Jeffery Smith
Six Easy Ways to Get What You Want | Genesis ...

When we have to ask someone else for something we want, we often think we have to form a strategy for how to get what we want. We approach this with the underlying assumption that the person whom we ask does NOT want to give us something. So we come up with somewhat sneaky ways to get it anyway. We might use flattery, persuasion, bargaining, persistence, or other such approaches. Should we try the same thing when we ask God for what we want? Looking at both the Genesis 18 and Luke 11 texts, we learn that we do not have to trick God into giving us good things. Through careful study of these texts, we will learn the exceedingly simple way we are to approach God in prayer for the things we want and need.

Six Easy Ways to Get What You Want | Genesis 18:17-33 & Luke 11:1-13
Josh Gremminger
The “Why” | Colossians 1

Everyone has reasons for why they do what they do- especially when it costs you in some form to do it. Join Pastor Josh as he digs into Colossians 1 and discusses why it is that we (should) do what we do as Christians, even when it’s difficult or costs us.

The “Why” | Colossians 1

The Psalms: A Playlist for Life’s Journey | Psalm 27

The Psalms: A Playlist for Life’s Journey | Psalm 27

Remember the New Testament encouragement to “put on the whole armor of God” because the devil “prowls around like a roaring lion seeking to devour” believers? Discuss the reality of this warning and encouragement. King David knew all about the need to engage the physical enemy. And then he wrote Psalm 27 to encourage us in our spiritual battles. He begins by saying: “If the Lord is my LIGHT should I ever fear the DARKNESS?” On this first weekend in Lent…..what is the application of David’s advice? David speaks about the POWER of worship and prayer in verses 6 and 7. Do you daily plug your life into that power source? If not, why not? If so, how have you been blessed? Read Psalm 27 once more. Where do you find JESUS CHRIST in this Psalm? Do you see Him in verse 13?

Gory Before Glory | Luke 9:28-36

Gory Before Glory | Luke 9:28-36

In this sermon Pastor Smith ties in Jesus’ teachings right before the Transfiguration event with His “exodus” to come in Jerusalem. We see a brief moment of glory here on the mountain, but things will get gory once Jesus goes to Jerusalem and the cross that awaits Him. It is cross first, then glory. This goes for Jesus and it also goes for us. We too have future glory in store for us. But first…things could get gory. Maybe not literally, but as we follow Jesus in this life we will not always have glorious moments. There will be hardships and difficulties and burdens and tears. But in the end…we are assured of glory, because of the work of Jesus on the cross.

We all want glory, but usually we have to go through something difficult first…

Luke 9:28: “Now about eight days after these sayings”...what are these sayings?

The order is gory before glory. For Jesus and for us.

If we only expect glory as we follow Jesus, we have the wrong expectations. We should expect a cross. 

Followers of the Crucified One don’t ask why as much as we ask where.

Luke 9:35: God the Father says, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” Notice that the Father only directs our attention to Jesus after His glory has gone away. 

The cross seemed weak, gory, and not at all glorious. Yet it was the way to the ultimate glory God has in store for us.

Discussion Guide

Think about a time when you had to go through something very difficult to get something you really wanted. What was that like? What did it teach you?

What do you normally expect from your life as a Jesus follower in this world? Glory? A cross? How do your expectations affect your spiritual life?

When you are suffering under the weight of your cross, do you usually ask “why is this happening?” or “where is God in this?” Which approach do you find is more fruitful for your spiritual life? 

React to St. Paul’s words in Romans 8:18: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us


Radical | Genesis 45:3-15; Luke 6:27-38

Radical | Genesis 45:3-15; Luke 6:27-38

Is there an example of something that was “simple but not easy” in your life? (How) does it change your perspective to think of people who bring harm/treat you poorly as your enemies? Discuss how it might look to love your enemy even if you don’t like them. In your experience, how has it “cost you” to truly forgive someone who has deeply wronged you? Why do you think it’s important for Christians to show this type of love?

Christ Is Indeed Risen From The Dead | 1 Cor. 15:12-20

Christ Is Indeed Risen From The Dead | 1 Cor. 15:12-20

In Luke’s gospel lesson for today we have his version of the BEATITUDES. It gives us Jesus’ advice for living a “blessed” life. When we greet one another and say, “Have a BLESSED day” are we making a statement about Christ’s Easter resurrection miracle? “Goodness without Godliness” is how a lot of people live. They believe being a good person and doing good things in life will somehow make them right with God. Where does that thinking leave them? The Bible says: “faith without works is dead.” It also says: “without faith it is impossible to please God.” Are those two truths contradictory? In our baptism we bury our sins every day with Christ so that as He rose from the dead, we too, might walk in newness of life. Discuss how leaving all our sins and failures in an empty tomb is the only way to live the BEATITUDE (blessed) life.

An Authority To Live By | Jeremiah 1:4-10; Luke 4:31-44

An Authority To Live By | Jeremiah 1:4-10; Luke 4:31-44

With hundreds of voices and causes seeking your attention every day….why is it that we search through them all seeking some lasting authority? And when we find an authoritative voice, we are amazed? Why? Is it because most of the voices we hear lack meaningful authority? Discuss. Young Jeremiah was hesitant to take up the task of serving as the Lord’s prophetic voice. But God assured Him that “all authority” would be with his proclamations. The Great Commission begins by saying “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me….therefore…..go make disciples of all nations.” Discuss how we Christians today are like Jeremiah….hesitant. And discuss how the Lord’s authority working through the church changes all that. Pastor Buegler uses four words that start with the letter “p” to show how Jesus’ teachings destroy evil in our lives and the world. Preaching, Presence, Power and Popularity. Which one amazes you the most? And why? Vs. 37 of the Gospel reading says: “And the report about Him was spreading into every locality in the surrounding region.” How do we make Jesus POPULAR today? Is it possible we simply are not sufficiently AMAZED by the authority that comes from God’s Word? How do we change that? And what bad habits keep us from being AMAZED CHRISTIANS today?

Hometown Zero | Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10; 1 Cor. 12:12-31a; Luke 4:16-30

Hometown Zero | Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10; 1 Cor. 12:12-31a; Luke 4:16-30

  1. What’s a time when you’ve been left feeling disappointed? What did you do/how did you respond?

  2. Have you ever seen someone/something far exceed your expectations?

  3. (Why) do you think having “IF…THEN” type thoughts when it comes to God can be so dangerous?

  4. How has God ever exceeded your expectations in a given situation?

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Beyond the Sermon: Narrative Worship Service with Pastor Smith

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See Pastor Smith's special NARRATIVE WORSHIP SERVICE in which he explained WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO IN WORSHIP. Another way to find out MORE....check out our latest podcasts each week! Search for the "St. Paul Westlake Podcast" on the PODBEAN, APPLE, YOUTUBE, SPOTIFY and AMAZON MUSIC PODCASTS apps

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Pleasing God | Luke 3:1-22

Pleasing God | Luke 3:1-22

A common thing to wonder and worry about is this: “How do I please God?” We hear warnings from people like John the Baptist about how there are only two eternal destinations, and we want to know exactly how we can avoid punishment and find God’s favor. We hear in our Gospel reading from Luke chapter 3 what the Father declares to the world after Jesus’ baptism: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” We want the Father to say that to us! But…how??? There are many different ways we can strive to please God, but every single one of them will fail us…except The Way, our Lord Jesus. Only through faith in Him can we be found to be pleasing to God. But when we are connected to Jesus by faith, and united with Him in His death and resurrection, then the Father says those same words to us, that we are His beloved children, and how He is well pleased with us.



God the Father says to Jesus: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” 



How do I get God to say these words to me? How do I please God?



John the Baptist has come to show people the right way to please God.



Have you tried to please God? How has it gone for you?



Pleasing God can become a lifelong obsession that is frustrating, painful, and ultimately impossible!


For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God–2 Cor. 5:21

The only way for us to become pleasing to God…is through The Way, Jesus.


O Come All You Unfaithful: Guilty and Hiding: Adam and Eve | Genesis 3:1-15

O Come All You Unfaithful: Guilty and Hiding: Adam and Eve | Genesis 3:1-15

Our theme for Advent and Christmas this year is “O Come, All You Unfaithful.” One of the lyrics invites the “guilty and hiding ones” also to come and see that Christ is born for them. When you think of guilty and hiding ones, your mind probably goes pretty quickly to Adam and Eve. Immediately after they fall into sin because of Satan’s temptation, they hear God coming, and they hide. They realize they are naked; they know they have sinned, their relationship with God has changed, they feel guilty, so they run and hide. This is a common choice we make too–when we feel guilty because of our sin, we run and hide. From God and maybe from others too. We fear that if God finds us, He will punish us. He will throw us out. We hear God coming and we huddle down even further into our hiding spot. But we misunderstand why God is looking for us. He comes to bring us good news–that He has sent a Savior to deal with our sin, to take away our guilt, to invite us to come out of hiding and into His gracious presence. Listen as Pastor Smith shares the good news of Jesus through the story of Adam and Eve, and how God wants even the guilty and hiding ones to know that Christ is born for them (for you).

When you’re hiding, at first you don’t want to be found.

We hide because:

We feel exposed.

We feel guilty.

We are afraid of being punished.

What does it look like to hide from God?

Eventually most people actually want to be found…

I’ve got good news and I’ve got bad news, and they’re both the same: you can’t hide from God.

When you’re hiding, God comes looking for you. You don’t know how to deal with your guilt and sin, but God does. He has sent a Savior.

  1. What memories do you have of playing Hide and Seek?

  2. Have you ever wanted to hide as an adult? Why?

  3. Read Psalm 139:7-10. How could this be both good and bad news, depending on your perspective? How does it sound to you today?

  4. What do we learn about God from His response to Adam and Eve in the aftermath of their sin and their hiding?

O Come All You Unfaithful: Bitter & Broken, With Fears Unspoken (Naomi and Ruth) | Ruth 1:1-5, 19-22; Matthew 1:18-25

O Come All You Unfaithful: Bitter & Broken, With Fears Unspoken (Naomi and Ruth) | Ruth 1:1-5, 19-22; Matthew 1:18-25

What does your name mean? (If you have kids) Did the meaning of the name play a factor in why you chose the name(s) for your child(ren)? Has there been a time that you’ve been able to relate to the bitterness and brokenness that Naomi experienced? What name or title of Jesus (and its meaning) resonates with or means the most to you, and why?

O Come All You Unfaithful: Barren and Waiting, Weary of Praying (Abraham and Sarah) | Genesis 12:11-20, Luke 16:19-31

O Come All You Unfaithful: Barren and Waiting, Weary of Praying (Abraham and Sarah) | Genesis 12:11-20, Luke 16:19-31

In Hebrews, chapter 11 there is listed several Old Testament “heroes of the faith” and yet we know each of them were marked by sinful behavior. The list includes Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Samson and David. At the end of that list of sinners God used is YOU. Discuss this paradox. The “UNFAITHFUL HYMN” uses the words “O come, barren and waiting ones - Weary of praying, come”. Isn’t it true that when we are tired of waiting for the Lord’s answer to prayer we take matters into our own hands. How do we balance godly patience with the demands of our hurried lives? Egypt in the Bible seems always to lead to trouble. Pastor Buegler said we need to be careful to leave the promised land for the allure of Egypt simply should remind us that temptation to see the grass seems greener on the side of the fence that culture and society seem to offer us. When tempted to jump the fence and be led by worldly desires causes us to forsake the promised land of Christ-like living…..what draws us back to faithfulness? When Sarah laughed at becoming a 90 year old pregnant woman the Lord said IS ANYTHING TO HARD FOR THE LORD. The New Testament says: “With God all things are possible”. Discuss some of the modern day miracles in your life that truly had to have been the powerful hand of God.

O Come All You Unfaithful: King David | 2 Samuel 7:8-17; 2 Samuel 11:1-10; Luke 1:26-38

O Come All You Unfaithful: King David | 2 Samuel 7:8-17; 2 Samuel 11:1-10; Luke 1:26-38

Our theme for Advent and Christmas this year is “O Come, All You Unfaithful.” We will explore the biblical truth that God does not demand that you reach a certain level of faithfulness, righteousness, or “enoughness” before He will receive you as His child. In fact, it is just the opposite. Jesus enters our world as the baby in Bethlehem to be faithful, righteous, and enough in all the ways we are not. And through faith in Jesus, God invites us to come and receive His peace. Even though there is a whole list of reasons why you are not worthy or faithful enough to be in God’s presence, join us this Advent season to hear the good news that Christ is born for you. Each week we will look at various people from the Bible to highlight this teaching. This week we explore the life of King David, and how even though he was unfaithful to God and to others, God was still faithful to Him, and Jesus was still born from his family line to be the Savior of all.

David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). He was a mighty and successful king. 

God made a wonderful promise to David (2 Samuel 7:8-17).

Clearly God must want people like David. If you think this, you’d be right (but not in the way you’d think…)

King David was unfaithful to God and to others. 

God ultimately responded to David’s sin by…remaining faithful to His promise.

Christ was born from David’s line. Christ was born for David. 

Christ was born for the unfaithful.


To Him Who is Able | Jude 20-25

To Him Who is Able | Jude 20-25

The book of Jude is an urgent message to Christians to stand strong in their faith in the midst of the dangers of this world–in particular, there are warnings against false teachers who will try to make you fall away from the faith. As he nears the end of his letter, Jude encourages believers to build themselves up and keep themselves in the love of God. The Gospel lesson contains strong exhortations from Jesus to be on guard and stay awake in the midst of danger. This is scary stuff, especially on this Last Sunday of the Church Year when we consider the Last Day! But in verse 24, Jude says “now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy.” It is such good news that Jude is not asking “are you able to do this?” Instead, he is leading us in a closing doxology of praise to Jesus, who is able to keep us from stumbling and to present us blameless before the Father on the Last Day. This sermon will have us rejoice that our hope is not in our ability, but in the ability of Christ to save us.




On this Last Sunday of the church year, we hear strong warnings from both Jesus and Jude about dangers to our faith.


Most of Jude’s letter is filled with scary stuff. What can we learn from Jude?


False teachers are real and active.


Satan is real and active.


The stakes are very high as the Last Day approaches.


Jude’s encouragement/challenge to us: But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. (Jude 20-21)


“Now to him who is able…” Who is Jude talking about here? Are you able? 


“Now to Jesus who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24-25)


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.