(Sermon preached August 6, 2023) What does it mean to be Christian? How do the concepts of heaven/hell impact the way we understand what it means to be Christian? This sermon is just an introduction to an alternative to the heaven/hell framework. It is the first in a series called “Speaking Christian” based loosely on the book with the same name by Marcus Borg where we will be exploring the language of our faith through the lens of progressive Christianity. This sermon touches briefly on what some people think is the summation of the gospel, John 3:16.
The Mustard Seed
(Sermon preached July 23, 2023) The Kingdom of God can be compared to a….mustard seed. This parable is so well known it is challenging to hear it with fresh ears. While in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, the tiny mustard seed becomes a tree, in the Gospel of Mark it remains a large shrub (Mark 4:30-32). Does size matter? What if the fruits of our efforts are just average?
The Tower of Babel
(Sermon preached July 16, 2023) The story of the tower of Babel is found in Genesis 11:1-9. This sermon is the third in a series titled the Kindom of God: Among Us, Within Us ( a series created for congregations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in anticipation of the General Assembly of the church held in Louisville, July 29 – August 1.) When we compare the story of the tower of Babel to the story of Pentecost we see that there are two kinds of unity. Unity based on conformity and uniformity and unity rooted in purpose; unity with diversity. Note which one God prefers.
Repairers of the Breach
(Sermon preached July 9, 2023) Isaiah speaks to God’s people about what God wants from them; to give up their superficial piety for genuine concern for their neighbor. (Isaiah 58:11-12)
The Kindom of God
(Sermon preached July 2, 2023) This sermon is the first in a series titled, “The Kindom of God: Among Us, Within Us,” which is the theme of the 2023 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In Luke 17:20-21, Jesus says, “The Kingdom of God is Among us.” Other translations say, “within us,” and “in your midst.” The word “kindom” is not a replacement for the word “kingdom,” but rather an expression of the kinship that is at the heart of God’s kingdom.