September 22, 2019
Season of Pentecost
The three parables of
Luke 15 (lost sheep, lost coin, lost son) portray a beautiful image of
God's economy, where there is always enough and mercy is the currency. Luke 16...well...not such much! In Luke 16 the shrewd get praised and the corrupt move ahead.
Pastor
Rob reflects on how Jesus calls us to be disciples "in" this world, a
world in which the shrewd are rewarded and money seems to be speak the
loudest. Yet we are called to be "of" a different kingdom, a different
economy, a place in which God's love provides enough for each person.
Being "in"
but not "of" this world is not at all an easy thing! A special shout
out to Stephen and Jodi Swanson for their work being "in" but not "of"
this world!
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Grace with no Asterisk
September 15, 2019
Season of Pentecost
We spend a great deal of time carefully selecting which photos we put on social media and which we delete, crop or filter. In this sermon, Pastor Rob talks about our discomfort with the parts of life that don't look great. We sometimes assume that if we just took enough spiritual vitamins and absorbed enough grace, that these "need to be cropped and edited" parts would go away. In this case, grace comes with an asterisk, a whole lot of conditions and restrictions. Instead, Pastor Rob reflects on the grace proclaimed by Saint Paul, which comes without an asterisk - no ifs, ors, or buts. It comes from the cross and speaks of God's love for us even in the brokenness, the messiness and sin of our lives.
A handful of Scripture is cited in the sermon: Exodus 32, Psalm 51, 1 Timothy 1 and Luke 15.
Season of Pentecost
We spend a great deal of time carefully selecting which photos we put on social media and which we delete, crop or filter. In this sermon, Pastor Rob talks about our discomfort with the parts of life that don't look great. We sometimes assume that if we just took enough spiritual vitamins and absorbed enough grace, that these "need to be cropped and edited" parts would go away. In this case, grace comes with an asterisk, a whole lot of conditions and restrictions. Instead, Pastor Rob reflects on the grace proclaimed by Saint Paul, which comes without an asterisk - no ifs, ors, or buts. It comes from the cross and speaks of God's love for us even in the brokenness, the messiness and sin of our lives.
A handful of Scripture is cited in the sermon: Exodus 32, Psalm 51, 1 Timothy 1 and Luke 15.
Jesus Trees
September 8, 2019
Season of Pentecost and Rally Day
In Psalm 1, the followers of God are compared to trees. After unpacking this beautiful metaphor, Pastor Rob talks about how the mission of the church is to produce Jesus-Trees. (Actually, he connects Psalm 1 with the church's logo, tagline "rooted and growing" and the new mission statement.) From there, Pastor Rob returns to Psalm 1, reflecting on how we are called to "meditate on the law day and night."
Season of Pentecost and Rally Day
In Psalm 1, the followers of God are compared to trees. After unpacking this beautiful metaphor, Pastor Rob talks about how the mission of the church is to produce Jesus-Trees. (Actually, he connects Psalm 1 with the church's logo, tagline "rooted and growing" and the new mission statement.) From there, Pastor Rob returns to Psalm 1, reflecting on how we are called to "meditate on the law day and night."
Thursday, September 5, 2019
Inviting folks on the outside
September 1, 2019
Season of Pentecost
Even pagans love their friends and family! Jesus drives home the point, once again, that we are called to love not just our friends and family, but to care for those on the outside, those on the margins, those who are not liked! In Luke 14, Jesus goes a step further and challenges us to eat with people who are on the margins. For when we eat with people, relationships form, joys and trials are shared and something holy happens. Pastor Rob reflects about the power of God's transforming love through a simply earthly meal, even things like Peanut Butter sandwiches.
Season of Pentecost
Even pagans love their friends and family! Jesus drives home the point, once again, that we are called to love not just our friends and family, but to care for those on the outside, those on the margins, those who are not liked! In Luke 14, Jesus goes a step further and challenges us to eat with people who are on the margins. For when we eat with people, relationships form, joys and trials are shared and something holy happens. Pastor Rob reflects about the power of God's transforming love through a simply earthly meal, even things like Peanut Butter sandwiches.
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