File this one under "things we can't believe Jesus actually said." What does it mean to bring a sword to the world? Why is Jesus suddenly against peace? And of course, the most important question: would you be a Nazi in 1940's Germany?
Also, a brief interview with our new pastoral care intern, Rob Miller!
To download the sermon, right click on the word download above, and click on "save link as..." - you can also download using a podcast app.
Luke 23
October 23 2016
Was the cross cosmic child abuse? Or appeasing the wrath and violence of a distant God? Could God not forgive sinners without someone dying? Why the need for so much blood?
I know from talking with people over the years that the crucifixion is a major stumbling block for some people when it comes to following Jesus.
If you are a person who's always found the death of Jesus confusing at best or troubling and disturbing at worst, this sermon is for you. Because it's actually really beautiful and good news that Jesus was murdered... and I am aware how weird and morbid that sounds.
ART: http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/jones-sanctus-christus-de-capel-y-ffin-t03677
2014.06.29 - Kevin Makins - So What?
Click here to listen (right click and “save link as…” to download)
In the last month, how many times do you think you’ve said “I’m just so busy”?
We live in a busy, overworked and overstretched culture… and God wants to save us from it.
2013.06.16 - Kevin Makins - Back To The Future: Old Sermons That Shaped Us
John 13, 18, 21
Six years ago Kevin and Meg heard a particular reflection on a particular verse in the New Testament, and they still talk about it nearly every week.
A sermon for those of us who known people more talented, wealthy, sexy, cool, or generally better off than ourselves.
How can we find peace with our own story, even if it hasn’t gone the way we would have imagined it?
Music by Leah Hunter, starts 45 minutes in.
2013.06.02 - Kevin Makins - Back To The Future: Old Sermons That Shaped Us
Matthew 5
How do we respond to violence and misuse of power?
In our church and culture power is regularly abused, and often partners with violence in order to push it’s agenda. Jesus confronted these powers with a radical new response to their violence and abuse: third way thinking.
This week we are looking at Jesus’ teaching to turn the other cheek, give up our cloak as well, and to go the extra mile.
At their worst, these teachings have suggested Jesus wanted those suffering to just “take the abuse.” This is not what Jesus is saying.
In context, Jesus is teaching something radical. He is showing his listeners how to disarm those who have power, and how to confront violent actions without resorting to violence.
Which of course, shows us more of what God is like.
Music by Rachel Van Oostveen and team, starts at 1:01
2013.04.14 - Kevin Makins - The Thing I Am Most Afraid Of: Two Sermons About Power
Acts 8, John 14
If you were to ask me a few years ago what I was afraid of I would have probably said failure, but I’ve failed plenty of times, and now I’m not so scared of it.
I might have said weakness, but I’ve learned that God is with us even more in our weakness than in our strengths.
I might have said the devil or demons, and sure, that’s a frightening thing, but it’s not what I’m most afraid of.
This is a sermon about what I am most afraid of.
Music led by Justine Lodder - starts 49 minutes in.
2013.03.03 - Jamie Robertson - Mustard Seeds.
John 20
Church historian Jamie Robertson preaches a really incredible sermon about Jesus breathing on the disciples, learning to find rest in a busy culture, taming the ego, and how he had a small influence on Brad Pitt’s life… sort of…
Also, apologies but the sermon recording sounds pretty awful. We lost one of the mic’s and blah blah blah… it just didn’t work ok! SORRY! WE’RE TRYING SO HARD! WE DON’T HAVE A HUGE STAFF TEAM OR ANYTHING! WE’RE JUST TRYING TO KEEP THIS PODCAST SHIP AFLOAT!!!
But seriously, it’s not too bad if you listen hard. Just treat it like an art-film that “asks something of you” as a viewer! … it’ll be better next time.
Music led by Rachel Van Oostveen - starts 29 minutes in.
2012.09.30 - Kevin Makins - Liturgy: Why We Gather and Why It Matters
Luke 22
The word of God is like a double edged sword… and sometimes if you swing a sword around without knowing how to use it, you might end up hurting someone.
This week we laughed a decent amount, Peter chopped a guys ear off, and we named the narratives we live in.
Music starts 54 minutes in.
2012.06.03 - Kevin Makins - Soma: 1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 14:26-40, Genesis 1
“The women should keep silent in the churches” - thanks for that gem, Paul. How in the world can this text be good news?
But like all texts we struggle to understand, when we get to the heart of it, it is actually very good news; and it all has to do with order & chaos.
Music led by Joel Cumby - starts 55 minutes in.
2012.01.29 - Kevin Makins - Soma: 1 Corinthians
Divorce, Marriage, and The New Dance
1 Corinthians 7:6-16, Matthew 19, Deuteronomy 24
How should Christians view divorce and marriage? There is no better place to start than Paul’s letter to a young church in Corinth.
What did Paul say about divorce? Well, to understand Paul requires understanding Jesus, and understanding Jesus requires understanding two well known Rabbis, but understanding those Rabbis requires understanding Moses and the Torah…
It’s about to get very “meta” in here.
Music led by Joel Cumby - starts 1 hour and 16 minutes in.
Kevin Makins - The Things That Make For Peace: Violence
Luke 4
For the season of Lent, we are going to be looking at the peace teachings of Jesus.
It is a sad irony that “the things that make for peace” rarely result in peace right away. We could all think of times when a peaceful act has brought about an aggressive reaction - when Jesus brought a word of peace; he often received violence.
How did Jesus respond to acts of violence? How should we?
