In Luke 16:1–13, Jesus tells the challenging parable of the dishonest manager—a story that has puzzled readers for centuries. While the manager's dishonesty is not commended, Jesus highlights his shrewdness and uses the parable to teach an important lesson about how believers should view and use their wealth. Just as the manager acted with the future in mind, Christians are called to use the resources God has entrusted to them with an eternal perspective.Jesus teaches that money is not an end in itself but a tool to be used for God's kingdom. Rather than placing our hope in wealth or accumulating possessions for our own comfort, we are called to invest in things that have eternal value—supporting gospel ministry, showing hospitality, serving others, and helping people come to faith in Christ. Our earthly resources are temporary, but the impact they can have for God's kingdom can last forever.The sermon concludes with Jesus' sobering warning that no one can serve two masters. Wealth makes a poor god and an unreliable source of security. As stewards of all that God has given us, we must faithfully manage our possessions, recognizing that everything ultimately belongs to Him. The question each believer must answer is simple but profound: Are we using our money to serve God, or are we serving money instead?

This sermon explores Jesus' famous Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) through the lens of one powerful truth: there is no place like home. Like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, the younger son leaves home believing happiness can be found elsewhere, only to discover that a life spent pursuing selfish desires ultimately leads to emptiness, brokenness, and despair. His journey reminds us that every sinner eventually faces the reality that life apart from God can never satisfy the deepest longings of the heart.At the center of the parable stands the loving father, whose response to his returning son reveals the heart of God. Rather than meeting repentance with condemnation, the father runs to embrace his wayward child, restoring him fully and celebrating his return. Through this moving picture, Jesus shows us that our Heavenly Father delights to welcome home those who turn from their sin and place their faith in Him. No matter how far we have wandered, God's grace is greater than our failures.The sermon also examines the often-overlooked older brother, whose jealousy and self-righteousness reveal that a person can be physically close to the Father while remaining spiritually distant. While the younger son was lost in rebellion, the older brother was lost in pride. Jesus leaves the story unfinished, inviting each of us to decide how we will respond to the Father's grace. Will we remain outside, clinging to bitterness and judgment, or will we enter into the joy of God's redeeming love and truly come home?

Every one of us has prayers we've brought before God that seem to go unanswered. Maybe you've found yourself discouraged, doubting, or even giving up on prayer altogether — wondering if God is really listening or if He even cares. In this message, we dive into Luke 18 and the Parable of the Persistent Widow, where Jesus tells his followers a story specifically to encourage them to pray and not lose heart.Through the contrast of an unjust, uncaring judge and a desperate widow who refuses to give up, Jesus makes a powerful argument — if even this coldhearted judge eventually gives the widow what she needs, how much MORE will a loving, righteous, heavenly Father respond to the cries of His people? We also spend time in Luke 11 where Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, and unpacks what boldness and persistence in prayer actually look like in the life of a believer.But perhaps the biggest takeaway from this message is a perspective shift — the ultimate purpose of prayer isn't just getting answers or changing our circumstances. It's about drawing closer to God Himself, being filled with His Spirit, and being formed into people who can honestly say "not my will, but yours." If you've lost heart in your prayer life, this message is for you.