Ekklesia

10/22/2023 Tension, "Refugia" and Good Trouble

Imitating Christ put Paul in tension ("good" trouble) with his culture. Imitating Paul put the Thessalonian church in tension ("good" trouble) with their culture. If the U.S. church lacks tension ("good" trouble) with our culture, what questions should we be asking of ourselves and of our faith?

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am. Watch the archived recording of this message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvNXPtyfwSg&t=1544s

10/15/2023 The Political Letter to the Philippians

Philippians is one of the most fascinating letters in the New Testament. It is simultaneously revolutionary and relational. In this sermon, we do a quick crash course on the letter, the history of Philippi, and what it might have to say to us today. 

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am. Watch the archived recording of this message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuCmsBEkOO8&t=1652s

10/08/2023 Consider it All Crap

Where do we find our true identity? Is it within ourselves, our ideologies and our accomplishments? Is this the way of Christ? Drawing inspiration from the life of the Apostle Paul and his own experiences, Pastor Greg offers a different perspective – finding our identity by looking beyond ourselves.

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am. Watch the archived recording of this message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv5cntkwkMk&t=1802s

10/01/2023 The "Value Gap" Lie

Using language from writer and activist James Baldwin, Pastor Curtis explores the "value gap" lie upheld by the Chief Priests and the Elders of the temple system in Jesus' day. Where do value gap lies exist in our lives, and what can we do to confront them?

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am. Watch the archived recording of this message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZMAIWp1hQo&t=1663s

9/24/2023 Looking Back to Egypt

The lectionary readings for this Sunday include some of the most famous texts in the Bible. We focus on Exodus 16, when the Israelites long for Egypt as they grumble against God in the wilderness. What does the story tell us about human nature and about what God is calling us to?

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am. Watch the archived recording of this message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiP--zMib_Q&t=1974s

9/17/2023 Lessons on Forgiveness: From King George to King Jesus

From the story of Joseph, to words from Paul, and a parable from Jesus, today's message explores (1) how power dynamics impact forgiveness-and-reconciliation, (2) our tendency to make disputable matters indisputable (and vice versa), and (3) the impact forgiveness should have on our lives (but often doesn't).

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am. Watch the archived recording of this message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8simy0-HfI&t=1618s

9/10/2023 Just Between the Two of You

In Matthew 18, Jesus provides a plan for how to deal with sin and hurt in a church community. For modern Americans, this is a deeply uncomfortable text. Not because it is harsh or judgmental, but because it is deeply personal and communal. What can we learn from this teaching not only about how to deal with conflict, but about our deeper spiritual reality?

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am. Watch the archived recording of this message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trlTusqkppU&t=1790s

8/27/2023 Midwives of Resistance: Birthing a Prophetic Alternative

Among the women of the Bible, the names Shiphrah and Puah might not ring familiar, yet their extraordinary defiance of Pharaoh in the Exodus narrative is nothing short of amazing. Raised in the confines of slavery, how did they discover the hope for a better world? And what empowered them to transform that hope into action in the violent historical moment they found themselves in?

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am. Watch the archived recording of this message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEk_O8NceIA&t=1538s

8/20/2023 Living in Unity

Our Psalm for today talks about the beauty and significance of God's people living in unity. That is a refreshing but difficult message in our divided in divisive world. How can we begin modeling and practicing unity in our daily lives? Watch the archived recording of this message here: 

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am. Watch the archived recording of this message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7hu1fNJ3iQ&t=1780s

8/13/2023 More than a Night at Sea

At first blush, Matthew 14:22-33 is an incredible story of Jesus and the disciples surviving a terrible storm while crossing the sea of Galilee. But if we only read this story as a historical moment, we miss the point and do ourselves a grave disservice.

Our services are streamed every Sunday on our YouTube channel (https://ekklesiaraleigh.org/youtube). Join us Sundays online at 10:45am. Watch the archived recording of this message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGq1guvcYjM&t=1744s