Jeffery Smith
The Blame Game | Mark 9:42-49

Jesus takes sin very seriously. How seriously? He says to cut off your hand if it causes you to sin. But as Pastor Josh digs into the text, you will discover that: it’s not your hand that causes you to sin, it’s something else. And you can’t pass off the blame of what your hand does.

The Blame Game | Mark 9:42-49
Jeffery Smith
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? | Matthew ...

This sermon focuses on Jesus’ conversation with his disciples. He asks “Who do people say that I am?” Several answers are given, all of them kinda sorta close, but definitely wrong. The most dangerous false versions of Jesus are the ones that are kinda sorta close…but definitely wrong. We will explore some of these false Christs, and look for the real Jesus as revealed in the Scriptures. 

Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? | Matthew 16:13-28
Josh Gremminger
Timing is Everything | Mark 5:21-43

In the reading, there are 2 people very desperate for healing. God provides healing according to his timing, not theirs. Through this, he strengthens their faiths. And the same is true for us.

Timing is Everything | Mark 5:21-43
Jeffery Smith
Put Your Heart Into It | Matthew 5:17-37

This week we take a look at Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Again and again Jesus reveals the original intent of God’s Law. Over the centuries, it’s been weakened repeatedly by sinful human beings looking for loopholes. Today we also love a good loophole, especially when it allows us to avoid a difficult aspect of God’s Law. This love for loopholes reveals a heart condition. We may go through the motions of obedience, but is our heart into the act of truly following God’s will? We will examine our own heart condition, as well as rejoice in the fact that God Himself has a heart condition that leads Him to fulfill the Law Himself and save us.

Put Your Heart Into It | Matthew 5:17-37
Josh Gremminger
For God So Loved | Numbers 21:4-9; John 3:14-21

Why did Jesus come? A lot of people think God is a vindictive God, looking for opportunities to zap people to hell. People who look at it this way look at God completely backwards. God did not come as a way to say, “Gotcha! I’ve caught you in sin, now I can condemn you.” But came to give life. And he came to give us freedom from the guilt of our sins.

For God So Loved | Numbers 21:4-9; John 3:14-21

What a Waste | Mark 14:1-11

What a Waste | Mark 14:1-11

This week we focus on the wasteful woman who dumps a bunch of expensive ointment on Jesus' body. Some people who see this are deeply offended that she would waste such an amount of money in such a foolish way–it could have been sold and the proceeds given to the poor. On the surface, this seems like a logical reaction…but there is more going on here, isn’t there? We will explore how this “wasteful” act is actually one of the most powerful expressions of faith the world has ever seen. Are there other acts that might seem wasteful or wrong that followers of Jesus do? The world may declare, much like the onlookers in this story, that we are being wasteful. But when we act in faith, looking forward to Jesus’ words coming true, we are absolutely not being wasteful.

The Coldest Ticket in Town | Matthew 22:1-14

The Coldest Ticket in Town | Matthew 22:1-14

We have arrived at Holy Week in our Bible reading plan. In the early part of the week, Jesus has a “head to head” with his major opponents. They try to trip him up in His words, but as usual, they fail. Jesus tells several parables directed at them to pronounce judgment upon them for their sinful rejection of Him, and by extension their rejection of the Father. These are difficult parables for faithful Christians to read. The exact condemnations do not apply to us, but we would do well to receive these stories as sober warnings, lest we also become proud, entitled, and think lightly of God’s grace. The Parable of the Wedding Feast shows God’s generous invitation for all people to take part in the Son’s wedding feast…but it also shows God’s just judgment upon those who are dead set on dishonoring His Son. 

What if God Means What He Says? | Luke 16:19-31

What if God Means What He Says? | Luke 16:19-31

The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus is almost like a scene out of a horror movie. It is striking and haunting. The rich man is suffering in hell, but he wants to send a message back to his living brothers to warn them. Father Abraham, up in heaven, essentially says “They have God’s Word. That’s all they need.” Today the reality is the same–people have God’s Word. That’s all they need. People will have no excuses on Judgment Day. So many people live as if God doesn’t really mean what He says. What if He does though? This sermon explores how people think about God’s Word today. Is it optional? Is it filled with suggestions? Or is it filled with eternal truths that have an eternal bearing on us?

The Lost and the Found | Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

The Lost and the Found | Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

The parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the most famous that Jesus tells. He narrates this parable in response to outrage that He would associate with sinful people. The reality is that God actively seeks out lost sinners and all of heaven rejoices when the lost repent and become the found children of God, redeemed by His grace. In this sermon, Pastor Smith looks at this parable from several different angles. What is God’s attitude toward the lost? How should the found feel about the lost? Which son, in the end, is actually the lost one? This parable is so famous and beloved because it reveals in dramatic detail the boundless mercy and grace God has toward lost sinners. It is good news for us all.

Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? | Matthew 16:13-28

Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? | Matthew 16:13-28

This sermon focuses on Jesus’ conversation with his disciples. He asks “Who do people say that I am?” Several answers are given, all of them kinda sorta close, but definitely wrong. The most dangerous false versions of Jesus are the ones that are kinda sorta close…but definitely wrong. We will explore some of these false Christs, and look for the real Jesus as revealed in the Scriptures. 

Put Your Heart Into It | Matthew 5:17-37

Put Your Heart Into It | Matthew 5:17-37

This week we take a look at Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Again and again Jesus reveals the original intent of God’s Law. Over the centuries, it’s been weakened repeatedly by sinful human beings looking for loopholes. Today we also love a good loophole, especially when it allows us to avoid a difficult aspect of God’s Law. This love for loopholes reveals a heart condition. We may go through the motions of obedience, but is our heart into the act of truly following God’s will? We will examine our own heart condition, as well as rejoice in the fact that God Himself has a heart condition that leads Him to fulfill the Law Himself and save us.

The Relatable Reversal | Luke 1:39-56

The Relatable Reversal | Luke 1:39-56

Some things that you experience in life are so strange and unrelatable to most people. Usually we try to seek other people out who have gone through similar life experiences. Mary and Elizabeth are both going through unique circumstances. Both have received outlandish news from an angel and both are now impossibly pregnant! This is unrelatable to the rest of humanity. Mary eventually sings a song of praise, known as the Magnificat. In this song, she describes how God reverses the world’s expectations in the way He brings salvation. What she sings about will be relatable to all people: the proud and arrogant and ungodly will fall from their seemingly secure positions, while the humble, lowly ones who trust in God will be raised up and graciously blessed. All people will be able to relate to these experiences. 

The Shepherd Who Brings Security | Micah 5:2-5a

The Shepherd Who Brings Security | Micah 5:2-5a

The prophet Micah was sent to give a similar message that Isaiah gave to God’s people. Judgment and destruction are coming justly in response to your sin. But grace and mercy are also coming close behind! Micah speaks to a people who have little security and peace because of their sin, and also because of the sinful, oppressive rulers and priests who are over them. These beaten down people need some good news! And they receive good news about the coming Savior, the one who will make them dwell secure and who will be their peace. In this sermon, Pastor Smith especially focuses on how trusting in Christ brings you true, lasting security. He saves you. In Him, you are safe right now.

I Wanna Go Home | Daniel 3:8-18

I Wanna Go Home | Daniel 3:8-18

Our readings this week focus on God’s people in exile in the land of Babylon. In reality, God’s people have always been in exile. From the time of exile from the Garden of Eden, up to our current day, we are exiles in a strange land. We long to go home! As we live in exile, we have several different choices for how to live. We could compromise. Or we could revolt! Or, we could choose a third way, which is the way Daniel and his friends live in exile–they are loyal as far as they can be, but they are also subversive. This is also the way of Jesus in the Gospels. This is the way we are called to live today. And as we struggle as strangers in a strange world, Christ is with us. He is with us in the fire and in the lions’ den. And eventually He will lead us to our home in His eternal kingdom. 

Whether you have been following Jesus for years, or you have just begun to find out who Jesus is (or you’re somewhere in between!), you might be looking for a church to call home. Come and see how you can follow jesus with us here at St. Paul Westlake.