in Scripture.   Receive As we read Scripture through the lens of our Western culture, this week's guest, Randy Richards, reminds us that we may miss or misread some key values embedded in the Ancient Near Eastern culture the Bible was written in. Our Western individualist culture values “me” over “we,” but the Eastern collectivist culture that the Bible was set in values kinship, patronage, and brokerage that emphasize the family or group dynamic rather than an individual.  Understanding the ancient Mediterranean culture that serves as the backdrop for the Bible can add rich context that can shed a whole new light on some passages of Scripture. How can discovering the cultural context of the Bible help you better understand and apply Scripture to your life? What could your next step toward learning more about the cultural context of the Old and New Testament look like?  Reflect  What can you learn about the family dynamics between Joseph and his father and brothers by reading Genesis 37 through the lens of valuing kinship, which emphasizes strong family ties and parents mediating between siblings? How does Ephesians 2:8 model the value of patronage, which emphasizes a patron giving a gift to help rescue a loyal friend? How do 1 Timothy 2:5 and 1 John 2:1 model the value of brokerage, which emphasizes having a mediator speak on your behalf? How do you feel reading John 1:12 and 1 Thessalonians 1:4 knowing you are part of God's family?  Based on Matthew 6:3 and Luke 6:35, how are Jesus' disciples supposed to differ from the patronage culture of that time? How significant is it that Jesus calls His disciples, including you, His friends in John 15:15? Based on Romans 1:20–21 and Psalm 50, how are we to respond to God's gifts? In Luke 7:1–10, why did the centurion send Jewish elders and then friends to Jesus instead of going to Jesus on his own?     Respond (Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) “Dear God, thank You that understanding more of the Bible's cultural context can help me get a deeper understanding of You! Help me grow in my knowledge of Scripture so I can grow in my love for You! Help me to apply Your words to my life.”      Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources Mentioned in this episode: Misreading Scripture with Individualist Eyes by our guest E. Randolph Richards  Listen: Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes  Misreading Paul | Week 1 Misreading Paul | Week 2 Read: Understanding the Original Situation In the Beginning: Reading Genesis and Exodus  Watch: Biblical Context Explained The Holy Land 

Following Jesus isn't just a decision. It's a daily surrender. In Luke 9:51-62, Jesus makes it clear that discipleship comes with a cost. He calls His followers to stop looking back, keep their eyes fixed on Him, and trust that what He offers is greater than anything they leave behind. This message explores what it means to follow Jesus wholeheartedly and why He is always worth the cost.• Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem and the cross, giving us the ultimate example of faithfulness and obedience.• Disciples must resist the temptation to turn back and keep their eyes fixed on Christ through every challenge.• Following Jesus requires immediate surrender, trusting that His way leads to true life, freedom, and rest.Key Scriptures:Luke 9:51-62Isaiah 50:7Philippians 3:13-14Romans 6:4What is the next step of obedience Jesus is calling you to take? Don't delay. Take one step toward Him today and trust Him with the rest. If this message encouraged or challenged you, share it with a friend or family member who needs the reminder to keep their eyes on Jesus.Bayou City Fellowship Tomball Campus | Cole Ellerbrock | June 21, 2026https://linktr.ee/bayoucityfellowship

Following Jesus isn't just about believing the right things. It's about trusting Him enough to follow wherever He leads, even when it costs you comfort, security, or your own plans.In Luke 9:51-62, Jesus gives some of His most challenging words about discipleship. Tom Douthit explores what those words reveal about Jesus' heart, why He calls us to wholehearted devotion, and how remembering that "here is not home" changes the way we live today. If you've ever wondered what it really means to follow Jesus, this message offers both encouragement and challenge.• Jesus calls us to follow Him with wholehearted commitment, not divided priorities.• A life centered on God's kingdom is worth more than comfort, security, or personal gain.• Keeping our eyes on Jesus helps us live with eternity in view and faithfully follow Him every day.Key Scriptures:Luke 9:51-62Isaiah 50:7Hebrews 12:22 Corinthians 4:17-18This week, ask God to reveal any place where you've been saying "but first" instead of "yes, Lord." Take one step of obedience toward Him and remember that following Jesus is always worth it. If this message encouraged you, share it with a friend or family member who could use this reminder.Bayou City Fellowship Cypress Campus | Tom Douthit | June 21, 2026https://linktr.ee/bayoucityfellowship

Many people want the benefits of following Jesus without the sacrifice that comes with it. In Luke 9:51-62, Jesus challenges that mindset and calls His followers to a deeper commitment. As He resolutely journeys toward the cross, He reminds us that discipleship requires surrender, obedience, and a willingness to put Him above comfort, convenience, and personal plans.• Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem, showing unwavering commitment to God's mission despite the suffering that awaited Him.• Following Jesus often means embracing discomfort, sacrifice, and trusting Him above earthly security and comfort.• True discipleship requires immediate obedience, wholehearted commitment, and refusing to let anything compete with Christ for first place.Key Scriptures:Luke 9:51-62Luke 6:27-281 John 2:31 Corinthians 11:23-26What is the "let me first" area in your life? Is there something delaying your obedience to Jesus or competing for your devotion? Ask God to reveal your next step of faith and trust Him enough to take it. If this message encouraged or challenged you, share it with a friend or family member and invite them to explore what it truly means to follow Jesus.Bayou City Fellowship Spring Branch Campus | A.K. Kuruvilla | June 21, 2026https://linktr.ee/bayoucityfellowship