Did you ever have a day when you just weren't much of a fan of yourself and you could have used a little comfort and encouragement ? A day when you were depressed over how mediocre you are ? A day when you think you've done everything you are supposed to do and then you show up and they tell you "you're not on the list ?" This morning we look at Jesus' teaching about the man who built the house of his life upon the sand and the man who built the house of his life upon the rock. Comfort is found in strange places...

What does this parable mean? Is Jesus saying that God intends for some people not to ever understand the gospel? Does Jesus talk in parables to the crowds but plainly to his disciples to intentionally keep people out ? What do the four soils mean ? What is the point of this parable that some call the very foundation of the Gospel of Mark. Join us as we explore this masterful parable of Jesus. Yep, the sound you hear towards the end of the podcast is Langdon casting seeds all over the sanctuary !

What should be the goal of my life ? What is the purpose of life ? Some say the pursuit of happiness or pleasure, others say the pursuit of nobility and character. It turns out that the answer is found between the prodigal son and the older son - it is found in Him from whom all blessings flow. Join us as we unpack one of the most famous and familiar parables and discover not only sides to it we never thought about before... we find ourselves and the God who loves us.

When Jesus says the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed - what does he mean ? We look at three kinds of people - the person who plants, the person who watches, and the person who is too busy to notice - as a way of thinking about our own lives. But what is the primary mustard seed that Jesus is talking about ? . It turns out that something as small and apparently inconsequential as one wandering Rabbi 2000 years ago was the beginning of something that would grow so large that at the end of days every knee will bend and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. To see the art work mentioned in this podcast and other resources on the parables of Jesus go to http://www.southridgeworship.com/parables_of_jesus.htm

How do you want to live this year ? What do you want your life to be about ? No matter what the past has held, there is still time to choose a different way today, because this is the day the Lord has made. On this first Sunday of the New Year we begin our sermon series on the Parables of Jesus. Today we look at one that is often overlooked - the story of the two sons who go into the field. When we listen carefully we find our selves inside the story, and find that Jesus is calling us to make a decision - to choose who we will be. To see images of the sculptures used in this sermon and other resources, go to http://www.southridgeworship.com/parables_of_jesus.htm

This sermon is for people who love the show "Big Bang Theory." Do you have to choose between science and faith ? We all have ideas about the way the world is supposed to work, but what do we do when our rules and laws and equations dont match the way the world actually works ? There is a way to understand the relationship between faith and science that makes sense - but you have to be willing to abide a thing called Paradox.

Often the string of stories in the Old Testament like the string of events in our lives don't seem to make much sense. But today we look at the coming of John the Baptist as the messenger who prepares the way for the coming of the messiah. A messenger implies a message - in other words, things we don't already know, but need to hear. A message that comes unexpected out of left field. If God sent you a message today - about things you know nothing about - would you want to hear? Join us as we explore this wonderful combination of the Old Testament prophesy of Malachi with the wonderful prayer of Zachariah as he looks at his baby son John and it is revealed to him by the Holy Spirit who his son will become.

In many Sci Fi stories there is some ancient relic that has been passed down from generation to generation - but nobody really knows what it's for any more. Then comes the moment when the hero realizes it's not some useless artifact from the past but the very key that can change everything in the present. We look at the story of the City of Ember as way of understanding just how crucial the Lord's Prayer can be. It turns out that this prayer that is so often said by rote and without thought can actually act as a key into life in the Kingdom of God.

Ever notice how self conscious you can feel in public? We all want to look good to others. Sometimes we waste a lot of energy worrying about what others think of us. But what happens when we start intentionally trying to draw attention to ourselves? More than we think. This week Jesus both talks about the three crucial spiritual practices of - Giving, Praying, & Fasting - AND - shows us how these beautiful things can become ugly if done for the wrong motives. Join us as we explore the world of telling stories and discover we have the chance to live within the greatest story ever told. When we live inside that story we don’t have to spend so much energy worrying about how we are coming across to others.

Some parts of the bible make sex sound amazing and joyful, other parts give warnings and set boundaries. Why? And what is the Christian view of Divorce ? By way of Farming, Burkas, Cosmopolitan Magazine, and Monty Python we get to the beautifully balanced teaching of Jesus on these tough, important topics.