Luke 21:25-28

Luke 21:25-28

English Standard Version 

  Do you remember the old videos that showed the atom bomb exploding just outside the schoolroom window?  What were the children inside supposed to do in such an event?  Duck and cover.  That will fix everything.

  Jesus tells us to do the opposite.  When there is distress throughout the cosmos, to the extent that the sun, moon, and stars are disrupted by events, and there is distress of nations along with the roaring of sea and waves, as people faint with fear, what are we to do?  

  Duck and cover?

  Absolutely not.  

  Jesus tells us that cosmic disruption isn't a reason to fear.  In the midst of chaos, Jesus is still on the throne.  Christ is still King.  You need not fear -- despite what may be churning outside, God is alive and on the move, so be bold and proclaim your eternal hope in Jesus, our Lord and Savior, who will walk through the valley of the shadow of death along with us, and through him, we will endure!

Luke 21:20–24

Luke 21:20-24

English Standard Version 

  For many years, I have set hopes in the Cincinnati Reds to win another World Series.  To be honest, I'd be happy with a victory in a playoff series, which has not happened since 1995 (the longest playoff victory drought in professional sports).  Unfortunately, the Reds leadership is not very serious about winning, and so that drought will continue for the foreseeable future.  To set my hopes in them is to set myself up for disappointment.

  Jesus is warning us about where we set our hopes.  The thought of Jerusalem under siege was heartbreaking to all, including Jesus (remember that he wept over the city).  No one wants to see destruction, but Jesus is warning that it will come, and in 70 AD, the Romans proved him correct.  

  If our ultimate hopes are in mortal things, whether it is money or power or beauty or youth or sports teams or other people, we will end up disappointment.  Destruction can come for all of it - while sin and death were defeated at the cross, they have not yet been fully vanquished, and will not be until Christ comes in fullness.  

  Our ultimate hope should be in something that is worthy of ultimate things, and is strong enough to bear that hope.  Only Christ and his Kingdom can make that claim, and only Christ and his Kingdom have the strength, power, and wisdom to support that.

  Choose wisely where you focus your thoughts and your loves, and order your life appropriately.

Luke 21:16-19

Luke 21:16-19

English Standard Version 

  This feels a little different than the promises some of those TV preachers make about you ending up rich if you send in $50 at the right time, doesn't it?

  Jesus is clear to his followers -- it will not be easy to remain faithful.  There will be division and difficulty and suffering at the hands of those who oppose Christ and his church. Some of his followers will be put to death.

  Can we all admit that if we were listening to this, we'd be wondering if following Jesus was really the best plan?  I don't know many people that get excited to be hated.  

  And then you'd hear Jesus telling you that not a hair on your head will perish, right after he said that some of the people will perish.  Death sounds perishing.  

  So many of the teachings of Jesus are trying to help us refocus, to lift our eyes from the immediate world around us and teach us to focus on the eternal Kingdom of God.  When we think about investing our money and time and energy and love -- do we think first about the Kingdom?  When we think about legacy, do we think about God's Kingdom?  We get very, very focused on the here and now, and Jesus isn't saying this is bad -- but he wants us to know there is more than what we see, and that our ultimate legacy and security is in God's Kingdom, which transcends this one.

  So setbacks in this world are not eternal.  Even death has been defeated.

  Hold on to hope.  Jesus wins.

Luke 21:10–15

Luke 21:10-15 

English Standard Version 

  Christianity isn't always setting up for the most positive publicity.  The prosperity Gospel always amuses me -- preachers proclaim that being a Christian will set you up for success and fame and wealth, and then I read the Gospels... and it seems to offer a different kind of world vision, one that recognizes the reality of suffering and pain and struggles.  Jesus doesn't shrink from any of this.  It's part of a broken world.  What Jesus does assure us is that when we are caught up in the midst of it, the Holy Spirit will give us the words to proclaim the Truth in the midst of it all.  He tells us not to get caught up in planning ahead of time, but rather to trust that God will be near.

  When there is strife in the world, Jesus has not abandoned us, or the world.  I don't claim to understand the plan, but I trust in God, and so may we faithfully follow Christ through whatever is next, taking life one step at a time, trusting God to give us what we need for today, for this moment.

Luke 21:5-9

Luke 21:5-9 

English Standard Version 

  It's hard to see landmarks struck down.  25 years later, it was still difficult to remember the terrible events of 9/11.  We look at the pictures of those towers and think about what they meant and the tragedy of their loss -- in so many ways, it has shaped the last few decades of American life.  We remember what things were like before that awful day.

  For those around Jesus, it was tremendously hard to hear them talk about the destruction of the temple.  The temple was massive and magnificent and the center of religious life.  They didn't want to think about life without it.  Tragically, that would be destroyed by the Roman army in 70 AD when they devastated Jerusalem.  

  Jesus doesn't want us to set all our hopes and dreams on temporary things.  The Kingdom of God is eternal, and we are to focus all of our aspirations on that Kingdom, for it cannot be taken, cannot be shaken.  Our hopes and dreams are safe there.  If we run in fear at each person who speaks of the end, then we'll be darting through shadows, unable to live as Christ calls us to live.  

  So may we boldly focus ourselves on Christ and his Kingdom, and strive to live in such a way that brings glory to God but doesn't chase every rumor and run in fear from every power in this world.  Remember, every knee shall bow before Christ the Lord. 

Black Belt Tests and the Gospel

Luke 21:1-4

Luke 21:1-4 

English Standard Version 

  I've always thought it was interesting that Jesus sat around with the disciples and watched people put their offerings into the box.  It's not what I would expect -- and I wonder how I would feel about it if I were making an offering.  Regardless, what happens here is interesting -- for all the gifts that Jesus watched go into the offering box, it was this one small gift that elicited a remarkable comment.  Jesus called out this woman who contributed a meaningful gift into the box.  Not out of her abundance, but out of her meager possessions.

  Jesus clearly cares about how we give.  Do we stretch?  Does it hurt a little?  That seems to be where Jesus is pointing us -- to thinking about financial giving as a meaningful part of our life.  He doesn't tell everyone to give everything away, but to think about what we have and give generously.

Luke 20:45-47

Luke 20:45-47 

English Standard Version

  Jesus is warning his disciples about the dangers of using spiritual leadership for personal gain that is driven by exploiting others.  This is not the last time that the church needs to hear these warnings... as we grow closer to Reformation Sunday, Martin Luther's warnings about indulgences, which prey on the fears of the poor to drive financial collections for the church, fit in with Jesus' words here.  God cares about what we use our influence to achieve.  If we're focused on what we get out of it... then that will corrupt us over time.  Some more quickly than others, but greed will consume us.  If we can focus on the Kingdom, however, and use our prayers to serve the glories of God's Kingdom, then God is glorified and the church is strengthened.  

  It's not a choice we make one time.  Those who are corrupted are often done so through a series of small decisions, many of which seem inconsequential.  As CS Lewis says, we have to think about them over the course of eternity.  Which direction are we trending?  The smallest of decisions, when amplified over an eternal time frame, can shape our hearts in ways we don't fully comprehend.  

  So may we spend time examining our decisions and watching our own hearts, praying for humility and thinking deeply about how we serve Christ's church and the members of it.

Luke 20:41–44

Luke 20:41-44 

English Standard Version 

  Everyone is trying to figure out just who Jesus is.  In Jesus' time, the Pharisees were thinking at most, he was another king in the line of David.  But Jesus didn't conform to their expectations -- he had much grander plans than that.  

  In the same way, Jesus doesn't conform to our expectations, either.  He has much grander plans than that.  He takes a large and universal approach, working to redeem God's beloved humanity and the creation in which we live.  God is at work to solve the problems of sin that separate us from each other and that creates a division between us and creation.  God looks at things beyond time and space, so while we see the veil of death, Jesus recognizes that there is life beyond the veil, even if we cannot see it.  

  And so we must trust in Jesus, in the Jesus who sees a greater life than we can and the Jesus who sees problems differently than we do.  It isn't always easy.  When our children were young and we took them to the doctor and they received vaccinations, they didn't really like it... but we thought it was best for their long-term health.  In the same way, there are things in this life that we cannot grasp the good in.  We must learn to trust, to lean into Jesus, and remain faithful, day after day.

Learning Contentment: A sermon on Philippians 4 (Oct 11, 2026)

Luke 20:34–40

Luke 20:34-40

English Standard Version 

  What will marriage look like in heaven?  Will I see the friends I have loved along the way?  Will we recognize one another?  Will I be able to enjoy the beauty of a sunset?  Will every car have a 6-speed transmission, or will some have automatics?  Will it be possible to eat too much ice cream?  Will the Reds still be mediocre then?

  All vital questions to answer.  Many of these, we don't have answers to -- we will only find out when we pass through the veil.  The character and words of God set clues for us, though.  We know that God has compassionate love for us, and that God made us to be in relationship with one another.  It seems likely that the God who forms us for community will not have an aspect of community, of relationship, with one another.  What does that look like exactly?  Hopefully I won't find out for another 60+ years.  

Will relationships in heaven be less loving than the ones here on earth?  I doubt it.  It seems like they would be more.  Again... I don't know exactly how it will work, but I trust in the God who has been crafting and guiding relationships for millennia to continue to do so for eternity to come.  

  What's vital here is that Jesus speaks of the dead as though they are alive.  God does not allow death to have the final word over God's beloved, which includes you.

  So trust in God, and lean into the Savior who came and conquered death so that you might live.

Luke 20:27–33

Luke 20:27-33

English Standard Version 

  This is likely not the burning question that many people have about the resurrection.  Well, at least it's not mine.  You may wonder what the Sadduccees are doing.

  One thing to note is that the Sadduccees didn't believe in the resurrection of the dead.  (Which made them Sad. You See?  Preacher jokes...)  So they're constructing this absurd scenario to make the resurrection look like just an extension of this world, only with comical scenarios caused by the forward projection of some laws.

  But that's what the resurrection is like.  It's not simply this world, only with a few things changed.  God isn't simply trying to tweak this world.  God is transforming us, at work in us and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The resurrection is something new, something different, and the focus isn't on us and what our living quarters will be like.  It's about a new relationship with God, one with unlimited worship and joy.  

  So let's not get caught up in debates about what exactly dancing on clouds will be like.  Instead think about the dynamic relationship with your Creator, who is awesome in power and might, filled with love and mercy forever and ever.

Sermon on Philippians 3 for October 4, 2026

Luke 20:20–26

Luke 20:20-26 

English Standard Version 

  The Pharisees set up a trap for Jesus -- they're always working to catch him in his own words.  If Jesus says that they should pay tribute to Caesar, then he's acknowledging and perhaps approving of the Roman occupation of Jerusalem, which would upset some people.  If he says that it's not lawful, then the Romans might want to arrest him for sedition.  There's no right answer.  

  So Jesus doesn't directly answer the question.  Instead, he acknowledges the reality -- that some things belong to Caesar, but much more belongs to God.  Who are we to limit what God has a claim on?  Are the Pharisees going to define this?  

  We often try and offer God some meager corner, or believe that if we do one thing over here, then we've taken care of our offerings to God for the week.  We'd be wise to think seriously on what Jesus has to say here, and recognize God's claim on all of us.  How do we think about giving everything over to God, since God has created all?

Luke 20:17-19

Luke 20:17-19 

English Standard Version 

  Jesus knew the Pharisees and scribes and chief priests objected to his teachings -- but he didn't back down.  He continued to confront them with the Truth, to open their eyes to the ways that sin and brokenness was at work in their lives, hearts, and community. 

  So naturally, they heard his words and repented, right? 

  No... they decided they'd see about getting him arrested instead.  Which looks really bad on your resume when you arrive at the pearly gates and have to explain to St. Peter that time you tried to have Jesus thrown in jail and possibly killed.

  Where would God confront you?  What hard words might God say to you to open your eyes to the ways sin is at work in your heart, in your life, in your relationships?  I think we all know what some answers to that might be, but we often try and avoid asking the hard questions or thinking about these things.  We'd much rather ignore them.  

  But God wants to see us grow, every day.  Sometimes that means stretching, sometimes that means pruning.  

  What might God be asking of you today?

Blue Jackets hockey and the Gospel

Luke 20:13–16

Luke 20:13-16

English Standard Version 

  If you knew that someone was going to turn you away, how much effort would you put into the outreach?  Most of us would limit our effort.  It's the rational thing to do -- direct that energy towards someone more receptive, right?

  Here, the vineyard owner has sent multiple messengers, and they've all been rejected.  The owner hopes that his own son won't be rejected, but he has to expect that, right?  The tenants have shown no interest in receiving messages from the owner.

  God comes anyway.  Despite our hardened hearts, God persists, such is the love that God has for you.  It's easy to underappreciate this love -- we grow accustomed to hearing about the unconditional love, so it's important to take a few minutes and truly appreciate how amazing it is that God persists in pursuing us.  God loves you, and God continues to send the Holy Spirit to awaken our hearts to hear the message of grace once more.

Luke 20:9-12

Luke 20:9-12 

English Standard Version 

  If you owned the vineyard, how would you react?  Would you keep sending servants?  Your patience would certainly be thin after the first was rejected, and you might well blow your top after the second.  When the second one was rejected, you might simply send in the troops.  Would you exercise patience and continue sending servants?  

  One of the lessons that Jesus is teaching us about God is that God has tremendous patience for us.  God continued to send prophets, even when they were rejected and ignored.  God didn't give up on us.  God loves us too much to leave us, which is what leads God to come in Jesus Christ so that we might find healing and wholeness and hope.  

  Thanks be to God for the tremendous patience God shows -- Paul tells us in Romans 2 that 'God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?'