Messages

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

The Church is more than a social club, more than a collection of vested interests. The Church is Jesus’ visible presence in our world. What makes the difference is the Holy Spirit – God who lives within and among us. Join us as we celebrate what it means that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is living within us, empowering us to be present to our world.

Evangelizing the Church?

Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is following Jesus. That’s scary to admit, but it’s been true since the earliest days of the Church. What should our response be to those who claim Christianity but don’t look like our Christ? We turn to Peter’s words to his contemporaries in Acts 3 for a surprisingly grace-filled and truth-filled message of invitation and hope.

What Makes a Good Follower?

What makes a good convert to Christianity? Too often the church pursues wealth, fame and power. But as Paul's experiences in Thessalonica and Berea illustrate that it's not those markers of cultural success and acclaim we're used to admiring. Rather, what makes a good disciple is one who is curious and faith-filled. How do we spot that today?

Church isn’t Cool

We want a faith that’s respectable, one that attracts CEOs and star athletes and rockstars. But the earliest church wasn’t cool. Even the people who respected their faith didn’t want to be associated with them. Who did? The people on the margins – the overlooked, vulnerable and uncool. What does it look like to embrace an uncool faith today?

Saved for the World

Far too often, we view faith as something that separates us from the world. We become judgmental, condescending, celebrating when we prosper and they don't. But as the book of Acts shows us, God saves us for the sake of the world. What does a faith look like that turns to the world to embrace, rather than condemn?

Grounded in Worship

What's the point of Sunday church? Why get together in a room, sing songs and listen to someone talk? And why do that weekly? Believe it or not, gathering regularly with our spiritual family is key to flourishing in our faith. Why is that? Let's let the early church show us.

The Truth about Easter

God is Not an American

Love of country can morph into nationalism - putting our country before everything else. Believing we're chosen, that God loves us more than anyone else. Palm Sunday reminds us that Jesus is not on our side - rather, he invites us to follow him, to be on HIS side. How does following Jesus free us to love our country truly as well?

God is Not a White Man

Christianity has a long history of oppressing both women and peoples of color - often using the Bible to justify it. But Jesus is the God who freed the Hebrew slaves, who comforted the Exiles, who appointed a woman as the first apostle and preacher. What does a faith that rejects misogyny and racism look like? How can we affirm that God is not a white man?

God is Not a Family Man

Today’s churches are often built around and center the nuclear family - Dad, Mom, Wally and the Beav. Why is that? Jesus was single. So was Paul. And the so-called ‘traditional family’ didn’t exist until the last century. How can we avoid creating an idol out of the family? What is God’s vision for family? And how is that vision good for all of us, no matter what our families look like?