Austin Mustard Seed Sermons: Recent Episodes
Austin Mustard Seed Sermons
The fourth Sunday of Advent centers on God’s love. Pastor April Karli explores the significance of the presence of angels in the stories of Jesus’ birth and invites us to consider how we have experienced God’s presence with us.
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What is your current relationship to prayer? Has prayer ever felt transactional to you? Pastor April helps us refocus on prayer as an invitation from God to participate in bringing light to darkness and leads us in a practice of Imaginative Prayer.
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How can we know the Bible is meaningful to our modern lives? Where does scripture’s authority come from? Pastor Shane Blackshear helps us understand the answers to these questions and most importantly, how we should respond.
The post Let’s Talk About The Bible – Liturgy 10/16/22 appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
Pastor April Karli shares Ephesians 4:1-16 and challenges us to consider how we arrive at truth.
The post How Do We Know Something Is True & Why Does It Matter? – Liturgy 10/2/22 appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
In preparation for our Baptism Sunday, Shane Blackshear explores various viewpoints from history and Scripture on the who, what, and how of the practice of baptism.
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Pastor April and Ashley Blackwell discuss how attachment theory and our attachment styles affect how we understand and related to God, especially in times of suffering.
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Mary Whitehurst preaches on The Armor of God and its effectiveness at all times, but especially those times when we feel God’s absence.
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June 19, 2022 – Pastor April teaches out of the book of Esther where we ask the question, where is God?
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The post Sermon – 5/1/2022 – Easter Week 3 – John 21:1-19 – April Karli appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
The post Sermon – 4/17/2022 – Easter Sunday – April Karli appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
Please enjoy Pastor April’s message from Palm Sunday, 2022.
The post Sermon – 4/10/2022 – Palm Sunday – April Karli appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
On Sunday we explored the extravagance of Mary’s gift to Jesus.
The post Sermon – 4/3/2022 – Mary’s Anointing of Jesus – April Karli appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
Pastor April leads us through the passage of scripture known as “The Prodigal Son Returns”
The post Sermon – 3/27/2022 – A Compassionate Father and His Two Sons – April Karli appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
Pastor Shane brings this morning’s teaching…
The post Sermon – 3/6/2022 – When In Romans… – Shane Blackshear appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
On Transfiguration Sunday we explored Jesus’s Transfiguration and what the unique revelation of Jesus’s identity means for us during times of global conflict and war. Former missionaries to Russia, Chris and Anya Gandy, shared their thoughts on the situation in Ukraine and Russia with us as well. Anya is Russian and the Gandys have family and friends in both Russia … Read More →
The post Sermon – 2/27/2022 – The Transfiguration & Ukraine appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
After 2+ years of “Covid adapted Liturgies”, we spent the last month or so meeting outside in our parking lot. This morning was our first liturgy back inside. We took a moment to reflect on what we’ve learned from being out of the building.
The post Sermon – (2/20/2022) – What We Learned From Parking Lot Liturgy – April Karli & Shane Blackshear appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
Andrea Lucado brings this morning’s teaching from the 2nd chapter of Philippians.
The post Sermon – (8/16/20) – “Philippians: Working Out My Salvation” – Andrea Lucado appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
A dear from of AMS, Mary Whitehurst brings this second teaching on the book of Philippians.
The post Sermon – (8/9/20) – “Philippians: All Done!” – Mary Whitehurst appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
Pastor April introduces our first teaching on the book of Philippians.
The post Sermon – (8/2/20) – Philippians: “All Things New” – April Karli appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
Mason Parva closes out our series on The Spiritual Disciplines with a great teaching on “why”.
The post Sermon – (7/26/20) – “The ‘Why’ of Spiritual Discipline” – Mason Parva appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
Local Austin Spiritual Director Terra McDaniel joined us this past Sunday and gave an incredibly encouraging teaching on some spiritual practices that can be used during this time in quarantine.
The post Sermon – (7/12/20) – Spiritual Practices for the Pandemic Season – Terra McDaniel appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
The post Sermon – (7/5/20) – Spiritual Disciplines: Sabbath – April Karli appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
The post Sermon – (6/28/20) – Spiritual Disciplines: Silence – Shane Blackshear appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
Pastor April continues our teaching series with the next spiritual discipline, Confession.
The post Sermon – (6/21/20) – Spiritual Disciplines: Confession – April Karli appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
Pastor April opens up a series of teachings on the Spiritual Disciplines with our first Sunday practice, Slowing.
The post Sermon – (6/14/20) – Spiritual Disciplines: Slowing – April Karli appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
“On Pentecost Sunday we consider the arrival of the Holy Spirit and what that story means to the church and the role we play in this broken and unjust world.”
The post Sermon – (5/31/20) – Pentecost Sunday – Tim Allen appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
Audio from this Sunday is a mini-family meeting about our plans for re-gathering. Leaders at Austin Mustard Seed share what we’ve been been praying about and discussing with regards to COVID and how we can safely gather again. We also spent time praying together as a community for God’s direction for Austin Mustard Seed during this season.
The post Sermon – “Regathering” – April Karli appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
This Sunday April led us through John 10:1-10. We considered what Jesus meant when he used metaphors calling himself the good shepherd and a gate. Scripture and Quotes:Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2 The one who enters by the gate … Read More →
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On Sunday we visited the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. It can be difficult to see Jesus even in the best circumstances. We were challenged to consider how to recognize Jesus’s presence with us in the midst of difficult times and grief. Luke 24:13-35Now on that same day two of them were going to a village … Read More →
The post Sermon – “The Road to Emmaus” – April Karli appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
On Sunday April led us through the story of Thomas. Thomas expressed his need to see and touch the risen Jesus. We were asked to to consider the questions: What do you need from Jesus today? How can you receive Jesus’s peace? Scripture & Quotes:John 20:19-31When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors … Read More →
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On Easter Sunday April led us through the story of the women finding the empty tomb and asked us to consider the question, “How much hope does the resurrection bring you in light of the covid19 shutdown?” Scripture and Quotes: After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to … Read More →
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On Palm Sunday we were thrilled to welcome special guest speaker Dennis R. Edwards. Dennis is associate professor of New Testament at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago. He is also the author of several books including:“What is the Bible? And How Do We Understand It?” and “The 1 Peter Story of God Commentary.” Dennis spoke on the story of … Read More →
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For the fifth week of Lent Madelynn Marlow shared from Ezekiel 37. She encouraged us to remember God’s healing, life giving presence among us even when things feel dry and lifeless, like the valley of dry bones. Scripture and quotes: Ezekiel 37:1-1437 The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord … Read More →
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On Sunday we had a digital liturgy via Zoom. April shared thoughts from Psalm 23 about God’s presence and blessing with us even in the darkest valleys.Scripture and quotes: Psalm 23The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures;he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.He leads me in right paths for his … Read More →
The post Sermon – 3/23/20 – April Karli appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
For the first Sunday of Lent, April Karli guided us through Jesus’s temptation in the wilderness where we considered the question: To what extent do we trust God? Scripture and quotes:Matthew 4:1-11Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was … Read More →
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This week we conclude our series on racial justice and diversity. Special guest Tanya Rodgers joins April and Shane to talk about her experience as a person of color in church and society.
The post Sermon – Racial Justice, pt. 3 – April Karli, Tanya Rodgers, & Shane Blackshear appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
This week Shane and April continue the conversation about racial justice.
The post Sermon – Racial Justice, Cont. – April Karli & Shane Blackshear appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
We began a three part series about Racial Justice this Sunday. Shane and April shared hopes for how Austin Mustard Seed can enter into and be challenged by this conversation.Scripture and resources mentioned in the message: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28 “For he … Read More →
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April Karli shared this morning from Micah 6:1-8 about what it is God expects of us as God’s people. Text and quotes:Hear what the Lord says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice.Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth;for the Lord has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel.“O my … Read More →
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Chris Morton speaks on what it means to dwell in the presence of God from Psalm 27. Resources and quotes: “A banner rallies people against a group, an object, or a concept. …an enemy stokes the flames of anger and keeps the antagonism going. It’s always easier to gather a group around what we’re against, because it gets people angry. In this way, banners create enemies.” The … Read More →
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“In our passage today, John 1:29-42, we hear Jesus’ first words to his first disciples. They were ‘What do you want?’. We discuss why knowledge and behavior alone aren’t enough for true Christian discipleship or transformation, to really get there we have to get our ‘wanters’ on the table. This is vitally important because the essence of discipleship wanting what … Read More →
The post Sermon – “What Do You Want?” – Shane Blackshear appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
Matthew 3:13-17Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then … Read More →
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On Epiphany Sunday, April Karli shared about the revelation that Jesus is for everyone. We considered the story of the three wise men through this text from Ephesians. Ephesians 3:1-12This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles — 2 for surely you have already heard of the commission of … Read More →
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Apologies that this upload is late. Back on December 15, 2019, Jonathan Baker brought the morning’s message on Peace & Love.
The post Sermon – Peace & Love – Jonathan Baker appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
This morning, on the second Sunday of Advent, Andrea Lucado preaches a message on Hope: The Magnificat.
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The first Sunday of Advent, April Karli shared about living hopeful expectation in the midst of uncertainty. We were invited to consider that Advent is an in-between time as we remember Jesus’s first coming as a baby and await his promised second coming. How is Jesus inviting you to be awake to his presence this Advent season? “But about that … Read More →
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Some folks from our community share their Stories of Thanksgiving.
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This week Tim Allen and April Karli explored what we mean by neighboring and why it’s important to us at Austin Mustard Seed. We looked at the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus found in the gospel of Luke. Luke 19:1-10He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was … Read More →
The post Sermon – Be a Good Neighbor – April Karli & Tim Allen appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
This morning, Pastor Shane brings the teaching from Luke 21:5-19. Jesus claims that not one stone will be left on another in the temple, then goes on to let his followers know what will happen in the immediate future, including persecution. Jesus promises that God will be with his people and those who endure and are faithful.
The post Sermon – Jesus Prophecies the Destruction of the Temple – Shane Blackshear appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
On All Saints Sunday, we reflected on the Beatitudes from Luke 6:20-31. April Karli explores Jesus’s teaching on being blessed. “Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, … Read More →
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April Karli helps us see what the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14) can teach us about God’s mercy. He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax … Read More →
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Reflecting of the story known as “The Persistent Widow” from Luke 18:1-8, Chris Morton delves into the question “How do we pray and never give up. Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor … Read More →
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The text this week was Luke 17:11-19.April discussed the story of Jesus healing the 10 lepers and the relationship between gratitude and faith. Quotes from this week’s sermon: “This rhythm of faith and gratitude simply is what being a Christian in the first century, or twenty-first century is all about.” – N.T. Wright, Luke for Everyone “God wants to redeem it … Read More →
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Pastor April teaches on the gift of lament. The text was the Lectionary Old Testament reading for Sunday, October 6 — Lamentions 1:1-6 & 3:19-26. Quotes included in this week’s sermon: “In the American Christian narrative, the stories of the dominant culture are placed front and center while stories from the margins are often ignored. As we rush toward a … Read More →
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The text was 1 Timothy 6:6-19.This week our kids, elementary aged and older, joined us for the sermon. We looked at how the love of money and the pursuit of wealth can lead us down a destructive path and spent time imagining what God’s invitation to take hold of true life looks like.
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The post Sermon – “Relating to and Praying for our Leaders” – Shane Blackshear appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
This morning, Andrea Lucado closes out our series on The Prophets with a teaching about the prophet Jeremiah.
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Mason Parva brings this morning’s message on the prophet Obediah.
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Pastor April brings this morning’s message on the prophet Jonah. Apologies for the beginning of the sermon being cut off due to technical difficulties.
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This morning, Shane kicks off our sermon series on The Prophets with the first message on Habbakuk.
The post Sermon – Habbakuk – Shane Blackshear appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
Ashley Blackwell continues our series in the book of Colossians with a teaching on Colossians 3:1-11.
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Pastor April continues in our series on the book of Colossians. The text for today’s teaching is Colossians 1:15-28.
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This morning, Chris Morton continues in our series on Colossians. The text for the morning is Colossians 1:15-18.
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This morning, Pastor April brings the first sermon in our series on the book of Colossians.
The post Colossians 1:1-14 (April Karli) appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
This morning, April and Shane held a Q & A from a few questions recently submitted by members of our community
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Some changes are happening at Austin Mustard Seed…
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Pastor April brings this morning’s message with a teaching on baptism.
The post Sermon – “Baptism” – A. Karli appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
This morning Shane leads us through an understanding of the Eucharist.
The post Sermon (2019.06.16) S. Blackshear appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
This morning, on the Sunday of Pentecost, guest preacher Derek Vreeland teaches on what it means to have a “pentecostal spirit.” Derek is joined by a translator as we shared the morning service with our sister church, Hope of Life.
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This morning, on the 7th Sunday of Easter, Pastor April Karli brings this morning’s message on the Ascension of Jesus.
The post Sermon (2019.06.02) April Karli appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
April leads us through the 6th Sunday of Easter. The text for this was John 14-23-29.
The post Sermon (2019.05.26) April Karli appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
Guest speaker Terra McDaniel leads us through the scriptures on the 5th Sunday of Easter.
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The 4th Sunday of Easter, Chris Morton shared from Acts 9:32-42 on the topic “God’s Not Finished.”Quotes and resources from the sermon: Tar Pitch story the Speed episode of Radiolab “Loneliness is a feeling of being guilty. Of what? Of existing? Of being judged? By whom? We do not know. Loneliness is a taste of death.” Jean Vanier “A community is only … Read More →
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April Leads us through the 3rd Sunday of Easter. The text for this Sunday was John 21:1-19. From the Sermon: “As we come to the table today to be fed, how can Jesus surprise us with his presence, with the abundance of his love, grace, hope, and with a fresh renewal of our calling”
The post Sermon (2019.05.05) April Karli appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
Andrea Leads us through the second week of Easter. Our text for the morning was the story of doubting Thomas. Text: John 20:19-31 Reflection Questions: How do we believe in what we cannot see? Sometimes we don’t. The others around us do. We ask God and we wait. We have an experience with the risen Christ. We look for evidence … Read More →
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April Karli leads us through the Easter text of John 20:1-18.
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Shane leads us through the lectionary text for Palm Sunday. The text for this Sunday was Luke 22:14-23:56.
The post Sermon (2019.04.14) Shane Blackshear appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
Mason Parva leads us through the text for the 5th Sunday of Lent. This week we read John 12:1-8 and mason gave us good insight into how we can orient our lives towards the Divine, within and in our world.
The post Sermon (04.07.2019) Mason Parva appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
Madelynn Marlow leads us through the story of the Prodigal Son, for the fourth week of Lent.
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This week Shane leads us through Luke 13:1-9, the lectionary text for the third week of Lent.
The post Repent or Perish (2019.03.24) Shane Blackshear appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
April guides us through the lectionary text for the 1st Sunday of Lent. Due to some sickness, we ended up walking through the second week of Lent last week, and the 1st this week. The text for this week was Luke 4:1-13.
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Daniel leads us through a guided meditation for the 1st week of Lent. Due to some last minute changes we ended up using the lectionary text for the second week of Lent rather than the 1st. Stay tuned for next week as we will come back to the original lectionary text for the 1st week of Lent. Text for this … Read More →
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This week we recapped our Guiding Values Series. Ashley, Shane, and April discussed the how our guiding values will shape our future of our community.
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This week Shane concluded our Guiding Values series by teaching about Wholeness. At Austin Mustard Seed we believe that God is in the process of restoring our lives, those around us, and all creation to shalom, or wholeness. Whether through spiritual disciplines, practicing mercy, creation care, offering forgiveness, or encouraging wholeness, our pain is transformed. We become bearers of the … Read More →
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April Karli continues our discussion on our Guiding Values with a sermon on Hospitality. At Austin Mustard Seed we believe that flowing out of Jesus’s desire that we welcome the stranger, we humbly seek to invite others, being open to receive from and give to everyone. We open our hearts, homes, and church to the lonely, those on the margins, as … Read More →
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April Karli continues our discussion on our Guiding Values with a sermon on Community. At Austin Mustard Seed we believe that Our connection to one another comes from our identity as members of God’s family. We come together around our common mission to partner with God in the making of all things new. We find joy in our differences, celebrate unity without … Read More →
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April Karli continues the discussion on our Guiding Values with a sermon on Generosity. At Austin Mustard Seed we believe that All that we have is a gift from God. We respond to God’s generosity to us by joyfully offering all of our resources back to God. Our time, abilities, money, and property are stewarded generously and sacrificially. Out of … Read More →
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Today marks the beginning of a series where we will unfold our communities guiding values. April Karli starts off the series with a discussion on transformation. Transformation: We engage in spiritual practices that followers of Jesus have done for centuries. Through discipleship, we seek to encounter God together in new ways for the purpose of becoming mature apprentices of Jesus. Sermon … Read More →
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April Karli does a Q&A with Shane Blackshear on women in ministry. This interview is a follow up to the previous sermon discussing women throughout the history of the church. April tells the story of God’s ministerial calling on her life.
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At Mustard Seed we believe that gifting, not gender, qualifies a person for pastoral teaching, leading, and speaking. As April Karli steps into the role of Pastor, Shane speaks about why we as a community ordain women into pastoral leadership and ministry. Book Resources The Blue Parakeet -Scott McKnight Emboldened: A Vision for Empowering Women in Ministry -Tara Beth Leach … Read More →
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Andrea guides us through the lectionary text of Habakkuk for the first sunday of Advent. Habakkuk 1:1-7; 2:1-4; 3:[3b-6], 17-19
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This Sunday David Sunde was our guest speaker. He spoke about savoring God’s love and presence in the context of Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
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In our sermon this Sunday Madelynn Marlow walks us through the story of Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel. From the story of Hannah we learn to pray vulnerably and hope boldly. Looking at the world through this lens of bold hope and vulnerable prayer connects us with the hopes of others. In this sermon, we examined our own … Read More →
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Mary Whitehurst from David Chapel opened the scriptures with us this past Sunday. She shared with us from from Pslams 23.
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This Sunday, Chris Morton shared about the importance of memory for our life, legacy and culture from Deuteronomy 6:1-12. 1These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may … Read More →
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April Karli asked us to consider why we sometimes don’t want to express our desires. The things we long for are often deeply buried inside us, and there are a number of reasons we are afraid to admit them. But Jesus invites is to come to him with our longings. Can we learn to trust Jesus to meet our deepest … Read More →
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Shane Blackshear in his sermon on Christian community suggests that we need Community to make us holy. Christian community as expressed in the local church, as expressed in Austin Mustard Seed must be a durable relationship. Can we disagree without disengaging? We must be willing to share the weight of our tragedies, our burdens, and our rejoicing. “Community is when you … Read More →
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As we begin a time of discernment as a church community, April Karli reminds us of our identity as Austin Mustard Seed. The parable of the mustard seed has long been a story told within our community. The seed, that was only supposed to grow into a small weed, became a tree and the birds of the air made their … Read More →
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In John’s Final Sermon as Pastor of Austin Mustard Seed, he gives our community a charge as we move into the future. From the prayer of Paul for the Ephesians, we are invited to hold onto wisdom and trust God’s call and guidance in the life of our community. In addition this week instead of a Prayer of Confession we … Read More →
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Call To Worship Lord God our Father, Creator of all Your wind swept the waters when the world began, You spoke the Word, that was always your Word. Through your word, all things came to be, The light was separated from darkness. Creation was put into motion To develop and become To participate in relationship with you… When our ancestors … Read More →
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Ashley Blackwell reflects on what it means to engage brokenness in healthy ways. Ashley suggests that we when we name what is broken, get curious about what is broken, identify our response to what is broken, and explore our response to what is broken, we can then begin to engage a brokenness with creativity, courage, and compassion. Scripture for this … Read More →
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From the life of Nehemiah, John reflects on what it means to enter into the world around us with hope. When we see things that are broken around us, our call is not to move towards despair or cynism. Rather we are called to join in God’s ongoing renewal with humility, integrity, and patience. Scripture for this Sunday: Nehemiah 1:1-2:10 … Read More →
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John Chandler begins our series called “Make Good” on lessons we can learn from the story of Nehemiah. Quotes and resources mentioned: How One Stupid Tweet Blew Up Justine Sacco’s Life Maker Faire Austin Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
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John discusses the relational nature of our community groups as we get ready to kick them off with a community group dream session this Wednesday. Quotes and resources mentioned: The Hacking of the American Mind, by Robert Lustig “Technology is seductive when what it offers meets our human vulnerabilities. And as it turns out, we are very vulnerable indeed. We … Read More →
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Mike Watson reflects on the reality that being created in the image of God means that we have been created to relate to each other and God. Mike goes on to suggests three ways of relating to one another and God: Humble Dependence Expectant Faith Abundant Gratitude Our hope then is to be a people who can acknowledge the relational … Read More →
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April Karli closed out our summer series on Acts — “What happens when the Holy Spirit leads the way?” — with a sermon on Acts 17. Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
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John Chandler continued our series on Acts — “What happens when the Holy Spirit leads the way?” — with a sermon on Acts 16. Quotes and resources mentioned: Domain Northside ad “They did it because singing is an act of spiritual warfare, resisting the Devil. Just like Paul and Silas, we sing to hold on to hope. We sing in … Read More →
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Ashley Blackwell, on behalf of the Leadership and Stewardship Team, offered an update in our Sunday Liturgy on our encouraging recent giving trends and our summer fundraising goals.
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As part of our 7/29 liturgy, we were thrilled to announce that Erin Williams has accepted an invitation to serve as our new Kids’ Coordinator! Erin was a military kid who was blessed to spend most of her growing-up years in Southern California. She and her husband and their 3 busy kids relocated to the Austin the summer of 2017, … Read More →
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Andrea Lucado continued our serious on Acts — “What happens when the Holy Spirit leads the way?” — with a sermon Acts 15. Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
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John Chandler continues our series on “Acts: What happens when the Holy Spirit leads the way?” with a sermon Paul and Barnabas’ visit to Pisidian Antioch in Acts 13:13-52. Quotes and Resources Mentioned: Background info on The Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch “This is a twist in the story which takes us down, deep down, to the mystery of God’s … Read More →
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Audio from our special evening Vision Night gathering. Please make plans to join us July 18 and 25 to continue the conversation. Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
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Chris Morton continues our Acts series, What Happens When the Holy Spirit Leads the Way?, with a sermon from Acts 11. Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
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Our friend Weylin Lee from Vox Veniae joined us for a sermon on Jesus’ time on earth in a resurrected body. Quotes and Resources Mentioned: “Not only are we loved, but we too are called to heal and to liberate. This healing power in us will not come from our capacities and our riches, but in and through our poverty. … Read More →
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John Chandler continues our series on “Acts: What happens when the Holy Spirit leads the way?” with a sermon on Acts 9:1-19. Quotes and Resources Mentioned: “The Bible teaches that God acts decisively through key redemptive events, such as the Exodus, the giving of the law, the Conquest, the incarnation and life of Christ, his death, his resurrection, his ascension, … Read More →
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Chris Morton continues our series on “Acts: What happens when the Holy Spirit leads the way?” with a sermon on Acts 8:4-25. Quotes and Resources Mentioned: “Gravitas is a condition of the soul that has developed enough spiritual mass to attract other souls. It makes the soul appear old, but gravitas has nothing to do with age. It has everything … Read More →
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John Chandler offered a Family Update on our financial goals as part of our June 17 liturgy.
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All summer long we’re asking the question “what happens when the Holy Spirit leads the way?” This past Sunday was an incredible example. Our 2018 “Mission and Methods” statement grew out of the prayerful work of our Leadership Team to discern “what have we seen the Holy Spirit do among us or prompt us to do, and how can we … Read More →
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April Karli continues our series on “Acts: What happens when the Holy Spirit leads the way?” with a sermon on Acts 2:41-47, 4:23-37. The Church in Jerusalem was devoted to: 1. Learning 2. Fellowship 3. Worship What are some ways that you can connect with your neighbors? 1. Learn your neighbors name 2. Write a handwritten note and deliver it to … Read More →
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Before the sermon in our June 3rd liturgy, Shane Blackshear and Daniel Read shared an update on some short-term hopes and needs for our Liturgy.
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John Chandler continues our series on “Acts: What happens when the Holy Spirit leads the way?” with a sermon on Acts 7. Daily Examen (late in the day): 1. Become aware of God’s presence. 2. Review the day with gratitude. 3. Pay attention to your emotions. 4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it. 5. Look toward … Read More →
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Before the sermon in our May 27 liturgy, Shane Blackshear and April Karli shared an update on some short-term hopes and needs for our children’s ministry.
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Madelynn Marlow begins our summer in Acts as we celebrate the story, and hope, of Pentecost together. Resources/Quotes: “The Bible is full of accounts of God’s use of actions and physical objects as means of self revelation. Jeremiah wears a yoke or smashes a clay pot. Jesus places a child in the midst of a crowd. Actions become means of … Read More →
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Our mission, our primary activity, as Austin Mustard Seed is to form communities of Jesus. It’s not a new quest. It’s what followers of Jesus have been doing ever since Christianity first started. The book of Acts tells about these earliest communities of Jesus. This summer, we’ll be reading stories together from the book of Acts. These are stories of … Read More →
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John Chandler finishes our Easter season readings with 1 John 5. Resources/Quotes: “What is an idol? It is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.” — Tim Keller “We think that idols are bad things, but that is almost … Read More →
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Chris Morton continues our Easter season readings with 1 John 4. “God is not a mumbling trickster… If he wants us to know something, he will be both able and willing to communicate it to us plainly, just as long as we are open and prepared by our experience to hear and obey. This is exactly what takes place in … Read More →
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John Chandler continues our Easter season readings with 1 John 3. Resources/Quotes: “The vision that underlies spiritual (trans)formation into Christlikeness is, then, the vision of life now and forever in the range of God’s effective will—that is, partaking of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 3:1-2) through a birth “from above” and participating by our actions in what … Read More →
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Chris Morton continues our Easter series through 1 John. “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” A.W. Tozer Resources/Quotes: Join a Community Group to continue the discussion. Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
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John Chandler begins our Easter season readings with 1 John 1. Resources/Quotes: “Faith in this proclaimed ‘life,’ life that was with the Father and appeared in this world in an audible and tangible fashion (see 1 John 1:1-4), establishes communion between believers and the triune God and thus also among believers themselves.” — Miroslav Volf “God invites us into fellowship. … Read More →
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John Chandler guides our celebration of resurrection with a sermon on 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. Resources/Quotes: “For us, you see, the church is not just another institution. It’s a failing but never quite failed attempt, by limited people, to perpetuate the unlimited generosity of God in the world. It’s built, of all things, on a pun. I said “embodies” and the … Read More →
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Our friend Mary Whitehurst took a Sunday away from David Chapel to get us started into Holy Week. She preached on the events of Palm Sunday with a sermon entitled Don’t Believe the Hype. Join a Community Group to continue the discussion. Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
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Shane Blackshear finishes our Lenten series on Patterns: Five Habits for Weaving a Life Like Jesus with a sermon on Simplicity. Resources/Quotes: “But what does this mean? What am I to do? What kind of striving is it of which it can be said that it seeks or desires the kingdom of God? Ought I to get a position corresponding … Read More →
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John Chandler continues our Lent series on Patterns: Five Habits for Weaving a Life Like Jesus with a sermon on reading Scripture. Resources/Quotes: “I can’t understand why you missionaries present the Bible to us in India as a book of religion. It is not a book of religion – and anyway we have plenty of books of religion in India. … Read More →
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April Karli continues our Lent series on Patterns: Five Habits for Weaving a Life Like Jesus with a sermon on Confession. Resources/Quotes: “Confession is the willingness to acknowledge and take responsibility not only for the outward manifestations of our sin, but also for the inner dynamics that produced the sinful or negative behaviors. Confession requires us to say it out … Read More →
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John Chandler continues our Lent series on Patterns: Five Habits for Weaving a Life Like Jesus with a sermon on Fasting. Resources/Quotes: “A fast is the self-denial of normal necessities in order to intentionally attend to God in prayer. Bringing attachments and cravings to the surface opens a place for prayer. This physical awareness of emptiness is the reminder to … Read More →
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Chris Morton begins our Lent series on Patterns: Five Habits for Weaving a Life Like Jesus. To share in the learning of these habits with each other, we have created this reflection guide. This offers all of us space to reflect on each of these habits, as well as guide our Community Group discussions during the season of Lent. Printed … Read More →
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John Chandler finishes our new Mission & Methods series with a teaching on our fifth method: We raise leaders who have the capacity to form communities of Jesus. Quotes & Resources Mentioned: In my experience at AMS, I have felt empowered to embrace my unique calling and experience and offer it within the church body. Historically there have been times … Read More →
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John Chandler continues our new Mission & Methods series with a teaching on our fourth method: We seek opportunities to expand beyond a fellowship of sameness to reflect the breadth of God’s kingdom. Quotes & Resources Mentioned: Whenever the church speaks of love or holiness, the psychology of disgust is present and operative, often affecting the experience of the church … Read More →
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John Chandler continues our new Mission & Methods series with a teaching on our third method: We develop connections that teach us to how to love those who are not a part of a community of Jesus. Quotes & Resources Mentioned: You Made it Weird: Penn Jillette Eternity in Their Hearts, by Don Richardson Reclaiming Conversation, by Sherry Turkle
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John Chandler continues our new Mission & Methods series with a teaching on our second method: We cultivate relationships that lead to both friendship and formation. Quotes & Resources Mentioned: It’s time for Apple to make a less addictive iPhone — New York Times Time Well Spent: We are building a new organization dedicated to reversing the digital attention crisis … Read More →
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John Chandler continues our new Mission & Methods series with a teaching on our first method: We learn practices of Jesus so that we can know, love and follow him. Quotes & Resources Mentioned: Peter was overwhelmed by the “otherness” of Jesus. Holiness is, fundamentally, otherness or separateness from the ordinary realm of human existence in which we believe we … Read More →
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John Chandler leads into our new Mission & Methods series with a look our updated mission statement: To form communities of Jesus who experience and expand God’s work of renewal together. Quotes & Resources Mentioned: “In what sense, then, can he be said to have finished his work? In the light of all we can know about the preaching and … Read More →
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Chris Morton shares about love from the life of Jesus adopted father Joseph. Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
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Gideon Tsang, our friend and pastor of Vox Veniae, continued our Advent reflections with an invitation to live with joy. Quotes and Resources: “If I do not feel a sense of joy in God’s creation, if I forget to offer the world back to God with thankfulness, I have advanced very little upon the Way. I have not yet learnt … Read More →
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John Chandler Advent, and the new Christian year, with a look at the arrival of Jesus as told by the Gospel of Mark. Quotes and Resources: “proclaiming Jesus is not a philosophical concept or the most recent speculative homiletical theory. It means that proclaiming Jesus to generate hope is grounded in this world and should have an impact on this … Read More →
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Chris Morton and John Chandler close out our Catechesis series with another round of questions that didn’t make it into the sermon on Sunday. Questions Responded to: What is heaven/what might the kingdom of God coming look like? Did Jesus die to save us and be a sacrifice for our sin or was it something else? What is salvation? What … Read More →
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April Karli, Shane Blackshear, and John Chandler close out our eight week discussion series, “Catechesis: What the Church Has Always Believed”, by responding to questions submitted by our community. Questions Responded to: What are the essential beliefs a church should hold to be considered Christian? In what sense is the bible “inspired” by God? We often hear about how the … Read More →
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April Karli continues our eight week discussion series, “Catechesis: What the Church Has Always Believed”, by asking the question: “Who is the Holy Spirit?” Quotes and Resources: “When believers live in the power of the Spirit, the evidence in their lives is supernatural. The church cannot but be different, and the world cannot help but notice.” — Francis Chan Download … Read More →
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John Chandler continues our eight week discussion series, “Catechesis: What the Church Has Always Believed”, by asking the question: “What happened at the cross?” Quotes and Resources: “Ultimately, we cannot understand the full meaning of the cross of Christ. We can only stand in silence before it, acknowledge its wonder, and submit to its power. Nevertheless, we desire to understand … Read More →
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Throughout the Catechesis series, we’re providing an extra “cutting room floor” podcast, where we share some key ideas that we didn’t have time for in the week’s sermon. This week, we asked the question “who is Jesus?” and discovered three core ideas the Church has always believed about Jesus. One is that Jesus is SMART! As Dallas Willard says in Divine … Read More →
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To understand Jesus is to understand this mystery of God dwelling on the earth in human form, somehow both divine and human at the same time. But to understand Jesus is to also understand how Jesus is active and present within the Trinity both before his human birth and after his resurrection.
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John Chandler continues our eight week discussion series, “Catechesis: What the Church Has Always Believed”, by asking the question: “What does it mean to be created in the image of God?” Quotes and Resources: “You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.” — Anne … Read More →
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John Chandler continues our Catechesis discussion on “What is the role of God in creation?” with thoughts and extras that didn’t make it into the sermon.
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John Chandler continues our eight week discussion series, “Catechesis: What the Church Has Always Believed”, by asking the question: “What is God’s relationship with creation?” Quotes and Resources: “This principle proceeds from the assumption that the grace of God can be seen in the raising of Christ, and concludes that Christ’s resurrection is the beginning of the new creation of … Read More →
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Shane Blackshear continues our Catechesis discussion on what is the Bible with thoughts and extras that didn’t make it into the sermon. Quotes and Resources Mentioned: The Trinity (Guides to Theology), by Roger Olson and Christopher Hall Scot McKnight blog posts on the Trinity controversy St Patrick’s Bad Analogies (YouTube)
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Shane Blackshear continues our eight week discussion series, “Catechesis: What the Church Has Always Believed”, by asking the question: “What is the Trinity?” Download the Reflection & Discussion Guide Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes Discuss more in a Community Group
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John Chandler continues our Catechesis discussion on what is the Bible with parts that didn’t make it into the sermon, as well as questions and thoughts that came out of the Community Group discussions. Quotes and Resources Mentioned: The most frequent way we have of getting rid of the puzzling or unpleasant difficulties in the Bible is to systematize it, … Read More →
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John Chandler continues our eight week discussion series, “Catechesis: What the Church Has Always Believed”, by asking the question: “What is the Bible?” Quotes and Resources Mentioned ”But biblical interpretation is a true community activity. It is much more than individuals studying a passage for a week or so. It is about individuals who see themselves as part of a … Read More →
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During our nine-week Catechesis discussion, we’ll have a bonus episode in addition to our weekly sermon podcast. In this episode, Chris digs a little further into why Christian Beliefs are reasonable…at least they can be. He also waxes about a two of his favorite books.
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“You Americans are waking up to the fact that people are sick to death of bad religion.” Michael Frost Chris Morton opens up our nine week discussion series “Catechesis: What the Church Has Always Believed” by asking the question: “What makes a belief Christian?” Quotes and Resources The Patient Ferment of the Early Church, Alan Krieder. An in-depth look at … Read More →
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John Chandler finished our mini-series on our hope to be a people formed into mission through community. Resource mentioned: Becoming “Homemakers” in Our Sacred Neighborhoods – Missio Alliance Questions to consider: How is God already flowing into the places I inhabit? What would it look like for this place to be restored to what God intended it to be? What … Read More →
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John Chandler continued our mini-series on our hope to be a people formed through community. Quotes and resources mentioned: “Spiritual formation” in the Christian tradition is a process of increasingly being possessed and permeated by such character traits as we walk in the easy yoke of discipleship with Jesus our teacher. From the inward character the deeds of love then … Read More →
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John Chandler began a mini-series on our call to be formed into mission through community. Quotes and resources mentioned: But, I can’t read the Bible without seeing the idea of “community” everywhere, page after page. There must be thousands of verses for community to every one verse about the afterlife. — Scot McKnight Engagement with others in depth is always … Read More →
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Latasha Morrison, the founder of Be the Bridge, joined us to talk about the Gospel nature of racial reconciliation. Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
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This week Jamie McCormick leads a discussion with Leah Gonzalez and Jason Carrion on Matthew 13:24-43.
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Our Community Developer, Chris Morton shares with us from Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23.
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Member of the AMS leadership team, April Karli brings us a message from Matthew 11:16-30.
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This week Gena Minnix shares with us from Luke 12:49-53. What is Good Conflict? Luke 12:49-53 The scripture passage for today invites us into a conversation about conflict. So we’ll look at that passage in just a moment, but before we do, I’d like to begin by sharing a story you may have heard if you’ve been listening to … Read More →
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Chris Morton delves into the question “does Jesus have something he wants me to do with my life?”
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AMS was so happy to have Mary Whitehurst join us and share from Matthew 9:35-10:8. Mary Whitehurst is a native of Memphis, TN, but currently lives with her husband and 5 year old son (both named Jamar) in Hutto, TX. She received a Bachelor’s in Social Work from TCU and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at the … Read More →
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Kevin Jordan shares from Song of Solomon 8. The Song of Songs (also known as the Song of Solomon) is a passionate love song depicting the love shared between a bridegroom and his bride. Traditionally, though, it has also been understood to be an allegory or a picture of God’s love, particularly the love of Jesus Christ (the Bridegroom) for … Read More →
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Shane Blackshear shares from Matthew 7:21-29 and discusses faith, doubt, and how the body of the church can and should help us establish the rock that we build our house on. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. … Read More →
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This past Sunday, Ashley Blackwell led us through Matthew 6:24-34. No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; … Read More →
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Chris Morton discusses Matthew 28:16-20
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Mason Parva brings us a message about Jesus’ ascension to heaven and how we may have gotten it wrong concerning heavens relationship with earth. “Part of the difficulty that we have is not in what we are saying about Jesus, but in the mental furniture that we have about heaven and earth. Because we assume — our culture being so … Read More →
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Christine Sine joins us and teach about resting in God’s presence. What does it mean to rest? What comes to mind when you hear the word rest? What scriptures do you think of?
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John Chandler shares his hopes and desires for himself and the body of Austin Mustard Seed during his sabbatical. Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
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Our friend Gideon Tsang, from Vox Veniae, joins us with a challenge to change our minds. Quotes and resources mentioned: When Jesus said, ‘(Change your minds),’ to his first disciples, he was calling them to change the direction in which they were looking for happiness. ‘(Changing our mind)’ is an invitation to grow up and become a fully mature human … Read More →
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April Karli invites us to the table found in Emmaus. Quotes and resources mentioned: Never suppose that God is more “there” than “here,” or more “then” than “now.” For the Father is always working—in all places, at all times, in all people. The steadfast love of God fills the entire earth (Psalm 33:15). — Greg Boyd in Present Perfect The … Read More →
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Chris Morton shares about how Jesus meets people. “The means of our communication needs to be gentle, because gentleness also characterizes the subject of our communication. What we are seeking to defend or explain is Jesus himself, who is a gentle, loving shepherd. If we are not gentle in how we present the good news, how will people encounter the … Read More →
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John Chandler reminded us that, wherever we come from, it’s good for us to hear the Easter story again.. Quotes and links mentioned: The trees are coming into leaf Like something almost being said; The recent buds relax and spread, Their greenness is a kind of grief. Is it that they are born again And we grow old? No, they … Read More →
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John Chandler steered us toward Holy Week with a sermon on Matthew 27:27-56. Quotes and links mentioned: The early Christians, the original friends of Jesus, so sympathized with Jesus’s pain and had been so traumatized by it that they could not bring themselves to depict the stark reality of his suffering, except in words—that is, in the accounts of the … Read More →
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Mason Parva guided us through reading and reflection on John 9:1-12 for this fourth week of lent. Art and poetry used: the ARTWORSHIP project by Jamie and Jeremy Wells “The Sorrowful Saint” by Scott Erickson. the ARTWORSHIP project by Jamie and Jeremy Wells Eucharist // Robert Deeble Second round before the count, the gloves went off, we both went down. … Read More →
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Chris Morton shared some thoughts on worshipping in Spirit and in truth. Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
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Shane Blackshear continues our Lenten reflections with one of the most famous sections of the Bible. Quotes and resources mentioned: “…the Plan of Salvation can be preached apart from the story(of Israel). When the plan gets separated from the story, the plan almost always becomes abstract, propositional, logical, rational, and philosophical and, most importantly, de-storified and unbiblical. When we separate … Read More →
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John Chandler invites us to embrace the wilderness that comes with the season of Lent. Quotes and resources mentioned: Lenten penitence engages the dark places in our lives that we may come face to face with them, name them, understand them, and seek forgiveness for them. It is not about guilt. It is about freedom from the control that our … Read More →
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Chris Morton ties up our study of Philippians. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” Philippians 4:8 Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
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John Chandler explains the Apostle Paul’s plan for how we can and will know the fullness of Christ. Quotes and links mentioned: Chef’s Table To live strongly and creatively in the kingdom of the heavens, we need to have firmly fixed in our minds what our future is to be like. We want to live fully in the kingdom now, … Read More →
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John Chandler, thanks to the apostle Paul, spent a great deal of time talking about circumcision and excrement. Quotes and links mentioned: Saul clung to his zeal and force of will. Sounding like the prototypical Enneagram Type One that he was, after his conversion he described this as his desire to attain perfection by the strength of his efforts. What … Read More →
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John Chandler took us to the halfway point in our trek alongside the Philippians. Quotes and links mentioned: “But what does that mean? Work out our salvation? With fear and trembling? If we shrink salvation down to a ticket to heaven, Paul’s exhortation makes little sense. But if we understand salvation as Maximus the Confessor described it—“an entirely new way … Read More →
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Chris Morton continues our discussion of Philippians. Quotes and links mentioned: “Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self.” Francis of Assisi “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each … Read More →
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John Chandler played his history nerd card for a sermon on Philippians 1:12-26. Quotes and links mentioned: The Cult of Mithras “The Christian message in this situation can be reduced to a simple formula: by virtue of his resurrection, Christ’s end in the catastrophe on Golgotha became the true beginning of his new life for us. His raising from the … Read More →
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John Chandler began a series in the letter to the Philippians from the New Testament. Quotes and links mentioned: And knowing, of course, is the cessation of thinking. There is this epidemic of listicles. Why think about what constitutes a great work of art when you can skim the list of the 20 most expensive paintings in history? I’m very … Read More →
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John Chandler invited us to consider what it means to rest in, and share, a blessing in 2017 — no matter how it compares to 2016. Quotes and links mentioned: Whatever the technological advances of modern society — and they’re nearly miraculous — the individualized lifestyles that those technologies spawn seem to be deeply brutalizing to the human spirit. — … Read More →
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John Chandler rounded the corner to the home stretch of Advent as we read an ancient story (or two) of God proving trustworthy through the birth of a child. Quotes and links mentioned: “We are living in the most peaceful era in history. International wars have dropped to an all-time low. With few exceptions, since 1945 states no longer invade other … Read More →
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Recorded before the sermon in our December 11 liturgy, John Chandler gave a preview of our 2017 budget. A printed version of the budget will be available in liturgy for the next few weeks. Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
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Jamie McCormick continued us in the Advent season with a sermon on the story of young Mary meeting her cousin Elizabeth and breaking out in song. Quotes and links mentioned: “It’s the gospel before the gospel, a fierce bright shout of triumph thirty weeks before Bethlehem, thirty years before Calvary and Easter. It goes with a swing and a clap … Read More →
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April Karli welcomed into Advent…and into the longing and hope of an ancient prophet named Isaiah. Quotes and links mentioned: The French author Simone Weil writes in her notebook: ‘Waiting patiently in expectation is the foundation of the spiritual life.’ Without patience our expectation degenerates into wishful thinking. Patience comes from the word patior which means to suffer… What seems … Read More →
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John Chandler prepared us for the new year to come (in the Christian calendar) with a sermon on Christ the King Sunday. Quotes and links mentioned: “This is the last Sunday of the church year and as such represents a transition point in the calendar. It is like a new year’s eve, a time when observers look back and reflect … Read More →
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John Chandler wrapped up our time in our practices with a bigger picture of vocation. Quotes and links mentioned: Helvetica documentary “The problem is that humans were made for a particular vocation, which they have rejected; that this rejection involves a turning away from the living God to worship idols; that this results in giving to the idols—“ forces” within … Read More →
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Chris Morton walks through the Parable of the Banquet in Luke 13 to discover Three Roadblock to Hospitality. Keynes predicted that the age of abundance would make us all relax, because it would be easier to get everything we need, like food, clothes, and entertainment. But maybe knowing that there are 10 great TV shows you should watch, nine important … Read More →
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John Chandler shifted our Common Life conversation over to our practices as we talked about Sabbath together. Quotes and links mentioned: But Sabbath is not only resistance. It is alternative. It is an alternative to the demanding, chattering, pervasive presence of advertising and its great liturgical claim of professional sports that devour all our “rest time.” The alternative on offer … Read More →
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John Chandler spoke on neighboring as we continue to take on our Common Life together. Passages read include Isaiah 2:1-4 and Matthew 4:17-25. Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
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Chris Morton discussed a key feature of Our Common Life—Fellowship. For more information: The Different Drum: Community Making and Peace For many groups or organizations the most common initial stage, pseudocommunity, is the only one. It is a stage of pretense. The group pretends it already is a community, that the participants have only superficial individual differences and no cause … Read More →
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John Chandler talked about liturgy as we begin to look at the specific rhythms and practices of our Common Life. As is mentioned in the sermon, we welcome your input too on how liturgy is a meaningful rhythm for you in our church community. Please share your thoughts on the survey. Quotes and resources mentioned: If the churches came to … Read More →
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Our friend J.R. Briggs was in town to be with us and preached from Mark 5:1-20. J.R. is a pastor with The Renew Community in Lansdale, PA, and on staff with The Ecclesia Network. Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
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John Chandler continued our short series on being a Creative Minority with a sermon on Daniel 1. Quotes and links mentioned: “Living with gospel resilience in the corrosive soil of Western culture requires a posture of living as a creative minority. Throughout history God has replenished cultures, through the witness of minorities of believers who hold true to their beliefs … Read More →
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This Sunday, we kicked off our Fall Midweek Groups! Listen in to find out what a midweek group is, and why they our central to how we practice the way of Jesus at Austin Mustard Seed. Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
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John Chandler invited us to imagine what it means to be a Creative Minority through the eyes of Jeremiah 29. Quotes and links mentioned: “What Jeremiah was saying was that it is possible to survive in exile with your identity intact, your appetite for life undiminished, while contributing to the wider society and praying to God on its behalf. Jeremiah … Read More →
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April Karli settled us back into the lectionary for a week, and found much grace in a difficult passage. Quotes and links mentioned: “We also need to be clear on something else that is easily missed: spiritual formation is relational formation. It is easier, and therefore more talked about, to practice spiritual disciplines in an effort to feel God’s presence … Read More →
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As we wrap up our summer in the parables, John Chandler takes us back to our namesake, the parable of the Mustard Seed. Quotes and links mentioned: A mustard plant was forbidden in a household garden because it was fast spreading and would tend to invade the veggies. In stating that this man planted a mustard seed in his garden, … Read More →
The post The Mustard Seed (2016.08.28 Sermon) appeared first on Austin Mustard Seed.
What a pleasure to have our friend Sean Palmer preach for us this morning. Sean is the pastor of The Vine in Temple, TX and the co-host of the Not So Black and White podcast. Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes
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Reading the parables of Jesus can sometimes be confusing. If we try to make them into exact allegories, God ends up looking grumpy at best and capricious at worst. Drawing from Luke 11:1-21, Chris Morton asks”is there a better way?” Quotes and links mentioned: “I dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done so since I grew old … Read More →
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