“Palm Sunday: Ride on to Die” Text: Matthew 21:1-11 and Psalm 24 After setting the stage for the Triumphal Entry, Pastor Jon stops to explore what Matthew might have meant when he said, “the city asked ‘who is this?’” One possibility is that Matthew was offering a liturgical comment, identifying that the priests may have…
“Life Transformations 4: The Resurrection and the Life” Text: John 11:1-45As we conclude our mini-series on Life Transformations, Pastor Jon looks at the graveclothes of Lazarus as a metaphor for the things in this world that keep us captive–whether destructive forces and addictions… or the good things that keep us from the best things that…
“Life Transformations 3: Invisible People” Text: John 9In this passage, Jesus sees a man who has been mostly invisible his entire life. Failed by the people who ought to know him best, this man responds to God’s transforming grace–finding not only physical sight, but the salvation that is found in Christ. His firm and bold…
“Life Transformations 2: Living Water” Text: John 4:1-42Jesus breaks all societal norms when his afternoon is seemingly interrupted by an encounter with a woman at the well. What divine appointments might God bring your way this week? How can offer living water to the people on the fringes?
“Life Transformations 1: Born Again” Text: John 3:1-21In this first of four sermons on transformation, Pastor Jon offers some comparisons between Nicodemus and the “rich young ruler.” As we continue our journey through the season of Lent, we’re called to consider if we are holding onto our carefully constructed life. Many things can take the…
“Rock of Ages” Text: Matthew 7:15-29In this concluding study on the Sermon on the Mount, Pastor Jon quickly recaps our Ash Wednesday service (recording not available), and then looks at Jesus’ conclusion to the Sermon. Jesus Himself places great importance on these teachings, suggesting that if we hear the Sermon but don’t allow it to…
“The Narrow Road” Text: Matthew 7:1-14 This portion of the Sermon on the Mount reminds us that it’s easy to choose the path that leads to destruction. With many narratives competing for our attention, it’s vital that we learn to detect the counterfeit narratives. That’s why we practice retelling the Grand Narrative, affirming our faith…
“Seeking First the Kingdom” Text: Matthew 6:25-34 We continue our journey through the Sermon on the Mount with another look at “Kingdom Economics.” Pastor Jon provides some images to help us consider the ways that the Kingdom of God is vastly different from the kingdoms of this world… and how the narrative of our US…
“Who is Your Master?” Text: Matthew 6:19-24 The last few sections of the Sermon on the Mount have been about “Kingdom Politics,” and now we turn our attention to “Kingdom Economics.” After considering what it means to have a good eye, to only serve one master, and to store up treasures that will not rot,…
“Who is Your Enemy?” Text: Matthew 5:38-48 “Turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, give the shirt off your back.” As they’ve been adapted by our culture, these phrases have lost much of their first-century cultural context. Pastor Jon explores the subversive nature of Jesus’ style of resisting the kingdoms of darkness, suggesting that…