In this week's sermon, we explore the surprising dangers of sudden wealth through the stories of real-life lottery winners whose lives were ruined after hitting the jackpot. Using these contemporary examples, we see how the pursuit of money and material possessions often leads to heartbreak, emptiness, and destruction rather than the happiness and security we imagine it will bring.Drawing from Luke 12:13-21, Jesus tells the parable of a rich farmer who, after an abundant harvest, decides to tear down his barns, build bigger ones, and retire into a life of ease and self-indulgence — only to have God call him a fool on the very night he made his plans. Through this parable, Jesus warns his followers to guard their hearts continuously against greed, reminding us that life does not consist in the abundance of our possessions.We will walk away challenged to examine our own hearts and ask whether we are living as people who are rich toward God or simply rich toward ourselves. Whether we are young or old, working or retired, the call is the same: to treasure Christ above material comfort, to invest our time and resources in God's kingdom, and to desire Him above everything this world has to offer.

Have you ever watched a child ask for something completely outlandish with total confidence? In this sermon, we explore what that kind of bold faith looks like in our prayer lives — and why Jesus actually calls us to pray that way. Drawing from Luke 11:5-13, we unpack the parable of the friend at midnight, where a man boldly knocks on his neighbor's door at midnight and receives what he needs because of his shameless persistence. Jesus uses this story to teach his disciples — and us — that we should approach God in prayer with that same kind of bold, unashamed confidence.But bold prayer doesn't mean praying for whatever we want. This sermon takes a clear stand against the prosperity gospel's "name it and claim it" approach, grounding Jesus' promise that "ask and you shall receive" firmly in its context: the Lord's Prayer. True bold prayer is God-centered and kingdom-focused — asking God to forgive sins, empower us to resist temptation, provide for real needs, and advance His kingdom through us and our churches. When our prayers align with God's promises and His glory, we can expect Him to answer.The ultimate reason we can pray with boldness is that our Heavenly Father is genuinely generous. Just as no good father would hand his child a snake when they asked for fish, God — who is far more loving and perfect than any earthly parent — delights in giving good gifts to His children. Most importantly, He gives us the Holy Spirit, the one who makes all the answers to our prayers possible. So come away from this message challenged to examine your prayer life: are you praying timidly, selfishly, or boldly for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom?

What do Mr. Rogers and the Parable of the Good Samaritan have in common? More than you might think. Just as Fred Rogers believed everyone deserved kindness and respect — from handicapped children to gruff U.S. Senators — Jesus taught that our neighbor is anyone we encounter in need, without exception. In this message from Luke 10:25-37, we explore the familiar story of the Good Samaritan and discover what it truly means to love our neighbor.Through this parable, Jesus reframes the question. The religious expert asked, "Who is my neighbor?" — hoping to find a loophole that would limit who he was required to love. But Jesus flips the question entirely: instead of asking who qualifies as your neighbor, he asks whether you are being a neighbor. The Samaritan — a cultural enemy of the Jewish man he helped — didn't debate definitions. He simply saw a need and met it, in costly, practical, and sacrificial ways.Loving your neighbor isn't just a moral call — it flows from something deeper. Because Jesus, the true Good Samaritan, found us beaten down by sin and paid our debt in full, we are now freed and empowered to love others the same way. Whether the need is food and shelter, forgiveness, mercy, or grace, the call is the same: go and do likewise.