Episodes
7 days ago
7 days ago
We all know that human relationships can be difficult. It can especially be difficult to move on after betrayal. Yet, that is precisely what the early church does. How do they do this? How do they remain united in the truth of the gospel? And how can we remain united when relationships in the church go wrong? Pastor David preaches “Overcoming Alienation” based on Acts 1:15-17; 21-26 and John 17:6-19.
Sunday May 05, 2024
May 5, 2024, Easter 6B: "True Friendship"
Sunday May 05, 2024
Sunday May 05, 2024
In the age of the individual sovereign self, Jesus’s words, “You are my friends if you do what I command you,” can be off-putting. After all, what right does anyone have to impose anything on us, especially in the context of friendship? But friendship with Jesus is of a different sort altogether. What makes friendship with Jesus so different than that of the world? How has the idea of friendship been co-opted by our culture? And how do we find wholeness in friendship with Jesus? Pastor David preaches “True Friendship” based on John 15:9-17.
Sunday Apr 28, 2024
April 28, 2024, Easter 5B: "Don't Take This the Wrong Way..."
Sunday Apr 28, 2024
Sunday Apr 28, 2024
No book has been as misunderstood as the Bible. And our gospel reading for this Sunday is no exception. When Jesus likens his disciples to branches on a vine, we often take that as a threat: “Be fruitful or else!” However, Jesus is not threatening, but truth-telling. What truth is Jesus telling about us, himself, and his Father? And how can we avoid misunderstanding not just this text but every text? Pastor David preaches “Don’t Take This the Wrong Way…” based on Acts 8:26-40 and John 15:1-8.
Sunday Apr 21, 2024
April 21, 2024, Easter 4B: "The Shepherd Who Dies"
Sunday Apr 21, 2024
Sunday Apr 21, 2024
The image of the Good Shepherd is one of the most beloved in scripture. We may conjure a sweet, bucolic image when we think of it. But the shepherding image was often used as propaganda to legitimate a particular king or conqueror, portraying that person as a benefactor and protector of the people. How is Jesus a different kind of shepherd than any human leader? In an age of propaganda, how can we trust Jesus to be our Good Shepherd? Pastor David preaches “The Shepherd Who Dies” based on John 10:11-18.
Sunday Apr 07, 2024
April 7, 2024, Easter 2B: "Breaking through Fear"
Sunday Apr 07, 2024
Sunday Apr 07, 2024
In terror, the disciples barricaded themselves behind locked doors. They had reason for their fear. Not only were they still in danger from the authorities, but a few of them had reported an empty tomb with folded-up graveclothes. Was Jesus back? And if he was, what did that mean for them? Would Jesus accuse them of having betrayed and abandoned him? Yet, when Jesus appears to them, he doesn’t give a word of judgment, but one of peace. How does this word of peace reach us today? How does Jesus break through our fears? Pastor David preaches “Breaking through Fear” based on John 20:19-31.
Sunday Mar 31, 2024
March 31, 2024, Easter Sunday B: "The Beginning"
Sunday Mar 31, 2024
Sunday Mar 31, 2024
Mark’s Gospel has a strange ending, with an empty tomb, a man in white, and terrified women. There is no appearance of the risen Jesus. None of the women say anything to anyone. On the surface, this is a deeply unsatisfying ending to Jesus’s story. But what if Mark’s Gospel has no ending? What if, instead of ending the story of Jesus, Mark shows us a new beginning? Pastor David preaches “The Beginning” based on Mark 16:1-8.
Friday Mar 29, 2024
March 29, 2024, Good Friday: "The End"
Friday Mar 29, 2024
Friday Mar 29, 2024
Preaching text: John 18:1-19:42
Friday Mar 29, 2024
March 28, 2024, Maundy Thursday: "Welcome Home"
Friday Mar 29, 2024
Friday Mar 29, 2024
Preaching text: John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Monday Mar 25, 2024
March 24, 2024, Palm Sunday: "Which Lord?"
Monday Mar 25, 2024
Monday Mar 25, 2024
When Jesus enters Jerusalem, he doesn’t do it like a typical king would. He doesn’t ride on a horse. He doesn’t bring an army. And most notably in Mark’s Gospel, no one comes out from the city to meet him. Rather, he comes with his own rag-tag group of followers. How does Jesus’ ironic procession undercut the various idols we give allegiance to? How does the kingdom of Jesus differ from all human kingdoms? And how does Jesus’ procession confront us today? Pastor David preaches “Which Lord?” based on Mark 11:1-11 and 14:1-15:47.
Sunday Mar 17, 2024
March 17, 2024, Lent 5B: "Strange Glory"
Sunday Mar 17, 2024
Sunday Mar 17, 2024
The request of some Greeks to see Jesus is more than just a mere request; it functions as a signal that the time has come for Jesus to enter his glory. But what kind of strange glory awaits Jesus? What can he possibly mean when he says, “Whoever hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life?” And how can an itinerant preacher and healer from a no-account town in Galilee possibly draw all people to himself? Pastor David preaches “Strange Glory” based on John 12:20-33.