Andy Talks

In this parable from Luke 19, Jesus tells a story that at first feels like a simple “use your gifts” lesson, but it runs deeper when you sit with it. The nobleman goes away, leaves money with his servants, and comes back to see what they’ve done with it — and while two step out in courage and invest faithfully, one is driven entirely by fear and hides what he’s been given. The real tension in the...

In Luke 19:1–10, the familiar story of Zacchaeus reminds us just how wide and surprising the grace of Jesus really is. Zacchaeus was not only short in stature but a chief tax collector—someone people literally and figuratively looked down on. Yet while the crowd grumbled that Jesus would dare share a meal with a sinner, Zacchaeus responded to Jesus’ welcome with repentance and generosity, declarin...

In Luke 18:35–43, Jesus heals a blind man who refuses to be silenced and cries out all the louder for mercy, reminding us that Jesus not only restores physical sight but also gives us spiritual sight — the kind that helps us recognize God’s grace and work in our lives. Like the blind man, we’re called to persist in prayer even when we feel unheard or discouraged, trusting that Jesus always hears o...

In Luke 18:31–34, Jesus plainly tells the disciples that He will be betrayed, mocked, killed, and raised on the third day, yet Scripture says they couldn’t understand because it was “hidden from them.” This reminds us that while we long for clarity and want to see God’s full plan for our lives, sometimes He intentionally withholds understanding until the right time. Just as the disciples didn’t ne...

In Luke 18:18–30, Jesus meets the rich young ruler who wants to know what he must do to inherit eternal life, and while the man has kept all the commandments, Jesus exposes the real issue in his heart—his wealth has become his idol. Jesus tells him to sell everything and follow Him, showing that true discipleship means surrendering whatever we love more than God. Wealth itself isn’t condemned, but...

In Luke 18:15–17, people bring their children to Jesus, and when the disciples try to turn them away, Jesus stops them and says, “Let the little children come to me.” In a culture where children were seen as unimportant, Jesus flips the script—He not only welcomes them but says the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Then He adds that unless we receive the Kingdom like a child, we’ll never en...

In Luke 18:9–14, Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector—a story that flips expectations upside down. The Pharisee, respected for his devotion and moral life, prays proudly, thanking God that he’s not like “that sinner.” Meanwhile, the tax collector, despised by society, humbly stands at a distance and prays, “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.” And it’s the tax collector—not...

In Luke 18:1–8, Jesus tells the Parable of the Persistent Widow to remind us to pray always and not lose heart. I love this story because it’s both honest and funny—the unjust judge finally gives in, not because he cares, but because the widow simply won’t quit! Jesus uses that image to show us something powerful about faith: if persistence can move someone who doesn’t care, how much more will it...

In Luke 17:20–37, Jesus reminds us that the kingdom of God isn’t something we wait to see appear “out there” — it’s already here among us. The Pharisees wanted to know when it would come, but Jesus shifts the focus from when to where— and the answer is right in the midst of God’s people. The kingdom is breaking in now through grace, mercy, and love lived out in everyday acts of faithfulness. But J...

In Luke 17:11–19, Jesus heals ten lepers who cry out for mercy, but only one — a Samaritan — returns to give thanks. This story beautifully reminds us that gratitude reveals true faith. The lepers’ healing restored more than their health; it gave them back their lives, their communities, and their dignity. Yet nine kept going, while one stopped to worship. That’s the challenge for us — not to take...

In our Traditional message from November 9, 2025, Andy shares with us form Psalm 17.  We see that we are the apple of God's eye. He will defend and He will protect us, because He truly loves us. 

In Luke 17:1–10, Jesus turns from the crowds to His disciples with a few short but powerful lessons about how to live faithfully. He warns us not to cause others to stumble — reminding us that our words and actions shape the faith of those watching us. He calls us to hold one another accountable, to lovingly correct those who wander, and to freely forgive those who repent — even when it’s hard. Wh...

This parable of the rich man and Lazarus reminds us how easy it is to overlook people right in front of us. The rich man had everything but missed what mattered most — compassion. He saw Lazarus every day but never really saw him, and even in eternity, his heart hadn’t changed. Jesus uses this story to challenge how we view others and what we value. Every person — whether a CEO, a custodian, a cas...

This passage shows us how easy it is to miss the heart of God’s Word. The Pharisees loved money and used the law to justify themselves, twisting it whenever it suited them. Jesus calls them out and reminds us that while the gospel has come, the intent of God’s law still stands — it’s about love, mercy, and faithfulness, not control or appearances. The danger for us is the same: we can know Scriptu...

This parable can be confusing at first, but when you step back, it’s really about stewardship and the heart. The “dishonest” manager isn’t praised for being shady — he’s praised for being shrewd, for using what he had while he could. Jesus isn’t telling us to be manipulative; He’s reminding us to be wise with what’s been entrusted to us. Everything we have — our money, gifts, time, opportunities —...

In Luke 15, Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son shows us what grace really looks like. The younger son demands his inheritance early, squanders it in wild living, and ends up broke, starving, and feeding pigs—until “he comes to himself” and remembers his father’s goodness. When he heads home, the father runs to meet him, embracing him before he can even finish his apology. That’s the picture of God...

In Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of the lost son—or really, the lost sons—to show us the depth of the Father’s love. The younger son rebels, squanders everything, and hits rock bottom before “coming to himself” and returning home, only to be met by a father who runs to embrace him—a shocking act of love and grace in that culture. The older brother, though outwardly obedient, reveals a hardened he...

In Luke 15, Jesus tells another “parable of lost things”—this time about a woman who loses one of her ten silver coins and searches tirelessly until she finds it, rejoicing when she does. The coin likely represented something deeply personal and valuable, perhaps part of her marriage dowry or future security, making its loss more than just financial. Through this story, Jesus shows us God’s heart...

Luke 15 opens heaven’s heart, showing us God’s relentless love through stories of lost things — a sheep, a coin, and two sons. When the Pharisees grumbled that Jesus “welcomes sinners and eats with them,” they missed the point: sharing a meal meant sharing life, and Jesus was declaring that the lost mattered to God. In the parable, the shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that’s...

In Luke 14:34–35, Jesus says, “Salt is good, but if salt loses its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?” It’s a short passage, but it packs a punch. Salt in Jesus’ day had two main purposes—to season and to preserve—and that’s exactly what our faith should do. We should make life better, like seasoning that brings out flavor, and we should help preserve what’s good and holy in the world. Our...

In Luke 14:25–33, Jesus reminds us that following Him isn’t something we do halfway — it’s a full commitment. He says we must “hate” our family and even our own lives, not because He wants us to literally hate anyone, but because He’s calling us to love Him more than anything else. Being His disciple means putting Him first — above comfort, plans, and even relationships. When Jesus says to “carry...

In our Traditional sermon from October 26, 2025, Andy shares his favorite Biblical character, Barnabas.  Barnabas is called the Son of Encouragement because he believes in what others can be through Jesus. We need people who believe in what we can be, and what we are doing, through the power of the Holy Spirit. We need sons and daughters of encouragement!

In Luke 14:15–24, Jesus tells a story about a great banquet where everyone’s invited, but most of the original guests make excuses and don’t show up. So the host opens the doors wide, welcoming the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame — anyone willing to come. It’s a powerful picture of God’s grace: His invitation is open to all, but we have to accept it. The danger isn’t that God stops cal...

This morning in Luke 14:7–14, Jesus uses a dinner party to teach us a powerful lesson about humility and the dangers of power. He notices how guests scramble for the best seats and reminds them that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, but those who humble themselves will be exalted. Then He turns to the host and says not to invite people who can repay the favor, but to invite those who can...

In Luke 14; 1-6, Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath while dining at a Pharisee’s house, knowing full well they’re watching to see if He’ll “break” the law. But Jesus exposes their hypocrisy by asking if they wouldn’t rescue their own child or ox that fell into a well on the Sabbath. Of course they would. He reminds them—and us—that the heart of the law is mercy, not rigid rule-keeping. The Pharisees...