A Tale of Two Thieves - Nathan Rages

 

NOTE: We apologize for audio glitches in the early minutes of this video.  

Luke 23:39-43 tells one of the most sudden and unexpected salvation stories in the whole Bible.  The story involves the two criminals who were crucified along with Jesus and can broken down into three parts:  
1. Their great wickedness (v32,39).  
2. The great change in one of them (v39-42).  
3. The great promise Jesus gave (v43). 

Lessons about salvation:
1. It is possible for really bad people.
2. It is possible at the very end of life.
3. It can be extremely simple.
4. It requires a miracle. 
5. It often feels unfair.

Jesus' Death - James Voon

 

This message covers the four Gospels' description of Jesus dying: the crucifixion itself, the darkness, the temple veil torn, the earthquake, the centurion's faith, the mourners, and the faithful women.  What a profound event at the heart of our salvation! 

Applying the Final Steps of Church Discipline - Nathan Rages

 

This difficult and unusual teaching was given in connection with our church applying New Testament church discipline instructions to the case of an individual church member. This covers both removing the person from the church fellowship and also the person's hopeful future restoration to fellowship.

Seeing the Suffering Savior - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 23:26-38 describes Jesus' crucifixion.  It was a very public event with many spectators:

1. The Spectators 
     Cross-carrying man (v26).
     Mourning women (v27-28).
     Lot-casting soldiers (v34).
     Mocking crowd (35-37).

2. The Savior 
     Prophet (v28-31).  
     Priest (v34). 
     King (v37-38).

Give Us Barabbas! - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 23:13-25 describes how Jesus was condemned for crucifixion while Barabbas was released.   The three characters in Jesus' condemnation were:
1. Pontius Pilate
     Fearing man. 
     Compromising with known sin.
2. Jewish Crowd 

     Hating the light.
     Rejecting their king.
     Calling for their own judgment.
3. Barabbas 

     Going free at Jesus’ expense. 

Putting Jesus on Trial - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 22:63-23:12 describes the convoluted legal trial process that Jesus was subjected to.  The trial included six phases: 
1. Annas (former high priest)
2. Caiaphas (current high priest)
3. Sanhedrin (Jewish ruling council)
4. Pontius Pilate (Roman governor of Judea)
5. Herod Antipas (tetrarch over Galilee)
6. Pontius Pilate (Roman governor of Judea)

Things we observe in these sinful people:
1. Their irrational hatred of Christ (22:63-65,23:11).
2. Their unconcern for truth or justice (22:67,68,71,23:2).
3. Their bad reasons for being interested in Jesus (23:8).
4. Their unity in opposing Christ (23:12).

Things we observe in the Lord Jesus:
1. His silence before His accusers (22:67-68,23:9).
2. His repeatedly acknowledged innocence (23:4,14-15).
3. His title as “King of the Jews” (23:3). 
4. His glorious reign as the Son of God (22:69-70).

The Trust of Lament Following a Son's Death - Jess Schmid

 

Psalm 9 is King David's impassioned expression of lament, imprecation, and trust in God following the betrayal and death of his son Absalom. 

Understanding a Good Man's Fall - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 22:31-34,54-64 tells Simon Peter's denial of the Lord Jesus.  The story can be broken down into five parts: 
1. Satan’s demand (v31).
2. Jesus’ intercession (v32).
3. Peter’s overconfidence (v33-34).
4. Peter’s failure (v54-60).
5. Peter’s recovery (v32,34,61-62).

No Greater Prayer Has Ever Been Prayed - Nathan Rages

 

This message examines Jesus' great prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane as recorded in Luke 22:39-46, examining these nine characteristics:
1. Its customary location (v39).
2. Its power over temptation (v40,46).
3. Its humble posture (v41).
4. Its bold honesty (v42).
5. Its intense fervor (v44). 
6. Its complete submission (v42).
7. Its repeated petitions (Matthew 26, Mark 14).
8. Its sleepy companions (v40,45,46).
9. Its strengthening effect (v43).

Jesus' Final Table Talk - Nathan Rages

 

In Luke 22:24-38 as Jesus and His apostles shared their Last Supper, our Lord discussed several topics of practical importance for His apostles and for us:  
1. Attaining true greatness
     Reject shameful rivalries (v24).
     Pursue Christ-like service (v25-27).
2. Anticipating future rewards
     Christ’s commendation (v28).
     Heavenly benefits (v29-30).
3. Arming for battle
     Use available means (v35-36).
     Look to Christ’s prophecy-fulfilling death (v37).

The First Lord's Supper - Nathan Rages

 

As a follow-up to last week's sermon on the "Last Supper" from Luke 22, we focus on Jesus initiating a new symbolic meal, usually called the Lord's Supper, the Lord's Table, the Breaking of Bread or Communion. We discuss five aspects of it:
1. It began with a thankful prayer (v19).
2. It included two symbols (v19-20).
3. It was to remember Jesus’ substitutionary death (v19-20).
4. It should be repeated perpetually (v19).
5. It points to the New Covenant (v20).

Fall Fellowship Camp 2026 Registration is OPEN NOW

Registration for the Fall Fellowship Camp, October 8-11, 2026 is now OPEN. See this page for all the details and registration form.

The Last Passover - Nathan Rages

Luke 22:7-20 records Jesus' "Last Supper" with His twelve disciples.  It was a very special meal that began with the Old Covenant Passover  which was then transformed into the New Covenant "Lord's Supper".  

This message is focused on five aspects of the Last Passover: 
1. Its historical background (v1,7).
2. Its providential preparation (v8-13).
3. Its emotional importance (v14-15).
4. Its optimistic ending (v16-18). 
5. Its Christ-centered fulfillment (v16).

The Man Who Made the World's Worst Bargain - Nathan Rages

 

This message from Luke 22:1-6,21-23 is about the downfall of Judas Iscariot, the disciple who sold out Jesus Christ in exchange for thirty pieces of silver -- the world's worst bargain. We highlight six elements in the story:

1. His desperate partners (v2,4-5).
2. His Satanic possession (v3).
3. His privileged position (v3,47).
4. His shocking betrayal (v21-23,47-48).
5. His terrible bargain (v4-6).
6. His fulfillment of prophecy (v21-22, Ps. 41:9,55:12-14, Zech. 11:12-13).

What Jesus' Prophecies Mean to You - Nathan Rages

 

In this Second Part of our teaching from Luke 21:5-36, we focus on practical application.  How can we apply Christ's prophetic message in our own lives?  Here are seven ways:
1. Trust Jesus’ reliable words. (v32-33).
2. Realize the Old Covenant era is totally finished (v5-6,20-24).
3. Don’t be misled by “end-times” teachers (v8).
4. Expect persecution to result in Gospel opportunities (v12-15).
5. Take comfort that Christ’s suffering people will triumph (v16-19,28).
6. Know that all God’s threatened punishments will happen (v22-23).
7. Stay spiritually alert and ready to face Jesus (v34-36).

The Amazing Accuracy of Jesus Prophecies - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 21:5-36 contains Luke's version of Jesus' longest prophecy discourse in the Bible.  This message first walks through an outline interpreting the meaning of the passage and then describes how Jesus' prophecies were amazingly fulfilled in history just as He had predicted.
1. Initial prediction of Temple’s destruction (v5-6).
2. Disciples’ questions about the timing and the sign (v7).
3. Jesus’ answer:
     Preliminary upheavals in politics and nature (v8-11).
     Persecution of Christians (v12-19). 
     The sign that destruction is now imminent (v20).
     Actions for believers when destruction is imminent (v21-23).
     Jerusalem’s great suffering (v23-24). 
     Signs in the heavens and fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy (v25-28).
     Parable about trees (v29-31).
     How soon all these things will happen (v32-33).
     Exhortation to obedient alertness (v34-36).   

Historical fulfillments of Jesus' prophecies
1. Temple destroyed without one stone on another (v6).
2. False messiahs misleading people (v8).
3. Wars, revolts, and political disturbances (v9-10).
4. Earthquakes (v11).
5. Famines (v11). 
6. “Great signs from heaven” (v11).
7. Christians persecuted by Jews, including martyrdom (v12,16). 
8. Persecution leading to witnessing opportunities in which  believers had on-the-spot eloquence (v13-15).
9. Jerusalem surrounded by armies (v20).
10. Christians fleeing from the city to safety (v21).
11. Extreme suffering within Jerusalem (v22-23).
12. Jews dying by the sword (v24).
13. Jews sent into captivity throughout the nations (v24). 
14. City “trampled underfoot by Gentiles” (v24).
15. Catastrophic political changes (v25-26). 
16. All happening while members of “this generation” were alive (v32).  

Learning from a Widow's Radical Giving - Nathan Rages

 

In Luke 20:41-21:4, Jesus completes His ministry at the Temple in three brief incidents in which He:
1. Asserts His own deity (20:41-44).
     David’s son.  
     David’s Lord.
2. Attacks false teachers (20:45-47).
     Their proud hypocrisy.
     Their coming condemnation.
3. Applauds sacrificial giving (21:1-4).
     Observing the gifts.
     Evaluating the true cost.

Applications for our own giving:
1. Jesus observes what we give.
2. Jesus values our giving in light of our overall situation.
3. The poor are often the greatest givers.
4. Our giving demonstrates the reality of our faith.
5. New Covenant giving is radical.

Defending the Resurrection - Nathan Rages

 

In Luke 20:27-40, Jesus is tested by the Sadducees regarding the doctrine of the resurrection, which our Lord defends by correcting their false assumptions and pointing them to the Scriptures.  This message focuses on five aspects of the account: 
1. The unbelief of prominent religious people (v27).
2. The false assumptions made about future things (v28-33).
3. The differentness of the age to come (v34-36,38).
4. The authority of Bible details (v37-38). 
5. The ones worthy to attain resurrection life (v35).

Rendering Unto Caesar - Nathan Rages

 

In Luke 20:19-26, Jesus' enemies try to trap Him with an impossible-to- answer question about our obligation to pay taxes.  Jesus' answer is among His most famous sayings and provides us with these practical applications:
1. Beware of fake religious devotion (v19-23).
2. Worship Christ’s divine wisdom (v24-26).
3. Fulfill your obligations to the government (v25).
4. Fulfill your obligations to God (v25).

A Parable Like No Other - Nathan Rages

 

Jesus' "Parable of the Vine-growers" as found in Luke 20:9-19 is unique among our Lord's parables in that it gives a summary of the spiritual history of Israel along with predictions of major future events.  It also teaches five great Biblical themes, each of which can be applied to ourselves:
1. The evilness of humanity (v10-16).
2. The patience of God (v11-13).
3. The exaltation of Christ (v17).
4. The destruction of Christ-rejectors (v15-16,18).
5. The new people of God (v16).

How to Have Perfect Peace - Nathan Rages

 

Can Christians enjoy sustained inner peace, even in today's crazy stressful world?  This sermon examines three Bible promises about peace: 
Isa 26:2-4 “Open the gates, that the righteous nation may enter, The one that remains faithful. “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. “Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Phil 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The peace that God promises:
1. Is complete, covering every situation.   
2. Is available to all believers.
3. Is different than the world’s. 
4. Is given directly by God.
5. Is experienced as we: 
     Resist anxiety.
     Trust steadily in God.  
     Pray about everything.

How to Have Fullness of Joy - Nathan Rages

 

How much joy should Christians normally have?  The Bible describes the joy Christians experience as being "full" or "complete": John 3:29, 15:11, 16:24, 17:13, Rom. 15:13, 1Pet. 1:8, 1John 1:3-4, and 2John v12. 

So how can we increase our joy to the level described in these verses? 
1. Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17, Gal. 5:22).
2. Meditate on Bible truth (Ps. 1:2, John 15:11).
3. Celebrate God’s answers to our prayers (John 16:24).
4. Praise God frequently (Phil. 4:4, Acts 16:25).
5. Gratefully relish God’s gifts (Ps. 103:2, Jam. 1:17, 1Tim. 6:17).
6. Work gladly for the Lord (Ps. 100:2, Col. 3:23-24).
7. Pursue Christian fellowship (2Tim. 1:4, 2John 1:12). 
8. Strive to make others happy (Acts 20:35). 
9. View your hardships rightly (Rom. 14:17, Gal. 5:22).
10. Handle sin issues Biblically (Ps. 51:12).
11. Look forward to heaven (Ps. 16:11, Luke 10:20).

Abstain From Fleshly Lusts - Nathan Rages

 

In 1Peter 2:9-12 the Apostle gives a straightforward practical exhortation about handling the lusts of our flesh that we contend with:  
1. WHAT we must do (v11).
2. WHY we must do it:
     Because God made us “a holy nation” (v9-10).
     Because we are “aliens and strangers” (v11).
     Because our lusts “wage war against the soul” (v11).
     Because our lives are seen by lost people (v12).

Lessons From a Neighborly Outcast - Clark Lasse

 

In Luke 10:25-37 Jesus tells the familiar parable of the Good Samaritan. Clark Lasse first discusses this Scripture and then provides an update on his mission activities in Uganda and with international college students in the US.

Who Died and Made You King? - Robert Hamilton

 

Luke 20:1-8 deals with the issue of authority, Jesus' supreme authority.

Cleansing God's House of Prayer - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 19:45-48 records Jesus cleaning the Temple a few days before His crucifixion.  In these verses our Lord did these three things:
1. He cleansed the area (v45).
     With surprising violence.  
     With supernatural authority.
2. He explained His actions (v46).
     Using Scripture.
     Emphasizing prayer in public worship.
     Condemning exploitation of worshippers.    
3. He taught the people (v47-48). 
     With gripping power.  
     Frustrating His enemies.

The King's Dramatic Arrival - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 19:28-44, records Jesus' so-called Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem when Christ the King makes His dramatic entry into the capital city.  We explore these six aspects of Christ from the story:  
1. His intentional publicity (v29-30,35-36).
2. His supernatural perception (v30-34).
3. His fulfillment of prophecy (Zech. 9:9-10).
4. His deserved praise (v36-38,40).
5. His enemies’ protest (v39-40).
6. His tearful prediction (v41-44). 

Christ Our Great High Priest - James Voon

 

Hebrews 4:14-16 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Old Covenant shadows fulfilled in Christ:
1. The high priest.
2. The tabernacle.
3. The atonement.

Spiritual Capitalism - Nathan Rages

 

In Luke 19:11-27, Jesus tells the Parable of the Minas.  Each of its  characters provide instructive lessons about the overall topic of "Spiritual Capitalism":
1. King (v12-13).
2. Rebels (v14,27).
     Actions: Rejected the king’s rule.
     Result: Completely destroyed.  
3. Faithful slaves (v15-19).  
     Actions: Humble fruitfulness.  
     Result: Praised and rewarded.
4. False slave (v20-26). 
     Actions: Lazy fruitlessness and ignorance of the king.
     Result: Lost everything.

The Seeing Faith of a Blind Beggar - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 18:35-43 records the glorious healing of Blind Bartimaeus:  
I. Reconciling difficulties between Gospel accounts.
II. A pattern of salvation:
    1. Realize your spiritual blindness and poverty (v35).
    2. Use the means of grace available (v35-37).
    3. Cry persistently for mercy (v38-39).
    4. Trust in the true Messiah (v38-39).
    5. Abandon your old life (Mark 10:50).
    6. Receive the transforming power of Christ (v41-42).
    7. Follow the Lord in joyful gratitude (v43). 

A Camel Goes Through the Eye of a Needle - Robert Hamilton

 

Luke 19:1-10 records the the surprising conversion of Zaccheus, the chief tax collector.
1. The Sinner (described).
2. The Searching.
3. The Salvation.
4. The Squawking.
5. The Signs (of repentance).

Application:
1. God saves people of all stripes.
2. Look where God is working and join in.
3. Don't suffer paralysis by analysis.
4. Remember the grace of God shown us in Christ.
5. If there are no signs of repentance, then someone is still unsaved.
6. Be confident in the saving power of God.

Becoming a Bigshot in the Kingdom: Christ's Radical Requirements for Leaders - Nathan Rages

 

Matthew 20:20-28 records the story of James and John's audacious attempt to get themselves appointed to the top two positions in Christ's Kingdom. This causes indignation from the other ten apostles and leads to Jesus teaching about the topic of pursuing leadership positions in the church -- showing how radically His Kingdom differs from the World.

The Wrong Way to pursue leadership:
1. Using personal influence to gain advantage (v20-21).
2. Pursuing roles that are not understood (v22).
3. Inciting discord among brethren (v24).
4. Copying worldly power structures (v25-26).

The Right Way to pursue leadership:
1. Accepting the cup of suffering (v22-23).
2. Submitting to God’s plans (v23).
3. Excelling at sacrificial service (v26-27).
4. Following Jesus’ perfect example (v28).

What Was Wrong With the Disciples? - Nathan Rages

In Luke 18:31-34, Jesus gives His disciples the most clearly detailed prediction of His eminent sufferings and resurrection. The disciples, however, completely fail to understand His meaning. Why was this? Why were they so clueless?

We explore the passage following this simple outline:
1. Completed prophecies (v31).
Ps. 22:1-18,34:20,69:21, Isa. 50:6,53:1-12, Dan. 9:26,
Zech. 11:12-13,12:10,13:7.

2. Comprehensive sufferings (v32-33).
Gentile involvement, mocked, mistreated, spit upon, scourged, and killed.

3. Certain resurrection (v33).
Proving atonement success, truthfulness of His claims, and our future rising.

4. Confused disciples (v34).
So be humble, teachable, and grateful for the Holy Spirit.

Living in a Grace-Centered Economy - Nathan Rages

In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard who are hired at different times, work different amounts of time, and yet are all paid the same wage.  The parable teaches these four spiritual principles:

1. Believers do different amounts of Kingdom work but receive the same salvation (v1-10).

2. Our motivation for Kingdom service is not earning wages (v10).  

3. God chooses to give greater grace to some folks than others (v14-15).

4. We dare not grumble or envy when others receive more blessings than we do (v11,15).

A Camel, a Needle, and God Who Saves Impossible Cases - Nathan Rages

Luke 18:18-30 records Jesus' interaction with a man known as the Rich Young Ruler.  This passage reveals five major lessons: 

1. Lost people misunderstand true goodness (v18-21).

2. Jesus makes radical demands on prospective disciples (v22).

3. Materialism can prevent our salvation (v23-25).

4. God’s mighty grace saves “impossible” people (v26-27).

5. All our sacrifices for Christ will be abundantly rewarded (v28-30).

Let the Children Come to Me - Nathan Rages

Luke 18:15-17 describes the children being brought to Jesus for His blessing.  The account points to several truths about Christ's concern for children:  

1. Jesus welcomes children to Himself (v15-16).

2. Adults should make it easy for children to come to Jesus (v15-16):  

     In the family.  

     In the church. 

     In our evangelism. 

3. Only child-like people can become Christians (v16-17).

What Two Prayers Can Tell You - Nathan Rages

In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus tells a parable about two men praying in the Temple: a Pharisee and a tax collector:

1. The audience (v9).

2. The parable:

     Very different men (v10).

     Very different postures (v11,13).

     Very different prayers (v11-13).

     Very different results (v14).

3. The lesson (v14).

Applications:

1. The evil of religious pride.

2. The blessing of feeling conviction about your sin.

3. The way to be justified before God.