Have you ever been given a task for which you felt ill equipped? Perhaps you felt this way as a first time parent, bringing that delicate little life home from the hospital. For the first 36 hours you relied on the expertise of an entire team of doctors and nurses. There was that reassuring hushed buzz in the halls of a hospital. But all of a sudden you step into the relative emptiness of your own home and suddenly you’re all alone. It’s just you and this baby that won’t stop crying. 

Or perhaps you’ve felt overwhelmed the first week at a new job. Of course you put your best foot forward throughout the interview process. You could do just about anything the employer asked. But now here you are in the new office. You don’t know the people or the processes, yet somehow you have to fill your position. You gotta perform.

Perhaps you feel ill equipped as a Christian. You know you’re supposed to do something; follow Jesus, be godly, don’t sin. But by what means? 

As we continue on in our salvation story we’ll read that Jesus sent out his disciples, assigning to them some seemingly impossible tasks. However, he was teaching and training them for a future, even more global mission. We’ll see that when God gives us a task, he also provides us the means, and they are always more than enough.

There is nothing more definitive than death. As the Book of Common Prayer says, “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” It is an inevitable part of the human condition. Death has been called the great equalizer. Regardless of ethnicity, social status, wealth, or personal accomplishments in this life, death is our common enemy. Perhaps you have had a personal brush with death. Maybe you’ve held the hand of a loved one as they died. You might be facing this cold, cruel reality right now as you battle a deadly disease.

The theme woven throughout Luke’s gospel is that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. But can he? Can we trust Jesus to save us even from death, the devil’s most powerful, terrifying weapon against us? As we continue on in our salvation story we’ll read the third of three episodes that exhibit Jesus’ power to save. Jesus not only commands the wind and the waves. Not only does he command the devil and his demons. Jesus has defeated even death. Therefore, you can courageously come to Jesus, trusting him with whatever you might be facing today.

Perhaps you, too, watch those home renovation shows in which the celebrity couple takes a bargain basement house and transforms it into a beautiful home. Typically, the remodel runs into some sort of a snag. They peak behind the walls or under the floors only to discover significant structural damage. It’s going to cost more money and take more time than originally thought. 

And so it is in our lives. There’s the stuff on the surface that you tend to the most and by which you’re often defined. But, there’s a whole lot more going on than what everyone else can see or than you might even be aware. In fact, there is a spiritual battle being waged for your very soul. You’re battling demons of which other people may never speak.

The theme woven throughout Luke's gospel is that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. But can he? Can we trust him to save us from even the deepest kinds of darkness? As we continue on in our salvation story this morning we’ll read the second of three episodes that demonstrate Jesus’ power to save. Jesus can be trusted to save because he dominated and defeated demons.

Nebraska lies in what is referred to as tornado alley. So, we’re prepared for severe weather events. We have emergency signal systems that warn of the approaching danger. But will they alert people in time? Will the warning be heeded? You build a storm shelter. But will it withstand the force of 165 mph winds? You have homeowners insurance to replace that hail damaged roof, but will the policy pay out as promised? The theme woven throughout Luke's gospel is that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. But can he? Can we trust him to come through when it really matters? As we continue on in our salvation story we’ll read the first of three episodes that demonstrate Jesus’ power to save. With experienced fishermen struggling for their lives at sea, Jesus exhibits his power over nature. He is stronger than our own natural abilities.

If you’re a parent you know the feeling of being heard but not heeded. You shout down the stairs that lunch is ready. Your middle schooler who is currently engrossed in a video game replies, “Ok!” You wait patiently, but after a few minutes there is no sign that the message was truly received. As we continue on in our salvation story, we read that Jesus was going through Galilean cities and towns proclaiming the word of God. Many would hear but most would not heed the message. Jesus uses one of his most famous parables, the parable of the sower and the seed, to teach his disciples why they should pay attention to how they hear. Careful hearing results in greater understanding of God’s revealed word; but careless hearing, results in loss. Wrapped up in this account is the rejection of Jesus by the Jews and the upcoming mission to the Gentiles. Jesus' death and resurrection would usher in a new era of gospel proclamation, the establishment and expansion of his church. Jesus' true family is made up of those who hear and heed the word of God.

Love is observable, expressed through actions. You’ll see this at a wedding. The bride and groom solemnly swear in the presence of God and witnesses to love one another “until death do us part.” But the intimacy enjoyed by two young lovers isn’t merely a recitation of time worn words. Their love is plainly visible in the way she gazes into his eyes or in the tender way he whispers in her ear as they dance. They embrace. They kiss. They are so obviously in love. This is true in all relationships; parent to child, siblings, or best of friends. So it is for Jesus’ disciples. As we continue on in our salvation story we’ll read about one woman’s vivid display of loving gratitude towards Jesus. Luke contrasts her expression of love for the Lord with the cold, dead religion of a pharisee. In the previous episode we read that those who turn and trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins are called the children of wisdom. Now we’ll see that one can identify children of wisdom by their expression of love towards Jesus. They don’t merely practice religion but rather possess (and nurture) a warm, life-giving relationship.

School’s out and it’s Memorial Day weekend, marking the official start to summer. Whether you’re hanging out at the pool or in the backyard grilling some quality meats, it brings to mind the smooth sound of Lionel Richie and the Commodores’ 1977 classic “Easy.” “I’m easy, easy like Sunday mornin…” It’s actually a sad song of sorts as it tells the story of a young man who’s tired of trying to make his girl happy, conforming to all of her demands. He just wants to take it easy. Many people approach their faith in the same way. They want it easy, like a lazy Sunday morning. So when they come to Jesus they’re disappointed to find out that the Christian life isn’t always a beach. As we continue on in our salvation story, we’ll read that even John the Baptist began to have doubts about the identity of Jesus. Imprisoned and facing death it didn’t seem like the kingdom of God, which he so boldly proclaimed, had really come. Jesus’ response will reveal that he is indeed the Lord, and that genuine disciples believe, despite hard times and hard teachings.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. High above Bologna, Italy sits the Sanctuary of San Luca, home of a sacred 12th century statue of the Madonna, the Virgin Mother Mary. Religious pilgrims will climb nearly two and a half miles of stairs under the world’s longest portico to obtain divine favor. The especially devout will even ascend on their knees. But what of the person who’s never heard of this holy site? What of the infirm who are physically unable to perform such a ritual? As we continue in our salvation story we’ll read two accounts of extremely desperate people that Jesus helps and heals, not because of their meritorious works but because of his own mercy and might. Luke links the story of Jesus to the prophets of old together with the salvation that he would bring. We’ll see that salvation is for everyone, but only those who believe.

Nobody wants to be a hypocrite. To be called a hypocrite is universally received as an insult. The term was originally used for play actors, people pretending to be something they were not. Like a bowl of plastic fruit decorating the table, though it might look good, appearances can be deceiving. Sadly, you’ve probably met some people like that. As we continue reading in our salvation story, Jesus concludes his Sermon on the Mount by telling his listeners about the makeup of those who are genuine disciples. It’s not enough to simply say you believe in Jesus. Genuine disciples have come to know Jesus and personally experienced an inner transformation that then expresses itself in obedience to his commands. This is how we make genuine disciples, real fruit that will be revealed on the day of judgement. 

The most well known, oft quoted verse in the Bible today is surely “Judge not, lest you be judged.” It is thrown about by Christians and non Christians alike as an immediate defense against any perceived personal attack or any supposed imposition upon one’s belief or behavior. “Don’t judge me!” This quote is lifted from Jesus’ most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount. So was Jesus suggesting that we not make any moral assessments, that anything goes? As we continue on in our salvation story we’ll see the importance of never reading a verse outside its literary context. Jesus’ words both before and after his most famous statement will help us understand what he meant and how we might put those words into practice as Christians today. Jesus’ point wasn’t about judgement, but rather mercy. We’ll be reminded how merciful God has been and continues to be towards each one of us. As followers of Jesus we then extend that same mercy to others.