Digging deeper into Luke 2:41-52 (“12-yr. old Jesus in the temple”), what is meant by the term “boy Jesus”? If Jesus was asking questions why were the teachers amazed at His answers? Considering Jesus’ obedience to His parents in this story what is meant by His words later in Luke 14:26…that in order to come to Him one must hate father and mother?
Does the “Emerging Church” have a point in allowing “developing” disciples, like Jesus did, to belong first, before requiring all the correct beliefs and behaviors? When I study Jesus’ discipleship method I see a reversal of our common approach of “behave, believe, belong” to “belong, believe, and behave.” In the context of belonging, our beliefs and behaviors begin to change as we become more like Christ.
Is love defined by obedience? In other words, does an action of obedience define my love for God? After all, Jesus did say, “If you love Me, keep My commands” (John 14:15).
Imagine a person suffering from a high temperature as a result of the flu. You take that person’s temperature and with a fever of 104 degrees immediately dunk them in an ice bath and rush them off to the hospital. Clearly this person is very sick and in need of medical help! Now imagine taking the temperature of a second person who has just emerged from a Russian Banya after lying in a tanning bed preceded by a prolonged dip in some nearby volcanic hotsprings. You get the point; that person’s temperature may also register around 104! But this person does not have the same condition as the fever-strickened.
In John 3:16 we first note that God is the source of all love and that secondly love is fleshed out in the action of giving (“God so loved that He gave…”). We might conclude that God’s love is defined by the gift of His Son to us. Perhaps a better observation, however, is that love precedes the action. While an action flows out of that love, the love that precedes it is primary and deeper than the action. We might say that the following deed of giving is an act that illuminates the former.
Consider the nursing staff at a hospital. Medical workers are required to help and care for a variety of patients regardless of their genuine concern or love for the afflicted. They simply provide various actions of medical welfare without any obligation to love.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 clearly states that one can do all types of actions that might resemble love yet clang like a cymbal or resounding gong. A volunteer at the local food pantry might minister all day long to the down and out and then upon returning home yell at his wife and slap his child. A supposed follower of Christ may do all the right things, wear all the right clothes, and go to all the right places, yet remain outside the love of God. Shallow activism and legalism can be the result when one attempts to define love by action, and more to the point—obedience.
Back to our first example. Anyone can display a “high temperature” but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s symptomatic of one’s true condition. We’re thus faced with perhaps a deeper and more profound question: Have our hearts truly been renewed in the love of God? Do our actions and signs of obedience truly flow from a love that originates with the Father?
Furthermore, what is meant by obeying the commands of Jesus? Considering the importance of context we might wish to take a deeper look at John 13:34-35. Truly loving our brother and sister may in fact be the obedience required of us, the “commands” of Christ. Romans 13:8-10 would certainly support this: “love is the fulfillment of the law” (10b). But how can I love another without the love of Christ first saturating my soul? Precisely the point! If I’m not truly immersed in the love of God…if I’m not consistently and constantly basking in the unconditional love of the Father…then I truly cannot love my brothers and sisters redemptively and nor will religious rituals and outward manifestations prove my love for God.
I’d love to connect with you via email or phone. Snail mail can be sent to the address listed below.
725 Newgate Ln Apt C, Prospect Heights, IL 60070
(+1) 269.625.3400
Select me as your speaker, and I will give you my best effort. See me as a catalyst or facilitator that will help you achieve the goals you’ve set for your event. When you win, I win, It’s as simple as that. I’m here to serve you in life’s journey.
A venue for the event should be chosen with the target audience in mind. All-day or half-day workshops are ideally hosted in rooms where food can be served and participants can gather around tables for group dialogue and breakout sessions (click on links for preferred room setup: round/long tables). All venues should be suited for multi-media presentations and wired for sound.
Once a date and presentation topic have been confirmed for an event, the venue name and address along with a contact phone number should be submitted for advertisement purposes. I can provide advertising media for all events including online registration if needed.
A room featuring a multi-media projector with 3000 lumens or greater is preferred for all events. I will use my own projector when one is not available. Please note that for most presentations and workshops I need my laptop at the front of the venue from where I’ll be speaking. My system can accommodate VGA/HDMI cables. I can also supply an Apple TV for systems that require wireless projection from the front. Most of my presentations are designed for widescreen (16:9).
For audio I prefer a lapel or Countryman microphone. For presentation/video audio I can supply my own speaker for groups under 100 people. For larger groups I need a mic cord (to plug into my direct box) or an audio cable (3.5mm mini stereo) that plugs directly into my laptop.
Replace lecterns and pulpits with a small table or stand on which to place a laptop. Standard telescoping music stands are ideal.
For workshops, have a flip chart or white board available with markers in several colors.
An eight-foot table should be available on which to place books, CDs, DVDs, and other resources for sale. Cash, checks, and credit cards are all accepted.
I do not charge a set fee when speaking at non-profit events. However, donations are welcome to support my family and cover bills. The suggested donation amount is $500/day for each day I’m on the trip plus travel expenses. If I’m within a few hours of an event I will drive (suggested reimbursement of $250), otherwise, I typically fly (if within the USA, $500). I fly out of Chicago, IL and typically purchase my own tickets; a reimbursement check made out to “Luke Kuepfer” can be mailed to 725 Newgate Lane, Apartment C, Prospect Heights, IL 60070.
Born in Ontario, Canada, I moved to El Salvador at age 4 where my parents served as missionaries for three years. At age nineteen, I moved to Alberta, Canada to teach school for three years. I began leading several short term teams to Asia focused on unreached people groups in my early twenties. During this time I met my wife Amy and moved to Northern Indiana, USA, in 1995. In 1997, we moved with our infant daughter Brittany to Thailand where I served as director of Global Tribes Outreach. During our ten-year stint in Southeast Asia, God blessed us with two more children—Courtney and Jamin. In 2008 we moved back to North America and bought our first house in Kentucky, USA. I acquired a Masters in Christian Leadership from Asbury Seminary in 2014 and now travel frequently both domestically and internationally for leadership development.
I have heard from other staff members who agree with me, this was one of the best/productive workshops we've attended.
Your talk rocked my world.
Luke Kuepfer’s high-energy presentation of the material was delightful, articulate, and profound! If you are looking for a fresh and life-changing look at Jesus’ servant leadership model, look no further! Give Luke a call!
Luke is a dynamic speaker with the gift of clearly articulating Biblical truths in an easy-to-understand manner. He speaks in humility but with authority, and injects his message with the experience and global perspective gained from living abroad as a missionary for many years.
Luke’s enthusiasm and passion for the local church and its impact in the community is inspiring. I highly recommend his teaching and ministry!
“Transformational” is the one word I would use to describe the seminar. Luke has a true gift in communicating God’s truths with clarity and passion.
Luke is enthusiastic and knowledgeable, presenting the interactive material creatively. It is a unique presentation unlike the usual “leadership seminars” taught from the front. Luke presents it with expertise, fun, and interest in each attendee.
Luke really has an incredible way of captivating everyone’s attention and making a seminar meaningful. He speaks from his heart and lives what he preaches. As a result of this Encounter we’re taking our family to Southeast Asia on a two-month mission trip with the possibility of moving there long-term.
Presentations and workshops in both non-profit and business venues around the world on leadership, people skills, and life purpose.
Masters Degree in Christian Leadership.
Bachelor’s Degree online in Liberal Studies.
Founded and served as Field Director of Global Tribes Outreach (GTO), a non-profit organization based in Southeast Asia committed to church planting and social work.
Floor finishing in concrete construction and equipment operator on a cash crop farm.
Taught elementary through high school students in a self-directed learning environment.
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