
The Road to Redemption | Day 14: Luke 7:1-35 – Faith, Compassion, and the Unexpected Kingdom
Luke 7:1-35 highlights Jesus’ authority, compassion, and the unexpected nature of His kingdom. The centurion’s faith reveals a profound understanding of Jesus’ power. Despite being a Gentile, the centurion recognizes Jesus’ authority over sickness, trusting Him to heal without needing His physical presence. Jesus commends this faith, showing that the blessings of His kingdom are extended to those outside Israel who trust in Him.

The Road to Redemption | Day 13: Luke 6:37-49 – Building on the Foundation of Christ
Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Plain by teaching about judgment, discernment, and the foundation of a godly life. He begins with a call to avoid a judgmental spirit. Believers are to reflect God’s mercy by forgiving and giving generously, trusting that God will measure His grace to them abundantly. However, Jesus is not forbidding discernment but is warning against hypocrisy, urging His disciples to address their own sin before helping others.

The Road to Redemption | Day 12: Luke 6:17-36 – Blessings, Woes, and Kingdom Living
In this passage, often called the "Sermon on the Plain," Jesus teaches what it means to live as citizens of His kingdom. The blessings and woes He pronounces are countercultural, turning worldly values upside down. The poor, hungry, and grieving are blessed, not because of their condition itself, but because they rely on God and His promises. Meanwhile, those who find satisfaction in earthly wealth, comfort, and approval are warned of impending judgment.

The Road to Redemption | Day 11: Luke 6:1-16 – The Sabbath, Healing, and Christ’s Sovereignty
Luke 6:1-16 highlights Jesus’ authority over the law, His compassion, and His sovereign choice in calling His disciples. The controversy over the Sabbath reveals the Pharisees’ legalism and misunderstanding of God’s purpose for the law. When Jesus’ disciples pluck grain on the Sabbath, He asserts His lordship over the Sabbath, declaring, "The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath." Jesus reminds the Pharisees that the Sabbath was given as a blessing, not as a burden, and that works of necessity and mercy align with God’s intent.

The Road to Redemption | Day 10: Luke 5:27-39 – Jesus Calls Sinners to Repentance
Jesus’ call of Levi (Matthew) demonstrates the radical nature of His grace. Levi, a tax collector despised for his collaboration with the Roman authorities and his likely corruption, is called to follow Jesus. Without hesitation, Levi leaves everything behind, showing the transforming power of Jesus’ call. Levi’s subsequent feast highlights the inclusiveness of the gospel, as Jesus dines with tax collectors and sinners, welcoming those considered outcasts.

The Road to Redemption | Day 9: Luke 5:1-26 – Jesus' Authority to Call and Forgive
In Luke 5:1-26, we see the power of Jesus’ call, the scope of His authority, and the joy of forgiveness. First, Jesus calls Simon Peter, along with James and John, to leave their nets and follow Him. The miraculous catch of fish reveals Jesus’ divine power and exposes Peter’s unworthiness, prompting his humble confession, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man." Yet, Jesus responds with grace, commissioning him to fish for people. This scene shows that Jesus uses imperfect people to carry out His mission, transforming them by His power and calling.

The Road to Redemption | Day 8: Luke 4:14-44 – Jesus’ Authority Over All
Luke 4:14-44 marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, filled with power and authority. Returning in the power of the Spirit, Jesus begins teaching in Galilean synagogues, with His reputation spreading. In Nazareth, He boldly declares Himself the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, revealing that He is the anointed One sent to proclaim good news, liberty, and healing.
However, His message confronts His audience’s expectations. The people in Nazareth, initially amazed, grow hostile when Jesus challenges their assumptions about God’s mission. By referencing Elijah and Elisha’s ministries to Gentiles, Jesus exposes their pride and exclusivity, pointing to the universal scope of the gospel. Their rejection foreshadows the opposition He will face throughout His ministry.

The Road to Redemption | Day 7: Luke 4:1-13 – The Second Adam’s Obedience in the Wilderness
The temptation of Jesus in the wilderness is a profound demonstration of His role as the second Adam and the true Israel. Unlike Adam, who succumbed to Satan’s deception, and Israel, who faltered in the wilderness, Jesus stands firm, perfectly obeying His Father. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus confronts the devil’s schemes with the authority of God’s Word, modeling how believers should rely on Scripture in spiritual battles.

The Road to Redemption | Day 2: Luke 1:39-56 – A Song of Humble Praise
Mary’s visit to Elizabeth is a joyful meeting filled with divine affirmation and worship. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognizes Mary’s child as her Lord and marvels at Mary’s faith. The Spirit’s work in Elizabeth highlights the humility of God’s servants, who rejoice in being part of His redemptive plan.

The Road to Redemption | Day 1: Luke 1:1-38 – God’s Sovereign Grace Unfolds
The opening of Luke’s Gospel sets the stage for the grand story of redemption. Luke writes with purpose, addressing Theophilus to assure him of the certainty of the gospel message. The careful, orderly account begins with the miraculous announcements of John the Baptist's and Jesus’ births. God is breaking the silence of centuries to fulfill His covenant promises.

December 8 Sermon: Repentance That Bears Fruit
What does true repentance look like? In this Advent sermon on Luke 3:1-17, we reflect on John the Baptist’s call to “bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” Discover the difference between outward appearances and genuine transformation as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. Let’s live lives that glorify God through true repentance.
Contemplate these questions as you listen to this week’s message:
What areas of your life might appear outwardly polished but need genuine transformation through repentance?
How does the Holy Spirit work in you to produce fruit that reflects true repentance?
How can reflecting on Christ’s second coming help you live in a posture of repentance and readiness?

Devotions: Much Given, Much Required
Day 1: Anticipating the Master's Return
Bible Reading: Luke 12:35-40
Devotional: Today, reflect on the urgency of being prepared for Christ's return. Just as the servants in the parable were to keep their lamps burning and be dressed for action, we, too, must live in a state of readiness. Consider the areas of your life where you may have become complacent. Ask yourself how to rekindle your spiritual fervor and maintain a posture of anticipation for the Lord's coming.

February 11 Sermon: Much Given, Much Required
Everyone has at some point been involved in a game of hide and seek? This is kind of a universal experience for humans. It's a game that doesn't require much in the way of supplies. I guess you couldn't play it in the middle of nowhere with nothing to hide behind, but otherwise you don't need much to play hide and seek, right. It is a game that everybody knows and the rules are pretty simple. Really, the only controversial part of the game is the amount of time allowed for people to hide right. How much does the person who's going to be seeking have to count?

Devotions: Added to You
Day 1: Trusting in God's Provision
Reading: Luke 12:22-24
Devotional: Jesus teaches us not to be anxious about our lives, what we will eat, or our bodies, what we will wear. He reminds us that life is more than food and the body more than clothes. Reflect on the areas of your life where anxiety takes hold. How can you shift your focus from worry to trust in God's provision?

February 4 Sermon: Added to You
Anxiety is a topic that is talked about in abundance in our time. In a hyper busy, information soaked age, it seems as though we actually have an anxiety epidemic, and this really shouldn't surprise us. It's always been a concern and anytime people have been anxious I mean, obviously Jesus is talking about it here and of course, things are different in different times. What we worry about what we face in life is going to be different depending on where we are, what we're experiencing, but in a fallen world, there are always going to be times where we are put in positions where our heart rate increases and we get that way too familiar feeling that we don't like in the pit of our stomach. That is going to happen in a fallen, sinful world and, like I said, this shouldn't surprise us that this is on the rise.

Devotions: Where Is Your Treasure?
Day 1: Luke 12:13-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool
Devotional:
As we embark on this journey, we start with Jesus’ parable of the rich fool. This story is a sobering reminder of the temporality of earthly riches. Take a moment to reflect on your own pursuits. Are they grounded in the material world, or are they reaching for something eternal? Consider how you might shift your focus from accumulating wealth to cultivating a rich relationship with God.
Question for Reflection: In what ways can you be 'rich toward God' instead of storing up earthly treasures?

January 28 Sermon: Where Is Your Treasure?
As a typical early 90s youth group junkie kid, I made a lot of trips to Christian concerts and Christian music festivals, and this was an important part of not only my entertainment, but this is also where I outfitted my wardrobe okay, and one of those events was coming up. I would not only set aside money for my ticket, but I needed to come home with a new T-shirt or seven, and many times there were more than just the T-shirts of the bands I was going to see and their merchandise tables. There were often walls of shirts that were Christian T-shirts and many of them, you may remember, they had like famous logos, but they like Christianized them. Like in the 90s, you would see people wearing orange shirts with the Reese's logo on it all the time, but the Christian version had the same font, but it said Jesus and some pithy slogan.

Devotions: Acknowledge
Day 1: Recognizing Jesus
Reading: Luke 12:8-9
Devotional: Today, let's focus on the importance of recognizing Jesus. In these verses, Jesus promises that those who acknowledge Him on earth will be acknowledged in heaven. Reflect on a time when you felt the need to stand up for your faith in Christ. What emotions did you experience? Consider the courage it takes to publicly declare Jesus as Lord and the eternal implications of doing so.

January 7 Sermon: Acknowledge
We like to be acknowledged, don't we? When you see someone and you acknowledge them with a wave or in our case it's more of a finger or a nod of the head and you don't get one back, it kind of invokes a variety of feelings in you, doesn't it? Am I just not important to this person? Did they not see me? Do they not even remember me? Did I do something to upset them? And at the same time, if you are acknowledged by someone who you don't expect to acknowledge you, you feel really good, right. Well, back in October I was at the Reformation and Worship Conference in Georgia and I had a conversation with an author who was there that he's sort of well known in Presbyterian and Reform circles.

Devotions: Fear Not
Day 1: The Call to Fear Not
Reading: Luke 12:1-7
Devotional: In today’s reading, we witness Jesus cautioning His disciples against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, emphasizing that true faith must be inwardly sincere, not just outwardly showy. As we consider our own walk with the Lord, let’s reflect on where our deepest fears lie. Are we more concerned with human opinion or with living in a way that is pleasing to God?
Prayer Focus: Pray for the courage to live authentically in your faith, prioritizing God’s approval over man’s.