John 20 - Mary Magdalene, the Disciples, and the infamous 'Doubting' Thomas each in different ways go full tilt following the crucifixion of their closest teacher, friend, and leader, Jesus of Nazareth. Following a lawful, but probably excruciating observance of the Sabbath, they seek to tend to the body of Christ, only to find that he has been...stolen? What follows is a deep character study into some of the closest friends of Jesus which mirror and provide guidance to our reactions (and help us give thanks to Christ's interventions) as we wrestle with the supernatural, eternally-significant reality of the Resurrection.

Nehemiah 3 - On first glance, Nehemiah 3 is a dry document of the families from Judah who joined together to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. While plot-points are thin, and drama is minimal, there is remarkable depth. To get there, you must ask the question, "why?" Why do goldsmiths, perfume-makers, a man's daughters, priests, put their day-jobs on hold to join together to rebuild the wall? The villagers of nearby Tekoa even disobey their leaders edict to gather in Jerusalem. Why? To understand this we need to understand the core of the Israelite's human identity. What did it mean to be a human created by God? What did this propel them to do? How must they measure their results? For us then, in a highly technological, individualistic, secular culture–what is a Godly way to determine our own flourishing?

(This teaching was recorded as part of our online church meetings which occurred during the Coronavirus pandemic. Occasionally, there is brief audio from the call participants that interrupt the message.)

Nehemiah 2. In this next installment of our teaching 'Reawakening the City of God', Jon teaches about repentance as action, a sort of free and glorifying counter-offensive against past sin. Out of this conviction arises Nehemiah's courage to step into God's Providence. But no sooner is he granted permission and provision from the King of Persia to return to Jerusalem, before he encounters the resistance all Christians encounter from the Enemy. His response is telling and guides us as we step out in faith as a church, especially in the post-Christian world.

Nehemiah 1: For the next three months we will work through the book of Nehemiah in a series we're calling 'Reawakening the City of God'. The story begins in the Citadel of Susa, in Persia as Nehemiah hears news of a thwarted rebuild of the city, his homeland, Jerusalem, a city that's walls have been 'burned to the ground'. Hearing this today, amidst the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic, we too can relate to disappointment, and seek what it is God is calling us to do in this time by first mourning the state of the world, of our people, and of our own soul. There we can then cling to Christ's promise in Matt. 16 that 'not even the gates of hell shall prevail' against the church Jesus established.

Psalm 27 - This week Jon teaches about one of David's songs of devotion. As he is besieged by the emotional and physical assault of enemies from every angle, he is rattled by fear. What does he do? He goes on a spiritual counter-offensive. Not against his foes, but to his God. He seeks first, the kingdom of God. Here he recalls God's goodness, he lives out a mental exercise where he envisions retreat into the ramparts of the protecting Lord's spiritual stronghold, and he waits on the Lord.

Acts 2:37-47 - The early church began in a persevering huddle, united in their love for Jesus, the apostles were together but without direction. The Holy Spirit came to them, and moved Peter to proclaim an open-air pure-gospel sermon. The response and the summary of the convicted, committed, connected and celebrating church that grew from this event is profound. What must be central for these outcomes to be realized in the American church today?

Luke 24:13-35 - It is Easter Morning. Two disciples walk on the Road from Jerusalem to a town called Emmaus. Jesus was killed. His body stolen. The one who would save the Jews. Gone. In Shakespearian irony, they share their sadness with a fellow traveler. What unfolds is a powerful story of Christian charity, renewed hope, and joy as the disciples welcome the stranger to eat with them, only to find it is Jesus himself.

Scripture: John 4:1-30, 39-42. We care deeply about our life's story. We curate it and control it. Edit it and re-write it. Like the Samaritan woman, Jesus can frustrate us as he cuts through our life's veneer with a complete knowing of our failures. Yet we need to see our limitations plainly, so that we celebrate the role he has entrusted us to play in the magisterial final act of his redemption drama.

In this week's sermon, Jon shares the surprise of Elijah, one of God's most notable prophets. Just when Elijah thought he had brought Israel's evil rulers to repentence to the Almighty God, he gets served a death sentence. What follows is an experience of what James K.A. Smith calls 'spiritual ex-formation'. This shattering of Elijah's understanding of God leads to a powerful pilgrimage and experience of God. In a span of moments, Elijah witnesses God's incredible mountain-crumbling power, and his capacity for bottomless mercy. Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-19

(Note: This recording audio is low-quality due to a technical issues. We have restored it as best as we could, and hope you are able to make out the message).

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32. Continuing our series, Jon teaches on Paul's caution to the church in Ephesus to follow Christ, not looking back to the old self, dead from the pursuit of self-centered desires, but to be living in what he calls, the new self. Where does this new spiritual state stem from? How do we begin to build a way of life that will give us the energy, the confidence, and the desire to forgive? By leaning more and more deeply on our assured salvation, sealed and branded as a mark on us, by the Holy Spirit.