Jewel Lake Parish Sermon Podcast

The Number of the Beast, like the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, has seeped out of Christian circles into the popular culture. But unlike the Horsemen, who represent overt, violent coercion, the Number of the Beast is a more subtle threat faced by Christians here and around the world daily. What is it, and what can be done about it? Pastor Luke looks at Revelation 12:18-13:18 NLT in "The Number of the Beast - The Big Reveal, Part 5," part 5 of his 7-part series, "The Big Reveal."

John's vision of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is one of the most compelling pictures in the entire Bible - and one of the most disturbing ones. Why is it so unsettling? What does it mean? And, if it means what we think it means, why would a good God release such horrors upon the world? Pastor Luke looks at Revelation 6:1-8,7:9-17 NLT in "The Four Horsemen - The Big Reveal, Part 4," part 4 of his 7-part series, "The Big Reveal."

In our occasional "EXTREME Preaching" series, we covered four subjects\: (1) giving to the needy so as to be seen by others (Matthew 6\:2-4), (2) what it means that the body is a Temple for the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6\:18-20) (3) is the Word of God the Bible, or Jesus, or what? (Hebrews 4\:12-13) (4) can you love God without loving fellow Christians? (1 John 4\:20-21) Pastor Luke looks at Matthew 6:2-4 in "EXTREME Preaching."

The vision John describes in the Book of Revelation is filled with dazzling (or at least puzzling) creatures and images. But does it matter, really? If we won't see them ourselves this side of eternity, why should we care about the exotic things that John saw in heaven? Pastor Luke preaches from Revelation 5:1-14 NLT in "Lion and Lamb - The Big Reveal, Part 3," part 3 of his 7-part series, "The Big Reveal."

John was exiled to Patmos when he received the revelation he recorded in that book. But why was he there? He wrote it to Christians who were suffering? Why? If people are faithful believers, why does God allow them to suffer? Is he weak? Pastor Luke looks at Revelation 4:1-11 NLT in "The Sovereign God — The Big Reveal, Part 2," part 2 of his 7-part series, "The Big Reveal."

The Book of Revelation is filled with hard to interpret visions and symbols, partly because its audience was experiencing a time of intense persecution. What can it say to Christians today who don't get the symbolism and who aren't suffering like the original hearers? Pastor Luke looks at Revelation 1:9-2:7 NLT in "The Big Reveal — Revelation, Part 1," the first message in a new series, "The Big Reveal."

Unlike other special occasions in the church year, Trinity Sunday does not celebrate an event, but a theological doctrine -- the doctrine of the Trinity. What does it teach us? -- Or, if it says something about God's essential being, why would that matter to us? Pastor Luke teaches from Matthew 28:16-20 NLT in "Tri-Unity - Trinity Sunday."

Before he ascended, Jesus gave his disciples the most important job in history. Jesus couldn't finish it, and there's no way we can do it ourselves. That's where the Holy Spirit comes in. What does he do? Pastor Luke looks at 1 Corinthians 12:3-13 in "Never Skip Leg Day - Pentecost."

One of the criticisms leveled at the church is that Christians are hypocrites. That isn't what Jesus wanted (see the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7) but too much of the time it's true. We can take some comfort knowing that even great Christians were sometimes hypocrites, but better yet, God has given the church a remedy for hypocrisy. Pastor Luke looks at Galatians 2:6-16 NLT in "Peter's Hypocrisy," the concluding message in his series, "Peter."

Peter was arrested and brought before the same ruling council that had asked the Romans to crucify Jesus. Peter showed extraordinary courage. He said he wasn't going to stop telling people about Jesus. Are you like that when you talk about your faith? What made Peter so determined to tell people about Jesus? Pastor Luke preaches from Acts 3:1-4:20 NLT in "The Audacious Chicken," part 3 of his 5-part series, "Peter."

Peter shows what it's like when someone begins to live the new life available since Jesus overcame Death. Jesus forgave Peter and restored him to fellowship. Peter's first message was to people terrified about the wrath of God. What difference does the resurrection make when you're dealing with people who made terrible mistakes? Pastor Luke looks at Acts 2:14-40 NLT in "Save Yourselves!," part 2 of his 5-part series, "Peter."

In our occasional "EXTREME Preaching" series, we covered four subjects (but really only had time for three). They were: (1) what is the sin that leads to death? (2) judging people (especially in areas around sexuality), (3) how to relate to enemies, and (4) why Christians (new creatures) still sometimes do what is not right. Pastor Luke teaches from 1 John 5:13-17 in "EXTREME Preaching."

In his Resurrection, Jesus destroyed Death's power and reconnected us to God. It can be hard to imagine what that looks like, but the New Testament gives us examples to study, like Peter, whose failures and successes were so great. What happens to a great sinner who follows Christ: does he receive a pardon? probation? work release? Pastor Luke teaches from John 21: 1-17 NLT in "Are We Good?," the first message in a new series, "Peter."

Although Easter, the celebration of Jesus' Resurrection, is at the heart of Christianity, it is widely misunderstood ... by Christians as well as others. Many people think that by rising from the dead, Jesus proved we can go to heaven when we die. But the reality is far greater than that. Pastor Luke preaches from Luke 24:1-12 NIV in "Nonsense ... However."

Maundy Thursday is the occasion when the church remembers the "new commandment" Jesus gave at the Last Supper for his disciples to love one another. In Luke's biography, Jesus tells his disciples to serve one another. How does loving relate to serving? What's the connection? Pastor Luke preaches from Luke 22:1-27 NIV in "Different Among You."

On Palm Sunday, the church remembers the occasion when Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Why? All four biographies of Jesus in the New Testament describe what he did, but none of them explain the significance of his action. When the crowds threw palm branches in his path, what did it mean to them? What does it mean for us today? Pastor Luke looks at Luke 19:28-44 NIV in "Meet the New Boss."

Luke's biography of Jesus includes more of what Jesus taught about rich people and wealth than the other three biographies combined. That's a problem for rich people, because mostly it isn't positive. What does Jesus teach about riches? What should we do if we become rich? What if beggars start appearing outside our homes? Pastor Luke teaches from Luke 16:19-31 NIV in "Rethink Rejoicing," the concluding message in his series, "Rethink Some More."

Does the Church exhibit God's kingdom? Jesus taught that the proper, even the necessary, response to God's grace was celebration. But is that a true picture of Christians? Is that the way the world would describe the Church of Jesus Christ? Pastor Luke preaches from Luke 15:1-32 NIV in "Rethink Rejoicing," the first message in a new series, "Rethink Some More."

When Jesus was transfigured, a voice spoke from heaven telling his disciples to listen to him. What did Jesus say that we need to listen to? Pastor Luke preaches from Luke 9:18-36 NIV in "Who Do You Say I Am?," part 2 of his 3-part series, "Who Is That Guy?."

Does God act? Most Christians believe he does. God answers prayers, and rewards or punishes their behavior. But sometimes, we can forget that God has his own agenda -- that God acts not in response to what we do or ask, but to achieve his own purposes in the world. Pastor Luke looks at Luke 7:18-35 NLT in "What About John?," the first message in a new series, "Who Is That Guy?."