Sermons on Luke (Page 4)
“Take Up Your Cross” (Luke 9:21-27)
Take Up Your Cross Brad Mills / General Luke / Crucifixion; Discipleship / Luke 9:21–27 Luke continues his orderly account of the ministry of Jesus providing his readers with a certainty about the truth of the apostles’ teaching. This purpose heightens the need to be clear and honest about the challenges they would face living in a culture that was oftentimes hostile towards Christianity. Jesus never minimized the cost of discipleship in order to win more followers. He was…
“Who is Jesus?” (Luke 9:18-20)
Who Is Jesus? Brad Mills / General Luke / Confession / Luke 9:18–20 In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis makes the argument that Jesus could not merely be a “good moral teacher” as many often claim. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be…
“Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand” (Luke 9:10-17)
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand (Luke 9:10-17) In chapter eight, Jesus told several parables about the kingdom of God. Since then he has gone on to do many miracles which reveal the presence of that kingdom. In our passage this afternoon, Jesus is further revealing aspects of the kingdom that have come through his ministry. Luke places this pericope on its own, but it falls in between two episodes of significant people reacting to Jesus’s identity. It follows Herod’s superficial…
“Herod and Jesus” (Luke 9:7-9)
Herod and Jesus (Luke 9:7-9) After sending out the twelve apostles, before recording their return to Jesus, Luke informs us of an important development. God is orchestrating the news about Jesus piquing the interest of the religious leaders and the popularity of his miracles among the people. Those threatened by his popularity will seek to sabotage his ministry, while others are drawn to follow him. The message of the kingdom is driving deeper into the culture so that it might…
“Jesus Sends Out the Twelve” (Luke 9:1-6)
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve (Luke 9:1-6) The call to evangelize is difficult in our antagonistic culture. We fear being mocked. Or maybe we think it’s ineffective. Many assume it’s someone else’s responsibility. All of these arguments applied to Jesus’s twelve apostles to a much greater degree. The one who sends us out ensures the effectiveness of our message. The results will be hardened and softened hearts. Some will welcome us and others will reject us (2 Cor. 2:15-16). The…
“A Tale of Two Daughters” (Luke 8:40-56)
A Tale of Two Daughters (Luke 8:40-56) Luke refers to women more than any other gospel (7:36-8:3) > Parables regarding responding to God’s Word (8:4-18) > Responding to miracles (8:19-39). Notice the contrast between 8:39 and 8:56. Read Luke 8:40-56. Two Tales of Desperation (40-43) Jairus would’ve arranged the service and chosen who participated in the Scripture readings and prayer. Seeing this man of high repute bowing before Jesus would have been significant. It’s even more remarkable if he was…
“Jesus Heals A Man With A Demon” (Luke 8:26-39)
Jesus Heals a Man with a Demon (Luke 8:26-39) Luke continues to show how people are responding to Jesus. The parables were about how we respond to his word. This passage, like the one before it, provide examples of people responding to Jesus’ power. The episode is found in all three synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). One of the significant differences being that Matthew mentions two demoniacs. The easiest answer is that Mark and Luke refer to the greater…
“Jesus Calms the Storm” (Luke 8:22-25)
Jesus Calms the Storm (Luke 8:22-25) We allow our circumstances to dictate the state of our faith rather than trusting in the person and work of our Savior. Similar to the scene in Jonah, but the parallels are probably little more than coincidental with accounts of a stormy sea. Jesus has been teaching in parables about the importance of how we hear and respond to God’s Word. Read Luke 8:22-25. I. The Fear of the Disciples The “Mills Fire” –…
“The Family of God” (Luke 8:19-21)
The Family of God (Luke 8:19-21) This follows Jesus’ teaching on the parables (the Sower and the Lamp). In both cases, the emphasis was upon how people respond to God’s Word. There are many inadequate ways to receive God’s Word (road, rocks, thorns). It is only the good soil that hears God’s Word and does it who will produce fruit. Along the same lines, the lamp is the light of God’s Word that illuminates the truth for those in darkness,…