To Build a Community of Grace
In his meditation on Jesus' teaching about handling problems in the church, the Rev. Richard Aguilar helps us grasp what it means to become and build a community of grace as disciples of Christ.
Trusting God to Settle Scores
In Paul's to-do list for Christians in community, he urges us to live peaceably. In order to do that, we must turn over our feelings of revenge to God and live in harmony.
Do You Love Jesus?
Talking about Jesus as an idea is a far cry from trusting your life to Jesus, and believing in the concept of God doesn't begin to compare with actually knowing God. Peter Marty calls for a bone-rattling passion for following Christ.
The Mulch Pile
In Colossians 3, the Apostle Paul asks us what trash do we need to throw on the mulch pile, and what beautiful new things will we grow in its place?
So You're a Christian? Whattaya Gonna Do About It?
As TV mobster Tony Soprano might put it, "So you're a Christian? Whattaya gonna do about it?" Some Christians do nothing. Others take a middle of the road approach. Susan Sparks encourages us to go "all in" and truly follow Christ.
Excuses, Excuses, Excuses
The story of the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3 reminds us that excuses have no place in the Christian life. Because as Christians, we don't have to make excuses because we can't justify ourselves anyway--that's God's job. Instead, learn to practice forgiveness.
The Stand-In Church
Sometimes we need to be prepared to "stand in" for church in the lives of those who are hurting, sharing our testimony with the grieving, calling out that we have seen light in the midst of darkness.
It's Coming
Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us, Paul says. We are the resurrection people, and we have a reason to hope.
The Sower's Lesson
The goal of the sower in Jesus' parable (Matthew 13) was simply to sow seed, and to many he seems careless and wasteful. As followers of Christ, how are we sowing the seeds of our faith?
Never Enough
Jesus calls those who are weary to take up his yoke. There's no secret formula for lowering life's pressurized expectations--but accepting that we can't do it without God is the first step.
God Will Provide
The story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22 reminds us that God will provide--but it's not easy. A strong relationship with God requires a trust that struggles with reality.
Blessed Assurances
As the church observes Trinity Sunday, the Rev. William E. Flippin Jr. explores the riches of Romans 5:1-5, and helps us find assurance of our eternal relationship with God through Christ.
When Christ Shows Up
On Pentecost Sunday, the church celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Rev. William E. Flippin Jr. guides us into experiencing God's peace, power and purpose through the Spirit within.
An Out-of-Order Lesson Calling Us to a New Day
The Rev. Michael Sullivan shares the point of Jesus' High Priestly prayer, which as we celebrate Easter and the Ascension comes out of order in the gospel story: That we might realize the faith Christ has in us and in our calling.
Young Leaders Series V: Proclaiming Christ in the New Areopagus
In the final part of our Young Leaders of the Church Series, the Rev. Hardy Kim takes us back to ancient Athens, Greece, where the apostle Paul shows us how to engage the culture of the day.
Young Leaders Series IV: Better Than Hippo Testimony
In the fourth part of our Young Leaders of the Church series, the Rev. James Ellis III looks at the testimony of Stephen when he was stoned, and draws implications for our own witness in the world.
Young Leaders Series III: The Sheepfold
Young Leaders of the Church Series
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In part 3 of our Young Leaders of the Church series, the Rev. Adam Thomas explores the image of Jesus as shepherd and as gateway in John 10, and reveals how Jesus calls us to abundant life.
Young Leaders Series II: Breaking Open
Young Leaders of the Church Series
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In Part 2 of our Young Leaders of the Church Series, the Rev. Lee Hull Moses takes us on a walk to Emmaus with two of Jesus' disciples, who encounter the risen Christ on the way, and shows us what that encounter can mean to us today.
Young Leaders Series I: The Faith of the Doubter
Young Leaders of the Church Series
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In this first message in our "Young Leaders of the Church" series, the Rev. Dr. Katy Hinman examines the story of Doubting Thomas (John 20), and finds a place for doubt as well as faith in the believer's life.
Beyond Bunnies and Jelly Beans
In her Easter message based on John 20, the Rev. Pam Driesell says, "Easter is not a promise that your business or family or the church or the world will be 'like it used to be,' or even that your pulse will go on beating forever. It is a promise that the power that gave you a pulse will never, ever abandon you."