King's Table Church Sermons

The Pharisees continue to object to Jesus. They are now looking for "violations" on which they can discredit him. The opportunity presents itself when Jesus and his disciples are passing through grainfields and the disciples pick some of the heads of grain to eat. The Pharisees cry foul because, according to their interpretations of Sabbath guidelines, this is considered "work." The issue here is...

Jesus tells a parable here using two different illustrations - garments and wineskins. Luke's emphasis in this parable is on the newness of the Kingdom that Jesus is bringing. In these verses, the word "new" (kainos) appears 7 times. Whereas in Mark's account, the emphasis with the patching of garments and the filling of wineskins was on the fact that the old is not helped in any way (Mark even sa...

Few things raise the ire of the religious leaders in Jerusalem as much as the way that Jesus operates around the table. When he and his disciples gather for dinner at the home of a tax collector, they demand to know, "Why do you eat and drink with sinners like this?" The insinuation in their question is that Jesus will be tainted by his proximity - that in sharing his table with them, he will be g...

While Jesus is teaching and several Pharisees and teachers of the law are present, a group of men bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus, lowering him down through the roof. When Jesus sees the faith of these friends, he heals this man of his greatest infirmity - his sin! The teachers of the law are indignant, thinking to themselves that no one but God alone has this authority. And Jesus, continuin...

Jesus encounters a leper who makes a very faith-filled statement: "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus tells him that he is willing, and he heals him of his leprosy. Despite this Messianic secret that Luke says Jesus is not yet fully revealing, the word continues to spread about the authority and wonders that Jesus has demonstrated. Most people won't come near to a leper for fe...

Jesus continues teaching but this time from a boat while his listeners gather on the shore. When he finishes, he tells Simon and the other fishermen put out into deeper waters and let down their nets. They do so reluctantly because they have caught nothing all day, and when they do, they bring in a remarkable catch. Simon immediately responds with a keen awareness of his own sinful unworthiness. B...

Jesus continues healing and doing many wonders. He heals Simon's mother-in-law from a fever, as well as others with various illnesses and diseases. He even continues casting out demons and demonstrating his authority over the world of unclean spirits. The crowds attempt to keep him from departing, but Jesus tells them that it is necessary for him to go and proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of...

As Jesus is teaching, the crowds marvel because teaches with authority. And this authority is even further demonstrated as a man with an unclean spirit begins to cry out in the synagogue. The demon cries out, "What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?!" It even identifies him correctly as the Holy One of Israel. Which means that the answer to the demon's question is that Jesus of Nazareth...

Jesus comes out of the wilderness to face a different sort of opposition. And yet, Luke's arrangement of material (beginning Jesus' ministry with the confrontation with the devil in the wilderness) seems to be communicating that all opposition to Jesus is also of the same sort. Satan stands in opposition to God's Kingdom, and all those who oppose Jesus throw their lot in with him. Including Jesus'...

Jesus has identified with Israel in his baptism, and now (like Israel) he is led by the Spirit of God into the wilderness. Here he is confronted by the devil. The ancient enemy of God and his people tempts and attacks Jesus physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He promises all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus will only worship him. This is a very clear and dramatic start to the clash of the...

In this passage, the Lord gives the people a humbling reminder. He demonstrates for them their own impurity. Their problem is not primarily a Temple problem or a religious practices problem. Their problem is a sin problem. Their hearts turned from the Lord their God. As a result of that, the worship of God and the Temple grew neglected, were destroyed, and had not been rebuilt. But restoring order...

The word of the Lord again comes to Haggai to give to Zerubbabel and Joshua - but now the faithful remnant of the people are included recipients. The Lord asks, "Who saw this Temple in it's former glory?" He reminds them what it once was and has them acknowledge that the current version is nothing by comparison. But he tells them to remain strong, repeating the promise that he is with them. Then,...

The people respond immediately and favourably to Haggai's message. Not only Zerubbabel and Joshua - but the people as a whole! And they are referred to as "the remnant." This title recalls God's promise through past prophets that he would preserve a remnant. Here in Haggai, it is unlikely that the prophet is clarifying whether or not these people remained in Judah or returned from exile - but rath...

The word of the Lord comes to the prophet Haggai to be delivered to the governor (Zerubbabel) and the high priest (Joshua). The people have busied themselves with rebuilding their houses and planting their fields, but the Temple of the Lord has remained in ruins. The people echo a pragmatic refrain: "The time has just not yet come." They will get around to it eventually; they aren't opposed to the...

As John baptizes in the Jordan, Jesus himself comes to be baptized - identifying himself with us, with the people, with Israel. And heaven is opened, the Holy Spirit descends, and the voice of God announces - "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased!" Luke immediately follows this declaration with Jesus' genealogy - the son of Joseph, Boaz, David, Jesse, Judah, Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, No...

God's Word came to John and traveled around the Jordan preaching repentance for the forgiveness of sins - just as Isaiah had prophesied. He has hard words for those who assume their standing in Abraham: the axe is already at the root of the trees. But he has a message of hope to those who are ready to receive: the one who is more powerful than I am is coming and will baptize you with the Holy Spir...

Jesus grew full of wisdom and God's grace. After getting separated on a trip to Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph found him in the temple asking questions of the teachers of the law. All those who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers to their questions. When asked why we was where he was doing what he was doing, Jesus responds that it was necessary for him to be in his Father's h...

When the time comes for Jesus to be presented at the Temple after 8 days, Mary and Joseph bring him in fulfillment of the law of Moses. And in Jerusalem, there are two people who recognize this child as the answer to God's promises. The first is Simeon - who has been celebrating and anticipating the coming of Israel's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, he comes to the Temple, takes baby Jesus up in hi...

The first two angelic pronouncements that we have seen in Luke's gospel have been private - messages for Zechariah and Mary. But the angelic pronouncement we see in this passage is a public proclamation! It is an announcement of great joy that will be for all people! An announcement made by a great host from heaven to all the peoples of the earth! The gospel can't get any more cosmic in scope than...

⁠The dawn from on high that Zechariah prophesied has arrived. He is born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger. But these are so much more than superfluous details. This baby is born in the city of David because he is from the house and lineage of David. He is the answer to God's promise that David's heir would sit on the throne and rule forever a Kingdom with no end. He is great David's greater Son!...

When John is born, all are astonished when Zechariah speaks. His muteness falls aways, and he announces the name that the angel gave him for the child. Luke tells us that fear came upon all their neighbours and they wondered, "What sort of child will this one become? For indeed the Lord's hand was with him." This echoes the question that will be marveled at later about Jesus - "What sort of man is...

When Mary comes to visit and greets Elizabeth, the child inside of her (the prophet sent to announce the coming of the Lord) leaps for joy! The arrival of this Messiah is one that sparks uncontainable joy! Mary too responds rejoicing in God her Saviour. She exalts the great and mighty things he has done - scattering the proud and toppling the mighty while exalting the lowly and satisfying the hung...

The birth of Jesus announced. This is the Messiah. The one for whom our soul waits. He is the Son of the Most High - given the throne of his father David to rule over Jacob in a kingdom with no end. This announcement from Gabriel is chalked full of fulfillment language. It is right that we sing at Christmas time - O little town of Bethlehem! The hopes and fears of all the years are met in you toni...

An angel appears to Zechariah while he is serving in the temple, bringing the announcement of John's birth. After 400 years, the silence has been broken. God is speaking. God is moving again in the life of Israel. An angel speaking to one from Aaron's line. A man and his wife who are old and barren but promised a child. A vow that this child will be set apart and reserved for the service of the Lo...

Luke addresses his gospel (just like the sequel, Acts) to the honourable Theophilus. Just as many others have undertaken to compile an account of the events that have been fulfilled in Jesus, Luke also is inspired to record these things. He has carefully investigated and interviewed eyewitnesses and writes this gospel so that his readers might know with assurance the things that they have been tau...