Ashes to Fire #3: “Keep Short Accounts”Text: Luke 13:1-9When tragedy strikes, there is no shortage of “Christian spokespeople” prepared to declare that the tragedy was somehow indicative of God’s judgment on a particular person or group of people.  And yet, when people ask Jesus about tragic events, he (politely and tactfully) tells them to MYOB…

Ashes to Fire #2: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem”Text: Luke 13:31-35As Jesus moves steadfastly toward Jerusalem, he does so fearlessly, knowing that the timing if his death is entirely in the hands of the Father.  Lamenting the broken systems and lost people in Jerusalem, Jesus continues to make intentional decisions which lead to his arrest and execution.  And…

Ashes to Fire #1: “Wilderness Survival Guide”Luke 4:1-14As we begin our wilderness adventure with Jesus, we consider the ways in which His identity formed the foundation from which He faced temptation.  Jesus knew who He was, whose He was, and Who went with Him.  In the same manner, as dearly loved children of God, we…

“Transfiguration: Going Back Down the Mountain”Text: 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2Concluding the Season After Epiphany, the Transfiguration reminds us that we meet God in order to be transformed; that we go up the mountain in order to return to the valley; and that we enjoy the privilege of a personal relationship with God.  As we go back…

“Missio Dei”Text: Luke 5:1-11Jesus invites Peter, James and John to partner with Him in fulfilling the Mission of God.  It is the same call that is issued to every follower of Jesus, and yet we have often been content to sit back and wait for the world to come to us.  We are reminded of…

“The Year of Jubilee”Text: Luke 4:14-21In proclaiming the Year of the Lord’s Favor, Jesus doesn’t seem to be talking about land ownership and freedom for slaves as much as He is talking about spiritual poverty & blindness, and setting people free from the law of sin and death.  In a move that angers His listeners,…

“Discipline of Celebration”Text: John 2:1-11Jesus continues to demonstrate obedience and submission as His mother asks Him to perform His first miracle at the wedding in Cana. In turning water into wine, Jesus not only reminds us that He has power over the material elements in this world, but that He is the full embodiment of…

“Voluntary Submission in the Kingdom of God”Text: Philippians 2:1-11; Luke 3:15-22Pastor Jon looks at the Baptism of our Lord through the lens of the Kenosis hymn found in Philippians 2.  By considering Baptism as a voluntary act of submission, we recognize that in order to live into our baptism will entail great risk as we…

“Epiphany: Pursuing the Revelation of Christ”Text: Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12While much of our traditions about the Magi are based in speculation and legend, we can make some educated guesses about their journey and the sacrifices that they made.  These educated guesses help us determine some lessons that we can learn from the Wise Men in…

Family Resemblances (#4): “Love”Text: I Corinthians 13And now these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love.  But the greatest of these is Love. – I Cor 13:13.  Pastor Jon concludes our Advent Series with a look at what it means to be shaped by Godly Love. Paul tells us that nothing else that we do will…