Jesus gives his disciples peace, which doesn't mean they will have no problems in life. After all, the next day they would experience the worst day in the history of humankind. So how can we experience peace regardless of our circumstances?
Today we read the famous story of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples, including Judas, who was to betray him. Today we don't wash each other's feet. So how can we follow Jesus' example as He calls us to do?
Today we read from John 12:44-50, the last words he spoke to a public crowd. These words contained a challenge for those listeners, and they contain a challenge for us today.
Today we read John 11, the famous story of the raising of Lazarus. Jesus stands in solidarity with the people he loves before the closed tomb of Lazarus. But then he moves forward, opens the tomb, and, as the rest of John tells us, moves toward his own closed tomb.
Today Dr. Kyuboem Lee preaches from John 13:36-14:7 entitled "The Way Home".
On this Easter Sunday, this is the question we ask. What did Jesus' resurrection do for the disciples? and what could it mean to us if we really believed it? We read the story from John 20.
On this Maundy Thursday we contemplate the horrific individual and corporate sin that caused the death of Jesus. We confess our complicity in it and come to His table for forgiveness and renewal.
Today we read the story of the "Triumphal Entry" from John 12. "Hosanna!", the crowd shouted. Typically that is understood as an acclamation of praise, but it is not. It means "Save us!". THe crowd in Jerusalem, embroiled in political, sociological and economic tension, needed saving. So do we, in our time and place.
In John 9, Jesus heals a man born blind. He is silenced, abandoned and rejected by those around him. But not by Jesus. Do we shepherd the marginalized?
Today we read the story of the woman caught in adultery from John 8:1-11. This is a story of radical grace and a radical invitation.
Today we look at John 7, and ask ourselves what the response to Jesus was among the people and leaders of the Jewish community in and around Jerusalem at the time of the Feats of Tabernacles. And what is our response to Jesus?
Today we look at John 6, in which Jesus proclaims himself the "Bread of Life". What does he mean by the word "life"? What is he offering to the people of his time and people of all times?
Today we read Psalm 145, and try to understand how a Psalm of praise can help us in times of (dire) crisis. Such a Psalm is a foundation, a lens, and, perhaps, a destination.
Dr. Seteven Boyer of Eastern University preaches from Galatians 4:1-7 on the Trinity.
Dr. Steven Boyer from Eastern University preaches from John 5:19-30 on the Trinity.
Rev. Dr. Alfred Muli preaches from 1 Peter 1:22-25: "Love One Another".
Today Rev. Dr. Alfred Muli preaches from 1 Peter 1:1-9, entitled "Focus on Our Hope in Christ".
At the end of his second letter Timothy, Paul writes to his protege: "The Lord be with your spirit; grace be with you." With this blessing we enter 2023, in our questions and difficulties and in our joys and accomplishments.
For Christmas this year we observe the story of Mary and Joseph from two vantage points: on the ground and from above. What did their story look like without the Divine perspective? and what did that Divine perspective add to the story?
Today we read the famous passage Isaiah 9:6-7 and think together about what it means that Jesus is called the "Prince of Peace", the one who establishes a kingdom of peace forever.
Today we read Isaiah 61, written after the Jews had returned from exile, while things were still broken. We learn from Fleming Rutledge that Advent is not darkness: Advent is Light in darkness. And therein lies the possibility of joy .
Today we read Zephaniah 3:17: God proclaims His love over and for us. But the background is no sentimental Christmas scene - it is judgment and exile. Only with that background can we understand God's love for us and move out in love to our world.
On this first Sunday of Advent we explore the theme of "Hope", from Isaiah 40, written while Israel was in exile, captivity and despair in Babylon.
Today we look at two healings done by Jesus: the son of an official and a man who had been lame for 38 years. The Age of Life breaks into the Age of Death and healing happens. That is the good news.
Jesus speaks with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman. He speaks to both of them of "eternal life". What did he mean to convey to them, and what did they understand? Most likely it was not about "how to get to heaven when you die". Listen to find out what it might have been.
Today we look at two very different people Jesus spoke with: the Pharisee Nicodemus and the anonymous Samaritan woman. In this sermon we will explore the differences and similarities between them, next week we will explore what Jesus actually said to them.
Last week we looked at the first thing God did when He showed up in the person of Jesus. This week we look at the second thing God in Jesus did: he took a whip to the Gentile Court of the temple and cleared it out. Quite a different thing!
Last week we heard the first words spoken about God as He appeared in Jesus. Today we look at the first thing God, in Jesus, did as recorded in John. He provided 180 gallons of the best wine at a wedding! We're going to connect that with the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes and learn about humility and receiving God's gifts.
"Behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." These are the first words spoken about God as He appeared on earth in the person of Jesus. There's more in these words than you might think.....
Today we read two sections from John 1:1-18. This is some of the deepest theological material ever written. Two things are made crystal clear by John: Jesus is God, and Jesus became human. In Jesus we see life, light, glory, grace and truth.
