First Love Church

Colossians 3

How worship is meant to confront how we live.  Who is included? How true worship makes our responsibility to put on love, mercy, kindness. 

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

Jesus heals the ten lepers- one- the Samaritan- returns to give thanks.   When we recognize the work of God in our lives and in the world the response should be return and give thanks.  The practice of gratitude allows us to be mindful and to practice kingdom influence and rule in our lives.

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

Luke 17:11-19

Jesus heals the ten lepers- one- the Samaritan- returns to give thanks.   When we recognize the work of God in our lives and in the world the response should be return and give thanks.  The practice of gratitude allows us to be mindful and to practice kingdom influence and rule in our lives.

Support the show

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors.  If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

Luke 16
In response to the scandal of His table practices and the anger of the religious establishment,  Jesus continues to offer alternate narratives on what God is like and what is blessed.  

Lazarus lives everyday in poverty and need, the unnamed rich man lives in luxury. 
Eventually both the rich man and Lazarus die, as all do, regardless of social position (Luke 16:22). Our social status and poverty/wealth do not accompany us. Lazarus likely died because of his poverty and the dis-ease that poverty causes. Many health problems are associated with poverty, and the poor are disproportionately subjected to diverse forms of violence. In fact, the violence to which the poor are subjected interferes with the ability to improve their lives. But death is not speechless here. The angels transport the poor man away to be with Abraham, but the rich man ends up in hot Hades (the underworld) where Lazarus with Abraham commune in plain view (16:22-24).

The (formerly rich) man shouts to Abraham with a familiarity and sense of subordination. Referring to him as ‘Father Abraham,’ he asks that Abraham demonstrate mercy by sending Lazarus to cool his tongue by dipping his finger in water and placing it in his mouth to alleviate his agony (Luke 16:25). In death as in life, the man treats Lazarus as if he is a slave/subordinate whose purpose is to serve him. If Abraham is father, the man is child (16:26). Abraham reminds him that in life he received good things, and Lazarus received evil things, but now the reversed is true (see also 1:46-55). Lazarus is comforted; the man is in agony. Poor people are not evil, but poverty and disease are evils that can be alleviated. “Blessed are the poor” (6:20). God does not create poverty; human beings do. What humans create, humans can fix, if they so desire.

An insurmountable chasm separates the once rich man from those who would help him (Luke 16:27). If he cannot be helped maybe, he begs, Father Abraham can send “him” to warn his five brothers so they do not also end up in Hades (16:28). The rich man still appears not to know Lazarus’ name. Abraham responds that his five brothers have access to the same prophetic oracles and Mosaic teachings that he had: perform justice for orphans and widows, love strangers by providing food and clothing; do justice and love kindness (Deuteronomy 10:19; Micah 6:8). Just as he did not heed the Scriptures, neither will his brothers even if someone returns from the dead to warn them (16:29-30). We have the teachings of the resurrected Jesus, and yet we too fail to love our neighbors, in very tangible, just, and merciful ways; we build fences, gates and walls and then justify them (6:7-36; 10:36-37).

Support the show

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors.  If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

Luke 16
In response to the scandal of His table practices and the anger of the religious establishment,  Jesus continues to offer alternate narratives on what God is like and what is blessed.  

Lazarus lives everyday in poverty and need, the unnamed rich man lives in luxury. 
Eventually both the rich man and Lazarus die, as all do, regardless of social position (Luke 16:22). Our social status and poverty/wealth do not accompany us. Lazarus likely died because of his poverty and the dis-ease that poverty causes. Many health problems are associated with poverty, and the poor are disproportionately subjected to diverse forms of violence. In fact, the violence to which the poor are subjected interferes with the ability to improve their lives. But death is not speechless here. The angels transport the poor man away to be with Abraham, but the rich man ends up in hot Hades (the underworld) where Lazarus with Abraham commune in plain view (16:22-24).

The (formerly rich) man shouts to Abraham with a familiarity and sense of subordination. Referring to him as ‘Father Abraham,’ he asks that Abraham demonstrate mercy by sending Lazarus to cool his tongue by dipping his finger in water and placing it in his mouth to alleviate his agony (Luke 16:25). In death as in life, the man treats Lazarus as if he is a slave/subordinate whose purpose is to serve him. If Abraham is father, the man is child (16:26). Abraham reminds him that in life he received good things, and Lazarus received evil things, but now the reversed is true (see also 1:46-55). Lazarus is comforted; the man is in agony. Poor people are not evil, but poverty and disease are evils that can be alleviated. “Blessed are the poor” (6:20). God does not create poverty; human beings do. What humans create, humans can fix, if they so desire.

An insurmountable chasm separates the once rich man from those who would help him (Luke 16:27). If he cannot be helped maybe, he begs, Father Abraham can send “him” to warn his five brothers so they do not also end up in Hades (16:28). The rich man still appears not to know Lazarus’ name. Abraham responds that his five brothers have access to the same prophetic oracles and Mosaic teachings that he had: perform justice for orphans and widows, love strangers by providing food and clothing; do justice and love kindness (Deuteronomy 10:19; Micah 6:8). Just as he did not heed the Scriptures, neither will his brothers even if someone returns from the dead to warn them (16:29-30). We have the teachings of the resurrected Jesus, and yet we too fail to love our neighbors, in very tangible, just, and merciful ways; we build fences, gates and walls and then justify them (6:7-36; 10:36-37).

Support the show

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors.  If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

1 Timothy 6:6-19          2 Corinthians 9:6-13

2 Corinthians 9:13 says this, “Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the Gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing.”

The pairing of confession with generosity is the culmination of two chapters of reflection on generosity in giving and sharing. It is useful to quote from 2 Corinthians 9 at greater length to illustrate this:

The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written,

“He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
    his righteousness endures forever.”

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us (2 Corinthians 9:6-11).

Support the show

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors.  If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

Luke 15:11-32

The table practices of Jesus were scandalous and getting Him into further trouble with the Pharisees.  This parable is part of the set of three, the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son, that offer a new perspective on the God that Jesus knows.  This portion of the parable tells the story of the prodigal son - but more importantly invites us to become like the Father in welcoming both the prodigal and the elder brother.   



“I am the prodigal son every time I search for unconditional love where it cannot be found.”
― Henri J.M. Nouwen

Support the show

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors.  If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

Luke 15:11-32

The table practices of Jesus were scandalous and getting Him into further trouble with the Pharisees.  This parable is part of the set of three, the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son, that offer a new perspective on the God that Jesus knows.  This portion of the parable tells the story of the prodigal son - but more importantly invites us to become like the Father in welcoming both the prodigal and the elder brother.   



“I am the prodigal son every time I search for unconditional love where it cannot be found.”
― Henri J.M. Nouwen

Support the show

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors.  If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

Luke 15:1-10

Jesus tell us what God is like.  God is like a Shepard, God is like a woman.  These parables tell us things about our Father that we had gotten wrong.  Sheep wander but we are reminded that coins do not lose themselves.  A Father who looks for us even when those who were supposed to care for us, value us and protect us failed.  In our places of brokenness, lostness, that we ourselves did not earn or deserve, Jesus tells us God will come and look for us, and find us. 

Support the show

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors.  If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake

Luke 15:1-10

Jesus tell us what God is like.  God is like a Shepard, God is like a woman.  These parables tell us things about our Father that we had gotten wrong.  Sheep wander but are reminded that coins do not lose themselves.  A Father who looks for us even when those who were supposed to care for us, value us and protect us failed.  

This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving

In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake