I’ve come to see that the ashes (that represent our mortality because of our sinfulness) are true, but in a more beautiful way. We are precious and lovely and bear the image of God. God does not need the blood of Jesus to appease his anger or "pay off" our guilt. God takes on our ashes (sin) and demonstrates the way of love and forgiveness. He re-founds the world on an axis of love.
Preaching from Luke 19:28-40, Pastor Andy echos the refrain of the disciples, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” May we too align ourselves with the Kingdom of Peace, rather than the kingdom of empire.
Preaching from Luke 19:41-48, Andy Lucas helps us see how this familiar passage of Jesus clearing the temple of merchants and money changers may have a deeper meaning than what appears on the surface. The problem is not the commerce that was taking place, but rather the heart condition God's people. Jesus is admonishing the church not to be a hiding place for practicing the same old sins of Israel, but rather a place where God's truth can be sought in humility and peace.
Preaching from the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15), Pastor Andy Lucas reminds us that the heart of the father is relationship. Our failures and shame can not separate us from the arms of our Father who runs to welcome us.
Preaching from Mark 5:1-20, Pastor Andy teaches on the power of name. When the Holy Spirit ministers allowing us to identify and name that which oppresses us, the power of Jesus is able to bring it into the light and break the chains that bind us, restoring us back to humanity, family, and community. This is the restorative work of Jesus Christ in the world, returning people to the dignity of their Image bearing selves, so that they can fully become that which God designed them to be.
Preaching from Luke 4:1-13, Pastor Andy Lucas teaches that how we achieve our goals is often times just as important as the goal themself. As seen in the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness, the devil's promised kingdom was not worth Jesus sacrificing himself for. His Kingdom would be won through love, mercy, sacrifice, and redemption. May we find such strength of the LORD to resist temptation, and when it comes, to proclaim Jesus Christ is Lord and savior over our trials.
Teaching from Luke 9:28-36, Pastor Andy Lucas shows how Jesus, the true Israelite, is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. He shows us how to live into the life and freedom of God's law of love as the true prophet, our Messiah.
Preaching from Luke 6:27-36, Pastor Andy Lucas encourages; "the Gospel of Jesus Christ is an invitation to be formed in the ways of forgiveness, love, and generosity, but not just because Jesus was nice and we should be too, but because of the transforming and redeeming power of Love."
Preaching from Luke 6:17-26, pastor Andy Lucas reminds us that our salvation and faith is both personal and social. Our personal encounter with Jesus must not only lead us into personal freedom and healing, but also into proclaiming the Kingdom of God and its spiritual, physical, and social redemption to those around us.
