Last week this story from Luke 11 invited us to choose whether we will serve on God's side or Satan's side in the cosmic battle that plagues all creation. This week we are reminded that choosing a side isn't enough; once we've chosen a side, we are expected to do something.

This sermon confronts us with the reality of the cosmic war between God's kingdom and that of Satan. It challenges us to to choose a side, cautioning that not choosing is not an option. It also offers hope in the reminder that God and Satan are not equals, but that God is stronger and cannot be defeated.

In this sermon, there is a quote at the 13:18 mark that reads this way: The Kingdom of God is found in "the restoration of individuals to physical, spiritual, and communal wholeness through Jesus' teachings, healings, and exorcisms."

[Chen, Diane G. (2017). Luke. New Covenant Commentary Series. Eugene, Oregon: Cascade Books.]

This sermon invites us to set aside the question of how to pray and instead consider who it is to whom we pray.

In this story from Luke 10, Jesus challenges his friend Martha to stop being worried and distracted by all the things she has to do, and to instead be like her sister Mary, who chose to be with Jesus and learn from him. This sermon reminds us that hearing and doing aren't opposites that we must choose between, but are instead complimentary. We are encouraged to remember that our doing must flow out of our hearing.

Jesus' well known story of the "Good Samaritan," challenges us to consider if we are willing to show mercy when it is inconvenient or unpleasant. We are further challenged to open our eyes beyond those we normally look to as examples of compassion and mercy, to learn what it means to love God and love people.

In this sermon we are encouraged to consider seven responsibilities of church membership: prayer, grow, love, worship consistently, serve, give, and participate in decision making.

This sermon challenges us to consider the cost of discipleship - of following Jesus. It reminds us that following Jesus draws us into the presence of God - the presence of love and life. Our guest preacher this week is the Rev. Dr. Michael Knowles.

In this sermon we are invited to ask the question: How do we know if a thing done in the name of Jesus is truly of Jesus?