God's Family 5/14/17

On Mother’s Day Rebecca took us to a most intimate moment between Jesus and his mother, as Jesus addresses Mary from the cross in John’s Gospel. We hear about the exemplary care Jesus shows to his mother, about Jesus’ radical redefinition of family by calling you his brothers and sisters, and about how you can feel the guidance of God as a mothering influence through following Scripture’s teaching.

Baptism Is Branding and Purposing 5/7/17

In this message I talk about baptism as branding and purposing.

PURPOSING: Jesus did not only show a way of life based on a radical love for others… He also asked us to join his movement. When those he was training asked if they should send away a large crowd so they could go grab some dinner, Jesus’ response was, “They don’t need to go away. You feed them.”

“You feed them” becomes a mantra for any body of believers (a church).

BRANDING: Pretty much anyone you talk with will say that the loving image Jesus represents is attractive to them. Jesus was a main culprit in sowing this image. He liked using the image of shepherding, and calling himself the “Good Shepherd.”

You are the would-be sheep of his flock, who he would brand with faith in his grace, and who he would lead to abundant life now and forevermore.

Doubt 4/23/17

The theme of this sermon is our doubt. No matter if we're talking the big doubts (Does God even exist?), or the more "trivial" brand (Does God care if the Dodgers win?)...

We look at doubt as not something to hide. We look at the many ways the people of faith managed the potential for doubt in the bible.