Spark Cast

The disparity between two distinct people groups in the first church in Acts, the Greeks and the Hebrews, created an early challenge for this growing community. How do we care for our diverse community? This lesson is no less powerful or important for today.

Far from an apologetic argument for the validity of the Jesus movement, this passage highlights how an open, progressive, capacious, and welcoming faith, can devolve into a restrictive, fearful, and regressive faith. Listen carefully to Gamaliel, and consider, remember, and recommit to the faith of our ancestors.

The story of Ananias and Sapphira lying to the Holy Spirit and being struck dead is one of those complicated, challenging, and perplexing stories in the Bible. Yet, set in the whole context of the grand narrative of the Jesus movement within Jewish understandings of faith help make meaning and sense of this event. Sharing personally, and historically, Omair helps us navigate this story, and challenges us to live the lessons in the here and now.

What does one do when they're in "exile?" And what does "repentance" mean in those times? In a speech by Peter, we are encouraged for moments of breathing, in the midst of struggle, and we hope you find a time of refreshing in the midst of your current exile.

In our final talk Omair brings together the past, the present, and the future, in his teaching on a Joy that Lasts.

From from an emotion of happiness, or a delusion from the chaos of the world, through the lens of Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1 we see joy as a "justice strategy." It is a way of declaring what truly is worthy of praise, magnification, and rejoicing.

Through life's various ups and downs, joy sustains, and gets you through. In part two of our series, Pastor Mark shares the songs and scriptures that have sustained him through those tumultuous and exciting times of life.

Following Yale Divinity School's preaching campaign, Pastor Danielle gives talk #1 of our #50StatesOfJoy series where we discover joy to be held even in the midst of true suffering, pain, and challenge. Joy is not the absence of suffering, but rather a chosen response to it.

The Resurrection, the most central event in our story and history can often be seen as evidence of truth, a better life, or other "escapist" theologies. In this talk, we consider that the Resurrection means more than just a "change of scenery." It means a change of heart and mind, regardless of what scenery is around you.

The hope for revolution comes, on this Palm Sunday, not as we expect. And while we may be disappointed, Jesus does not fail to deliver.