Worship 10 am & 6 pm
Belgrade United Reformed Church
17333 Frontage Road
Belgrade, MT 59714
Heaven’s Veto (Luke 24:1-35)
The crucifixion was Rome’s brutal method of deterrence—designed to kill slowly, publicly, and shamefully. Yet in Christ’s death, the irony emerges: the only innocent man is executed like a covenant-breaker, showing that this fallen age is not our rest. Though Rome miscarries justice, heaven overturns that miscarriage. Christ’s death is not a failure but the planned means to bear sin’s penalty and undo the consequences of the fall; his resurrection is necessary to vindicate his innocence.
At the empty tomb, the women discover angels who remind them of Jesus’ promise that he would rise. Instead of preparing Christ for burial, they learn that Christ is the one preparing his people for glory.
On the road to Emmaus, two disciples lament Jesus’ death and dismiss the women’s testimony. Jesus, unrecognized, rebukes their slowness of heart and interprets the Scriptures, showing that the Messiah had to suffer and rise. Their problem—and ours—is failing to grasp both the depth of sin and the power of the resurrection working within us.
When they invite the stranger to stay, Jesus reveals himself in the breaking of bread. This encounter shows that Christ’s suffering was not a detour but the necessary fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. His patience, presence, and teaching prepare believers for glory.
The conclusion emphasizes that the cross shows the depth of sin, but the resurrection shows the triumph over it. Christ’s resurrection is heaven’s veto of the world’s death sentence, giving believers new life now and a guaranteed inheritance in eternity. Because Christ is raised, Christians move forward with confidence, knowing Christ is their shield, defender, and victorious Lord of life.
Tragic and Glorious Will (Luke 23:26-56)
The cross of Christ, often viewed as a sanctified symbol, exposes humanity’s sinfulness and the need for redemption. Luke’s account shows the irony and glory of the gospel—from Simon carrying the cross, to the repentant thief, to the centurion and Joseph of Arimathea—revealing that Christ’s death is not failure but the completion of His redemptive work.
The Sword's Snare (Luke 22:39-53)
In a world that either exaggerates or ignores the devil’s influence, this message calls believers to recognize the unseen battle of spiritual warfare. True victory isn’t found in self-reliance but in humble prayer and dependence on Christ, who conquered the enemy through His suffering and resurrection.
Why the Swords? (Luke 22:31-38)
Christ tells us to be ready in this age. However, it is not with swords in our hands, but rather with faith that reaches the resurrected Christ. The real battle isn’t fought with steel, but with prayer, perseverance, and trust in the One who intercedes for us, guaranteeing that we will be preserved.
Twas the Night Before Passover (Luke 22:14-30)
In this sermon, we explore the profound meaning behind Christ’s celebration of the Passover, contrasting it with the familiar but sentimental imagery of "’Twas the Night Before Christmas." Christ’s Passover reveals a radical, costly redemption that goes far beyond simple reward or punishment. It challenges us to recognize our unworthiness and embrace the violent yet life-giving sacrifice of our Savior.
Far from a mere memorial, the Lord’s Supper invites us into ongoing communion with the living Christ, who nourishes and sustains us through his broken body and shed blood. This meal is a powerful reminder that true greatness in God’s kingdom comes not from status or ambition but from humble service and reliance on grace.
Preparing the Passover Lamb (Luke 22:1-13)
Throughout Scripture, God’s sovereignty is clear: even amid human failure, sin, and betrayal, His redemptive plan unfolds perfectly. From Adam and Eve to Abraham, from Israel’s deliverance from Egypt to Christ’s passion, God works through unexpected circumstances to accomplish His purpose. Though Christ faced conspiracies, betrayal, and chaos, He fulfilled His role as the Passover Lamb, submitting to the cross at the appointed time and securing redemption for His people. In Him, our sins are covered, our lives consecrated, and our identity and strength found. We need to be reminded that nothing surprises God, and all His promises are faithfully fulfilled.
Watch the Fig Tree (Luke 22:5-38)
Life with Christ is not promised to be easy, but we always need to see that our redemption is secure. Jesus warns us about deception, suffering, and the fleeting nature of earthly things, yet He calls us to discernment, endurance, and hope in Him. In a world of turmoil and false promises, our strength is found not in institutions or human effort, but in the risen Christ who preserves His people to the end.
David’s Son, David’s Lord, and David’s Savior (Luke 20:41-21:4)
Christ challenges the religious leaders’ understanding of the Messiah, exposing their hypocrisy and exploitation of the vulnerable, particularly widows. He contrasts the widow’s sincere offering with the leaders’ self-serving actions, highlighting the importance of aligning with God’s purposes and prioritizing His will over self-advancement. Despite abuses, Christ encourages humility, self-denial, and faithful obedience, reminding believers of their ultimate hope in Him.
Perplexing the Pundits (Luke 20:20-40)
Christ remains steadfast, the Lamb of God who cannot be turned from his mission. Each test affirms his identity and authority. For us, the coin reminds us of our true citizenship in God’s kingdom, and the marriage question points to our final hope of the glorious banquet of the Lamb. His victory secures our redemption and calls us to live in the confidence of Christ’s resurrection, with hope, peace, and confidence because we walk in the power of His Spirit.
The Redeemer’s Reaping (Luke 20:1-19)
In a tense confrontation at the temple, Jesus faces the religious leaders’ challenge: “By what authority do you do these things?” Through a powerful parable about a vineyard and its tenants, Jesus exposes their refusal to recognize His divine authority. This story warns of the dangers of relying on covenant identity, heritage, and tradition over true faith. Christ calls all to hear, receive, and live under Christ’s lordship which leads to bearing glorious fruit in God’s vineyard.
The Dirty Temple (Luke 19:45-48)
Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem marks a profound and divided moment. Though welcomed by pilgrims as the Messiah, Christ knows his mission: suffering, death, and ultimately resurrection. The city meant to embody peace and God’s presence ironically fails to recognize its King’s true mission that is not one of earthly conquest but of humble submission and redemptive sacrifice. This tension calls us to reflect on how we receive Christ today: with open hearts or hardened resistance.
This moment also reflects Israel’s long history of faltering leadership and unfulfilled covenant promises. Even the greatest leaders, like Joshua and David, failed to secure lasting peace or faithfulness. Christ enters history to heal this broken and sinful world, not as another flawed king, but as the true Redeemer who confronts false security. HIs cleansing the temple exposes the problem of religiosity that goes all the way back to Jeremiah. His call: to truly seek Him with humility and surrender, embracing the peace He offers through His Word and Spirit, rather than resisting from a place of superficial safety.
The Weeping King (Luke 19:28-44)
As Christ approaches Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, he embodies both fulfillment of prophecy and a radical redefinition of kingship. Rather than entering as a triumphant earthly ruler, he rides a colt that symbolizes humility and peace, which is in direct contrast to common expectations of a messianic conqueror. This act not only highlights Jesus’ divine foreknowledge and connection to the promises of Genesis and Zechariah, but also deeply echoes Psalm 118 and Psalm 148 as the crowds praise him, recalling God’s pattern of deliverance even as the city's fate of judgment is delayed. The Mount of Olives itself amplifies these themes, standing as a key prophetic site where Zechariah envisioned both judgment and deliverance, much like the Red Sea parted in Israel’s history.
The reactions of the Pharisees further reveal the heart of the moment: their insistence that Jesus rebuke the crowds exposes their rejection of him as Messiah. Jesus responds that if the people were silent, even the stones would cry out, referencing John the Baptist’s warning that true children of Abraham are not defined by lineage or covenant status alone, but by embracing Christ in faith. Amid outward jubilation, Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, expressing deep compassion for its spiritual blindness and the peace it fails to receive. This narrative calls for personal reflection—urging each hearer to recognize Christ’s unique mission and kingdom, which are established not by power, but by humility, sacrificial love, and a cross-shaped posture before God.
Stewarding True Riches (Luke 19:11-27)
As Jesus journeys to Jerusalem, He tells a parable that echoes the story of Herod Archelaus, who is a harsh ruler. In fact, his own subjects protested his reign. In the parable, a nobleman departs to receive a kingdom, entrusting his servants with a single mina each. Upon returning, he rewards those who invested wisely with more, but punishes both the rebellious citizens and the servant who protected his mina through burial.
The parable carries both historical familiarity and moral tension. This parable that echos Herod Archelaus is shocking for the audience. You see, the servant who hid his mina may appear cautious, even virtuous, because he does not engage in loan sharking or charge his fellow man interest. The servant is not rebuked for breaking the rules; he’s condemned for failing to act in faith. The kingdom of God, Jesus implies, is not preserved through caution or fear. It grows through bold, obedient trust and living out the gospel in Christ’s Spirit. This parable challenges us to reject passive discipleship. We are not called to simply maintain what we’ve been given, but to take risks for the sake of Christ’s name.
The nobleman is not a one-to-one symbol of Christ, but his story exposes the high calling of discipleship. Jesus’ followers live between His first and second coming, stewarding the gospel with courage and faith. We are pilgrims journeying toward Zion, not clinging to worldly safety, but walking by the Spirit. True wealth and stewardship are not what we accumulate but who we become in Christ. We are empowered in Christ, we live as living sacrifices, and we live in light of Christ’s certain return.
Gaining Stature by Losing Status (Luke 18:18-19:10)
As Jesus approaches Jericho, which is an iconic city of judgment, He is revealed as the greater Joshua, leading not a campaign of physical conquest, but one of redemption in two phases. In Luke’s account, we meet two individuals: a blind beggar and a wealthy tax collector. Though physically blind, the beggar sees Jesus, rightly identifying him as the Son of David, the Messiah. Zacchaeus, the rich man whose name means “righteous,” is short in stature, a symbol pointing to his moral and spiritual insufficiency.
Despite their social disparity, both men encounter Christ and recognize Him as the true life-giver and equalizer. Their faith, not their status, identifies them as sons of Abraham. As the old mission of Israel ends in exile due to human failure, Jesus begins a new mission, fulfilling the promise through His suffering and the power of the cross.
In Him, we too are called to live as Spirit-led pilgrims, emptying ourselves of worldly significance and finding our identity, hope, and peace in Christ alone. He is not contaminated by sinners, but He sanctifies them as the perfect righteous priest king.
When Being Good is not Good Enough (Luke 18:18-34)
One might wonder if Jesus is the Son of Man or Eeyore, always bringing people down right when his mission gains potential momentum. We see an example of this when a rich ruler seeks eternal life, affirming Christ as God. He leaves sad, but why? Because Jesus exposed the one thing the man couldn’t surrender: his status. Though he claimed obedience, his identity was rooted in his accomplishments. It might be his wealthy status or his righteousness, but it was not in Christ. Jesus, who never denies His divinity, challenges this man and us to move beyond performance and status. We are called to be humble, empty ourselves, and embrace humility and daily dependence on Christ who is the sole source of life and eternal status.
Rejected and Respected (Luke 18:9-17)
True spiritual life is found not in self-reliance or moral superiority, but in humble submission and appreciation of God’s mercy. Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector shows that it is the repentant, not the self-assured, who are righteous before God. Like little children, we are called to receive God’s kingdom with humility and trust, recognizing our daily need for His grace.
Where is Your Kingdom? (Luke 17:20-18:8)
The Kingdom of God is both a present spiritual reality and a future physical hope. Jesus redefines our expectations, showing that the Kingdom is not a visible political regime but a quiet, powerful presence already at work through His ministry and the faithful witness of the Church. Like in the days of Noah and Lot, life may seem ordinary, but decisive judgment can come without warning, though not without signs. The world gives subtle reminders of its brokenness and the need for redemption.
Jesus teaches that while life seems normal, the Kingdom advances in hidden ways, and one day, a sudden transformation will come. We are not left in total darkness—Noah’s ark and Lot’s urgent escape were testimonies of coming judgment. Likewise, unrest and suffering in our world are reminders that this is not our final home. Christ’s return will confirm the Kingdom in full glory, though its timetable is known only to God.
In the meantime, we live as citizens of the Kingdom by seeking mercy, justice, and faithfulness, not power or recognition. The call is to remain vigilant and steadfast so that when the Son of Man returns, He finds us ready, faithful, and persevering amid a world that often forgets what’s truly coming.
Grateful for Grace (Luke 17:11-19)
As Jesus continues His journey to Jerusalem, the place of supposed peace, He encounters rejection, brokenness, and unexpected faith. Passing between Galilee and Samaria, He heals ten lepers—yet only one, a Samaritan, returns to give thanks. In this moment, Christ shows that true cleansing and peace don't come from heritage or even the strength of our faith, but from faith in Him alone.
A Little Faith Goes A Long Ways (Luke 17:1-10)
Christ’s teaching affirms the validity of Moses and the prophets, emphasizing the importance of a Christian walk as a servant before our gracious master. The apostles request more faith, but Christ emphasizes the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, living in God’s service is a joy, knowing His favor is unearned. It is the assurance that we live for the greatest master.
Where Are Your Riches? (Luke 16:14-31)
Christ’s teachings emphasize the importance of understanding the deeper intentions because the law of God. Our temptation is to find the technicalities rather than really asking, “What pleases my Lord?” The parable of the rich man and Lazarus illustrates this point, showing that outward prosperity and self-righteousness do not guarantee eternal comfort, while long-suffering and faith in God lead to eternal reward as one holds onto Christ by faith.