First Baptist Church of Asheville Podcast

June 16, 2024. Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. Year B.

The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground and then…take a nap. And the seed would sprout and grow. But day after day, he wouldn’t have the slightest idea how. Verse 28 almost mocks anyone claiming to know God’s mysterious ways: “The earth produces of itself [but you don’t know how], first the stalk [but you don’t know how!], then the head [still don’t know!]…” and so on. The parable undermines our clever attempts to establish outcomes and justify ends. We may rest knowing God will give the growth.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

June 9, 2024. Third Sunday after Pentecost. Year B.

With the parable of the strong man, Jesus depicts himself as a thief in the night (see Mt. 24:43) breaking into Satan’s domain, tying him up, and plundering his home. His declaration stuns the scribes, who’d just accused him of being demon-possessed, and positions them as inhabitants of the house to be plundered. The text recalls Isaiah’s prophecy in 49:25 that “the prey of the tyrant be rescued.” As well, it recalls Jesus telling Peter “the gates of hell would not prevail against” the church. It looks like Jesus is ready to make us accomplices to this robbery!

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

June 2, 2024. Second Sunday after Pentecost. Year B.

While the Pharisees are incensed that Jesus would disrupt the Sabbath norms that preserve the status quo (and their hold on power), our contemporary version is inverted—now the status quo is that there is no sabbath. Working class Americans are especially oppressed by this reality. Whereas the social order in Jesus’ time imposed sabbath observance, today’s order makes sabbath observance almost impossible for many. Either way, Jesus defies any social order that would obstruct the fulfilling and restorative purposes of Sabbath observance.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

May 26, 2024. Trinity Sunday. Year B.

In all the centuries of our tossing and turning over how to describe the Trinity, God remains undefeated at being explained. Nevertheless, Isaiah’s call demonstrates how the one sending, the one sent, and the sending power of God coalesce for Israel’s sake. The same God who sits “high and lofty” also moves toward us to speak, to call, to act, to send. What’s more, there is no one too lost, too common, or too compromised to be drawn into the dynamic life of God. When this God comes for us and calls us, what else can we say but, “Here am I; send me!”

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

May 19, 2024. Day of Pentecost. Year B.

“They are filled with new wine,” say the scoffers. But in spite of their sneering, they’re actually right. The disciples are filled with new wine, and this new wine with all its acidic, pungent, corrosive power has burst through the old wineskin and is now spilling all over the city unabated. A new power has been unleashed in the world whose torrent breaks down all the old barriers and boundaries that keep people separated from God and one another.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

May 12, 2024. Sixth Sunday of Easter. Year B.

The disciples can’t immediately “be my witnesses in Jerusalem.” First they must wait there to receive power from the Holy Spirit. This interim period between Ascension and Pentecost is a gift to the eleven. They need this time to remember what they’ve seen and heard. They need time to pray, to comprehend, to let the seeds of resurrection grow. Likewise for us, it takes time to grow into the confidence that witnessing to the resurrection requires. Such prayerful waiting will make us all the more receptive to Pentecost when it comes.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

May 5, 2024. Sixth Sunday of Easter. Year B.

Peter has a head start on the others. Having earlier seen a vision of God’s generous welcome, he now understands that “God shows no partiality,” and he applies his revelation by baptizing Gentiles without hesitation. Eventually, James will offer a more deliberative process for such things, but only after Peter has opened wide the door to Gentiles. This sermon will give thanks for the prime movers, the “impulsive” dreamers, the agitators, who embody the Holy Spirit’s shenanigans before most everyone else is ready.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

April 21, 2024. Fourth Sunday of Easter. Year B.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays: Bible study at 10:00 a.m., worship at 11:00 a.m. · 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC · fbca.net