The earliest statements about the historical Jesus make clear not only that he died, but that he was crucified. In 1 Corinithians 1, Paul insists that the crucifixion was not merely a way of killing Jesus, but also a model of how God wants Christians to live. In this message, Bob details the gruesome nature of the crucifixion to help understand the significance of the suffering of Jesus.
We need to learn how to tell the difference between what we can control and what we cannot. In this passage, Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus gives at least 7 reasons why we should not over worry about things. In this sermon we focus on two. First, we need to learn how to let go of the things that are beyond our control. When we do so, we let the Holy Spirit work. Second, we need to stop waiting for the worst scenario. Jesus uses creation as an encouragement to wait for the best.
Rodney Plunket returns for a conversation with Bob about Mission, Calling, and Preaching, as well as reflection on how his time at White Station has shaped his view of Ministry.
The world has a terrible history of dividing people into arbitrary groups that do more harm than good. In this message, Monte Cox makes the case for treating people of other skin colors, Christian groups, world religions, and no faith in Jesus as people who are loved and sought by God.
Those rebuilding the wall experience financial hardship during a time of famine. Nehemiah attributes the hardship to an economy where the wealthy prey on the poor. In this message, Bob proposes that an economy rooted in self-interest will always divide the people of God. But practices of sharing and generositiy can bring God's peace.
It only took 52 days to build the wall. Nehemiah relied on the power of God and the unity of the workers. Workers were merchants, goldsmith, politicians, and even a perfume maker. This church and city will be rebuilt when we focus less on our personal gifts and more on the mission that God has put in front of us.
Nehemiah's route back to Jerusalem was blessed by God and King Artexerxes. But it wasn't easy. No journey is. There are times in our lives when God says "Go" but obstacles make us rethink our calling. This message reminds us of our highest calling and the way that it motivates us to keep going even when things get difficult.
There is so much for us to learn from Nehemiah’s prayer for Jerusalem. Nehemiah affirmed promises made by God while also recognizing the human side of the covenant. Nehemiah confessed the sins of the system while also maintaining personal responsibility. Nehemiah prays boldly, as should we for our city and our country.
Our tradition of taking up an offering comes from an early Christian practice of churches sending money back help the poor saints in Jerusalem. In this message, Bob says that the early Christians developed a discipline of giving that informs how we can be disciplined about other practices. None of these is more pressing in 2022 than the need to give our time.
Paul says there are some things that serve as stumbling blocks (such as divisive opinions), while there are other matters that serve for mutual upbuilding (righteous, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit). Our challenge as a church will be to center the things that matter most to God while not giving in to the temptation to force our specific viewpoints on others.