JLP.church Sermon Podcast

How can we tell the difference between trusting God and testing him? God makes a lot of promises, but if we don't trust him, we can miss the benefit. We can learn a lot about trusting God from the story of Elijah at Mt. Carmel. Pastor Luke teaches from 1 Kings 18:16-46 in "Title Fight," part 4 of his 6-part series, "Elijah."

"Why am I here?" People were asking that question a long time ago, and we're still asking it today. Christianity has an answer in the idea of calling, or vocation. We find a good example of vocation in a story about Elijah. Pastor Luke looks at 1 Kings 18:1-15 in "Obadiah," part 3 of his 6-part series, "Elijah."

When we have trouble in our lives, it's easy to see that as God punishing us for some sin. But is that an accurate view? Is it Biblical? How can we understand the troubles that occur in our lives? Pastor Luke looks at 1 Kings 17:8-24 in "Elijah," part 2 of his 6-part series, "Elijah."

When should you try to change things? When should you try to take on the mess in the world? Or the messy stuff in your job, or your family? When is the right time to change the messy parts of your own life? The story of Elijah helps us answer that question. Pastor Luke preaches from 1 Kings 16:29-17:7 in "Elijah," the first message in a new series, "Elijah."

The Apostle Paul argues in his letter to the Galatian churches that Christians have been set free. If that's true, does it mean we're on our own? What if there are parts of us we don't like? Don't we need some kind of Law to deal with those parts? Pastor Luke looks at Galatians 5:13-26 in "Biting and Devouring," part 9 of his 10-part series, "Galatians."

In this installment of “Ask Me Anything,” Pastor Luke had time to address six questions. (1) What does Jesus mean about John the Baptist being Elijah in Matthew 11:7-20? (2) Jesus said John is Elijah "if you are willing to accept it." What does he mean by that? (3) Does the "Day of the Lord" refer to an event in Jesus' first coming, or his second? (4) Where was Jesus between his death and resurrec...

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul warned his readers not to listen to people who said they needed to do some other things besides trusting Jesus. Unfortunately, there are still people in churches saying that, so Paul's teaching is still relevant. Pastor Luke looks at Galatians 5:1-12 in "No Hedging," part 8 of his 10-part series, "Galatians."

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul warned his readers not to listen to people who said they needed to do some other things besides trusting Jesus. Unfortunately, there are still people in churches saying that, so Paul's teaching is still relevant. Pastor Luke preaches from Galatians 4:12-5:1 in "Two Covenants," part 7 of his 10-part series, "Galatians."

The Apostle Paul wrote how, because of what Jesus did, Gentiles are included in the family of Abraham. That's what Jesus did -- what we see when we look backward. But what happens now? How does this affect our lives looking forward? Pastor Luke teaches from Galatians 4:1-11 in "Redeemed," part 6 of his 10-part series, "Galatians."

Diversity makes sense because people have obvious differences. Does equality make sense? After all, people are different. Why should we assume that they are somehow equal? Pastor Luke teaches from Galatians 3:15-29 in "Rockets' Red Glare," part 5 of his 10-part series, "Galatians."

It's easy for people to know when they're on the outside. It's almost as easy to know when we're on the inside. That experience is almost universal and it's certainly not unique to Christians. But their solution to it so revolutionary that even today, Christians still struggle to do it well. Pastor Luke teaches from Galatians 3:1-14 in "Family Reunion," part 4 of his 10-part series, "Galatians."

Can we get along with people who are wrong on important matters? An ancient debate about the markers that define God's people has real significance today, because it tells us how to get along with people we disagree with. Pastor Luke looks at Galatians 2:11-21 in "Nothing Added," part 3 of his 10-part series, "Galatians."

Paul was shocked that people were “deserting” what he had proclaimed to follow “another gospel.” We’ll be looking at why people might desert the gospel, but first, there’s a more basic question: how do you even do that? Pastor Luke teaches from Galatians 1:18-2:10 in "Nothing Added," part 2 of his 10-part series, "Galatians."

Paul's letter to the Galatian churches may be the oldest document in the New Testament, but it's certainly one of the most significant, especially for Protestant Christians. What makes it so important? Pastor Luke preaches from Galatians 1:1-17 in "No Going Back," the first message in a new series, "Galatians."

Why is Pentecost important? Because the Church is important: so important, it needs to be celebrated. Pastor Luke teaches from 1 Corinthians 12:4-13 in "Spirit and Body."

Jesus enabled his disciples to take his peace out into the world. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, peace eludes us. What then? What is the point of working for peace when we can't have it? Pastor Luke teaches from Ezekiel 37:16-28 in "After the End," the concluding message in his series, "Peace."

As much as possible, we should pursue peace with other people. But despite our best efforts, peace can elude us. Sometimes the only way to have peace is by separation ... but that kind of peace can be costly. Pastor Luke teaches from Genesis 13:1-18 in "Disaffiliation," part 5 of his 6-part series, "Peace."

In a chaotic and troubled world, other people can make life more enjoyable. But sometimes, they just add to the chaos. How can we have peace with other people? The answer isn't hard to understand, but it can be hard to do. Pastor Luke teaches from Romans 12:9-21 in "Pursuing Peace," part 4 of his 6-part series, "Peace."

In this installment of “Ask Me Anything,” Pastor Luke had time to address six questions. {00:50} If God already knows what’s on our heart, why pray? {05:01} Why don’t we celebrate Communion weekly? {09:30} Can we have a cursor to help with projected music? {11:32} How can we be sure we’re hearing from God? {15:36} How can someone harmed by Christians trust God? {22:20} What does the Bible say abou...

Jesus told his disciples to take their peace out into the troubles of the world. That seems like an odd way to find peace, but suppose you do. What comes next? How does it work? Pastor Luke preaches from Philippians 4:4-9 in "Transmission," part 3 of his 6-part series, "Peace."

Have you ever wanted to get away from the things that made you anxious? -- To find someplace to hole up until it all blew over? The disciples must have felt that way after Jesus was crucified. But when he was raised, he told them that's not how they could find peace. Pastor Luke preaches from John 20:19-29 in "Transmission," part 2 of his 6-part series, "Peace."

People have been hearing the story of Easter for 2000 years. All four accounts in the New Testament are basically the same. There's nothing surprising any more about Easter. But that was what Jesus intended. Pastor Luke looks at Matthew 28:1-10 in "No Body At the Tomb."

All four biographies of Jesus describe the events of Palm Sunday, but none of them explain it. What was going on that day was Jesus bringing peace to Jerusalem. Despite all the frenzy and troubles of Holy Week, what Jesus brought was peace. Pastor Luke teaches from Luke 19:28-42 in "Peace in Heaven," the first message in a new series, "Peace."

During Lent we pause to consider that we have committed sins, but even more, that we are sinful people -- there is some part of us that actually wants to sin. God did not make people that way, but something has gone wrong. Looking at people with physical problems gives us a new way to think about our sinfulness problem. Pastor Luke looks at Luke 18:35-43 in "Outside," the concluding message in his...

God made humans to enjoy variety, but our desire for novelty can get us into trouble. How can we satisfy that desire without making a mess of things? Pastor Luke preaches from Exodus 16:21-30 in "Outside," the first message in a new series, "Breakup."