ecclesia: church at the chip

When describing “the good life” in God’s new kingdom, Jesus saves the hardest for last: “Love your enemies….” It was a revolutionary idea; no one had ever said that before. And yet, not only did Jesus love his enemies, but for centuries his followers did the same. What about today? How do we apply Jesus' radical teaching in these incendiary times?

Daniel Jansson, founding pastor of Imago Dei church in Downey, teaches from 1 Corinthians 13, the Love Chapter in the Bible

The kingdom ethics of Jesus are much admired, but rarely taken seriously. This is especially true with respect to his last two admonitions: "Refuse to Retaliate" and "Love your Enemies." Is Jesus serious? Many people -- even many Christians -- don't seem to think so. We agree that violence begets violence, and that loving enemies is a worthy ideal, but is it realistic? What do you think?

Erik Lundin, our guest teacher, explores Jesus' invitation into a brand new way of living when it comes to our sexuality.

The Jewish people were people of the Book. God had given them his Law and told them to keep it. If, as Jesus contended, he had come to bring the kingdom of God, how would Jesus’ kingdom relate to God’s Laws as revealed in the books of Moses? And what, in fact, would life be like in God’s new kingdom? In this, the next installment in our study of Matthew's Gospel, we explore those questions together.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Thus begins the most famous sermon in history. Why did Jesus begin his ministry this way? Why does Matthew begin his Gospel with this sermon? What did these “beatitudes” mean to its first century audience, and what does it mean here in the 21st century? We explore these questions in today's message

“What must I do to be saved?” was the desperate question an astonished warden asked his prisoners when the jail he guarded was torn open by an earthquake. But it was not his question alone: It is the central question of our all-too-short human existence. What must we do to be saved? And how does baptism fit into that scenario? Let us explore the answers given in this provocative story found in the Bible.

The ancient book of Daniel gives timely wisdom – and hope – for people of all generations who find themselves living in a hostile cultural environment. In chapters 4 and 5 of Daniel, we see the spotlight of God’s judgment turned on the leaders of empires who think and act as if they are “masters of the universe.” The sobering message is a challenge to every leader and every citizen of every country – but it is also a challenge to every human heart, for indeed, as this text affirms several times, “God Rules.”

From the earliest days of human history, our efforts to build civilization have been an exercise in empire building. It began with the infamous “Tower of Babel,” where humanity said, “let us make a name for ourselves” (Gen 11:4), and it continues through modern towers of today. At the moment, every empire seems eternal – but thus far, every kingdom has had an expiration date. Every kingdom that is, except one….

Every human being needs faith (something to believe in), love (somewhere to belong), and hope (something to live for). Our firm conviction is this: the church of Jesus Christ provides the best and most satisfying answers to these instinctive soul-cravings. We have taken a look at the first two of these already; today we will consider the third: hope. What is the source of Christian hope, and how does it shape our day-to-day lives?