In this sermon we examine the images of God’s Son (Israel here) and the Staff that God empowers.

Who is God, and is He worth following? Many of us develop certain views of God throughout our lifetimes that don’t fit with the God revealed in scripture. The God who reveals himself to Moses turns out to be better than we can fathom.

Moses felt like an outsider, someone who does not belong. Does God see us in our experiences of pain in this world?

As humans we are faced which two competing visions of “the good life” or shalom at any given time. The kingdoms of this world offer their narrative and the kingdom of God its own. Which will we live into?

To many of Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount we might respond, “Jesus, are you serious?” Sayings like “love your enemy” and “do not worry” are shocking. But what if Jesus is serious? How will we respond? Today we analyze two acccounts of people who respond to Jesus — the rich ruler and Zacchaeus.

This week we closed out our series through the Sermon on the Mount with Jesus’ closing parable, an invitation to practice his teachings. Will you practice his way of life?

2 gates, 2 roads, 2 destinations. Jesus invites us into his Way of life, the road that leads to Life. Will we join him?

“Ask, seek, knock” Jesus teaches us, because God gives good gifts. When we experience unanswered prayer though, we may begin to question this goodness of God. At the resurrection, we see Mary, Mary and Salome experience an open door. This open door teaches us that God does indeed open the door and he does give good gifts.

Today we walk through Jesus’ triumphal entry as King into Jerusalem, his escapades in the Temple, and his cursing of the fig tree. None of this was random. On Palm Sunday we are confronted by the King and challenged to respond with vulnerability and repentance.

Jesus teaches us "Do not worry..." This is a hard teaching. We are constantly faced with worry and anxiety about money, time, and stuff. This is fueled by a spirit of scarcity which Jesus terms "Mammon." How are we to be a people of abundance, in the face of scarcity?