Text: Ephesians 2: 13-18

Over the last months, from July to November, we have pondered through readings, sermons and forums the highlighted moments in speeches given by Jesus as recorded in Luke’s gospel. These speeches are regarded as part of an extended travel narrative recorded between Luke 9:51 – 19:27. These speeches spiced up with parables and analogies distil the essence of Jesus’ teaching about the Kingdom.
What makes these so memorable and relevant 2000 years on?
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Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/CbhHXbnw7lk

Our Office Administrator has been on leave so the sermons for the last two weeks were not uploaded beforehand. They are now linked below.

Text: Luke 18: 9-14
 
Today’s sermon considers the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, two very different men who came at the same time to the Temple to pray.

Jesus makes it clear from the very beginning of this text that he is dealing with the problems of pride. While there is a positive side to pride there is also problematic pride as in the words of Jesus here:
‘Jesus told this parable to people who were sure of their own goodness and despised everyone else.’

The parable makes us think on who is ‘right with God’. As Jesus says in conclusion of this tale: “those who make themselves great will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be made great.”

Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/iTGpM2mqkKw 

Texts:
Jeremiah 31: 27-34
Luke 18: 1-8

There is a matrix for looking at parables that uses the ideas of picture, window, mirror and doorway. We will use this model to delve into the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge today.

What do we see in the picture produced by the parable, and as we turn our attention to the window of the world around us? How do we see ourselves in the picture, and how will we then apply this?
 
Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/rTB5DGgt9JQ

Text: Luke 17: 11-19
 
Continuing with our Lessons in Luke, today Hamish explores the story of the 10 Lepers healed by Jesus, but only one returned to give thanks.

Watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/8bMcUxGN24Q 

Text: Luke: 17:1-10

​This reading brings forth the idea that temptations & troubles will come that will shake your faith. But the question then is, are you leading people towards or away from God in how you share your life story?
 
Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/4pLcmhNLwP8

I will bless the Lord at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the humble hear and be glad.
 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
   and let us exalt his name together!
 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
    and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant,
    and their faces shall never be ashamed.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Text: Luke 16: 19-31
 
Whoever goes to the Lord for safety,
    whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty,
He will cover us with his wings;
   we will be safe in his care;
    his faithfulness will protect and defend us.
 
Today’s passage from Luke is the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. It is a confusing passage! It confronts us with a beggar at the gate covered in ulcerated sores on the one hand, and a scary picture of hell on the other.

The main overarching idea of the parable is one of contrast. The contrasts are extreme. The contrasts can be shown in the characters, their responses, and their destiny.

Watch the recorded sermon here to listen to Hamish examine these three aspects in turn.
https://youtu.be/q635ZcKcZgw

Text: Luke 16: 1-13

In the space of one week we have gone from the most popular parable to the most puzzling! The Parable of the Prodigal Son to the Parable of the Commendation of the dishonest Steward. This steward is a rascal! He is a dodgy dealer, a waster of other people’s money. How do we make sense of this?
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Watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/ul_JdY0HsEM

Text: Luke 14: 25-33

This is a very confronting text, where Jesus talks about the cost of being a disciple -  “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”

Hamish explores this topic in his sermon today, which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/KkV2BoiDHMs

Text: Luke 14: 1, 7-11

Let us sing a song to celebrate the power of God
A shout out to the God of Jacob
Hymns of the congregation, music from the guitar
The sweet sounds of clarinet and oboe
Trumpets, trombones and horns
It’s a day to celebrate together the abundant goodness of God
 
Today’s passage shows how great things can come from humble places! The one who proudly takes the most prestigious place for themselves will lose it and the one who humbly knows their place will be in for a promotion.
This is a repetitive theme of scripture, speaking to a deep spiritual truth.
 
Watch the recording of the sermon here: https://youtu.be/Ai7Ynpp8gUY