SERMON  |  Luke 13:1-9  -  "If It Bears Fruit"  by Rev. Joseph Sanford

We continue working through a scene where Jesus is examining Jerusalem in light of his mission and movement of the peaceful, forgiving, enemy-loving, and life-giving Kingdom.  Jerusalem has not been living up to its calling.  This does not encompass all of Jerusalem--the leadership in place has been compromising, extorting, and hyper-focusing on legalistic approaches to worship.  Many people who worship there are honest, hard-working, and humble people just fighting to survive.  Jesus knows the presence of God's Kingdom will not sit well with any of the leadership in place (Rome, Sanhedrin, Herod, Pharisees, Sadducees, etc.).  He offers a response to people who are equating recent tragedies with sinfulness and divine punishment.  Jesus directly refutes this kind of theology and then offers a parable which extends an invitation to anyone who hears it--even us today.

So let's dive into to the parable amid the context of its telling and allow it to guide us in our own lives as people and a church.

SERMON  |  Luke 13:31-35 - "Under the Wings"

In a volatile time of war, division, uncertainty, inflation, and the calling to ministry...we can become overwhelmed.

Through this passage, where Jesus looked past the opposition to see the heart of the matter of his time and day, we can follow an example which offers us the path to life over destruction.  We can find hope while traversing difficult times.

We are welcomed under the wing of Jesus Christ who is portrayed as a mother hen offering shelter to her babies while the fox is on the prowl.

We are called to come under the wings while also offering ourselves in Christ's example to others--offering hope and protection to all of those around us who are vulnerable and in need of a Savior.

This sermon is brought to you by Rev. Joseph Sanford

SERMON  -  LENT  |  Luke 4:1-13  "An Opportune Time"

Lenten Sundays start in the wilderness...because that has been the rhythm of the scripture.  From Creation, to post-Egypt, to Jesus, to us...it starts in the wilderness.  Temptation is a part of being a human being.  We are going to be tempted to take the easy road and put ourselves first--to rely on our own ability.  But let's visit Jesus' journey into the wilderness with the Holy Spirit and witness how he confronts his own temptation.

Let his way be our way.

Let's make the next 40 days an Opportune Time for God to work in us.

SERMON  -  ASH WEDNESDAY  |  Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21  "Piety Practice"

Rev. Joseph Sanford leads us into the beginning of the Season of Lent.  We begin this season of 40 days by examining the very motivation of our piety (religious commitment).  Do we practice for God??  Or do we practice for ourselves??  We begin this season of repentance and confession by receiving ashes to be reminded that without God we are nothing but dust; we need a Savior.

Do we live a life of the Christian faith to be seen and highly regarded by others?

Do we live this way to get what we want (eternal life)?

Or do we live this way to receive what God wants for us?

Let's start with the practice itself so that we may begin this 40 day journey with pure hearts.

SERMON  |  Luke 9:26-43a  TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY  "Awake to Glory"

SERMON  |  Luke 6:27-38  -  SERMON ON THE PLAIN   2. "Hands Wide Open"

SERMON | Luke 6:17-26  -  SERMON ON THE PLAIN  1. "Eyes Wide Open"

We come to our third Gospel's presentation of a sermon by Jesus that we mostly know by our first Gospel:  The Sermon on the Mount.

This author, however, makes it clear this presentation is different.

What we find in this version is the calling to open our eyes by the proclamation of who is already receiving the blessing of the Kingdom being ushered in through Jesus.  This strange offering of blessings and warnings seems backward.  The right-side-up perspective will always look backward in an upside-down point of view.

Why begin the sermon in this way?  What is Jesus trying to communicate to his 12 disciples?

Let us consider the scene and all of its meaning in plain sight.  Let us hear the calling to offer everything we think, feel, do, and are to the healing and salvation that can occur through the Kingdom of God given to us through Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.

SERMON  |  Luke 5:1-11  -  "Leaving Everything Behind"

We are invited into a life of meaning and purpose far beyond what we could hope for or imagine on our own.  This miraculous call story focuses on the response of a simple human being who discovers a life he never knew was possible.

Let's revisit this familiar story to engage what is unfamiliar about its brilliance.

One of the most well known and, at the same time, least familiar passages from Paul's letters.

What was Paul talking about and how did it fit in the context of his message to the church in 1st century?

How does it connect to us today?

Let us explore "love/agape" as Paul offers it using silence, contemplation, and guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Paul writes to the church in Corinth amidst great division.  Let's hear his words and consider the truth of the image he uses to convey a sense of our identity in the Messiah.