Guest speaker Cory Hoogsteen continues our series on suffering. He looks at the calling for all Christians to address suffering with witness, lament, and solidarity. Then he looks at how one of the causes of suffering is the human need for loving relationships.

This message was originally delivered on June 1, 2025.

As Pastor Steve begins a new series exploring the various ways we try to reconcile a loving, all-powerful God with a world of evil and suffering, he begins by confronting the hard truth that the answer to "Why?" is not what we most yearn for in our suffering.

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The 3-part series on the politics of Jesus concludes with an investigation into Romans 13:1-7 - one of the most challenging passages of scripture concerning government and authorities and the believers' responsibility to submit to it. Listen in as Pastor Steve provides insight into what this looks like for those whose allegiance belongs first to the Kingdom of God.

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Pastor Steve continues Part 2 of the series on understanding the politics of Jesus by addressing the "powers and principalities" that Paul and others spoke often about. With help from an analogy by Tim Mackie of Bible Project, Steve shares how Jesus followers are to overcome and push against these spiritual forces in their in-breaking of God's Kingdom in our midst.

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Pastor Steve begins a new series discussing the politics of Jesus and what it means to practice these politics in our time. Part 1 sets the context by understanding Jesus as a deeply political figure who comes to lead a revolution of self-giving love as the Kingdom of God is revealed on earth as it is in heaven.

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Pastor Steve concludes the series on being confronted by Calvary by looking at the other side of the cross - the Resurrection. What traits do "Resurrection People" embody? When we've put to death those parts of our self that need crucifying, we rise to live out of love, not approval; out of courage, not fear; and to bring life, not to consume.

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Taking a pause from the current series, Pastor Steve spoke on the expectations of those lining the streets of Jerusalem and the reality of who Jesus turned out to be as revealed by the cross. As a preparation for the business meeting that followed the service, Steve shared about how Grassroots Church understands the person of Jesus and how that is reflected in our ministry as we seek to shape bright disciples, restore faith and shelter the vulnerable.

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The series on the cross continues as Pastor Steve looks at David's journey to carrying the ark back to Jerusalem. David's initial attempt is self-centered and is motivated by convenience. David must die to this and in doing so demonstrates that proper worship, proper obedience is costly. This pattern of worship and posture toward God is carried on in Jesus' own words when he asks us to take up our cross and follow him.

Pastor Steve provides part 2 of the uncomfortable topic of being crucified with Christ, of dying to self, of, well, following Jesus to the cross. The process of moving from admiring to following Jesus involves the necessity to be disciplined and we do this through intentionally allowing life's experiences to shape us in the way of Jesus. Listen in... and be ready to get uncomfortable!

Pastor Steve begins the Lent season (albeit a few weeks late!) by focusing on the call of Jesus to "take up our cross." He asks the tough question: are we admirers or followers? And encourages us to move toward the hard call of following Jesus.