Iowa Falls Evangelical Free Church Sermon Podcast

Is it always wrong to judge others? What are we supposed to do when we see someone living sinfully or believing what is false? Is it judgmental to tell someone they're wrong? In Luke 6, Jesus is preaching to His disciples, preparing them for living with and leading other sinners. Today we hear what Jesus says to them and apply it to ourselves.

Last week we had our understanding of the blessed life flipped upside down by Jesus. This week we continue to hear Jesus' teaching in Luke by looking at a passage with a lot of commands. And His commands in this passage this week are just as challenging as His declarations in our passage last week. What are disciples of Jesus called to do? Who are we called to love? What is that love supposed to look like? Why do we love this way and what happens if we do?

The American dream and the prosperity "gospel" tap into our natural desires to spend our live pursuing things we think will make us happy. When circumstances are externally good, we are quick to say we are blessed. But if we are rich, full, laughing, and liked, are we truly blessed? How does Jesus define the blessed life? Today we continue in Luke as Jesus flips our natural, traditional understanding of the blessed life upside down. It might get uncomfortable.

Opposition to Jesus is on the rise as we walk through Luke. We have seen increasing controversy and tension between Jesus and the Pharisees. But today we will see three groups of people drawing closer to Jesus. In the process, we'll be challenged to assess our own relationship with Jesus and take a step closer.

The world around us is in a state of moral decline. God's people seem to disregard God's Word and are becoming too much like the world. While this is something that could be said today in the 21st Century, it's also what Pharisees saw in the 1st Century. They responded by demanding more strict attention and adherence to the Law (+ rules they added to it). In the process, they leaned toward legalism and failed to see and submit to the Lord Jesus. As we dive back into Luke today, may we be made aware of our own temptation to lean toward legalism and choose instead to look at the Lord.

Ryne highlights the hearth of the gospel from Ephesians 2:1-7 - those who were dead in sin are made alive through faith in Christ. He also shares about his local ministry through YFC Juvenile Justice Ministry.

Our missions month series continues today as we welcome our newest missions partners, Scott and Laura Carter. Today, Scott will take us to Ezekiel 36 where we see what God does for sinful people and why he does it.

Missions Month continues this week as we welcome EFCA Central Superintendent Mike Shields to speak on 6 foundations of a Christ-centered legacy from Proverbs 22.

Our missions month series begins today as we welcome our former associate pastor and long-time missions partner with ReachGlobal, Ritch Trca. We give God thanks for His work through Ritch both in our church in Iowa Falls and in many churches throughout Europe.

For a long time our church has been clear about our mission: To Know Christ and Make Him Known. Today we wrap up our June Sermon Series by looking together at a passage that highlights the value of knowing Christ. In it, we will hear Paul's testimony and see a model for how to share our own. Knowing Christ, being found in Him, and making Him known may require loss and suffering now but it's worth it because there is truly nothing better.