On this Pentecost Sunday - which coincides with Aldersgate Day this year - we position the Christian celebration of Pentecost within its historical location and come to see it as an integral part of God's overarching narrative and not as an intrusion into it. Through the Spirit we are drawn ever closer to God and our neighbor, such that the loving community of the church may then reach out to the very margins of society to carry the good news of God's invitation to all people.
May 24, 2015
On this Pentecost Sunday - which coincides with Aldersgate Day this year - we position the Christian celebration of Pentecost within its historical location and come to see it as an integral part of God's overarching narrative and not as an intrusion into it. Through the Spirit we are drawn ever closer to God and our neighbor, such that the loving community of the church may then reach out to the very margins of society to carry the good news of God's invitation to all people.
May 24, 2015•25 min
Jesus prayed for his disciples, both those before him and those who would follow (i.e. us). His prayer is that we be in the world and protected. We see how that prayer is answered both locally and globally when we step out in faith to help build the Kingdom.
May 17, 2015
Jesus prayed for his disciples, both those before him and those who would follow (i.e. us). His prayer is that we be in the world and protected. We see how that prayer is answered both locally and globally when we step out in faith to help build the Kingdom.
May 17, 2015•41 min
In the encounter between Peter and Cornelius, the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of gentiles cannot be denied and Peter baptizes them in the name of Jesus Christ.
May 11, 2015
In the encounter between Peter and Cornelius, the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of gentiles cannot be denied and Peter baptizes them in the name of Jesus Christ.
May 11, 2015•18 min
Along the road to Gaza, Philip encounters an interesting individual whose identity, one way or another, seems to exclude the possibility of his inclusion among the people of God. In answer to his question, "What is to prevent me from being baptized?" Philip says nothing and simply baptizes him. His overarching identity is forever changed. Now he is a beloved child of God!
May 04, 2015
Along the road to Gaza, Philip encounters an interesting individual whose identity, one way or another, seems to exclude the possibility of his inclusion among the people of God. In answer to his question, "What is to prevent me from being baptized?" Philip says nothing and simply baptizes him. His overarching identity is forever changed. Now he is a beloved child of God!
May 04, 2015•24 min
In the description of the encounter of Cleopas and his companion with Jesus on the road to Emmaus, we see the importance of hospitality and how their epiphany would have been missed if the travelers had not invited Jesus to stay with them. The model for hospitality involves a subtle mutuality between host and guest, and models for us how hospitality can be envisioned in the church today.
Apr 26, 2015
In the description of the encounter of Cleopas and his companion with Jesus on the road to Emmaus, we see the importance of hospitality and how their epiphany would have been missed if the travelers had not invited Jesus to stay with them. The model for hospitality involves a subtle mutuality between host and guest, and models for us how hospitality can be envisioned in the church today.
Apr 26, 2015•30 min
With the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD, the people were faced with the question of where now to encounter God. The followers of Jesus found an answer to that question in the person of the resurrected Christ and, following the ascension, in the Body of Christ formed by his followers.
Apr 20, 2015
With the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD, the people were faced with the question of where now to encounter God. The followers of Jesus found an answer to that question in the person of the resurrected Christ and, following the ascension, in the Body of Christ formed by his followers.
Apr 20, 2015•25 min
As we see the reactions of those to whom the resurrected Christ appears, it becomes apparent that confusion, doubt and fear reign. As the new life promised through resurrection turns the world upside down and inside out, such reactions continue today. And, despite this, Jesus appears in our midst and send us out to do his work in the world.
Apr 12, 2015
As we see the reactions of those to whom the resurrected Christ appears, it becomes apparent that confusion, doubt and fear reign. As the new life promised through resurrection turns the world upside down and inside out, such reactions continue today. And, despite this, Jesus appears in our midst and send us out to do his work in the world.
Apr 12, 2015•24 min
On this Easter Sunday we follow John's account of the discovery of the empty tomb and see how the resurrection event leads to new life for us today in the Body of Christ.
Apr 05, 2015
On this Easter Sunday we follow John's account of the discovery of the empty tomb and see how the resurrection event leads to new life for us today in the Body of Christ.
Apr 05, 2015•28 min
On this Palm Sunday - Passion Sunday we look at Mark's account of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and the events that lead to his crucifixion, death and placement in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. In one week, the crowds move from welcoming Jesus as king to calling for his crucifixion. We see how this transition stemmed, in part, from a poor understanding of the person and work of Jesus and how even today, such an understanding can move us in very few steps from proclaiming Jesus as king to ...
Mar 29, 2015
On this Palm Sunday - Passion Sunday we look at Mark's account of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and the events that lead to his crucifixion, death and placement in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. In one week, the crowds move from welcoming Jesus as king to calling for his crucifixion. We see how this transition stemmed, in part, from a poor understanding of the person and work of Jesus and how even today, such an understanding can move us in very few steps from proclaiming Jesus as king to ...
Mar 29, 2015•35 min
When Greeks, likely proselytes to Judaism in Jerusalem for Passover, indirectly approach Jesus via Philip and Andrew, he announces that the time has come for his glorification. As we explore this passage we see how these firstfruits of the Gentile world coming to Jesus model the outcome of the Abrahamic covenant, with Judaism reaching out into the world to be a blessing to the nations, now made possible through Jesus. We see how this can be a model for our own witness and evangelism today.
Mar 22, 2015
When Greeks, likely proselytes to Judaism in Jerusalem for Passover, indirectly approach Jesus via Philip and Andrew, he announces that the time has come for his glorification. As we explore this passage we see how these firstfruits of the Gentile world coming to Jesus model the outcome of the Abrahamic covenant, with Judaism reaching out into the world to be a blessing to the nations, now made possible through Jesus. We see how this can be a model for our own witness and evangelism today.
Mar 22, 2015•26 min
In his conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus refers to incidents in the narrative of the Exodus to better communicate his message. We look to the story of Moses, interpreted by Jesus, to help us see the importance of our Lenten practices as we journey towards the cross and the empty tomb.
Mar 15, 2015
In his conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus refers to incidents in the narrative of the Exodus to better communicate his message. We look to the story of Moses, interpreted by Jesus, to help us see the importance of our Lenten practices as we journey towards the cross and the empty tomb.
Mar 15, 2015•25 min
As we journey through Lent, we consider what Jesus might have meant when he spoke of denying oneself and carrying one's cross. These complex words of Jesus suggest to us a call to devote ourselves to participating in God's work of sanctification and to co-creating the Kingdom of God.
Mar 01, 2015
As we journey through Lent, we consider what Jesus might have meant when he spoke of denying oneself and carrying one's cross. These complex words of Jesus suggest to us a call to devote ourselves to participating in God's work of sanctification and to co-creating the Kingdom of God.
Mar 01, 2015•27 min
During Lent we have the opportunity to shake off lethargy and apathy, and do battle with acedia, by doing the hard work of examining our internal lives guided by prayer, fasting, alms-giving and penitence. In so doing, we deploy the seven gifts of the Spirit against the seven deadly sins and seek the seven virtues in our lives. Being a follower of Jesus is more than being a fan.
Feb 22, 2015
During Lent we have the opportunity to shake off lethargy and apathy, and do battle with acedia, by doing the hard work of examining our internal lives guided by prayer, fasting, alms-giving and penitence. In so doing, we deploy the seven gifts of the Spirit against the seven deadly sins and seek the seven virtues in our lives. Being a follower of Jesus is more than being a fan.
Feb 22, 2015•32 min
Wesley saw ethics as a response to God's acts of grace in justification and regeneration. The shape of grace and its ethical contours were passed to us by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount.
Feb 08, 2015
Wesley saw ethics as a response to God's acts of grace in justification and regeneration. The shape of grace and its ethical contours were passed to us by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount.
Feb 08, 2015•31 min
John Wesley's political ethics - a response to the times in which he lived - called for equality, liberty and responsibility, conditions he saw as inherent in those created in the image of God.
Feb 01, 2015
John Wesley's political ethics - a response to the times in which he lived - called for equality, liberty and responsibility, conditions he saw as inherent in those created in the image of God.
Feb 01, 2015•31 min
