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Under New Management, or: Jesus Puts the Pharisees On Notice (Luke 11:14-12:12)

That same evening, some Pharisees get upset at how Jesus breaks their religious rules (again!). Jesus condemns them for being unfaithful greedy control-freaks. He fires them — and then begins to train his disciples to take over management of God’s kingdom.

Cash and Compassion, or: What Does Money Have To Do With Judgement Day? (Luke 12:13-34)

That night, Jesus continues to deconstruct the Pharisees’ obsessive-compulsive religious worldview, and replace it with God’s true Law of Compassion.

You’re Going Where? or: What Are We Supposed To Be Doing Here, Again? (Luke 12:35-48)

As the night goes on, Jesus begins to train his disciples in Kingdom Management Principles. He warns them against repeating the Pharisees’ mistake: he doesn’t want to catch them napping when he returns unexpectedly to claim his kingdom. The disciples begin to realize the countdown to Judgement Day might not be so straighforward.

The Drowning of Jesus, or: Two Judgements, Two Baptisms (Luke 12:49-13:9)

As midnight approaches, Jesus tells his disciples the war against the dragon is going to get much worse before it gets better. He warns the people again that their obsession with miracles and power will lead them straight to hell unless they repent and start listening to his words — but time is running out.

The Kingdom is Like A…Whaaat? or: This is Your Second-to-Last Chance (Luke 13:10-35)

Jesus teaches in a synagogue for the last time, and shows what the Law of Compassion looks like in action. When the Pharisees get upset, he tells them they’d better lose some weight if they want to fit through the door of his kingdom.

The End of Identity Politics, or: What If Your Gold Bars Suddenly Turned Into Concrete Blocks? (Luke 14:1-35)

Jesus heals someone on the Sabbath for the last time, eats dinner with the Pharisees for the last time, and invites them to join his kingdom for the last time. When they refuse (again), he warns them that the balances in their Religious Savings Accounts are about to go to zero.

Three Stories, One Question, or: So Are You Going to Join the Party or What? (Luke 15:1-32)

Jesus tells three stories about people losing things and ends with a cliffhanger.

Cash and Compassion (Part II), or: Management is All About Forgiveness! (Luke 16:1-18)

Jesus continues his course in Kingdom Management Principles with a story about a corrupt manager who, when he gets fired, suddenly gets smart and transfers his allegiance to the winning side. The real-life application is obvious! — but the Pharisees aren’t listening.

Modesty and Generosity, or: The Story With the Sting In the Tail (Luke 16:19-31)

Jesus continues his Kingdom Management Training course with a module on fiscal responsibility. And…ghosts?

You Want Us To Do What? or: To Dream the Impossible Dream (Luke 17:1-10)

Jesus’ Kingdom Management Training course continues with a module on relationships and mulberry trees.

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