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Comparison has been called "the thief of joy." Jesus told a parable about comparison illustrating that fact, but it also teaches something important about the way that God relates to each of us. Pastor Luke looks at Matthew 20:1-16 in "Whatever is Right," the first message in a new series, "Vineyard Parables (2026)."

We've been learning that work is good, because God works. But God also rests, so we are commanded to rest as well. Jesus frequently was criticized, however, for not doing it ‘right.’ In light of what Jesus did and taught, how are we supposed to take sabbath today? Pastor Luke looks at Mark 2:23-3:6 in "Touch Grass," the concluding message in his series, "Vocation Vacation."

Because God works, Christians affirm that we who are made in God's image also work. But work isn't just a way to put bread on the table (though it is that). Our work is, or should be, an expression of ourselves. And that has some important implications. Pastor Luke looks at Acts 9:8-18 in "Punch the Clock," the first message in a new series, "Vocation Vacation."

In this installment of “Ask Me Anything,” Pastor Luke spoke about six topics. This message was delivered in gathered worship on Sunday, August 30, 2026 at Jewel Lake Parish in Anchorage, Alaska. TIMESTAMPS 00:10 which of the Seven Deadly Sins is least talked about? 03:14 what is the state of JLP's merger with Trinity and disaffiliation from UMC? 12:01 what Bible translation do you prefer for scholarly research? 15:34 can Extra-Terrestrial life forms be part of our religion or is it confined to humans? 18:10 how was the Old Testament compiled into the Hebrew Bible as we know it today? 22:00 why did Jesus ignore the Canaanite woman's request? Pastor Luke looks at Matthew 15:21-28 in "Ask Me Anything."

Jesus told his followers they shone like a city on a hill, which can't be hidden. But seeing things doesn't guarantee seeing them correctly. We can misunderstand people, and people can misunderstand us. If we're looking for the wrong thing, and we don't see it, doesn't that say more about us than the thing we're trying to evaluate? How can we do this better? Pastor Luke teaches from 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 in "Hoards."

Socrates was once asked if people would behave as virtuously with a ring of invisibility as they do without one. Jesus asks a more practical question: how people should behave if we don’t have such a ring — because we don't. Pastor Luke looks at Matthew 5:13-16 in "Hilltown."

Within the worldwide movement of Christ, there are various interpretations about how the parts relate to the whole. What sort of groupings exist between a local congregation and the capital-C Church, and what authority do they have? And what should Christians do when they have questions or concerns about the direction of a group they belong to? Pastor Luke looks at Romans 14:1-15 in "Pick Your Battles."

While America's Founders believed that "all men are created equal" and that God had endowed them with "unalienable rights," many of them also owned slaves. Even more of them did not believe that slavery was a great evil. Were they right, or wrong? If it is evil, why couldn't they see that? What should Christians today do about the legacy of slavery? Pastor Luke looks at Numbers 32:5-23 in "Insufficient Funds," the concluding message in his series, "Presbyterian Rebellion."

America owes a great debt to the political preachers that were sometimes called the Black-Robed Regiment. But do we still need political preaching today? If we do need political preaching, who should do it? Pastor Luke looks at Micah 6:8 in "The Black-Robed Regiment," part 7 of his 8-part series, "Presbyterian Rebellion."

The Great Awakening laid groundwork for the American Revolution a few decades later. But more importantly, it taught the church a lesson about missional effectiveness and the work of the Holy Spirit. Is it time to learn that lesson again? Pastor Luke looks at John 4:35 in "White Fields," part 6 of his 8-part series, "Presbyterian Rebellion."

At the time of independence, most of the countries in Europe had established (state) religions. So did many the former colonies in the new United States. Why don't we have them anymore? What persuaded religious people that state support for their religious activities wasn't really a good idea? Pastor Luke preaches from John 18:36 in "Antidisestablishmentarianism," part 5 of his 8-part series, "Presbyterian Rebellion."

Once you’ve declared your independence, then what? When you escape tyranny, are you going to have a government? What kind of government do you want to have? What makes a government good, anyway? It turns out, you can get really good results when you think the worst of people. How were the Framers influenced by the Reformed Tradition? Pastor Luke teaches from Mark 10:42-43 in "If Men Were Angels...," part 4 of his 8-part series, "Presbyterian Rebellion."

America's Founders and the public they represented were immersed in Christian doctrine which taught that "The Powers That Be are Ordained of God." How could people so well-versed in teaching about submission to civil institutions arrive at a decision to rebel against it? How do we navigate that decision in our own society? Pastor Luke teaches from Romans 13:4 in "To Throw Off Such Gov't," part 3 of his 8-part series, "Presbyterian Rebellion."

George Washington is famously described as the "Father of His Country." But should Christians honor him, or the other Founders? If Christians are called to submit to the "Powers that be" (Romans 13) how can it be right to rebel against the king? Pastor Luke teaches from Acts 4-5 in "Father of His Country," part 2 of his 8-part series, "Presbyterian Rebellion."

For most Americans, "don't tread on me" is one of our highest values. We often distrust the government and (depending who's running it) are tempted to be ungovernable. But Christians believe we should obey the government. How do we reconcile that as Americans? How did the Founders, 250 years ago? Pastor Luke looks at 2 Kings 11:17 in "To Secure These Rights," the first message in a new series, "Presbyterian Rebellion."