Storyline Christian Community: Recent Episodes
Charles Kiser
How do we join God in this mission to heal, renew, and restore the world? This conversation looks at the story of Lydia in Acts 16 as an example of how to connect with People of Peace.
In our conversation, "God at the Fringes," we discover the story of Hagar and Ishmael from Genesis 21. We learn that God works in the messiness of our mistakes. He is not distant, even though He is holy. And God cares about the people on the fringes of the story, and of society.
God pours out his Spirit on everyone - female & male, young & old, poor & rich. God did it at Pentecost, to Galilean Jews from a no-power nation; and God continues to do it today, so that even unsuspecting, hesitant people play a powerful role in God's mission.
God repairs our relationship with him through Christ and thereby sustains us in our suffering. If we suffer well, it allows God to produce hope in us.
Adam's act of disobedience introduced sin into the world and allowed death to reign freely. Jesus' act of obedience provides the grace that not only puts us "in the right" with God but also dethrones death and restores us to our original role as agents of the creator. Jesus is our ancestor (not Adam). We have been given a new family tree, and a royal one at that. With it comes power over sin, no fear of death, and a mandate to be God's agents in this world. If we are truly kings in this world, how does that affect how we act?
The Church is precious to God. He loves it. He is, indeed, quite protective of it. The only strong foundation of the Church is Jesus Christ and his saving work.
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Encouragment to keep holding onto hope as we wait for Jesus to come in all his fullness into our broken world, and trying our best to witness him in real ways even while we’re waiting for the full revelation of his presence. If we only think Christ is with us when he overwhelms us with his presence, we will miss all the quiet, unassuming ways he is already present with us.
Beginning December 8, 2013, Storyline will have Worship Gatherings two Sundays every month.
God fills believers with the living water of the Holy Spirit as they turn away from "other" drinks and let Him satisfy their thirst.
Michelle Wood of Vickery Meadow Ministry spoke about ways we can get more involved in the Vickery Meadow neighborhood.
This sermon is an introduction to our new conversation series for the Fall: The Good and Beautiful Life. We all want to live good and happy lives. Can following Jesus deliver?
Guest Speaker Josh Gardner. This message explores God's message through Amos: religious ritual--however well intended--is worthless without justice and righteous living. How can we work to prevent our worship from missing the point?
The church needs to be serving and loving the community in order to share the message of Christ.
One thing Jesus speaks frequently about is judgment. Of all the controversial statements Jesus made, these really stand out as bothersome. Does a "good and loving god" really chose to punish people with eternal torment?
There's a lot of buzz these days about the power of one to change the world. What can we learn from Jesus--a man who truly did change the world--about the power of one?
First in a series from the gospel of Matthew--Stories of the Kingdom. Jesus frequently spoke about the Kingdom of God. What was he talking about?
Sometimes, it seems like God is far removed from our reality. The season of advent reminds us that God came near. By giving us Himself in the form of Jesus, God is radically generous towards us.
Psalm 137 has some tough words to say. Many of us can relate to such hatred. Good news: God can handle our hatred and help us move beyond.
When Jesus began his ministry on earth, he emphasized how much of his mission would be caring for the poor. But where did he get that idea? Why did he care so much about the poor and the overlooked? And why should we?
Why did the cross have to happen, and how is it not divine child abuse? It sure seems to be a lot of suffering for no reason.
Sometimes, "it happens." How do we respond when we encounter times of suffering? When bad things happen for no good reason, is it okay to express our anger to God?
In the gospel of John, Jesus makes seven "I am..." statements about himself. This sermon explores one of those statements.