We don't know what the future holds, so we look for ways to get out of our commitments in case something goes wrong. Jesus wasn't a fan of that approach. He had a different one. Pastor Luke preaches from Matthew 23:16-22 in "By Golly," part 2 of his 5-part series, "Mountain Goat."

The strongest words that Jesus is recorded as uttering are found in Matthew 23. The good news is that he didn't direct them at us! But since he cares so much at these things, it's worthwhile for us to learn why ... because he wants us to care too. Pastor Luke preaches from Matthew 23:13-15 in "Mountain Goat," the first message in a new series, "Mountain Goat."

Sleep can be the cushion or padding people use to take up slack in other parts of our lives. This is one reason why we sleep less than our grandparents did. It solves some problems, but it creates all new ones. Fortunately, Jesus shows us how we can solve them. Pastor Luke teaches from Mark 4:35-41 in "Soft Landing," the concluding message in his series, "Padding."

We've been learning that our lives are better when we don't try to maximize things but when we leave in some padding or cushion. But that doesn't mean our cushion can't help others. Pastor Luke teaches from Leviticus 19:5-10 in "Leftovers," part 4 of his 5-part series, "Padding."

In his biographies, Jesus is usually doing something, but he never seems busy. What is his secret and can we do it too? Pastor Luke looks at Luke 9:10-17 in "Detourism," part 3 of his 5-part series, "Padding."

Jesus doesn't condemn wealth, but he doesn't recommend it either. Instead he asks a more important question: who's in charge? Pastor Luke teaches from Luke 16:1-14 in "Force Multiplier," part 2 of his 5-part series, "Padding."

Time management methodologies can tell us how to use our time efficiently and prevent the urgent from overpowering the important. But is efficiency really the goal? Maybe we should think about how to be inefficient with our time. Pastor Luke looks at Luke 10:38-42 in "Force Multiplier," the first message in a new series, "Padding."

The magi came 600 miles or more to see the newborn king of the Jews. When they stopped for directions, they were told they were only six miles away, so of course they finished their trip. Why didn't any of the religious elite go with them? How can we avoid making that kind of mistake? Pastor Luke looks at Ephesians 3:1-12 in "Here Comes Trouble."

An ancient hymn looks forward to Christ's return, asking the "Desire of Nations" to come. Who, or What, is the Desire of Nations, and what does its coming mean for us? Pastor Luke preaches from Haggai 2:1-7 in "Treasure of the Nations," part 3 of his 4-part series, "Emmanuel."

Jesus spoke about God's Kingdom from the beginning of his earthly ministry to its end. Something he kept saying is how God's Kingdom isn't like earthly kingdoms. But what is it LIKE? To answer that question, Jesus used parables. Pastor Luke preaches from Isaiah 35:1-10 in "Repatriation," part 2 of his 4-part series, "Emmanuel."