Luke 1:26-38 // Certainty, clarity, courage. Zechariah asking for certainty. Mary seeks clarity. God gives her courage.

Luke 1:5-25 // Advent is about making room mentally, spiritually, and even physically in the clutter of our lives to allow a greater sense of connection and occasion as we celebrate the incarnation of Jesus and also long for and anticipate His second coming.

Luke 14:1-24 // It’s party season. In today’s passage, Jesus compares His Kingdom to a party — and lays out some expectations about what that party should look like.

The story of Boaz and Ruth is an example of generosity – the kind of generosity that God has shown to us.

Luke 12:49-59 // Jesus’ life and message redefines what true peace is and what it costs.

Luke 11:1-12 + Luke 18:9-14 // Prayer is about surrender and intimacy first, before it is about direction and provision. When we know who our Father is and we know who we are – we prayer with impudence and humility.

Luke 8:1-3 + Luke 9:1-6 + Luke 10:1-12 // We are the Lord’s ambassadors sent to represent Him in this world. We are also neighbors looking for opportunities to show mercy in the name of Christ. But at the heart of it all is devotion to Christ. We must be worshippers who take time to listen to His word and to commune with Him. As God’s ambassadors: who are we, what do we do, and how do we do it?

Luke 8:4-15 + Luke 13:6-9 // The most important aspect of a parable is what it reveals about Jesus and His Kingdom, how it functions and therefore how we as His followers should function. Fruitfulness in Formation (fruit of the Spirit) and Fruitfulness in Mission. Am I becoming more like Jesus? Am I engaged in the Great Commission?

Luke 7:36-50 // Our self-righteousness hinders our ability to stand in awe of a Christ who redeems even the most wicked, depraved, and broken of us, because it blinds us from the reality that we are those things. Who do I reject because they don’t live up to my standards or expectations? What ways do I let my self-righteousness control how I interact with Christ and others? Look to Christ. He sees you, He welcomes you, and He knows you.

Luke 7:18-35 // Expectations are tricky and dangerous. Cynics expect nothing from anybody - or the polar opposite - naive persons have high expectations and believe everyone. No matter where we land along the spectrum there is always a gap between reality and our expectations. Jesus exposes and confronts our expectations.