Exclusive: Opening Cans of Worms

2015.11.22 - Kevin Makins - Three Important (& Annoying) Parts of Discipleship

Exclusive: Opening Cans of Worms

Click here to listen (right click and “save link as…” to download)

(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!

Believing in(to) Jesus

2015.03.15 - Leshia Knopf - The Church Calendar

Believing in(to) Jesus

John 3:14-21

Click here to listen (right click and “save link as…” to download)

This weeks text includes one of the most familiar verses in all of scripture… however as she learned more about it Leshia realized what this text was actually saying, and then she REALLY didn’t want to preach it.

But we’re all glad she did. Because this is a good, and challenging, word.

The text:

John 3:14-21

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”

Also, this gorgeous piece was created by Hannah as a reflection piece for this weeks text: