Living Vertizontal

In this episode, we explore Luke 17:1–4, where Jesus teaches His disciples about stumbling blocks and forgiveness. Together, we discuss the importance of bringing our thoughts, feelings, and emotions under the lordship of King Jesus because of the influence we have on those around us. As we do, we learn to recognize the stumbling blocks that can arise both within us and through us. Since Jesus rem...

In this episode we work through the remainder of Luke 16, exploring Luke 16:19-31. In this passage we read the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. From this passage we discussed both the importance of listening to the God who speaks in every circumstance and situation, as well as recognizing each and every single opportunity in front of us to participate in, and speak about, the Kingdom of God.

In this episode, we move into Luke 16:1-18, reading yet another of Jesus' parables, the parable of the shrewd manager. Together, we talk about the importance of living intentionally and strategically for His kingdom, being willing to surrender what is easy, and embracing the difficult, yet simple, pursuit of Jesus as Lord in our lives.

In this episode, we push on to Luke 15:11-32, where we read the parable of the prodigal son. As we work through the parable we identify the different individuals within the story, the repentant son, the reckless father, and the resentful son, and talk through how each of them resonate with us. As we discuss the older son, we identify our propensity to reflect him rather than the father in our will...

In today’s episode, we continue our journey through Luke 15:1–10, where Jesus shares two more parables with the crowds. Together, we explore the consistent response of both the shepherd and the woman: in the face of loss, they set everything else aside to pursue what is missing. And when the lost sheep and coin are found, their response is one of abundant celebration. As people invited to particip...

In this episode we turn to Luke 14:25-35, shifting from the sabbath encounters, to an interaction that Jesus has with the crowds surrounding Him. From this passage we talk about honestly evaluating the cost of following Jesus, from relationships, to security, and identity. When we follow Jesus, we are invited to bid farewell to all those things that we often cling to.

In this episode, we continue on with Luke 14:15-24, still at the prominent Pharisees house for the Sabbath meal, we drop in on another parable of Jesus’. From this passage we talk about misplaced priorities in life: possessions, time/productivity, and relationships/social status, and how we are often tempted to allow these things to distract us from responding to the invitation to participate in G...

In this episode we move into Luke 14:1-14 where Jesus heads over to a prominent Pharisees house for a Sabbath meal, while here, Jesus heals a man, and shares another parable. Together we discuss our propensity to pursue prominence, and the invitation that Jesus issues to surrender our position to Him, trusting that He sees us.

In this episode we work through Luke 13:22-35. In this passage we hear Jesus speak on the narrow door in response to a question from the crowd and then we hear Jesus’ lament of Jerusalem. Throughout our conversation we discuss feasts in first century Israel and identified Jesus’ conversation on the narrow door as a metaphor for the opportunity and expectation of relationship with God to enter the...

In this episode we continue on with Luke 13:10-21. In this passage we see Jesus heal a woman on the sabbath and also hear two short parables on the Kingdom of Heaven. What does it really mean to be set free—and are we sometimes more bound than we realize? As we explore this passage, three key themes emerge: 1) Jesus’ power and willingness to set us free from what binds us, 2) our tendency to rely...

In this episode we move on into Luke 13:1-9. Within this set of verses we hear Jesus’ call to repentance and the parable of the fig tree. From this passage we talk about who God is, how God acts, and how we are invited to act in the world. God is loving, patient, and active. We are called to respond urgently to His action in our lives. By extension, we are subsequently invited into pointing out wh...

In this episode we move on to Luke 12:49-59 where we hear Jesus continuing to speak to the crowds about the worldly weight/cost of what it looks like to live within His Kingdom. From this passage we address: the mission of refinement and revival that Jesus is on, Jesus’ distress over the baptism of death that He must endure, the division that results as we recognize Jesus as our Lord and Messiah,...

In this episode, we move into the 10th season of the Living Vertizontal Podcast, and returning to our journey through Luke together. Today, we will be working through Luke 12:35-48 where Jesus speaks of the importance of readiness at any hour. Together, we talk about the what, when, and who of readiness in the Kingdom of God. As servants within our masters’ kingdom, we are each individually called...

In this episode we find ourselves in the sixth week of Lent, a week that began with the Palm Sunday celebration! For this week, our passage is Zechariah 9:9-12 which addresses the coming of Zion’s King. Together, we talk about the importance of our focus. In life, in the midst of chaos, we find discouragement, apathy, and a propensity to place anyone and everything on the throne. When we choose to...

In this episode, we are in week five of Lent, we are going to be turning back to a psalm, Psalm 27, of David. A Psalm of confidence, crying out, and chosen trust amidst uncertainty. Together, we talk about the importance of abiding. Having acknowledged the reality that we cannot control the chaos around us, we recognize that the most important thing we can do in every situation is look to Jesus fi...

In this episode, we find ourselves in the fourth week following the fourth Sunday of Lent, and we are going to be working through Deuteronomy 30:11-20. In this passage, we hear some of Moses’ final words to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the promised land. Together, we talk about the choice that we are presented with each and every moment of every day, we can either choose life, or...

In this episode we move into the third week of Lent together where we look at Jeremiah 32:26-41. This passage contains a word from the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, concerning the unfaithfulness of the people of Israel as a result of their misplaced desires. Out of this passage we address just how imperative it is that we have a properly placed desire for God. As our desire is refined for God...

In this episode we continue our Lenten journey in this second week, we are going to be looking at Psalm 84. A pilgrimage psalm of the sons of Korah. Together we talk about the importance of our intentionality in worship. When we stop long enough to recognize who it is we are worshiping, He becomes our desire, and the distractions, cares, and concerns of the world slowly fade away, our complacency...

In this episode we move into the season of Lent, a season of reflection, a season where we come face to face with our own mortality, a season inviting us to realize our full dependence on Jesus. To kick off this season we are going to be working through Psalm 95 together. As we work through this Psalm, we talk about Jesus’ invitation to trust His plan and provision in the midst of the journey, in...

In this episode we work through Luke 12:22-34 together, exploring Jesus’ statement to his disciples to “not worry.” Together we discuss the misconceptions often associated with Jesus’ message of God’s provision and care as we work through the passage.

In this episode we continue on in Luke 12, looking at Luke 12:13-21 where Jesus shares the parable of the rich fool in response to a question from the crowd. As we work through the interaction between Jesus and a member of the crowd, we come to recognize the misplaced focus of the rich fool. Not only is the rich fool nearsighted, he is also functioning in a self-focused way. At no point does the r...

In this episode we move into Luke 12:1-12 where we see Jesus warn against the Leaven of the Pharisees, speak on fearing God alone, and the encouragement to confess Christ. From this passage we discuss the pervasiveness of hypocrisy in our own lives and the lives of those around us, and the importance of removing our masks so that we may live in authentic relationship with Jesus even now. Too often...

In this episode we continue on with Luke 11:37-54 where Jesus goes to a Pharisees house for dinner and subsequently speaks woes to both the Pharisees and the scribes. From this passage we discuss how each of the woes sheds light on the misconceptions and misrepresentations of the Pharisees and scribes while also simultaneously extending an invitation for each of them to abide with God. In the same...

In this episode we move on into Luke 11:29-36 where Jesus talks to the growing crowds about the sign of Jonah as well as the lamp of the body. From this passage, we talk about the humility of both the Ninevites and the Queen of the South. As we allow this passage to speak to us today, we addressed the importance of always coming humbly to Jesus for the next step, rather than operating on our own a...

In this episode we look at Luke 11:14-28. Within this passage, Jesus addresses the idea of a house divided, the returning of unclean spirits, and true blessedness. From this passage, we discussed how Jesus was cementing His identity in the minds of His disciples and those listening; as God, He has all power and all authority. He is the “stronger man” and through Him, the Kingdom of God is at hand....