Watermark Fort Worth

AJ Neely continues this week’s sermon series The Gospel of Luke, Part III: A Journey through Galilee in Luke 16:14-31. In this passage, Jesus speaks to the pharisees (and us) on the heart issues of money, marriage, divorce, The Law and Prophets, heaven and hell, and the resurrection of the dead. AJ expresses the significance of all these things through the sermon and ties them all together to drive home the heart of this message. With all the major contrasts involved, there is a Tale of Two Cities, or better yet, a “Tale of Two Futures” of what lies ahead. There is a future for those who believe and a future for those who do not.

Newley Spikes continues this week’s sermon series The Gospel of Luke, Part III: A Journey through Galilee in Luke 16:1-13. Jesus uses the story of the shrewd manager to teach us about biblical stewardship. Newley defines a steward as a person who manages another’s resources according to the owner’s wishes and values. And as we belong to God, God defines our lives, purpose, and values. We cannot serve both God and money. Have you ever come to this decision? Will I serve God or money?

Tyler Briggs continues this week’s sermon series The Gospel of Luke, Part III: A Journey through Galilee in Luke 15:25-32. Today, we focus on the older brother and his self-righteousness. Tyler starts off sharing a personal check engine light story that ultimately ended the life of his car. Because the situation was ignored and not repaired, the simple repair turned catastrophic. Much to the same accord, a self-righteous heart screams “check engine” (heart) and requires immediate attention. It is God’s kindness that leads us ALL to repentance, and we ought to rejoice and celebrate for ALL, who were once dead and are now alive in Christ.

Tyler Briggs continues this week’s sermon series The Gospel of Luke, Part III: A Journey through Galilee in Luke 15:11-24. Today’s biblical text shares the story of the prodigal son, and Tyler starts off by summarizing the younger son’s initial belief: His life of sin would be better than life with his father. Another way to state this initial belief is that his preferred life choices with total freedom from any other authoritative rule other than his own is the best kind of life to live. (Or, is it?) What does life look like on our own apart from God? What does life look like with true repentance and faith? In today’s sermon, we learn the loving arms of God embrace every prodigal that returns to Him.

Just seven days after Jesus’ ascension, Pentecost, a Jewish covenant celebration and feast, drew large crowds to Jerusalem from all over. Who could have imagined that this would be the day God’s promise of sending the Spirit would be fulfilled? Luke’s account of the preaching and power at Pentecost in Acts 2, teaches that Jesus is the Messiah, and that all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved!

We continue this week’s sermon series, The Gospel of Luke, Part III: A Journey through Galilee in Luke 15:1-10. In this passage, Jesus illustrates His heart for the lost through the telling of two parables where we see the glorious beauty of the love of God. This passage beckons us to find our rest and peace not in our love for God, but rather in the unchangeable, unfathomable depth of the love that God has for us.

Parker Haines continues this week’s sermon series The Gospel of Luke, Part III: A Journey through Galilee in Luke 14:25-35. Parker reminds us of our journey through Luke thus far and how Jesus fixed His eyes on the cross and the fulfillment of His earthly ministry. Jesus’ tone becomes one of warning, and He describes what it really means and looks like to follow Him. In the life of believers, God’s warnings are a means of grace to us.

As the world measures greatness in terms of power, position, and possessions, this week's sermon (a part of our current series: The Gospel of Luke Part III: A Journey through Galilee) reveals to us the true measure of greatness as exhorted and exemplified by Jesus Christ. Sacrificial service, not status, emerges as the path to true significance and satisfaction within the Kingdom of God. As we love one another, we more fully realize the blessing of our union with Christ and His Church.

Here again, on our Journey through Galilee, we encounter Jesus flipping the script on what really matters in his incorruptible Kingdom. While staunch observers of the law flaunt their righteousness before others and test the LORD himself on the law, Jesus shakes up the status quo, confronts pius superiority, and gently teaches upside-down Kingdom ethics. In Luke 14:1-14, we get yet another meal-time illustration on our way to the culminating table scenes of the Lord’s Supper and the road to Emmaus (spoiler alert). What could Jesus be showing us with all of this table talk?