Last week we saw how Jesus nearly sunk some fishermen’s boats with a miracle haul of fish. They were astonished, after a long night of unsuccessfully catching fish. In the brief conversation that Luke records right after this moment, I believe there are four components that are vital for churches that want to make disciplesContinue reading “How to start following Jesus – Luke 5:1-11”
Tag Archives: luke
When churches don’t make disciples
“If you make disciples, you always get the church. But if you make a church, you rarely get disciples.” – Mike Breen What do you think about that quote? Is it right? The first part I think most Christians would agree with. It’s pretty straightforward. Disciples are followers of Jesus, and when you have aContinue reading “When churches don’t make disciples”
(Re)Discovering Jesus – Luke 4:31-44
When’s the last time you were amazed by Jesus? When is the last time you were excited about him? Put together, Luke’s story of Jesus’ early ministry in Capernaum, his authoritative teaching, his exorcism of demons, his healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, and all the other healing and preaching he did there, demonstrate the authority andContinue reading “(Re)Discovering Jesus – Luke 4:31-44”
What do you think about Jesus?
What is the first word or image that comes to your mind when you think of Jesus? The crucifixion, resurrection, his birth? Miracles? A guy with long brown hair, beard, chiseled face, wearing white robes and sandals? When is the last time you thought about Jesus? Writers Frank Viola and Leonard Sweet, in their bookContinue reading “What do you think about Jesus?”
What if Jesus turns out to be someone we don’t like? – Luke 4:14-30
What if Jesus turns out to be someone we don’t like? In Luke 4:14-30 we read about how Jesus, having just started his preaching ministry, returns to his hometown. Kinda like the singing competition TV shows. When they get near the final round, they send the remaining contestants home with a film crew to adoringContinue reading “What if Jesus turns out to be someone we don’t like? – Luke 4:14-30”
How much land does a man need? and other temptations and discontentment
Is there a certain area of your life where you are constantly tempted? I am listening to an audio book this week. It is called How Much Land Does a Man Need? by famed Russian author Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910). Tolstoy is famous for his mammoth works like Anna Karenina or War and Peace, as wellContinue reading “How much land does a man need? and other temptations and discontentment”
How repentance is actually beautiful – Luke 3:1-20
The word “repent” conjurs up horrible images. Awful, judgmental images. Hellfire and brimstone preachers. They scare me. How could “repent” be anything but an ugly word? This past Sunday we studied John the Baptist. You can check out the sermon here. It was looking at Luke 1:80 briefly and then Luke 3:1-20. Luke records JohnContinue reading “How repentance is actually beautiful – Luke 3:1-20”
When a lost child can you teach about being on a mission – Luke 2:21-42
Last week I told you the story of how I lost my son at the water park. Jared was missing for about five minutes in a huge crowd. I was very scared. Michelle and I had gone opposite directions to try to find him. I had looked at a couple pools, and he was nowhereContinue reading “When a lost child can you teach about being on a mission – Luke 2:21-42”
That time my son got lost in the water park…
Kings Island in Cincinnati, Ohio, is an amusement park that also has an awesome water park. Tons of water slides, a huge wave pool, a bunch of specialty pools, and other cool water rides. I know because I was there about five years ago, with our family and what seemed like one hundred thousand otherContinue reading “That time my son got lost in the water park…”
If God guaranteed one thing on your bucket list would happen before you die, what would you choose?
Did you cross anything off your bucket list in 2014? Get married? Travel somewhere? Perform physical feat? This year my family drove from Lancaster, PA, to Austin, TX, to visit my wife’s cousin and his family. Though it was not coast-to-coast, it was the longest we had ever driven, and the first time for mostContinue reading “If God guaranteed one thing on your bucket list would happen before you die, what would you choose?”
Engaging Scripture 