This sermon, "Why Do You Call Me Lord?" from Pastor Pete's "The Questions Jesus Asked" series, centers on Luke 6:46-49 where Jesus asks believers the challenging question, "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and don't do the things I say?"

Pastor Pete frames the message around the simple truth that "saying it and doing it are two different things," using a humorous personal story about his toddler biting another child because she "smelled like strawberries" to illustrate how unexpected answers to "why" questions can reveal deeper motivations.

The sermon identifies several reasons for disobedience including toil (discipleship is hard work), time (impatience for instant results), poor thinking (justifying disobedience), lack of trust (mistrust bleeding into faith), and tricky temptations from the devil.

The core message focuses on two key concepts: confession and commitment, emphasizing that when believers confess Jesus as "Lord," they are acknowledging His absolute authority (not just using a title), as demonstrated through extensive scripture references showing His authority over death, sin, demons, creation, and angels (Revelation 1:18, Mark 2:10, Colossians 1:16, Philippians 2:10-11). The problem arises when people recognize Jesus's authority for salvation (Romans 10:9) but fail to submit to that same authority in daily obedience, requiring a lifelong commitment to sanctification as disciples who demonstrate their love through keeping His commands (John 14:15).

This second part of Pastor Pete's "Why Do You Worry?" sermon focuses on Matthew 6:32-34 and centers on God's provision and kingdom priorities, emphasizing that we should trust in God's care rather than our own capacity.

The sermon highlights two great truths about God: His great riches (He is not poor, weak, or anxious but rich, strong, and sovereign) and His great record (a flawless track record of providing for His people and creation, supported by scriptures like Philippians 4:19, Lamentations 3:22-24, and Hebrews 13:8).

The central illustration involves Pastor Pete's college experience working on a Texas ranch where an anxious owner demanded workers "help me worry" about drought, financial problems, and equipment failures, but one ranch hand remained unconcerned, simply stating "none of it belongs to me... it's not my kingdom." This powerful story illustrates that most of our worry stems from trying to build and protect our own kingdoms rather than seeking God's kingdom first, and that we waste energy worrying about things we won't inherit, can't take with us, and won't matter in eternity.

The sermon concludes with the assertion that there's only one legitimate thing to worry about—sin—and once that's resolved through repentance, belief, and confession in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23-24), there's nothing left to worry about because we can trust completely in God's sovereign care and provision.

This sermon, "Why Do You Worry?" by Pastor Pete centers on Matthew 6:25-34, where Jesus addresses humanity's universal struggle with worry. Pastor Pete establishes that worry has existed since Genesis 3:8 when Adam and Eve first experienced fear after sinning, and argues that all worry ultimately finds its roots in sin, though not all worry is necessarily sinful. The sermon's central message is the counterintuitive principle that "we are most secure when we fully surrender" to God rather than relying on our own capacity. Jesus addresses worry through three main areas: perspective (focusing on faith rather than fear by shifting our sight, seeking the right source, and surrendering our struggles), provision (trusting in God's care rather than our own ability, as demonstrated through examples of birds and wildflowers), and priorities (mentioned but not fully developed in this first part).

Throughout the message, Pastor Pete contrasts worldly advice to "just get over it" or use willpower with Jesus's approach of trusting in God's loving provision, emphasizing that God knows our needs and will provide when we seek first His kingdom and righteousness, making this a practical yet deeply theological exploration of overcoming anxiety through faith.

In Luke 6, Jesus calls His followers to a radical kind of love: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” This isn’t easy, but it’s the kind of mercy that reflects the heart of God.

In this week's message, Pastor Pete reminds us that mercy is magnetic. It draws people in, it softens hearts, and it brings glory to God. As believers, we’re called to:

- Long for others to enter God’s Kingdom.

- Be merciful, just as our Father is merciful.

And if you’re not yet a believer, here’s the message Pastor Pete wants you to hear: Our Father is merciful. He loves you. Jesus died for you. He is for you, not against you. He will never leave you or forsake you.

If you need mercy, God is what you need because our Father is merciful, and His mercy is always available.

In Luke 6, Jesus calls His followers to a radical kind of love: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” This isn’t easy, but it’s the kind of mercy that reflects the heart of God.

In this week's message, Pastor Pete reminds us that mercy is magnetic. It draws people in, it softens hearts, and it brings glory to God. As believers, we’re called to:

- Long for others to enter God’s Kingdom.

- Be merciful, just as our Father is merciful.

And if you’re not yet a believer, here’s the message Pastor Pete wants you to hear: Our Father is merciful. He loves you. Jesus died for you. He is for you, not against you. He will never leave you or forsake you.

If you need mercy, God is what you need because our Father is merciful, and His mercy is always available.

Ephesians 2 reminds us of a powerful truth: “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses.”

Pastor Pete emphasizes that mercy is simple, unconditional, and world-changing. It’s not complicated. It’s not earned. And it’s not weak. Mercy is one of the most powerful forces we can offer and receive.

In this message, Pastor Pete encourages us to:

- Sprinkle a little mercy into someone’s life. Even a small act of mercy can make a big impact.

- Receive the mercy of Christ. If you’ve never accepted God’s forgiveness, know this: God is rich in mercy and sent His Son to die for your sins so you could be saved.

Mercy isn’t just a concept, it’s a gift, and the greatest mercy of all is found in Jesus.

Ephesians 2 reminds us of a powerful truth: “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses.”

Pastor Pete emphasizes that mercy is simple, unconditional, and world-changing. It’s not complicated. It’s not earned. And it’s not weak. Mercy is one of the most powerful forces we can offer and receive.

In this message, Pastor Pete encourages us to:

- Sprinkle a little mercy into someone’s life. Even a small act of mercy can make a big impact.

- Receive the mercy of Christ. If you’ve never accepted God’s forgiveness, know this: God is rich in mercy and sent His Son to die for your sins so you could be saved.

Mercy isn’t just a concept, it’s a gift, and the greatest mercy of all is found in Jesus.

As Jesus leaves Jericho, two blind men sitting by the roadside cry out to Him, desperate for healing. Though the crowd tries to silence them, they persist. Jesus stops, listens, and responds with compassion, restoring their sight.

Pastor Pete challenges us to reflect: Are you in the crowd following Jesus, or on the roadside crying out for Him? Whether life feels full of momentum or you're at rock bottom, one thing remains true: We all need mercy.

- Mercy meets us in our misery.

- Mercy is always needed no matter our situation.

- Mercy is found in Jesus, the Messiah.

As we go through life, we’re invited to do two things: 1) Cry out to God for mercy and 2) extend that mercy to others because the clearest picture of mercy is seen through the lens of the cross.

As Jesus leaves Jericho, two blind men sitting by the roadside cry out to Him, desperate for healing. Though the crowd tries to silence them, they persist. Jesus stops, listens, and responds with compassion, restoring their sight.

Pastor Pete challenges us to reflect: Are you in the crowd following Jesus, or on the roadside crying out for Him? Whether life feels full of momentum or you're at rock bottom, one thing remains true: We all need mercy.

- Mercy meets us in our misery.

- Mercy is always needed no matter our situation.

- Mercy is found in Jesus, the Messiah.

As we go through life, we’re invited to do two things: 1) Cry out to God for mercy and 2) extend that mercy to others because the clearest picture of mercy is seen through the lens of the cross.

In John 13, Jesus speaks to His disciples just before His crucifixion. He gives them a new command:

“Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another.”

This love isn’t a suggestion. It’s a defining mark of what it means to follow Christ.

Pastor Pete reminds us: Love is messy. People can be hard to love, but love is not optional. If you’re a follower of Jesus, love isn’t just something you do, it’s who you are.

Romans 5:8 says, “But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

That’s the kind of love we’re called to show: sacrificial, unconditional, and rooted in grace. Jesus didn’t wait for us to clean up our mess. He loved us in it. Now He calls us to do the same for one another and for the world around us.