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When Jesus was asked whether to pay taxes to Rome, he didn’t really answer the question. Instead, he said how we should relate to the government, and what we should be thinking about when we vote. Pastor Luke teaches from Matthew 21:33-46 in "Politically Incorrect," the concluding message in his series, "Vineyard Parables (2026)."

There are a lot of reasons to be discouraged today about the state of Christianity in the West, and especially in mainline denominations like the PC(USA). We might think we know how to solve those problems, but according to Jesus, it's all about the fruit. What did he mean by that? Pastor Luke teaches from Matthew 21:33-46 in "Régime Change," part 4 of his 5-part series, "Vineyard Parables (2026)."

Churches sometimes experience splits. Sometimes people leave by 'voting with their feet.' Many of us know people who've been hurt by the church. Why? The Church is messy, we say, because people are messy. Is that true? If it is, what can be done about it? Pastor Luke preaches from Matthew 22:1-14 in "Come to the Table," part 3 of his 5-part series, "Vineyard Parables (2026)."

Lots of people don't even try to follow Jesus, and people who do try often fail. Is it more important to claim discipleship, or do practice it? Why? And what if you practice it badly? Pastor Luke looks at Matthew 21:23-32 in "Whatever is Right," part 2 of his 5-part series, "Vineyard Parables (2026)."

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 preaches from 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 teaches from 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 preaches from 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 teaches from 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 preaches 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 teaches from 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 preaches from 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 preaches from 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 teaches from John 18:36 in "Antidisestablishmentarianism," part 5 of his 8-part series, "Presbyterian Rebellion."