Gospel of Luke

Thank God I'm Not Them - sermon Oct. 23, 2022

Our spiritual practices should make us more loving and compassionate people, especially those that require us to give things up for our faith. But behind ever abstention lies the danger of both envying those who don't make the sacrifice, as well as judgment for their perceived lack of self control. The fast that makes you a self-righteous snob is not one that God wants. By Pastor Lars Hammar

You Can't Scare People Into Faith - sermon Sept 25, 2022

In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, we see not a proof of a literal, eternal, physical hell with flames and pitchforks, but, on the contrary, a lesson that fear of punishment after death does not motivate people to change their ways. Instead, Jesus wants us to focus on living in this life, according to the teachings we already have, and promote the Gospel without trying to scare people into faith and good works. Based on Luke 16:19-31. By Pastor Lars Hammar.

Not Peace but Division - sermon Aug 14

One wonders, with Jesus being such a peaceful person who never used violence against people, how he could have become a justification for so many wars. Much lies in one line of one passage where he says, “I come not to bring peace but a sword” (Or “division” in one version). But is Jesus really saying he came to start wars of conquest? Or is he saying much the opposite, that being a loving, compassionate, follower of God who speaks up for justice and the weak will cause division and violence by those who benefit from the cruelty of the system? Sermon by Pastor Lars Hammar, August 14, 2022

Find Your Person of Peace - sermon July 3, 2022

We agonize in relationships whether we should stay or go, whether it's better to work with what you have, or seek something new. Jesus provides a different way of thinking, one where we start at the beginning seeking out a person who puts us at peace, not thrills, and staying there. Based on Luke 10. By Pastor Lars Hammar

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Tragedy and Power - sermon March 20, 2022

When Jesus is asked if the people who got their blood mixed in with some pagan sacrifices made by Pontius Pilate, Jesus understands that the real question is if they can feel smugly confident that their avoidance of the tragedy is proof of their moral superiority. Instead, Jesus flips it back on them and shows that they would be better to examine themselves. By Pastor Lars Hammar. March 20, 2022.

Luke 13:1-9

1At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.2[Jesus] asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans?3No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. 4Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”
  6Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ 8He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. 9If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

Invitation as Radical Act - sermon March 13, 2022

When we receive an invitation from someone, we're being welcomed into their lives, into their homes. To accept that is to say that they are worth the time and the presence. In a world where our personal lives are bounded by social boundaries, invitations and receptions can be an act of affirming others and repudiating artificial boundaries between us. By Pastor Lars Hammar. Based on Luke 14:15-24

Luke 14:15-24

 15 One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, "Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!" 16 Then Jesus said to him, "Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. 17 At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now.' 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my regrets.' 19 Another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.' 20 Another said, 'I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.' 21 So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.' 22 And the slave said, 'Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.' 23 Then the master said to the slave, 'Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.'"