Let's think about the book of Revelation differently. Maybe instead of a letter full of confusing visions, its a set of blueprints being handed over to us. We know what God has done and what God will do. Our call as God's people is to step into the plans being made and see ourselves as actors living out God's promises for Creation. The final sermon in our series on the book of Revelation, "John the Revelator."

If someone asked you to picture a new heaven and new earth, what comes to mind? John, the author of Revelation, invites his readers to use their imagination as he reflects his own to convey an expectation of hope and life in this world. Maybe a new heaven and new earth are not so far off in the future from us. The next sermon in our series on the book of Revelation, chapter 21.

Despite all we know about God's love in our lives, the power of sin and the powers of this world seem to tell a different story. In our reading from Revelation this week, we're given a vision of worship. A reminder that we when we feel out of control, God's got us. When hope feels distant, God is here. When we can't utter a word of faith, someone is already singing for us, so that we can go out and sing God's love through our voices and hands. The next sermon in our series on the Book of Revelation, 7.9-17.

We sometimes forget that the Jesus we see as our loving shepherd is the same one who tore apart the tables in the Temple. Jesus is speaking tough, necessary words to his Church in the face of complacency. It is not enough to tell ourselves that we have enough, Jesus notes, because we are bound to our brothers and sisters who are crying out for hope. The second in our sermon series on the book of Revelation, chapter 3.

Revelation is daunting and messy and full of life and hope. Jesus Christ is alive in this world. Beyond the chaos of our days, beyond the wars and rumors of war, beyond the racism, discrimination and injustice that consumes our daily lives is the promise that Christ lives. That Christ is here. That Christ is bringing a new kingdom and a final word that will silence all the words that try to silence God's people. Our first sermon of our series, "John the Revelator," on the book of Revelation.

The disciples do what we all do: they go on lock down when fear sets in. They don't have much worldly power and they can't imagine what they could accomplish against the world's powers. What can we possibly do in God's name? Can we change anything? We need Jesus to breathe for us. Our sermon on John 20.19-31.

Whoever you are, you are in the Easter story. The one who has been praying for new life, the one who cannot believe, the one who shows up with great skepticism, the one who races to the garden. Christ's story is your story. Tell your story of Christ. The sermon preached on Easter morning, John 20.1-18.

Judas was just one of the disciples, in the middle of it since the start of it. He was right there, where we have often longed to be, and still, he turned out Jesus to the powers of this world. He is us. Jesus loved Judas. Jesus loves us. Our sermon on John c.13, Maundy Thursday.

If only Jesus would come and be with us here, in the real world. Sometimes it seems he's on the other side of Creation when we need him most. The sermon this week weaves the threads of Lazarus, Mary, Martha and the compassionate crowd into the promise of life offered through a meal. Come, taste, and see the Grace Christ gives us as he dwells among us. The gospel of John, chapter 11.

Our world, our culture, our biases want to convince us who can speak for God. Maybe you have been told to be silent because some voice spoke over yours. Jesus speaks with a nameless Samaritan woman who runs and preaches his name, bringing an entire city to his feet with her sermon. Here in the real world, where the barriers are high, Jesus dwells and breaks through with holy words for us to celebrate and proclaim. The sermon preached on John 4 the third weekend of Lent 2017.