Sermon Series Cris Escher Sermon Series Cris Escher

The Jesus Experience Sermon Series.

Luke’s Story of Jesus  Luke wants to tell us a story; no, he wants to give us an experience. It’s about someone who is doing something new, someone who is bringing miracles, healings, and parties, someone who defies expectations, someone whom everyone has an opinion about, and who will save the world.

the jesus experience.jpg

Luke’s Story of Jesus  Luke wants to tell us a story; no, he wants to give us an experience. It’s about someone who is doing something new, someone who is bringing miracles, healings, and parties, someone who defies expectations, someone whom everyone has an opinion about, and who will save the world.

Featured
Recognize Jesus - The Jesus Experience - Luke 24
Recognize Jesus - The Jesus Experience - Luke 24

How will you recognize Jesus? Now really think about that question because no one recognized Jesus after He rises from the dead. It seems those who recognize him throughout Luke’s gospel are all doing the same thing: eating with Him.

The Art of Life - The Jesus Experience - Luke 24
The Art of Life - The Jesus Experience - Luke 24

You were created, but you were not just as a sack of unfeeling chemicals. You were created as a great work of art. But what if the world does not seem like a great work of art? What if I think my life is just a dark mess? I imagine that's what the women carrying embalming spices to Jesus’ grave thought. However, what they saw that morning changed how they saw the world and changed how they saw themselves. Christ is risen, they saw the Art of Life.

When To Weep - The Jesus Experience - Luke 19
When To Weep - The Jesus Experience - Luke 19

Everything is going great! Jesus is finally showing us who he truly is. He came riding into Jerusalem to so many people crying out “Hosanna” and “You are the King of Kings.” All Jesus has to do now is take his rightful place on the throne in Jerusalem and in our hearts. Jesus must feel amazing today, but why is he over there weeping while overlooking Jerusalem?

From Back to the Front - The Jesus Experience - Luke 18
From Back to the Front - The Jesus Experience - Luke 18

Jesus says that the man went away justified. But who is this man? What if he did not deserve to be justified? What if he had hurt me or had stolen something from me? What if he was a tax collector, or if he was too young, or blind or too short? Yes, Jesus said he went away justified. Well then if that man went away justified, then perhaps I could as well.

The Window - The Jesus Experience - Luke 17
The Window - The Jesus Experience - Luke 17

The stories we have been reading have left us breathless, and now Jesus is calling for us to live a humble life. But how, Jesus?

To Change or Not To Change - The Jesus Experience - Luke 16
To Change or Not To Change - The Jesus Experience - Luke 16

Have you thought about Kodak in the last 10 years? In the 70s they were one of the largest American companies. However now, they don’t exist. Luke 16 is asking us if we will change, if we will adjust our behavior and actually follow God’s way. But it asks a question at the end. What happens to us if we don’t actually change?

The Picture - The Jesus Experience - Luke 15
The Picture - The Jesus Experience - Luke 15

Jesus gives us a picture of the kingdom of God here in Luke 15. The picture is of a celebration when the lost have been found. Look at how the woman celebrates when the coin is found, look at how the man celebrates when the sheep is found, and look at how the father celebrates when his lost son is found. But this leaves us with a question: will we join the party or complain on the outside.

The Christian Life - The Jesus Experence
The Christian Life - The Jesus Experence
Just Out Of Reach - The Jesus Experience
Just Out Of Reach - The Jesus Experience

The world is filled with struggle, and it leaves us wanting more. We’re struggling to get the things which are just out of our reach. But in this world of struggle, Jesus has us look to the creation, beckoning us to see how God takes care of the small things, how the birds are fed and beautiful  and how we loves us even more than them.

Hidden in Plain Sight - The Jesus Experience
Hidden in Plain Sight - The Jesus Experience

Lord, when will your kingdom be here on earth? I find myself asking this frequently when I see nothing but sin and distress all around me. However, Jesus wants us to see how we give gifts. He says that we are still sinful and yet we still give good gifts. How much more does God give good things? Just look for them; they may be hidden in plain sight.

Lambs Among Wolves - The Jesus Experience
Lambs Among Wolves - The Jesus Experience

Jesus gathers his followers together and sends out 70 (Or is it 72?) to go bring his kingdom to those who need it. But he says, “You will have struggle, for I am sending you as lambs among wolves.” The world is dangerous; however, he sends his sheep out to bring peace to the house.

We're Not in Kansas Anymore - The Jesus Experience
We're Not in Kansas Anymore - The Jesus Experience

Jesus asks the disciples “Who do people say I am?” They get it right and say he is the messiah. Jesus then goes to the top of the mountain, becoming bright and shiny. We’re not in Kansas anymore - this is literally a mountain-top experience. But when there are mountains, there are also valleys, with crosses, death, and suffering. We’re not in Kansas anymore.

You Have Enough - The Jesus Experience
You Have Enough - The Jesus Experience

Jesus sends out his disciples with enough to bring good news. Five thousand people have been listening to Jesus in the wilderness. They are getting hungry, and there are only 5 loaves and 2 fish. But Jesus says it is enough. We often feel like we don’t have enough, that we will be so much better if we just had more. However, Jesus says you have enough.

How's Your Soil - The Jesus Experience
How's Your Soil - The Jesus Experience

Chapter Eight of Luke talks about soil. The great sower throws seed down, and it falls on different kinds to soil. In bad soil the seed withers and dies, but in the good soil the fruit rises up from the ground. This parable leaves an important question, “What if I’m not good soil?”

Shock and Awe - The Jesus Experience
Shock and Awe - The Jesus Experience

Chapter seven is filled with shock and awe. An outsider shows great faith, a widow's son is raised, John the Baptist is not sure about Jesus, and a sinner is forgiven much. Many times when we encounter true faith, we are filled with shock and awe.

All Or Nothing - The Jesus Experience
All Or Nothing - The Jesus Experience

Jesus is giving us a picture of the kingdom of God: miracles, healings, and parties. However, some are very upset that Jesus is doing any of this and are threatening to kill him. Jesus just looks at them and says the way of God is all or nothing.

Something New - The Jesus Experience
Something New - The Jesus Experience

Jesus bursts onto the scene; he reads from Scripture and how God is doing something new, and he says that newness is Him. How do people respond? Will they be happy? How would you have responded?

Baptism of Jesus - The Jesus Experience
Baptism of Jesus - The Jesus Experience

John was a man from the wilderness who “prepared the way of the Lord.” But when he baptized Jesus, it was not the normal pattern of forgiveness. Rather, this time the heavens opened up, and God said “this is my son whom I love.”

Read More