Get a Swrod for Christ 2_5_17

Forgiveness 1/29/17

Imagine this coming Sunday, as we came together, that I asked for anyone to stand that bears no grudge—to stand if they have forgiven everyone. And that then, without hesitation, everyone in our sanctuary rises to their feet in confidence. As far as we knew, and as far as it depended upon us, we were in good standing with all others. The power of that moment would perhaps be the most powerful sermon I had ever experienced.

Jesus commands his followers to practice forgiveness. Furthermore, taking such steps for forgiveness comes first before any others service to a church.

 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift” (Jesus, Matthew 5:23,24).

I wonder how our churches are still operating with such a radical command. So many of us, most really, are too good at carrying grudges. Jesus would have us step back from serving in the church. How many leaders, preachers, people with keys to unlock sanctuary doors, people that turn on lights & microphones, people that play instruments, etc… How many of us need to put down our gift, first go make good with others, and then serve?

This message leads us deeper into the vision of Jesus for our human-to-human relations. The Way of God is forgiveness.

Am I My Brother's Keeper? 1/22/17

“I don’t know,” Cain says to God. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

I don't know about that man sleeping on the street. Am I my brother's keeper?

I don't know about that suffering family who recently lost someone. Am I my sister's keeper?

I don't know about that child who is malnourished and uneducated. Am I my brother's keeper?

I don't know about that woman selling herself to make ends meet. Am I my sister's keeper?

I don't know about that Police officer who lives with a target on his back from an angry society. Am I by brother's keeper?

I don't know about that woman threatened by racial injustice or societal paranoia. Am I my sister's keeper?

"I don't know," Cain responded. "Am I my brother's keeper?"

Jesus wants a community of followers who answer: “YES!” In this message I continue focusing in on God’s vision for our relationships human-to-human. 

Golden Rule 1/15/17

The Golden Rule might work great as a facebook meme, but Jesus originally offered it as a COMMAND. “In everything, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Join us, as a movement within the present upheaval of broken and damaged human relations, by studying and following the Way of Jesus.

In this video message I unpack the punch with which these words (the Golden Rule) hit us. As we rise as a community to be formed in the image of Jesus, it will require that we mature.

The End of Hate 1/8/17

The end of prejudice, intolerance, and violence is a common hope flowing through many people today.  I want to talk about why this hope, as a pop cultural project, is destined to fail. Then I want to talk about where this hope has already been enacted, and how you can get in. If you are passionate about ending prejudice, intolerance, and violence then let’s get down to it and talk seriously.

A New Year's Message 1/1/17

Listen in as I (Jonathan) share about making a "recount list" of your Heavenly Father's blessings, and about having "faith-forward" while we consider the future in all of our needs. This message will give you how to live into your Christian faith as we all transition into a new year.

On New Year's we stand in the door frame between our past and future. What we must do there, as with each step in our life, is worship. Using Scripture, from Isaiah 63 and Psalm 63, I show how to worship God while looking over the past and into the future.

Wieghty Words 12/18/16

In this message Rebecca opens the door of considering the “weighty words” we hear from God that shape and form us. The Christmas season markets itself on themes of goodwill, Santa Clause, and all being merry and bright. For many of us, though, our lives know difficulty. Rebecca leads you into the difficulties facing Mary when she received “weighty words” from God. Listen here for an invitation into a biblically-faithful response to living amidst difficulty.