Mosaic Knox - Sermons & Messages: Recent Episodes
Mosaic Knox
Sermons and messages from Mosaic Knox, a church plant in the 37917 zip code in Knoxville, Tennessee. For more information, please visit https://mosaicknox.org
Sermon from July 23, 2023 | Strangers and Citizens | A War For Our Soul
Sometimes our real struggle is believing that God is for me; but other times it’s living under the assumption that the Devil is a figment of our imagination, not a real agent acting in the real world with real consequences. In Peter’s final exhortation, he calls the churches to an act of spiritual resistance — and the call is just as needed today.
For more information about Mosaic, visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
Sermon from July 16, 2023 | Strangers and Citizens | Shepherds and the Shepherd
In a world that is strongly skeptical of authority, what does Jesus say about godly authority? Who are the shepherds of the church, and what does their life look like in relation to Jesus, the true Shepherd? A look at Peter’s life and Jesus’ final exhortation to him spur us on to consider the same exact question.
For more information about Mosaic, visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
Sermon from July 9, 2023 | Strangers and Citizens | Family in Exile |
Life is hard; and that is no less true within the confines of discipleship to Jesus. What are the key markers that identify us as followers of Jesus, and how might our witness to the world increase with how we treat one another? Peter gives us some strong exhortations about how we ought to treat one another.
For more information about Mosaic, visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
In his last sermon at Mosaic which was preached on June 14th, 2023, Zeru shares how rest and love from the Mosaic community have shaped his heart to notice and witness the powerful presence and promises of God. Communities have the power to form or deform us, and communities that choose to listen to and love Jesus participate in a formation that has a joyful and holistic impact on the lives of those within and outside of the church. This has been Zeru's testimony of living alongside Mosaic for the past two years.
Sermon from June 25, 2023 | A lifestyle distinct from culture while living in and among culture might be the greatest challenge of our day. We continue to explore the theme of exile through the letter of 1 Peter. For more information about Mosaic visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
Sermon from June 18, 2023 | We continue on in 1 Peter as we work through the implications of making a defense. What is an appropriate offense? How might we hold our convictions and welcome people into them? Listen as we lean into being a prophetic voice in our contentious world. For more information about Mosaic visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
Sermon from Sunday November 20, 2022 | Each of us have questions about the Bible, but there is a question underneath all the other ones: Is the story true? As jarring as the Bible is at times, it is even more surprising in the unfolding message of a forgotten word: grace. For more information about Mosaic visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
Sermon from Sunday November 6, 2022 | Hell has become somewhat caricaturized over the past 100 years, but what is the biblical storyline of judgement?What is the surprising, good news of a perfect Judge; and how might that spur us on with hope as we look in the face of evil day after day? For more information about Mosaic visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
Sermon from Sunday October 30, 2022 | The Old Testament is littered with war and violent descriptions of conquest. How do we make sense of this? Is God on a violent war path? The caricatures of God are actually much more comedic than they are accurate, and the patience of God is as surprising as it is sobering. For more information about Mosaic visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
Zeru and Nick sit down and chat about Nick's story of becoming a disciple of Jesus. It started with men who helped him explore the content of the Bible and systematically learn its themes, which led to both helpful and not-so-helpful habits. However, Nick has encountered God's grace over and again through the realization that "it's okay to just open the Bible and meditate." A word. Hope y'all enjoy!
Today, Zeru and Izzy discuss her journey of seeing the bible as impersonal to the greatest love letter ever written. Izzy shares the excitement she felt when being around others excited about the Bible, which influenced her engagement with the Bible. Hope y'all enjoy!
Today Wes hosts the Midweek podcast and the guest is Zeru (me). I share my story about growing up in a Ethiopian Pentecostal family that loved the Bible, and about my time in the Southern Baptist community that loved the Bible as well. However, I've had some questions along this journey of a lot of exposure to the Bible.
Sermon from Sunday October 16, 2022 | The Scriptures are full of insights and stories, informational bits that are interesting and thought-provoking. But if our reading of the text leaves us with greater knowledge, we’re missing the point. A major shift happens when we allow the Holy Spirit to do a work in us while engaging the Scriptures: we go from reading the Bible to the Bible reading us. For more information about Mosaic visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
Caetlyn Thomas and Zeru discuss her relationship to the Bible. From memorizing passages on notecards, and flipping open to pages hoping that God would speak to her, Caetlyn's reception of the Bible changed after realizing its testimonials of God's character and work are less concerned with our immediate applications and more concerned with us gazing at God's grandeur and liberating power. Hope y'all enjoy.
Sermon from Sunday October 2, 2022 | We live in one of the most biblically illiterate times ever, where we have more access to study and guidance than ever before, and yet we remain both uninformed and un-transformed. What might contribute to our knowledge of God and love for God found in the Scriptures? It’s more simple and global - than you think. We continue on in our series It is Written. For more information about Mosaic visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
Hey friends. We got Ashton Overbay on the podcast today! We talk about how reading the Bible transitioned from being a chore Ashton felt like she needed to accomplish to a text of meditation and stories that reveal the heart of God for the people of Israel and the audiences of the New Testament, as well as for us, but we don't rush to its application because of the importance of understanding the Bible in its time first. I really enjoyed this conversation for a couple reasons: (1) it was very fun and relaxed and (2) it was vulnerable and a lot of honest but potentially different thoughts were shared by the both of us. You'll notice by the length of the episode that is was longer than the first two and it was because there was a lot more commentary and thoughts shared by me in this episode. It's both explores Ashton's story and contains responses of resonance by me. A few things I want to share for clarification, and we make these caveats in the episode but in case it's too long for some, we want to both express that we by no means want to communicate that our thoughts on the Bible are correct or hurt people who feel like they land in the places we don't. The purpose of these midweek conversations is to share our stories in hopes that we might communally ask and discern what God has for us in our personal stories, not so much to be right on every statement we make about the Bible. Curious musings if you will. If you have any questions or things that don't sit well, please don't hesitate to reach out. We love the Bible and we love y'all. Also, I'm aware of two mistakes that I made that could be misleading that I want to correct here: 1.) I called the angel of death in Exodus the Spirit by mistake. 2.) I said 1 Thessalonians 4:11 was the reference for "the caught up in the air passage." It's actually 1 Thessalonians 4:17
Brady and Zeru talk about Brady's story and relationship to the Bible. He realizes that the Bible is not a book meant to be approached with an agenda but a place to meet with God and to be a foundation we can rely on. Hope y'all enjoy!
Sermon from Sunday September 18, 2022 | We tend to think of the Bible as a book; but the truth is that it’s much more like a library. An array of voices, genres and perspectives, yet each pulsing with the breath behind their words. The Bible is inspired — where we find the tension of God using human language to communicate His loving heart. For more information about Mosaic visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
Today Zeru and Ben Walls chat about Ben's relationship with the Bible growing up and where he's at now. We are invited into the story of God's mystery in the pages of Scripture more than we are given principles to live by in order to secure God's love for us. Let's enjoy together the stories of God's grace in the lives of those in our Mosaic community.
Sermon from Sunday September 4th, 2022 | We are starting a deep dive into. . . the Bible. What is this library that we hold so dear? How do we read it? Who were the gatekeepers that allowed some books in, and left others out? And what about all the passages that make us squirm. These are the questions that we aim to wrestle with over the next semester.
But we start first with Jesus; because our trust in the Bible is not found in merely the Bible’s claim that it’s trustworthy, but the fact that Jesus is both the breath behind it, and the fulfillment of it. For more information about Mosaic visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
Sermon from Sunday August 21st, 2022 | In our journey to become a praying church, there are four prayers that we sense the Lord inviting us into more over the next two years. Listen in as we journey to become a church that asks God to do something in us, and in our world. For more information about Mosaic visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
Sermon from Sunday July 31st, 2022 | Jesus makes the claim in John 15 that He is the vine. To rest and make our home in the love of God is the lifetime journey of a Christian. What does it mean to become known to God; and are we willing to enter into the presence of God so that we might be watered by his grace? For more information about Mosaic visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
Sermon from Sunday July 17, 2022 | This week we listen to Jesus who says, “I am the good shepherd.” Who are shepherds, what do they do, and why is this imagery so significant to us. Jesus as Shepherd speaks to the tired and battered and lifts up their face with his gentle hand. Through his sacrifice on the cross, for our sins, Jesus proved he is the Good Shepherd.
For more information about Mosaic visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
Sermon from Sunday July 3, 2022 | This week we explore the theme of light. Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.” What are reasons why we refuse to step into the light, and thus, end up not reflecting the light of the world to the world? Take a listen.
For more information about Mosaic visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
Sermon from Sunday June 17, 2022 | Jesus says, “I am the bread of life”, and throws everyone’s world upside down. From the necessity of food, to the inclusion of outsiders, to the Lord’s Supper, we examine how the man born in the House of Bread feeds the world.
For more information about Mosaic visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
Sermon from Sunday June 5, 2022 | Throughout the book of John, Jesus makes some extraordinary claims. Most notably, he takes physical elements of the world that people are intimately familiar with to say something unique and profound about himself. The first image is one the Jewish people would’ve known well: a lamb. For more information about Mosaic visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
Sermon from Sunday, May 1, 2022 | In this sermon, Zeru talks about the compassion of God in Christ as the source of healing for survivors of abuse. Looking at Hagar’s story and the way she was treated by her masters - Sarai and Abram - we see God’s tenderness and care for the oppressed. For more information about Mosaic, visit us online: www.mosaicknox.org/
While we don’t live in an honor-shame culture, we all have experienced the feeling of shame. What does Jesus final hours teach us about shame, and how does the story of one disciple give us hope that Jesus is in the business of receiving our shame so he can restore our dignity?
Sermon from Sunday, April 3, 2022 | Lent helps us re-orient our hearts to a fundamental question: what do I want? This week, we examine the idols of our city, how they play to our desires, and what is our alternative lifestyle in light of these gods clamoring for our affection. For more information about our church, visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org/
Mosaic Midweek | March 31, 2022 | This week, Wes and Zeru tackle the freeing idea of confession. What constitutes confidentiality, who are trustworthy people, and how might our lives change if we believed that God is more willing to forgive than we are to confess? For more information about Mosaic, visit us online: www.mosaicknox.org/
Sermon from Sunday, March 20, 2022 | One of the reasons we struggle with confession — especially to one another — is because we are not convinced grace is on the other side. But what might happen if we became a church, not void of sin, but void of secrets? We may receive what we most deeply crave — to be known and to be healed. For more information about Mosaic, visit our website: www.mosaicknox.org/
Mosaic Midweek | Wednesday, March 16, 2022 | This week, Zeru and Wes talk through the challenges of a broken world -- both personally and systemically. How might the people of God, practically, take some next steps to both think and act in such a way that identifies with others who bear the same image of God, but are disadvantaged by the challenges of a broken world. For more information about Mosaic, visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org/
Sermon from Sunday, March 6, 2022 | We continue our series on Fasting by discussing the social implications of a relatively personal practice. What might depriving yourself of food have to do with investing yourself into the lives of the poor. For more information about Mosaic, visit us online at www.mosiacknox.org/
March 2, 2022 | Ash Wednesday Service | To mark the start of Lent, we must come to grips with the most concrete reality that stands the test of time — you are going to die. For more information about Mosaic, visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org/
Service on February 20, 2022 | This week we've invited Laura Wolfe, a Biblical Life Counselor from Fellowship Middlebrook to join us. Sarah Mills hosts a Q&A with Laura about how body image and fasting relate to one another. Listen as they discuss questions like "Why does how I view my body matter in the story of God?" and "What hope do you believe the Bible has to offer to people who may struggle with their relationship with food?" For more information about Mosaic, visit our website: www.mosaicknox.org/
Mosaic Midweek from February 16, 2022 | This week, Zeru and Wes talk about what may prevent our western minds from engaging God in prayer more than anything else. What is it about mystery that paralyzes us and scares us; and how we can move from putting everything in a box, to getting oriented around the knowable, mysterious God of the universe. For more information about Mosaic, visit us online: www.mosaicknox.org/
Sermon from Sunday, February 6, 2022 | Fasting is nothing if not paired with prayer; and prayer deeply matters. This week, we look at what might we experience if we deny some of our most basic appetites, and how might we join God’s prayer for the world? For more information about Mosaic, visit us online: www.mosaicknox.org/
This week, Zeru and Wes talk through why fasting is so detached from the life of a Jesus follower and why it feels like slavery, even if it leads to more freedom. For more information about Mosaic, visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org/
Sermon from January 23, 2022 | One of the most under-practiced disciplines of the way of Jesus may be the most critical for a culture that is looking for freedom where there is only chains. For more information about Mosaic, visit us online: www.mosaicknox.org/
Sermon from Sunday, January 9, 2022 | We are entering into 2022 like we entered last year: A vision to be overcome with the love of God that enables us to have something beautiful and meaningful to offer to our city. For more information about Mosaic, visit us online: www.mosaicknox.org/
Sermon from Sunday, December 20, 2021 | Zeru concludes our Advent series looking at Anna, and we see how her posture of waiting for the King in the first Advent mirrors ours as we long for His return. For more information about Mosaic, visit our website: www.mosaicknox.org/
Sermon from December 5, 2021 | The wonder of the first Advent is that God visited our planet. And so we are grounded in hope; and yet the human experience is still filled with so much waiting, as we long for the Second Advent. For more information about Mosiac, visit our website: www.mosaicknox.org/
Sermon from November 21, 2021 | We wrap up our series on The Meal with a few encouragements and challenges to prepare us to gather around the table in 2022. For more information about Mosaic, visit our website: www.mosaicknox.org/
Sermon from Sunday, November 7, 2021 | As we near the end of our teaching series, we explore the historical twists that the Supper has made, and learn what we can take from each of their names. For more information about Mosaic, visit our website: www.mosaicknox.org/
Mosaic Midweek, October 29, 2021 | Maybe one of the more difficult tasks in our current world is being attentive to each other. We talk about what attractive community feels like, and how the task of being present is much more than being in close proximity. For more information about our church, please visit online at www.mosaicknox.org/
Sermon from Sunday, October 17, 2021 | When we consider the Lord’s Supper, we cannot consider it outside the context of family relationships. In this teaching, we explore what it means to eat together as a church. For more information about our church, visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org/
Mosaic Midweek: October 13, 2021 | Wes and Zeru tackle the topic of memorials. What are they in the church, and what does the presence of God actually taste like at the meal? For more information about our church, visit www.mosaicknox.org
Sermon from Sunday, October 3, 2021 | As we move through the Lord's Supper, we are hit with the actual elements: the bread and wine. This week, the meal begins to take shape as we eat a meal that does much more than jar our memory; it invites us into God's presence. For more information about Mosaic, visit us online: www.mosiacknox.org/
Sermon from Sunday, September 19, 2021. This week we look at the Last Supper. What actually transpired at the final Passover? What made it so strange for the early disciples, and what does it say to us today. For more information about Mosaic, visit us online: www.mosaicknox.org/
Wes and Zeru talk through some practical application between how we might currently practice the table more as an altar, and how it should be a place of celebration, rather than a place of penance.
Sermon from Sunday, September 5, 2021. We typically think of the altar and the table as the same; but they are not. So what do sacrifices, altars and covenants have to do with a meal? This week we explore how what is established in the sacrifice is experienced at the table. For more information about Mosaic, visit our website www.mosaicknox.org/
In this week’s Mosaic Midweek, Wes and Zeru discuss their personal interactions with the Lord’s Supper, and why now is a critical time to re-imagine how we practice this ancient rhythm.
Sermon from Sunday, August 22, 2021. We are beginning a new chapter in our church, as we learn the practice of the Lord’s Supper. From Genesis to Revelation, we see this simple premise: we were designed to enjoy a meal in the presence of God.
This fall, we'll be learning what the Bible has to say about communion, and how we can practice an ancient ritual in the church today.
August 8, 2021 | Sermon | If we are to be a people of the Book, and for our neighbor, we must ask the question: What kind of church does our neighborhood need? Romans 8 provides clarity to the type of Christian, and the type of church, that will impact our community.
For more information about Mosaic, please visit our website: www.mosaicknox.org/
June 27, 2021 | Sermon | In this last sermon of our Formation series, Wes Mills describes one of the aspirations of our church — to be an intercultural expression of the kingdom on earth. How might we become a church that both reflects our current community and our coming one?
Sunday, June 13, 2021 | As citizens of a coming kingdom, we believe a perfectly just world is our future, with a perfect Judge. But how do we live as citizens on earth in light of this coming reality? For more information about Mosaic, please visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org/
What does it mean to practice hospitality, and how do we become hospitable? In this episode, we look at some simple steps in the journey of opening your home and heart. For more information about Mosaic, visit our website www.mosaicknox.org/
One of the more outrageous acts of mercy is Jesus’ invitation of hospitality. Jesus offers us a seat at his table, and that inevitably compels us to offer ours up. For more information about Mosaic, visit our website: www.mosaicknox.org/
How do we take small, intentional steps where our lives begin to intersect with the lives of those on the margins? We take a look at one personal practice, and one invitational prayer in this episode. For more information about Mosaic, please visit our website at www.mosaicknox.org/
Continuing on in our Formation series, we discovers that as followers of Jesus, we are committed to the margins of our community, because God is committed to them. In fact, in a surprising turn of events, it is in the the poor and outcast where we actually find God. Wes Mills preaches this sermon on May 16, 2021. For more information about Mosaic, please visit our website: www.mosaicknox.org
We continue on in our Formation series with the theme of generosity. Our aim is to fight against the spirit of the age that is consumed with the idol of more. For more information about Mosaic, visit our website www.mosaicknox.org.
What does it tangibly look like to be sent into your neighborhood? This week we share a story of how a sports hobby got transformed into a kingdom opportunity. For more information about Mosaic, please visit our website: www.mosaicknox.org
Ben Walls, Mosaic's church resident, preaches this week. Since we come together as a family, as a city, and as a body we do not leave the work for others to do; instead, we go, and we do. We believe that we are qualified in His good news that whatever the way of Jesus may bring we will be ready for how dirty our hands may get. For more information about Mosaic, visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
For followers of Jesus, Easter is not the end of the saga — it’s actually the beginning. What started in a garden in Genesis 1 is re-birthed in another garden in the middle of history. For more information about Mosaic, you can visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org/
Engaging with lost people fan feel daunting and overwhelming. What are some ways we can posture our heart, more as people who are our friends, and not projects to be fixed? In this episode, we explore some practical ways to talk to our lost friends meaningfully.
What is arguably the most intimidating aspect to discipleship to Jesus can actually be simple if we merely pay attention to where we live, work and play. This week we hear stories from our community about how evangelism is more something you are rather than something you do. Kathryn & Brady Evans, James & Lauren Anderson, and Sarah Grace Mills share their personal stories of evangelism.
For more information about Mosaic, visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
Sermon from Sunday, March 7, 2021.
In part 3 of our formation series, Wes Mills talks about the implications of Jesus's teaching on the family of God. He walks through how community is essential to followers of Jesus. For more information about Mosaic, visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
Sermon from Sunday, February 21, 2021.
In Part 2 of our Formation Series, we dive into prayer. Wes Mills, lead pastor of Mosaic, takes a deeper dive into one of the most fundamental practices to following Jesus. For more information about Mosaic, visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
In Part 1 of our Formation Series, we dive into the story and library of Scripture. Wes Mills outlines the idea that scripture is a both a window and mirror to believers. For more information about Mosaic, visit us online at www.mosaicknox.org
Spring Vision Series: "A Mission for our Family." Wes Mills, lead pastor of Mosaic Knox, walks through Mosaic's 4 key principles that will define our church family. For more information about Mosaic, our spring events, and how to get involved in our church, please visit www.mosaicknox.org
Spring Vision Series: "A Neighborhood Renewed by Jesus" Wes Mills, lead pastor of Mosaic Knox, walks through Mosaic's vision for 2021. He lays out three desires we have for the neighborhood. For more information about Mosaic, our spring events, and how to get involved in our church, please visit www.mosaicknox.org.
Welcome to the Mosaic Knox church podcast. This is a central place for our sermons and messages. Music is a church plant in Knoxville Tennessee. Our mission is to be a body of servant missionaries on mission with Jesus to bring the kingdom of God to old North Knoxville as it is in heaven. We believe that the church should aspire to reflect the neighborhood it serves. The 37917 zip code is a true mosaic of people. We see the kingdom of God pushing into the margins of our neighborhood and hope to partner with the spirit for transformation of hearts and communities. For more information about Mosaic you can visit us online at mosaicknox.org.