Psalm 119 sermon (Zoom edition)

In the wake of the COVID19 self-quarantine chaos, Pastor Kristopher recorded this week’s episode while live on Facebook. Parts 4 & 5 will be released in the next few days if all goes to plan. This week’s episode continues the sermon series, “Misquoting Scripture”, exploring a quote that is very common in Christian circles: “God helps those who help themselves”. In his sermon, pastor Kristopher takes issue with some aspects of this familiar saying, leading listeners to the heart of God’s universal love for all people. At the same time, he also acknowledges that God invites us all to do what we can, give our best, even while we rest in His Amazing Grace. Thanks for joining this week!

The sermon series, “Misquoting Scripture” continues with part two in this episode. Kristopher Loewen preaches on common sayings that address a common issue known as “the problem of evil”: making sense of a good and powerful God in light of a world undeniably filled with suffering. Some of those sayings include “everything happens for a reason” and “ God never gives us more than we can handle”. In his sermon, pastor Kristopher challenges these explanations and suggests a view of God that prioritizes human freedom, even if suffering is a consequence. Listen in!

Pastor Kristopher’s newest series explores sayings and wisdom commonly attributed to the Bible, but whose source is not scripture. Either misquotes, misreadings, or misuses, their negative impact on faith formation and healthy views of God and humanity are common. In the opening message of the series, Kristopher unpacks the phenomenon and challenges listeners to engage deeply with scripture, read it themselves, and engage with the wisdom of experts along the way.

The final sermon in Kristopher’s series about Grief and Loss exploring the book of Lamentations, this message explores timing, “when is the process of grief over?” Pastor Kristopher’s answer to the question explores the strange way in which loss is sometimes transformed into a gift. Among the topics he explores is the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, and Pat Schweibert’s stellar book, “Tear Soup”.

This episode features the fourth sermon in the series on Grief and Loss through the book of Lamentations, asking the question, “how do we help our loved ones as they process their own grief?” Pastor Kristopher encourages listeners to be present with their suffering friends and family, while also being cognizant of their own projections and grief processes. This message features a brief discussion of the Jewish concept of Shiva, as well as other practical tips for empathetically supporting one another.

The third sermon in the series on Grief and Loss through the book of Lamentations, this one asks the question, “how do we go through grief in constructive ways?” The primary answer given in the sermon is that we grieve best in community as opposed to isolation. Among other things, this sermon connects to the Christian practice of communion and footwashing, along with encouragement to connect with one another.

Pastor Kristopher Loewen preaches this and many of his sermons from the pulpit at the Redlands Adventist Church in Redlands, California. Each episode of Behind the Sermon features audio of the sermon as it was, along with commentary and reflections on how it came to be.

This episode features the second sermon of a series on grief and loss. In particular, this installment explores anger as a common feature of any process of grief. Pastor Kristopher Loewen preaches this and many of his sermons from the pulpit at the Redlands Adventist Church in Redlands, California. Each episode of Behind the Sermon features audio of the sermon as it was, along with commentary and reflections on how it came to be.

Pastor Kristopher begins the new year with a sermon series from the book of Lamentations on the human experience of grief and loss. This sermon explores some of the basics of loss and invites listeners to consider giving voice and "naming" their suffering. As is the case most weeks, Kristopher Loewen preaches this sermon from the pulpit at the Redlands Adventist Church in Redlands, California. Each episode of Behind the Sermon features audio of the sermon as it was, along with commentary and reflections on how it came to be.

During the summer of 2019, Kristopher preached a topical sermon series on personal calling. This not-yet-published episode was recorded in August with some current embellishments. Please excuse the dated segment names and even subject matter. Kristopher will be back to the regular preaching calendar beginning January 4, 2020. Pastor Kristopher Loewen preaches this and many of his sermons from the pulpit at the Redlands Adventist Church in Redlands, California. Each episode of Behind the Sermon features audio of the sermon as it was, along with commentary and reflections on how it came to be.