In September 2009, Mars Hill started our 100-part sermon series on the Gospel of Luke. This past Sunday at the Ballard church, Pastor Mark preached the final sermon in the series. We asked people between the 9 and 11:15 a.m. services what they've learned about God and their own discipleship in that time.

James Kil, 23 Capitol Hill

Mars Hill Blog: What have you learned during the Luke series?

JK: I have learned kind of a lot of good stuff. Especially, this is not a religion; it’s all about Jesus. There’s not works righteousness. It’s more like a family, friendship relationship in Christ. That is still shocking. I’m still learning, actually. I grew up in a very religious, work-righteousness, hard-core kind of crazy place. I think God has told me, through Mars Hill, "Nope that’s wrong." It’s so shocking to me. It’s kind of getting to make more sense. I still feel like I’m under trial.

MHB: What’s one Luke sermon you've gone back to and listened to multiple times?

JK: I would say, first of all, "Heaven and Hell." Because that is literally true and there is no way to deny it. No matter how much we try. Nope, there's no other way. And second the [parable of the] lost coin. … It was about how Jesus telling the disciples about the example of the woman with the coin. That was really impressive.

Todd, 35, and Ashley Christenson, 28 Greenlake

MHB: What place do you think God has you in right now? How are your hearts different from where you were two years ago?

Ashley: I think God has really been teaching me that he is with me. I feel like that’s a more recent lesson that I can overcome trials not on my own strength but God being with me. … I tend to try really hard to fix myself or try to earn God’s approval and I think that God is really trying to redirect my gaze, he’s been teaching me that over and over again for four years, straight back to him because I fail horribly over and over again on my own.

MHB: What does it look like when you try to fix yourself?

AC: I grow anxious, I get frustrated, it usually doesn’t help. But then when I trust that God is with me and that it’s about this righteousness not my own, then I am less anxious and I have hope rather than despair.

MHB: Todd, how have you seen her grow?

Todd: In the way that she realizes that it’s Jesus reaching out to her rather than her trying to reach out to Jesus. When she tries to reach out and make it about her, it does make her really anxious. It’s been really nice to see how she has just started to really get the gospel and take it to heart.

MHB: Ashley, how have you seen him grow?

AC: I think he’s grown quite a bit in his identity in Christ rather than how other people see you, [Todd]. I think that I still struggle with that and we’re both working through that, but I think not working so much about the fear of man. TC: I would agree, fear of man. And also self-help. Just really realize that it’s about Jesus rather than myself. AC: I guess it’s a lesson we’ve both learned: it’s about Jesus, not ourselves. Stay tuned for more Q&As with others at Ballard this week. Luke #100 will play this coming Sunday at all the other churches. James, Ashley, and Todd were interviewed by staff editor Holly and photographed by Air War volunteer Amber. Rachelle contributed editing.