St. Luke Columbus

This former German priest became one of the leading figures of the Protestant Reformation. Luther taught that salvation is not earned by good deeds or by purchasing indulgences but only by the grace of God through Jesus Christ.   This formidable theological giant also confronted issues such as greed and the necessity of interpreting scripture through thorough exegetical study informed by the Holy Spirit. Luther provided future generations of theologians with the radical concept of the God from Below, the God who has special concern for the poor and oppressed.   Lessons: Psalm 118, Romans 3:21-27, John 8:31-36

No one would ever think that having a party alone is a good idea. Such a party would be ridiculous, boring, and meaningless. God created us to discover and enjoy the party of life together in community. Life is simply better together. Jesus modeled this in his own ministry and Paul encourages us to do life together. One of the first moves that an effective party starter does is to invite people into the community of the party.    Invite yourself and others into a life group to discover and enjoy the party of life together.    Lessons: Ecclesiastes 4:7-12, Hebrews 10:23-25, John 17:20-26

When God created the heavens and the earth, he made it beautiful. God did this both out of his own eternal value for beauty and as an inspiration for us to revere God. An effective party starter creates the right and beautiful environment so that the guests can enjoy the party and each other.   Lessons: Ecclesiastes 3:9-14, Colossians 3:15-17, 23-24, Matthew 26:6-13

In our series, Sometimes It Takes A Party, we discover unconventional and simple ways to build relationships with others that can lead to a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. When we start a party that meets someone else's dream, we reflect Christ's character and draw people closer to him. Lessons: Ruth 1:8-18, Philippians 2:1-8, John 13:1-15

Habits of a Party Starter: Invite Someone New to the Party We can think of a “party” has any human encounter where a follower of Jesus cares for another person in order to show that person who Jesus is. Inviting someone can be someone you may not know well, it also means inviting someone who is not like you. Lesson: Acts 1:1-8, Galatians 3:23-29, Matthew 15:21-28

God can work through a party to break down barriers to reach lost people and encourage followers of Jesus. Through a party God can change the way we see each other, demonstrate that God cares about people who party, confirm that we are always forgiven, show that people matter more than our opinions, and teach us that everyone is invited to God’s eternal party.    Lessons: Isaiah 25:6-9, Acts 10:9-23, Luke 5:27-32

This week features our annual look at how God is working in the lives of our students. Lessons: Nehemiah 8:5-6, Acts 9:1-6,13-16, Luke 22:39-44

Drawing on Luther’s work on Christian Freedom we will talk about the paradox of liberty and slavery. Luther says, "A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all.” When we truly comprehend and internalize what Jesus has done for us, then we are compelled to serve and share the Gospel with others.    Lessons: Psalm 16, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, John 8:31-47

The parables of the Sower and the mustard seed liken God’s Word to seed that is planted and grows. We as Jesus’ disciples are called to spread the seed of God’s word. However, it is easy to get discouraged when we don’t see results from our ministry. But these lessons remind u that it is God who gives the growth. Our calling is to be faithful, to continue to share the astonishing good news of Jesus Christ with our neighbors and friends, in word and deed.   Lessons: 1 Corinthians 3:4-7, Mark 4:1-9; 26-34

The gospel record reports that the first reactions to the resurrection of Jesus were bewilderment, fear, and doubt. This is understandable given that someone rising from the dead is an astonishing event. Jesus continues to raise us from death to life. This is the astonishing pattern of the Christian life: we die to sin and are raised to new life. Lessons: Mark 16:1-14, 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, Luke 24:36-46

When Jesus died, people were astonished that Jesus actually died. It remains astonishing that the way that Jesus brought in God’s kingdom was to die on the cross.   Lessons: Deuteronomy 21:22-23, Galatians 3:13-14, Mark 15:22-36, Luke 23:44-49

Jesus taught in a way that amazed people. The parables and various teachings of Jesus often left people astonished along a spectrum of indignation to sweet freedom. Most often what we discover in the astonishing teachings of Jesus is God’s unremitting love for those whom most religious people think are undeserving of God’s love.   Lessons: Mark 1:21-28, Romans 5:6-11, Luke 15:1-7

This summer series will explore gospel accounts of Jesus that, when carefully read, leave us astonished at the behavior and teaching of Jesus. The goal of the series is to see Jesus in a way that will provoke our curiosity and as though we are seeing him for the first time. This will also help to better prepare us to share Jesus with others in a way where they will be astonished by Jesus and their curiosity about Jesus will be provoked.    When Jesus sent out the twelve disciples he gave them his authority to do what only God can do, “heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons” and to give freely. Jesus’ purpose in doing this empowers us to be effective in reaching the lost.    Lessons: Deuteronomy 6:1-6,Revelation 2:1-5a, Matthew 9:35-10:8   Sermon Outline

The gospel record reports that the miraculous signs, wonders, and healings that Jesus performed astonished people. They still astonish us. The purpose of these miraculous signs and wonders was to give witness to the astonishing truth that Jesus is God in human flesh who came to teach us that God does not keep a religious score card on us.   Lessons: John 14:7-14, Colossians 2:13-15,  Matthew 17:24-27

Our God is a relational God, whose love cannot be contained but shared with the world. You have been claimed and called by God in your baptism to experience and share the love of God in Christ with others.   Lessons: Psalm 8, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20

Pentecost is considered the birthday of the Christian Church. When God sent his Spirit into the first Apostles it was for one reason, so that they would witness to Jesus “in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts. 1:8) so that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”   Lessons: Acts 1:1-8, Acts 2:1-21, John 20:19-23

Sometimes in our world we get so caught in what the Church is against and don't focus on what we are for.  As followers of Christ we are called to be FOR our neighbors.  Today we will look at what it can look like when the Church focuses on what we are FOR more than what we are against.   Lessons: Matthew 5:38-42, Matthew 28:16-20

Why would a loving God allow evil and suffering?   The ultimate purpose and meaning that God brings to our suffering are Jesus and the eternal salvation God desires for all people. The problem of evil and suffering remains in our lives, but in the midst of that, continue to trust that Jesus is God’s ultimate answer.   Lessons: Isaiah 45:5-7, Romans 3:5-9, John 9:1-11

Happy Mother's Day! Romans 8 is thought by many to be the greatest chapter in the Bible. The teaching in Romans 8 inspires in us a confident faith that is characterized by freedom, victory, expectancy, and assurance. Drawing from the teaching of Pastor Tom Holladay, the goal of this sermon series is to foster a more confident faith in the promises of God made through Jesus Christ. We may sometimes fall into a pit of despair because we think that no one truly cares for us. This thinking is often driven by fears of opposition, scarcity, accusation, condemnation, and separation. In some of the greatest verses in the Bible, we learn that God is for us, God gives to us, God forgives us, God will not condemn us, and God will never leave us. In Christ, we now have security (assurance) that nothing can separate us from God. Lessons: Acts 7:55-60, Romans 8:31-39, John 14:1-6 Sermon Outline

Romans 8 is thought by many to be the greatest chapter in the Bible. The teaching in Romans 8 inspires in us a confident faith that is characterized by freedom, victory, expectancy, and assurance. Drawing from the teaching of Pastor Tom Holladay, the goal of this sermon series is to foster a more confident faith in the promises of God made through Jesus Christ. For every one of us there comes times in life where we become desperate because life becomes too hard. We may be overwhelmed with suffering, loss, discouragement, disappointment, or despair. With all of creation that has been broken by sin, we suffer and groan. The great promise of God is that in all things he is working for our good. Because of Jesus, we KNOW this great promise and therefore we live now expectantly and without desperation. Lessons: Psalm 13, Romans 8:17-30, John 10:1-10   Sermon Outline