Spark Cast

Spark's next core value, Rescue, is our call to bring salvation to all, just as God brought salvation to us.

Last week's discussion on reconciliation culminates in the restoration of God's reputation, how God is viewed and understood by everyone, most especially Christians.

Our next core value of reconciliation is not only a prime characteristic of Jesus followers, but is also a worldview, and even an archetype of the progress of the universe. Embodied in Jesus followers is a cosmic force that exemplifies what we say in our services each week, that God really is "one."

As we approach Spark's 9th Anniversary, we'd like to revisit the foundational teachings, principles, and values that form the identity of our church.

Before his death, Jesus lived the life of a human being, but was MORE. After his resurrection, that MORE became evident to those with whom he interacted. The final chapter of the book of Luke gives us a glimpse into what that MORE is, and provides insight into how we can be MORE as well.

Chapter 24 of the Gospel According to Luke narrates some details of the morning of the resurrection, the most significant, meaningful, and central event of the Christian faith. And yet, to claim that a dead man rose from the dead is dubiously incredible. Our heritage and history affirm both of these perspectives as a challenge to carefully consider.

Chapter 23 of The Gospel According to Luke chronicles the trials of Jesus before he's crucified. The narrative culminates in a guilty man who goes free, and an innocent man who is condemned to die. It is upon the bodies of these two men that we see the dire need for the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

It may be easy to dismiss Judas Iscariot as an anomaly, a bad actor, or perhaps just a fulfillment of God's ordained prophecy. Perhaps we should consider more carefully the underlying lessons.

Jesus' description of the destruction of the Temple in Luke 21 is frightening and disheartening. The very center of socio-religious identity is going to be destroyed and desolated. Bad things are going to happen, and many persecutions. But while the heavens are shaken, the Son of Man is coming, and redemption is drawing near, and the Kingdom of God is about to be established. How in the world does that all make sense?

In chapter 20, Luke describes a series of encounters at the Temple between Jesus and various groups and individuals. The thread connecting each interaction is the debate over authority: who has it, who doesn’t, how do you get it, and how do you live by it?