Does the word "judge" make you uncomfortable? Why?
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What does it mean to be a child of hell? And, preferably, how do we avoid it!
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Ever been angry at bad religion? Ever felt like priorities in the church were misaligned or hypocritical? Ever wanted to protest and raise your voice about it?
Jesus shows us that our anger matters, and he shows us what to do with it.
Give 'em hell, Jesus!
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(Oh boy, lots of bible in this one…) - Deuteronomy 7, Luke 6, Amos 3, 5, 9, Matthew 5, 1 Corinthians 5, Matthew 23
As we close off this sermon series we look at yet ANOTHER idea that is straight up offensive to us, and that we’ve all been hurt by: exclusion.
But the idea of exclusivity is actually a pretty robust theological theme in the bible. From beginning to end there is language that we would describe as… GASP!… exclusive?!
What do we do with this language? Is God for some, and not for others? Are all religions more or less the same? Should we ever be exclusive in our relationships or our commitments?
What does exclusivity have to do with the Christian faith?
Here is Kevin’s best attempt to kick off the conversation this week as we talk about how being a disciple is exclusive, and why that is both good and annoying!
2014.11.09 - Kevin Makins - The Sign of Jonah
Jonah Epilogue: The Scapegoated God
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Jonah was called to preach to the first empire the world had ever seen. The early Christians also existed under an empire: the Roman Empire. And it’s a small group of Christians, meeting in Rome (in the belly of the beast) that Paul declares: I am not ashamed of the gospel.
What is the good news of Jesus? How does it end hostility between segregated groups? And why does it matter that Jesus was nailed to a cross?
***ALL THIS AND MORE! In the shocking conclusion to The Sign of Jonah!***
2014.10.19 - August “Gus” Konkel - The Sign of Jonah
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August “Gus” Konkel is a professor at McMaster Divinity College, and we first met him when doing some preliminary research on the book of Jonah. As we talked with Gus three things were quickly revealed: He is super smart, he is very wise, and he reads from the Hebrew text.
Then we found out he taught a class called “Preaching Jonah”… So of course we had to have him join us!
Gus preaches about the repentance of Nineveh, the culmination of Jonah’s prophetic word, and what “repenting” is truly all about.
2014.06.15 - Kevin Makins - So What?
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Should Christians drink alcohol? If not, why? If so, how?
And is there a way to enjoy alcohol that doesn’t devolve into harsh judgements, or dumb decisions, or long lists of rules, or selfishness, or vomit-in-your-hair? What does the bible say about alcohol?
Well apparently a lot! (Seriously, look at all there verses up there)
This sermon is a fairly lengthy exploration of alcohol in the bible, but it’s ultimately asking one simple question: how did Jesus drink?
2014.05.04 - Kevin Makins - So What?
Evangelism: Why Does Good News Sound So Bad?
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Mark 1, Matthew 4, 28, Luke 10
Evangelism is when a Christian tells someone about Jesus with the goal of converting them. When I say “evangelism” or “convert” or “repent”, what do you think of?
Do you think of love, and grace, and hospitality, and mutuality? Or do you think of OTHER things?
Like soap-boxes, and protests, and debates, and arguments, and judgement, and fear, and hellfire?
The message of Jesus is supposed to be good news! How did good news start to sound so bad?
And here is the real question: is there a way to reclaim this good news?
Music is led by Aaron Craig and starts 55 minutes in.
2013.06.09 - Jamie Robertson - Back To The Future: Old Sermons That Shaped Us
Luke 18, Ezekiel 37
A sermon about the labels we put on others, and on ourselves, and the only label God puts on us.
2013.03.24 - Kevin Makins - Mustard Seeds.
Luke 19
Have you ever looked at some person or group who claim to be “Christian” and just thought:
“They just DON’T GET IT. How can I possibly share the same faith as THEM?”
If so, this is probably a sermon worth listening to. But can you do me a favour? If you’re going to start it, please listen all the way through. It only works as a whole!
Music led by Alex Drumm and Justine Lodder - starts 35 minutes in.
2012.10.28 - Kevin Makins - This Isn’t Easy
Luke 16, James 2, Matthew 7
Why doesn’t God just prove himself beyond a shadow of a doubt?
Music starts 32 minutes in.
2012.03.11 - Brian Craig - Soma: 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Brian Craig, Leadership Development Guru for CBOQ and all around great guy, looks at what we should do when we get stalled in the wilderness, and helps us on our lenten journey; moving us from lament to trust.
Music led by Joel Cumby - starts 52 minutes in.
2011.11.13 - Kevin Makins - Soma: 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 3:10-17, Matthew 19, Luke 20, Hebrews 12, 2 Peter 3
An hour and fifteen minutes! That means this sermon is either really boring, or we were talking about something really important.
What is the reason people should follow Jesus? Where is this whole thing heading? What did the prophets, Jesus, and the early church expect God would do?
This week was an endurance run through Jewish expectation, a woman with 7 husbands, shaking things, bees, the foundation on which we stand, and “y'all”.
Oh, and we set some stuff on fire.
Music led by Alex Drumm - starts at 1:05
Kevin Makins - The Things That Make For Peace: Hell
Matthew 25, Revelation 21-22
Jesus teaches us that violence does not win, that true power comes through sacrifice, that there is always a third way; but in the end, does he throw billions of people into fire forever?
In the end, does Jesus return with the biggest sword of all? Does violence truly have the last word?
A sermon about peace, justice, and yes, hell.
