Luke is the gospel of the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit is the energy of God.

A four-part study of the Gospel of Luke, in five sections. First offered at Landrum Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church-Woodruff. The core of each week’s more extended study is presented in a brief recorded synopsis. 

Part 1. “Spirit Over Empire”

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…” (Luke 4:18)

Three stories early in the Gospel show us the revolutionary, world-transforming power of the Spirit that overwhelms Luke’s orderly account of the life of Jesus and the early church:

–Luke 1:1-4 & Acts 1:1-5, the Prologues
–Luke 1:26-56, the Song of Mary
–Luke 4:14-30, the Beginning of Jesus’ Ministry

Part 2. “On Whom Does God’s Favor Rest?”

“…on earth peace…” (Luke 2:14)

Beginning with the question of who God favors, but ending with an example of how to overthrow an empire. The three passages studied are:

–Luke 2:8-20, the Angels & the Shepherds
–Luke 6:27-31, Love of Enemies
–Luke 7:1-10, the Centurion

Part 3. “A Prayer of Shared Power”

“Lord, teach us to pray…” (Luke 11:1)

Focused on Luke 11:1-13. When Jesus teaches on prayer following Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer, we suddenly find even divine hierarchies dismantled. Two stories reveal just what prayer means to a God who seeks life with us.

Part 4. “The Story of a Road”

“…do this, and you will live.” (Luke 10:28)

Focused on Luke 9-10. These chapters are full of famous stories of Jesus–feedings and healings and teachings on who Jesus is, and the story of the Good Samaritan. When read together, as one story, they reveal a new dimension of what it means to be on the road with Jesus.

Part 5. “While In Their Joy They Were Disbelieving”

“While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering…” (Luke 24:41)

The fifth in a four-part study of the Gospel of Luke. Luke 24 tells the story of the resurrection of Jesus. Transforming the fearful, paralyzed ending of the Gospel of Mark, Luke propels the story forward with the disciples full of doubt and nonetheless immediately sharing the good news, despite their own disbelief. Luke sends us down the road with joy.

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“You Will Live”: A Sermon on the Parable of the Good Samaritan

“…do this, and you will live.” (Luke 10:28)

Who do we encounter

as ceremonially unclean,
socially an outcast,
and religiously a heretic?

This is the face of Love; this is the face of God; 
this is the face of your Friend; of the Friend;
this is the face
of the one who comes to save us.

Take the hand reaching out to you.
Now go, and do likewise.

Offered at First Presbyterian Church of Woodruff, SC on August 6, 2017.