Langdon Palmer: Recent Episodes
Langdon Palmer
Sunday morning sermons from Leverington Church for living in the real world as a disciple of Jesus. Leverington is a modern expression of vintage Christian worship for singles and families. Topics include: The Apostles Creed, The Sermon on the Mount, The Lords Prayer, The Ten Commandments, Gospel of John, Ancient-Future, Narnia, C.S. Lewis and the Great Divorce, The Lord of the Rings, Psalm 23, Emerging Church, Relationships, Time Management, Money, Sex, Integrity. For more information go to www.LevPres.org
A pastor at the end of his career looks back over 45 years to the time of his conversion in his mid twenties when he first heard John 3:16 With all the heartache and loss and critical skepticism that comes with age, he asks "Were we misguided and naive when we first believed? Where do we go from here ?" There may be much we need to let go of, but just because I cannot fully explain something, that doesn't mean it is not real. If a six year old child does not fully understand the doings and decisions of their rocket scientist father, can they not still know and experience their father's love for them? Wouldn't it make sense that a finite human being like me could never fully understand or explain their very real relationship with an infinite God ? For more messages and resources from Langdon Palmer, go to www.InklingsWines.com/Langdon
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.orgWe would like to acknowledge Jamin Roller for a number of ideas and illustrations used in today's sermon.
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.orgWe would like to acknowledge Jamin Roller for a number of ideas and illustrations used in today's sermon.
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.orgWe would like to acknowledge Jamin Roller for a number of ideas and illustrations used in today's sermon.
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.orgWe want to credit Jamin Roller for a number of ideas and illustrations that occur in today's sermon.
Is your life feeling stuck ? Not in terms of your career, but your state of mind ?You find yourself circling the same memories or ideas over and over again.Sometimes the thing that keeps us stuck is forgiveness. Either we are unable or unwilling to forgive someone, or we are unable or unwilling to ask forgiveness, to apologize for something we have done. Today we look at the teachings of Jesus as He gives us a reason and way to forgive that goes way beyond what is offered by our culture.CREDIT: Introductory music: "He's Gone"The Chosen: Season Two (Original Series Soundtrack) Dan Haseltine & Matthew S. Nelson 2021
This message deals with the big picture philosophical questions addressed in the 3 temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness. To listen to a very practical message on how to deal with temptations in your own life, go to our previous message at https://youtu.be/J51ytfNfYsUThis message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message deals with the big picture philosophical questions addressed in the 3 temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness. To listen to a very practical message on how to deal with temptations in your own life, go to our previous message at https://youtu.be/J51ytfNfYsUThis message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message deals with the big picture philosophical questions addressed in the 3 temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness. To listen to a very practical message on how to deal with temptations in your own life, go to our previous message at https://youtu.be/J51ytfNfYsUThis message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. To see the complete Psalm 23 series, go to https://levpres.org/psalm23/For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. To see the complete Psalm 23 series, go to https://levpres.org/psalm23/For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. To see the complete Psalm 23 series, go to https://levpres.org/psalm23/For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. To see the complete Psalm 23 series, go to https://levpres.org/psalm23/For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. To see the complete Psalm 23 series, go to https://levpres.org/psalm23/For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. To see the complete Psalm 23 series, go to https://levpres.org/psalm23/For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. You can also watch this message at https://www.youtube.com/@leveringtonchurch To see the complete Psalm 23 series, go to https://levpres.org/psalm23/For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. You can also watch this message at https://www.youtube.com/@leveringtonchurch To see the complete Psalm 23 series, go to https://levpres.org/psalm23/For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. You can also watch this message at https://www.youtube.com/@leveringtonchurch To see the complete Psalm 23 series, go to https://levpres.org/psalm23/For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
Do you ever look at co-workers or family members from another generation and think "They Just Don't Get It!" This message will help you understand why different generations think so differently, and how we can come together to create a truly multi-generational church community.The diagram of the generations can be found at https://levpres.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Sheet.jpgThe message this morning draws heavily upon the work of Haydn Shaw and his book "Sticking Points - how to get 5 generations working together"We apologize for the sound quality - it does get better as the message goes on :-)Music Credit from Gen X: "Bitter Sweet Symphony" from "Urban Hymns" by The Verve, 1997
Do you ever look at the conservative churches and then look at the progressive churches and then feel like a spiritual orphan - like you don't seem to quite fit in anywhere ? Have you thought about walking away from the whole church thing? Is the answer to deconstruct your faith ? In this message Pastor Langdon paints a picture of what Leverington church is striving to be - a gracious, generous space where hard questions can be asked at the same time that deep discipleship to Jesus flourishes. Note: we had some technical difficulties during this live presentation which resulted in this message being an abbreviated version of the original. For more resources, go to Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
How can we flourish and thrive in a world full of chaos, uncertainty, anxiety, and alienation ?Join us as we work chapter by chapter through the New Testament book of Philippians. The ancient wisdom of this book is health food for the soul in the midst of our cultural moment. See the entire series and other resources at https://levpres.org/philippians/
How can we flourish and thrive in a world full of chaos, uncertainty, anxiety, and alienation ?Join us as we work chapter by chapter through the New Testament book of Philippians. The ancient wisdom of this book is health food for the soul in the midst of our cultural moment. See the entire series and other resources at https://levpres.org/philippians/
How can we flourish and thrive in a world full of chaos, uncertainty, anxiety, and alienation ?Join us as we work chapter by chapter through the New Testament book of Philippians. The ancient wisdom of this book is health food for the soul in the midst of our cultural moment. See the entire series and other resources at https://levpres.org/philippians/
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
How can we flourish and thrive in a world full of chaos, uncertainty, anxiety, and alienation ?Join us as we work chapter by chapter through the New Testament book of Philippians. The ancient wisdom of this book is health food for the soul in the midst of our cultural moment. See the entire series and other resources at https://levpres.org/philippians/
How can we flourish and thrive in a world full of chaos, uncertainty, anxiety, and alienation ?Join us as we work chapter by chapter through the New Testament book of Philippians. The ancient wisdom of this book is health food for the soul in the midst of our cultural moment. See the entire series and other resources at https://levpres.org/philippians/
How can we flourish and thrive in a world full of chaos, uncertainty, anxiety, and alienation ?Join us as we work chapter by chapter through the New Testament book of Philippians. The ancient wisdom of this book is health food for the soul in the midst of our cultural moment. See the entire series and other resources at https://levpres.org/philippians/
How can we flourish and thrive in a world full of chaos, uncertainty, anxiety, and alienation ?Join us as we work chapter by chapter through the New Testament book of Philippians. The ancient wisdom of this book is health food for the soul in the midst of our cultural moment. See the entire series and other resources at https://levpres.org/philippians/
How can we flourish and thrive in a world full of chaos, uncertainty, anxiety, and alienation ?Join us as we work chapter by chapter through the New Testament book of Philippians. The ancient wisdom of this book is health food for the soul in the midst of our cultural moment. See the entire series and other resources at https://levpres.org/philippians/
How can we flourish and thrive in a world full of chaos, uncertainty, anxiety, and alienation ?Join us as we work chapter by chapter through the New Testament book of Philippians. The ancient wisdom of this book is health food for the soul in the midst of our cultural moment. See the entire series and other resources at https://levpres.org/philippians/
How can we flourish and thrive in a world full of chaos, uncertainty, anxiety, and alienation ?Join us as we work chapter by chapter through the New Testament book of Philippians. The ancient wisdom of this book is health food for the soul in the midst of our cultural moment. See the entire series and other resources at https://levpres.org/philippians/
How can we flourish and thrive in a world full of chaos, uncertainty, anxiety, and alienation ?Join us as we work chapter by chapter through the New Testament book of Philippians. The ancient wisdom of this book is health food for the soul in the midst of our cultural moment. See the entire series and other resources at https://levpres.org/philippians/
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
We asked our community to identify the two biggest stumbling blocks that get in the way of believing in Christiantiy. This question of God and Suffering was voted the biggest challenge. Today we cover Part 1 of the question of Suffering and Evil in the world - How can God be all loving and all powerful, and yet allow the terrible suffering we see all around us ?
We asked people to identify the biggest challenges to believing in Christianity. Their number one response was this: "How could a loving God allow so much suffering?" Today we wrestle with one of the hardest questions there is in the life of faith. To watch or listen to the entire series, go to https://levpres.org/questions-that-need-answering/
We asked our community to identify the two biggest stumbling blocks that get in the way of believing in Christiantiy. This question of God and Suffering was voted the biggest challenge. Today we cover Part 1 of the question of Suffering and Evil in the world - How can God be all loving and all powerful, and yet allow the terrible suffering we see all around us ? To watch the video referenced in the sermon go here: https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/22/world/kim-phuc-where-is-she-now/index.html You can see the video of this sermon at https://levpres.org/questions-that-need-answering/
Even the healthiest tree planted in the richest soil will wither if exposed to Acid Rain long enough. For many years we have been exposed to the acid rain of secular myths that attempt to discredit the foundations of the Christian faith. But do these criticisms match the actual data ? In this eight part message series we draw from the work of a number of recent scholars who show us a historical and sociological view of Christianity that can reignite wonder and confidence for the modern follower of Jesus, and cause others to consider it for the first time. What if it turns out that Christianity is even better than we think it is ? To watch or listen to the entire series, go to https://levpres.org/questions-that-need-answering/
Today we look at the work of Dr. Vishal Mangalwadi of India as he looks at the West with eastern eyes and dares to explains how it is that the West was able to achieve such incredible advancements in Science, Medicine, Economic Prosperity, and Human Rights. He believes it all starts with the understanding of the Bible unleashed in the Protestant reformation.
Even the healthiest tree planted in the richest soil will wither if exposed to Acid Rain long enough. For many years we have been exposed to the acid rain of secular myths that attempt to discredit the foundations of the Christian faith. But do these criticisms match the actual data ? In this eight part message series we draw from the work of a number of recent scholars who show us a historical and sociological view of Christianity that can reignite wonder and confidence for the modern follower of Jesus, and cause others to consider it for the first time. What if it turns out that Christianity is even better than we think it is ? To watch or listen to the entire series, go to https://levpres.org/questions-that-need-answering/
Even the healthiest tree planted in the richest soil will wither if exposed to Acid Rain long enough. For many years we have been exposed to the acid rain of secular myths that attempt to discredit the foundations of the Christian faith. But do these criticisms match the actual data ? In this eight part message series we draw from the work of a number of recent scholars who show us a historical and sociological view of Christianity that can reignite wonder and confidence for the modern follower of Jesus, and cause others to consider it for the first time. What if it turns out that Christianity is even better than we think it is ? To watch or listen to the entire series, go to https://levpres.org/questions-that-need-answering/
Even the healthiest tree planted in the richest soil will wither if exposed to Acid Rain long enough. For many years we have been exposed to the acid rain of secular myths that attempt to discredit the foundations of the Christian faith. But do these criticisms match the actual data ? In this eight part message series we draw from the work of a number of recent scholars who show us a historical and sociological view of Christianity that can reignite wonder and confidence for the modern follower of Jesus, and cause others to consider it for the first time. What if it turns out that Christianity is even better than we think it is ? To watch or listen to the entire series, go to https://levpres.org/questions-that-need-answering/
Is there a way to share my faith with others that is genuine and natural ? This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
In this cultural moment, our lives can be filled with more anxiety, confusion, depression, and disorientation than ever. Psalm 19 can reorient us to the big story that God is telling. It starts with paying attention to the wonders of creation, then turn's to the wonders of the scriptures and finally ends in personal prayer and praise. This message series will help you fall in love with, and even memorize this entire Psalm! You can watch these highly visual presentations or see the complete series go to: https://levpres.org/psalm-19/
In this cultural moment, our lives can be filled with more anxiety, confusion, depression, and disorientation than ever. Psalm 19 can reorient us to the big story that God is telling. It starts with paying attention to the wonders of creation, then turn's to the wonders of the scriptures and finally ends in personal prayer and praise. This message series will help you fall in love with, and even memorize this entire Psalm! You can watch these highly visual presentations or see the complete series go to: https://levpres.org/psalm-19/
This message is from a Sunday morning worship service at Leverington Church. For additional messages and other resources go to www.Leverington.org
In this cultural moment, our lives can be filled with more anxiety, confusion, depression, and disorientation than ever. Psalm 19 can reorient us to the big story that God is telling. It starts with paying attention to the wonders of creation, then turn's to the wonders of the scriptures and finally ends in personal prayer and praise. This message series will help you fall in love with, and even memorize this entire Psalm! You can watch these highly visual presentations or see the complete series go to: https://levpres.org/psalm-19/
In this cultural moment, our lives can be filled with more anxiety, confusion, depression, and disorientation than ever. Psalm 19 can reorient us to the big story that God is telling. It starts with paying attention to the wonders of creation, then turn's to the wonders of the scriptures and finally ends in personal prayer and praise. This message series will help you fall in love with, and even memorize this entire Psalm! You can watch these highly visual presentations or see the complete series go to: https://levpres.org/psalm-19/
In this cultural moment, our lives can be filled with more anxiety, confusion, depression, and disorientation than ever. Psalm 19 can reorient us to the big story that God is telling. It starts with paying attention to the wonders of creation, then turn's to the wonders of the scriptures and finally ends in personal prayer and praise. This message series will help you fall in love with, and even memorize this entire Psalm! You can watch these highly visual presentations or see the complete series go to: https://levpres.org/psalm-19/
With the recent Supreme Court ruling, how should a follower of Jesus think about the heartbreaking issue of abortion? Whether you call yourself pro-choice or pro-life, we hope this message from Pastor Langdon Palmer will challenge you and encourage you... and help you better understand friends and family who are on the other side.
The New York Times called Jordan Peterson “The most influential public intellectual in the Western World right now.” He is despised by both the far Left and the far Right, but he genuinely seems to be trying to understand what is real in this world. Whether you are an atheist, a skeptic, or a dedicated follower of Jesus, we hope this message series will challenge and inspire you. It looks at the places where Peterson’s latest book illustrates and fleshes out the ancient wisdom of the Scriptures and applies it to our current day. And yes, we are going to talk a lot about Jesus. You can see the entire series and find additional resources at https://levpres.org/beyond-order-and-chaos/
The New York Times called Jordan Peterson “The most influential public intellectual in the Western World right now.” He is despised by both the far Left and the far Right, but he genuinely seems to be trying to understand what is real in this world. Whether you are an atheist, a skeptic, or a dedicated follower of Jesus, we hope this message series will challenge and inspire you. It looks at the places where Peterson’s latest book illustrates and fleshes out the ancient wisdom of the Scriptures and applies it to our current day. And yes, we are going to talk a lot about Jesus. You can see the entire series and find additional resources at https://levpres.org/beyond-order-and-chaos/
The New York Times called Jordan Peterson “The most influential public intellectual in the Western World right now.” He is despised by both the far Left and the far Right, but he genuinely seems to be trying to understand what is real in this world. Whether you are an atheist, a skeptic, or a dedicated follower of Jesus, we hope this message series will challenge and inspire you. It looks at the places where Peterson’s latest book illustrates and fleshes out the ancient wisdom of the Scriptures and applies it to our current day. And yes, we are going to talk a lot about Jesus. You can see the entire series and find additional resources at https://levpres.org/beyond-order-and-chaos/
The New York Times called Jordan Peterson “The most influential public intellectual in the Western World right now.” He is despised by both the far Left and the far Right, but he genuinely seems to be trying to understand what is real in this world. Whether you are an atheist, a skeptic, or a dedicated follower of Jesus, we hope this message series will challenge and inspire you. It looks at the places where Peterson’s latest book illustrates and fleshes out the ancient wisdom of the Scriptures and applies it to our current day. And yes, we are going to talk a lot about Jesus. You can see the entire series and find additional resources at https://levpres.org/beyond-order-and-chaos/
The New York Times called Jordan Peterson “The most influential public intellectual in the Western World right now.” He is despised by both the far Left and the far Right, but he genuinely seems to be trying to understand what is real in this world. Whether you are an atheist, a skeptic, or a dedicated follower of Jesus, we hope this message series will challenge and inspire you. It looks at the places where Peterson’s latest book illustrates and fleshes out the ancient wisdom of the Scriptures and applies it to our current day. And yes, we are going to talk a lot about Jesus. You can see the entire series and find additional resources at https://levpres.org/beyond-order-and-chaos/
The New York Times called Jordan Peterson “The most influential public intellectual in the Western World right now.” He is despised by both the far Left and the far Right, but he genuinely seems to be trying to understand what is real in this world. Whether you are an atheist, a skeptic, or a dedicated follower of Jesus, we hope this message series will challenge and inspire you. It looks at the places where Peterson’s latest book illustrates and fleshes out the ancient wisdom of the Scriptures and applies it to our current day. And yes, we are going to talk a lot about Jesus. You can see the entire series and find additional resources at https://levpres.org/beyond-order-and-chaos/
The New York Times called Jordan Peterson “The most influential public intellectual in the Western World right now.” He is despised by both the far Left and the far Right, but he genuinely seems to be trying to understand what is real in this world. Whether you are an atheist, a skeptic, or a dedicated follower of Jesus, we hope this message series will challenge and inspire you. It looks at the places where Peterson’s latest book illustrates and fleshes out the ancient wisdom of the Scriptures and applies it to our current day. And yes, we are going to talk a lot about Jesus. You can see the entire series and find additional resources at https://levpres.org/beyond-order-and-chaos/
The New York Times called Jordan Peterson “The most influential public intellectual in the Western World right now.” He is despised by both the far Left and the far Right, but he genuinely seems to be trying to understand what is real in this world. Whether you are an atheist, a skeptic, or a dedicated follower of Jesus, we hope this message series will challenge and inspire you. It looks at the places where Peterson’s latest book illustrates and fleshes out the ancient wisdom of the Scriptures and applies it to our current day. And yes, we are going to talk a lot about Jesus. You can see the entire series and find additional resources at https://levpres.org/beyond-order-and-chaos/
The New York Times called Jordan Peterson “The most influential public intellectual in the Western World right now.” He is despised by both the far Left and the far Right, but he genuinely seems to be trying to understand what is real in this world. Whether you are an atheist, a skeptic, or a dedicated follower of Jesus, we hope this message series will challenge and inspire you. It looks at the places where Peterson’s latest book illustrates and fleshes out the ancient wisdom of the Scriptures and applies it to our current day. And yes, we are going to talk a lot about Jesus. You can see the entire series and find additional resources at https://levpres.org/beyond-order-and-chaos/
The New York Times called Jordan Peterson “The most influential public intellectual in the Western World right now.” He is despised by both the far Left and the far Right, but he genuinely seems to be trying to understand what is real in this world. Whether you are an atheist, a skeptic, or a dedicated follower of Jesus, we hope this message series will challenge and inspire you. It looks at the places where Peterson’s latest book illustrates and fleshes out the ancient wisdom of the Scriptures and applies it to our current day. And yes, we are going to talk a lot about Jesus. You can see the entire series and find additional resources at https://levpres.org/beyond-order-and-chaos/
The New York Times called Jordan Peterson “The most influential public intellectual in the Western World right now.” He is despised by both the far Left and the far Right, but he genuinely seems to be trying to understand what is real in this world. Whether you are an atheist, a skeptic, or a dedicated follower of Jesus, we hope this message series will challenge and inspire you. It looks at the places where Peterson’s latest book illustrates and fleshes out the ancient wisdom of the Scriptures and applies it to our current day. And yes, we are going to talk a lot about Jesus. You can see the entire series and find additional resources at https://levpres.org/beyond-order-and-chaos/
The New York Times called Jordan Peterson “The most influential public intellectual in the Western World right now.” He is despised by both the far Left and the far Right, but he genuinely seems to be trying to understand what is real in this world. Whether you are an atheist, a skeptic, or a dedicated follower of Jesus, we hope this message series will challenge and inspire you. It looks at the places where Peterson’s latest book illustrates and fleshes out the ancient wisdom of the Scriptures and applies it to our current day. And yes, we are going to talk a lot about Jesus. You can see the entire series and find additional resources at https://levpres.org/beyond-order-and-chaos/
The New York Times called Jordan Peterson “The most influential public intellectual in the Western World right now.” He is despised by both the far Left and the far Right, but he genuinely seems to be trying to understand what is real in this world. Whether you are an atheist, a skeptic, or a dedicated follower of Jesus, we hope this message series will challenge and inspire you. It looks at the places where Peterson’s latest book illustrates and fleshes out the ancient wisdom of the Scriptures and applies it to our current day. And yes, we are going to talk a lot about Jesus. You can see the entire series and find additional resources at https://levpres.org/beyond-order-and-chaos/
How should we understand visions and revelations in the bible ? How should we understand the first three chapters of Genesis ? What are we to make of the book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation ? It turns out all three books Genesis, Daniel and Revelation have something in common. Join us for this sermon series which provides very good introduction to each of these three books You can find other resources for this series at hwww.levpres.org/prophesy/
How should we understand visions and revelations in the bible ? How should we understand the first three chapters of Genesis ? What are we to make of the book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation ? It turns out all three books Genesis, Daniel and Revelation have something in common. Join us for this sermon series which provides very good introduction to each of these three books You can find other resources for this series at hwww.levpres.org/prophesy/
How should we understand visions and revelations in the bible ? How should we understand the first three chapters of Genesis ? What are we to make of the book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation ? It turns out all three books Genesis, Daniel and Revelation have something in common. Join us for this sermon series which provides very good introduction to each of these three books You can find other resources for this series at hwww.levpres.org/prophesy/
The video is part of the sermon series "Giving my life a post-quarantine reboot" presented at Leverington Church in Philadelphia by Langdon Palmer. It is available as both a video podcast, and an audio podcast, and you can watch the entire worship service as well. You can see all available resources for this series at https://levpres.org/giving-my-life-a-post-quarantine-re-boot/
The video is part of the sermon series "Giving my life a post-quarantine reboot" presented at Leverington Church in Philadelphia by Langdon Palmer. It is available as both a video podcast, and an audio podcast, and you can watch the entire worship service as well. You can see all available resources for this series at https://levpres.org/giving-my-life-a-post-quarantine-re-boot/
The video is part of the sermon series "Giving my life a post-quarantine reboot" presented at Leverington Church in Philadelphia by Langdon Palmer. It is available as both a video podcast, and an audio podcast, and you can watch the entire worship service as well. You can see all available resources for this series at https://levpres.org/giving-my-life-a-post-quarantine-re-boot/
The video is part of the sermon series "Giving my life a post-quarantine reboot" presented at Leverington Church in Philadelphia by Langdon Palmer. It is available as both a video podcast, and an audio podcast, and you can watch the entire worship service as well. You can see all available resources for this series at https://levpres.org/giving-my-life-a-post-quarantine-re-boot/
The video is part of the sermon series "Giving my life a post-quarantine reboot" presented at Leverington Church in Philadelphia by Langdon Palmer. It is available as both a video podcast, and an audio podcast, and you can watch the entire worship service as well. You can see all available resources for this series at https://levpres.org/giving-my-life-a-post-quarantine-re-boot/
The video is part of the sermon series "Giving my life a post-quarantine reboot" presented at Leverington Church in Philadelphia by Langdon Palmer. It is available as both a video podcast, and an audio podcast, and you can watch the entire worship service as well. You can see all available resources for this series at https://levpres.org/giving-my-life-a-post-quarantine-re-boot/
The video is part of the sermon series "Giving my life a post-quarantine reboot" presented at Leverington Church in Philadelphia by Langdon Palmer. It is available as both a video podcast, and an audio podcast, and you can watch the entire worship service as well. You can see all available resources for this series at https://levpres.org/giving-my-life-a-post-quarantine-re-boot/
This podcast is part of a chapter by chapter study of the Gospel of Matthew given at Leverington Church in Philadelphia. It is available as both a video podcast, and an audio podcast, and you can watch the entire worship service as well. You can see all available resources for this series at https://levpres.org/the-gospel-of-matthew-sermon-podcast/
This is a live stream of the message for our Fourth of July Worship Service in Gorgas Park. What do the Bible, The Declaration, and UFO’s have in common ? How can you be part of re-weaving us together as one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all ? Turns out the first step you need to take is being honest about who you feel most alienated from in our society right now. And second, it turns out that both the scriptures and the Declaration of Independence show us how to come together again as a people. Today’s scriptures are: Old Testament: Deuteronomy 10:14-20 New Testament: Luke 4:16-21. We apologize for occasional drops in the signal.
This podcast is part of a chapter by chapter study of the Gospel of Matthew given at Leverington Church in Philadelphia. It is available as both a video podcast, and an audio podcast, and you can watch the entire worship service as well. You can see all available resources for this series at https://levpres.org/the-gospel-of-matthew-sermon-podcast/
This podcast is part of a chapter by chapter study of the Gospel of Matthew given at Leverington Church in Philadelphia. It is available as both a video podcast, and an audio podcast, and you can watch the entire worship service as well. You can see all available resources for this series at https://levpres.org/the-gospel-of-matthew-sermon-podcast/
You can receive a new, free, three minute devotional that will be available every Thursday morning. To subscribe, go to https://levpres.org/the-thursday-three-a-weekly-devotoinal/
This podcast is part of a chapter by chapter study of the Gospel of Matthew given at Leverington Church in Philadelphia. It is available as both a video podcast, and an audio podcast, and you can watch the entire worship service as well. You can see all available resources for this series at https://levpres.org/the-gospel-of-matthew-sermon-podcast/
This podcast is part of a chapter by chapter study of the Gospel of Matthew given at Leverington Church in Philadelphia. It is available as both a video podcast, and an audio podcast, and you can watch the entire worship service as well. You can see all available resources for this series at https://levpres.org/the-gospel-of-matthew-sermon-podcast/
This podcast is part of a chapter by chapter study of the Gospel of Matthew given at Leverington Church in Philadelphia. It is available as both a video podcast, and an audio podcast, and you can watch the entire worship service as well. You can see all available resources for this series at https://levpres.org/the-gospel-of-matthew-sermon-podcast/
This podcast is part of a chapter by chapter study of the Gospel of Matthew given at Leverington Church in Philadelphia. It is available as both a video podcast, and an audio podcast, and you can watch the entire worship service as well. You can see all available resources for this series at https://levpres.org/the-gospel-of-matthew-sermon-podcast/
This podcast is part of a chapter by chapter study of the Gospel of Matthew given at Leverington Church in Philadelphia. It is available as both a video podcast, and an audio podcast, and you can watch the entire worship service as well. You can see all available resources for this series at https://levpres.org/the-gospel-of-matthew-sermon-podcast/
This podcast is part of a chapter by chapter study of the Gospel of Matthew given at Leverington Church in Philadelphia. It is available as both a video podcast, and an audio podcast, and you can watch the entire worship service as well. You can see all available resources for this series at https://levpres.org/the-gospel-of-matthew-sermon-podcast/
This podcast is part of a chapter by chapter study of the Gospel of Matthew given at Leverington Church in Philadelphia. It is available as both a video podcast, and an audio podcast, and you can watch the entire worship service as well. You can see all available resources for this series at https://levpres.org/the-gospel-of-matthew-sermon-podcast/
The podcast is part of a chapter by chapter study of the Gospel of Matthew given at Leverington Church in Philadelphia. It is available as both a video podcast, and an audio podcast, and you can watch the entire worship service as well. You can see all available resources for this series at https://levpres.org/the-gospel-of-matthew-sermon-podcast/
The podcast is part of a chapter by chapter study of the Gospel of Matthew given at Leverington Church in Philadelphia. It is available as both a video podcast, and an audio podcast, and you can watch the entire worship service as well. You can see all available resources for this series at https://levpres.org/the-gospel-of-matthew-sermon-podcast/
The podcast is part of a chapter by chapter study of the Gospel of Matthew given at Leverington Church in Philadelphia. It is available as both a video podcast, and an audio podcast, and you can watch the entire worship service as well. You can see all available resources for this series at https://levpres.org/the-gospel-of-matthew-sermon-podcast/
If the moment that Jesus rose from the dead is the most important moment of the Christian faith, the event upon which the entire movement is based, why do the Gospel writers only give us an empty tomb ? Why aren't there details and witnesses to the actual moment of resurrection ? Why do we only get people claiming to have encountered him AFTER the resurrection ? What if these very questions point to very good reasons for believing the resurrection actually happened on the first Easter ? Join us as we re-learn basic tools that help us understand not only the first Easter, but the political and social events we see all around us today.
The scripture reading upon which this sermon is based is Matthew 27:62-Matthew 28:20
Join us as we watch Jesus unveil himself as the King of Kings as he makes his entry into Jerusalem. The connections to the Old Testament prophecies of Zechariah and the end of the second coming as described in the book of Revelation are truly inspiring! You can watch the entire worship service at https://youtu.be/jYl6geAqzPw You can see the entire sermon series on the gospel of Matthew at https://levpres.org/the-gospel-of-matthew-sermon-podcast/
George Orwell reviewed C.S. Lewis's book "That Hideous Strength" and loved everything about it except the fact that Lewis worked God into the equation :-). When you read the two books together, it seems Lewis may have had a strong influence on Orwell later writing "1984" : This message is an Addendum to the primary sermon on the book "That Hideous Strength" It explores how "That Hideous Strength" and Orwell's "1984" both prophetically predict actual techniques that have been and currently are being used by those interested in toppling Capitalist and free societies. We look at four quotes from 1984 that lead step by step to the overturning of true democracies. : You can see the entire series at https://levpres.org/the-c-s-lewis-spa... : Series Cover Image Credit: Sanford Schwartz “C.S. Lewis on the final frontier”
This three part sermon series explores the ways the gospel is revealed in the science fiction series by C.S. Lewis known as the Space Trilogy. We attempt to be true to the stories for professional Lewis fans without giving away too much for those who have never read the books :-). Each sermon brings out two or three wonderful ways the books illustrate beautiful biblical truths. : You can see the entire series at https://levpres.org/the-c-s-lewis-space-trilogy/
This three part sermon series explores the ways the gospel is revealed in the science fiction series by C.S. Lewis known as the Space Trilogy. We attempt to be true to the stories for professional Lewis fans without giving away too much for those who have never read the books :-). Each sermon brings out two or three wonderful ways the books illustrate beautiful biblical truths. : You can see the entire series at https://levpres.org/the-c-s-lewis-space-trilogy/
This three part sermon series explores the ways the gospel is revealed in the science fiction series by C.S. Lewis known as the Space Trilogy. We attempt to be true to the stories for professional Lewis fans without giving away too much for those who have never read the books :-). Each sermon brings out two or three wonderful ways the books illustrate beautiful biblical truths. : You can see the entire series at https://levpres.org/the-c-s-lewis-space-trilogy/
True faith in God is about the courage to be open to reality and hard truths. But when used inappropriately, it can actually help us avoid reality, including the reality of God. Many people have accepted a view of Christianity that included claims never found in the scriptures. And then when terrible times or difficult questions arise such people walk away from Jesus because their faith was built upon a foundation of sand. Today we look at 5 counterfeits to true faith. We hope this message will be helpful to both new Christians and to those who have been burned by the church. You can see the entire series at https://levpres.org/letting-jesus-wre...
Today's message is about the relationship between Science and the life of faith. When used properly, Science is one of our best tools for encountering reality, but when used inappropriately, it can actually help us avoid reality, including the reality of God. Our focus will be 1 John 1:8-9 and the message starts at 31:40 You can see the entire series at https://levpres.org/letting-jesus-wre... :
A lot of us like the sound of "choosing reality over appearances." But when it involves taking a hard look at the worst parts of ourselves and comparing that to "together" persona we present to others, we tend to avoid this crucial hard work! Today we look at Carl Jung's idea of the shadow and how we hide our own worst flaws from ourselves by projecting them on to others. This idea echoes the deep teaching of the scriptures. If I am going to be a Christian, I need to be brutally honest about my own sin. Today we look at the relationship between Psychology and Faith, and explore the ways we can distort our thinking when we use Psychology the wrong way. You can see the entire service at https://youtu.be/F52gS-WMP10, and you can see the entire series at https://levpres.org/letting-jesus-wreck-my-life/
Whether we are aware of it or not, all of us are operating under some philosophy of life - we have theories about how life actually works, what is worthwhile and what is not. Philosophy and Logic can be a great way to figure out what is true and a great way to access reality. But we can also use Philosophy the wrong way - to avoid reality and to shield ourselves from the presence of God. In this message with examine the relationship between Faith and Philosophy, and explore the ways we can distort our thinking when we use philosophy the wrong way. You can see the entire service at https://youtu.be/LGZpPRashuo
While having enjoyable pastimes is a great thing, using diversions to avoid facing reality can keep us from ever growing as a person or a disciple. What does our real schedule look like as opposed to the one we think we have ? How do we really spend our time ? Why cant we stand to be alone with our own thoughts ? This sermon explores the deep roots of our diversions and gives us tools to discern when our diversions are God honoring and when they are not. You can watch the entire worship service at https://youtu.be/NuCkJrGdE0E
Socrates said “The unexamined life is not worth living.” This series is about the hard work of facing the lies we tell ourselves in order to avoid facing reality. You can see the complete series at https://levpres.org/letting-jesus-wreck-my-life/
This is not a sermon - this is a political essay. It is an attempt to explain why we are so divided, why the United States is worth saving , and what ordinary people like you and me can change in ourselves to reduce the polarization in our country. I tried to write in a way that would make sense to both progressives and conservatives which probably means I probably just annoyed everybody! Although I know my faith informs my positions, this audio article is meant to be a argument limited to the realm of human politics and I hope it will be useful to you whether you have any faith or none. I welcome your honest critique and value one on one conversations when possible. My email is Langdon@levpres.org : The article on how the more news we consume the more distorted our views is found here: https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/06/americas-most-educated-engaged-citizens-are-making-politics-worse/ : The two news sources that strive for balance I mentioned are: https://www.allsides.com/unbiased-balanced-news https://www.ground.news/ : I am sure I stole many of these ideas from many people. I am aware of one I heard just this week - I am grateful to Dennis Prager for the pressure valve analogy.
Part of our Advent Series where we do an encouraging exploration of the history and scriptural foundation for classic Christmas Carols. A great way to prepare for Christmas! You can watch the full worship service at https://youtu.be/H1HOOwGGAbk
Part of our Advent Series where we do an encouraging exploration of the history and scriptural foundation for classic Christmas Carols. A great way to prepare for Christmas! You can watch the full worship service at https://youtu.be/R90sxHYZHCg
A verse by verse study of the book of 1st Thessalonians. The entire series can also be watched on Youtube - search for "Leverington Church" worship services between Oct 18 2020 and Nov 29 2020.
A verse by verse study of the book of 1st Thessalonians. The entire series can also be watched on Youtube - search for "Leverington Church" worship services between Oct 18 2020 and Nov 29 2020.
A verse by verse study of the book of 1st Thessalonians. The entire series can also be watched on Youtube - search for "Leverington Church" worship services between Oct 18 2020 and Nov 29 2020.
A verse by verse study of the book of 1st Thessalonians. The entire series can also be watched on Youtube - search for "Leverington Church" worship services between Oct 18 2020 and Nov 29 2020.
A verse by verse study of the book of 1st Thessalonians. The entire series can also be watched on Youtube - search for "Leverington Church" worship services between Oct 18 2020 and Nov 29 2020.
A verse by verse study of the book of 1st Thessalonians. The entire series can also be watched on Youtube - search for "Leverington Church" worship services between Oct 18 2020 and Nov 29 2020.
A verse by verse study of the book of 1st Thessalonians. The entire series can also be watched on Youtube - search for "Leverington Church" worship services between Oct 18 2020 and Nov 29 2020.
One of my favorite books of all time is a short novel by G.K. Chesterton entitled "Man Alive." It is silly, boisterous, beautiful, irreverent - with a message of profound hope and wisdom lying just just beneath the surface. However, because it was written in 1914 by a Britainer to the people of his time, it can be hard to understand and even offensive to modern ears. Although I feel ridiculous even attempting to modify this classic, I also feel that the possibility of providing access to a new audience is well worth my presumption. So this is his original text modified only slightly and very gently. For example, I rephrase perhaps 10 words in a 25000 word chapter. In the written version I simplify by including copious footnotes on people, places and words not familiar to some modern readers. In the audio version, I also sometimes further simplify phrases for clarity while listening. The entire series can be found a www.InkingsWines.com
One of my favorite books of all time is a short novel by G.K. Chesterton entitled "Man Alive." It is silly, boisterous, beautiful, irreverent - with a message of profound hope and wisdom lying just just beneath the surface. However, because it was written in 1914 by a Britainer to the people of his time, it can be hard to understand and even offensive to modern ears. Although I feel ridiculous even attempting to modify this classic, I also feel that the possibility of providing access to a new audience is well worth my presumption. So this is his original text modified only slightly and very gently. For example, I rephrase perhaps 10 words in a 25000 word chapter. In the written version I simplify by including copious footnotes on people, places and words not familiar to some modern readers. In the audio version, I also sometimes further simplify phrases for clarity while listening. The entire series can be found a www.InkingsWines.com
One of my favorite books of all time is a short novel by G.K. Chesterton entitled "Man Alive." It is silly, boisterous, beautiful, irreverent - with a message of profound hope and wisdom lying just just beneath the surface. However, because it was written in 1914 by a Britainer to the people of his time, it can be hard to understand and even offensive to modern ears. Although I feel ridiculous even attempting to modify this classic, I also feel that the possibility of providing access to a new audience is well worth my presumption. So this is his original text modified only slightly and very gently. For example, I rephrase perhaps 10 words in a 25000 word chapter. In the written version I simplify by including copious footnotes on people, places and words not familiar to some modern readers. In the audio version, I also sometimes further simplify phrases for clarity while listening. The entire series can be found a www.InkingsWines.com
One of my favorite books of all time is a short novel by G.K. Chesterton entitled "Man Alive." It is silly, boisterous, beautiful, irreverent - with a message of profound hope and wisdom lying just just beneath the surface. However, because it was written in 1914 by a Britainer to the people of his time, it can be hard to understand and even offensive to modern ears. Although I feel ridiculous even attempting to modify this classic, I also feel that the possibility of providing access to a new audience is well worth my presumption. So this is his original text modified only slightly and very gently. For example, I rephrase perhaps 10 words in a 25000 word chapter. In the written version I simplify by including copious footnotes on people, places and words not familiar to some modern readers. In the audio version, I also sometimes further simplify phrases for clarity while listening. The entire series can be found a www.InkingsWines.com
One of my favorite books of all time is a short novel by G.K. Chesterton entitled "Man Alive." It is silly, boisterous, beautiful, irreverent - with a message of profound hope and wisdom lying just just beneath the surface. However, because it was written in 1914 by a Britainer to the people of his time, it can be hard to understand and even offensive to modern ears. Although I feel ridiculous even attempting to modify this classic, I also feel that the possibility of providing access to a new audience is well worth my presumption. So this is his original text modified only slightly and very gently. For example I update perhaps 3 or 4 words in a 25000 word chapter. In the written version I simplify by including copious footnotes on people, places and words not familiar to some modern readers. In the audio version, I also sometimes further simplify phrases for clarity while listening. The entire series can be found a www.InkingsWines.com
Real hope is possible even in times like these! This six part series will give you practical skills, habits, and understandings that can increase your hope quotient and help you move into a better future. You can watch a youtube video of this sermon or the entire worship service it occured in at https://levpres.org/six-reasons-to-hope/
Real hope is possible even in times like these! This six part series will give you practical skills, habits, and understandings that can increase your hope quotient and help you move into a better future. You can watch a youtube video of this sermon or the entire worship service it occured in at https://levpres.org/six-reasons-to-hope/
Real hope is possible even in times like these! This six part series will give you practical skills, habits, and understandings that can increase your hope quotient and help you move into a better future. You can watch a youtube video of this sermon or the entire worship service it occurred in at https://levpres.org/six-reasons-to-hope/
Real hope is possible even in times like these! This six part series will give you practical skills, habits, and understandings that can increase your hope quotient and help you move into a better future. You can watch a youtube video of this sermon or the entire worship service it occured in at https://levpres.org/six-reasons-to-hope/
Real hope is possible even in times like these! This six part series will give you practical skills, habits, and understandings that can increase your hope quotient and help you move into a better future. You can watch a youtube video of this sermon or the entire worship service it occured in at https://levpres.org/six-reasons-to-hope/
Real hope is possible even in times like these! This six part series will give you practical skills, habits, and understandings that can increase your hope quotient and help you move into a better future. You can watch a youtube video of this sermon or the entire worship service it occured in at https://levpres.org/six-reasons-to-hope/
Is priviledge a bad thing ? Is it bad to be "sheltered" ? Is what we are going through unique ? If we are trying to obey God, why do we still suffer ? Once again, todays scripture from 1st Peter speaks to debates in our current moment. A video of the entire worship service is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__b2QzCgkH8&feature=youtu.be
Should Christians protest ? When should we submit to the laws of the land and when should we rise up against them? In our current cultural moment, where everything is politicized, and when so many forces are trying to pull our country apart, how should a Christian behave ? We wrestle with these difficult questions while at the same time looking at one of the most encouraging and love-based sections of 1st Peter. You can watch the entire service at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buLcVZyi2B8&feature=youtu.be If you can't do that, we encourage you to finish this podcast by listening to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wMimZ_fU78 "Have Mercy on Me" by Porter's Gate.
Due to time limits, these last 5 verses were not included in the version of the sermon put up on 5/31. If you are interested in studying these verses, listen here! You can also watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNaGNUadqHk
Is the Bible a random collection of religious reflections or the unified, inspired word of God ? Today we look at an amazing image of the bible's interconnectedness before turning to the specific example of it in 1 Peter 3:8-18. Watch the video of this service at https://studio.youtube.com/video/o6A32wTAkqA/edit or see the static image at https://www.chrisharrison.net/index.php/Visualizations/BibleViz
Our amazing scripture for today is a beautiful encouragement to live the Christian way in difficult days. We end up with practical steps we can take to grow in hope AND become more effective witnesses.
See https://levpres.org/1st-peter-sermon-series/ for the whole series. You can keep this ministry on the air by donating at https://levpres.org/giving/
How are we to understand all those verses about women submitting to their husbands ? What does Christian marriage actually look like ? And what does it mean when Peter says women shouldn’t wear jewelry or braided hair – is fashion really out if you want to follow Jesus. Join us today in our verse by verse study of 1st Peter as he navigates tricky questions and presents a picture of both marriage and fashion that is truly rich! See NOTES for key images. See the complete sermon series at https://levpres.org/1st-peter-sermon-series/
In the middle of the Pandemic, the role of the government and the the relationship between invidual liberty and government oversite is being hotly debated. How should a Christian think about the government ? We look at this and other difficult issues with Peter, but we do so with the backdrop of God’s Great Dance Floor! The song by the same name by Martin Smith really sets the stage for this morning’s sermon, and if anything can put you in a good mood, this song can!
We encourage you to watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0Glq025b60 as a way for preparing the sermon on God’s Word in this podcast!
See the whole series at https://levpres.org/1st-peter-sermon-series/
Help keep this ministry on the air at https://levpres.org/giving/
ow you see yourself has a great deal to do with what your future will look like. Whether we view ourselves as losers or as competent agents will have a lot to do with how passive or intentional we become with the direction of our lives. Self-perception matters more than we realize. But what does God think of us ? Perhaps that is even more important. Today we get a beautiful revelation of what it means to be a "a living stone", what it means to be part of the body of Christ. You can WATCH the whole service here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4psDyladqoI You can see the full verse by verse study of 1st Peter at https://levpres.org/1st-peter-sermon-series/
During this Pandemic, life can seem like one gray sea of sameness. Days melt into each other. It feels like nothing will ever change. Today Peter shows us the truth – nothing ever changes – until it does. Deep beneath apparent sameness, the living God is at work moving this story forward. Peter has begun this letter with the wonderful revelation of the big picture of the world and our lives, He has been setting the table so that he can now talk to us about practical and difficult things – like the ways we walk away from Jesus when we give in to slander and gossip and despising – the things our cultural moment is full of. Join us for a beautiful journey with Peter that will both challenge and inspire us! You can see the referenced ocean video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZTQngw8MZE&t=27s You can WATCH the entire service at https://youtu.be/zikzQCH5RG0 You can see the whole series at https://levpres.org/1st-peter-sermon-series/
When we have a strong sense of what the future holds, it totally changes the way we look at the present moment. What if rather than your life being cut off, isolated, alone and arbitrary, it was tethered to a caravan of hope that was moving through time towards an ultimate reunion in your true home at the end of days ? What if rather than your life being a disconnected random event that terminates at your death, you were actually living out a crucial role in the unfolding story of the world, a role you were destined for in a story that ends well ?! Join us today as Peter shows us how to be tethered to the beautiful adventure called the gospel!
You can WATCH the entire service at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UlQlgsoN6c&feature=youtu.be
Today we begin a verse by verse exploration of the book of 1st Peter. This will be more of an intense bible study than a sermon series as our hope is to keep the focus on you and your own journey into 1st Peter. This book speaks to scattered people in a time of suffering and loneliness - it is a great gift for times such as this! You can watch the full worship service and the rest of the series at https://levpres.org/1st-peter-sermon-series/
The conclusion of our Enneagram series comes on Easter morning in the middle of the 2020 Pandemic. With a focus on the physical ressurection of Jesus Christ on the first Easter, we discover that Enneagram model fits within the larger revelation of the creation, fall, and redemption declared by the Christian faith.
You can watch the entire Easter service at https://youtu.be/o6T8839CO8Q
You can view the entire enneagram series at https://levpres.org/enneagram-and-christianity-resources/
Our complete 2020 Easter Service that includes opportunities for you to pray, sing, and hear the word of God from Matthew 28. This podcast includes the sermon "An Ennegram Easter"
You can watch the entire Easter service at https://youtu.be/o6T8839CO8Q You can view the entire enneagram series at https://levpres.org/enneagram-and-christianity-resources/
Are you constantly seeking new and exciting experiences ? Are you spontaneous, Extroverted, Creative, Options-Seeking, Curious. Do you try to help people see the silver lining of situations ? If this isnt you, does it sound like someone you know ? Join us on this Palm Sunday as we dig into this personality type and discover how they can become a healthy disciple of Jesus Christ.
A you a loyal and faithful friend ? Do you tend to be prepared, and think ahead about worst case scenarios ? Do you tend to feel anxious ? Are you a committed member of organizations you love ? You might be an Enneagram #6! Join us today as we explore how this personality type has been especially hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they can grow into healthy disciples of Jesus Christ.
Join us as we dig into Enneagram Personality Type #5 - the Investigator also known as the Observer, Could this be the way you or someone you love is wired ? Investigators are highly Observant, Innovative, Perceptive, Impartial, Independent, Cerebral, and Withdrawn. They are motivated by a desire to understand. They take in information through intense focus and therefore can develop complex ideas and skills. They are often introverted and analytical. They can be visionary pioneers but they can also be isolated and eccentric and withholding. Core Need: The need to perceive. Core Desire: To be capable, knowledgeable, and competent Core Fear: Being incapable, stupid, overwhelmed by others. Primary Temptation: an Endless pursuit of Knowledge. They can experience the world as intrusive, overwhelming and draining. So they often retreat into the safety of their mind and the world of ideas. It asks for more than they want or think they have to give. Demand exceeds Supply. Root Sin: Greed – hoarding what they have and withholding knowledge or affection.
An interactive worship service that gives you time to pray, sing, and dig into God's Word. We are continuing our sermon series on the Enneagram with #5 The Observer. To watch this service, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0ks06Eps64&feature=youtu.be For more resources go to www.levpres.org
This hour long podcast includes opportunities to sing and pray and dig deep into the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. It is from our on-line worship service. See the sermon podcast of 3/15/2020 for all the images referenced. Or you can watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A99sdKPQMsg&t=857s
Do you have a creative streak ? Do you ever get the sense that you are different ? Do you have a child that dances to a different drummer ? Listen to the story of Joseph in Genesis as we dive into what makes the Romantic or the Individualist tick. See the show notes for key images and quotes. See https://levpres.org/enneagram-and-christianity-resources for the complete Enneagram series.
Are you a success oriented person? Do you know how to get things done and achieve goals? Are you interested in growing and being all you can be ? If so, you need to take a pause from all your effort and ask a basic question - who am I really, and why do I do things the way I do ? The ancient model known as the Ennegram says that there are basically 9 personality types - and each of us tends to lean toward one of these ways of being in the world. Each type has beautiful, admiral qualities, and each type has an Achilles heel - a deadly sin they are most prone to be seduced by. Today we look at the Enneagram personality type number 3 - the Performer also known as the Achiever. See the show notes for key images and quotes. See https://levpres.org/enneagram-and-christianity-resources for the complete Enneagram series.
Are you the kind of person who just loves to serve other people ? Does it ever get you frustrated that other people aren’t as kind and giving to you as you are to them? Join us today we explore the Ennegram personality type number two, also known as “The Helper” or “The Giver.” There is a wonderful way to be you! See the show notes for key images and quotes. See https://levpres.org/enneagram-and-christianity-resources/ for the whole series
This podcast is part of our series “Honest to God: The Bible, The Enneagram, and Why you do the things you do” Today we explore the Perfectionist, a way of being in the world that has many good attributes including a strong commitment to right and wrong and being responsible. We turn to the story of Saint Paul as a helpful example of this personality type and then turn to Romans 7 for beautiful, encouraging words for those who are wired with this personality type. See the show notes for key images and quotes. See https://levpres.org/enneagram-and-christianity-resources/ for the whole series
This podcast is part of our series “Honest to God: The Bible, The Enneagram, and Why you do the things you do” Today we explore the Peacemaker, a way of being in the world that has many good attributes and a strong need to avoid conflict. We turn to the story of Jonah as a helpful example of this personality type and then turn to 1st Peter for beautiful helpful words for those who are wired this way. See the show notes for key images and quotes. See https://levpres.org/enneagram-and-christianity-resources/ for the whole series
Today is the first in our series “Honest to God: The bible, the Enneagram, and why you do the things you do” The goal of this series to help you get a better understanding of yourself and others, to see what things truly motivate and control you, and to learn how to walk away from old unhealthy patterns into the full life God is calling you to. Today we explore our first Enneagram personality type – The “Challenger.” See the show notes for more details. See https://levpres.org/enneagram-and-christianity-resources/ for the whole series
In the middle of an impeachment, issues of authority, power, justice, and hierarchy are involved. What should a Christan’s stance toward social structures and hierarchy be? Today we look at some difficult verses at the end of Chapter 3 that deal with this before moving on to finish Chapter 4 and so the Book of Colossians. Join us as we cover a variety of subjects in Colossians 3:18-4:18 and discover – there is a good reason to hold your head up.
What does it mean to take off my old self and put on the new self that Jesus offers me ? One of the clearest signs that I am a sinner is how annoyed I get when people talk about sin. I don’t want to hear it. I want to change the topic. I start to question their motives, tell myself they are judgmental and self righteous. Paul has waited till chapter 3 to talk about sin because he wants his hearer’s to know that he cares about them, that he wants to seem them succeed, that he is for them. It is exactly because he wants them to flourish that he warns them about the destructive nature of sin. Join us as we dig into the hard, difficult, beautiful, hopeful message of Paul in Colossians 3:1-17
Have you ever met people who acted super spiritual ? They were so confident and lived so differently that it made you wonder about your own measly faith ? They subtlety sent the message that they were one of the “real Christians” as opposed to all the average Christians… like you. And yet something in your spirit told you there was something not quite right about them and their faith. Today Paul shows us three different ways that people drift from the freedom and the beauty of the gospel into the ditch of man-made religions that look Holy but are actually bondage. Join us as we meet Larry the lawmaker, Harry the Hippie, and Martha the minimalist. The easy part is seeing people you know who are just like them. The hard part is admitting which one is most likely to seduce you!
As we begin a new year, we begin a verse by verse study of the book of Colossians. Join us as we discover not only the true nature of Jesus, but also a four part prayer that changes us and the people we pray for.
We wonder how these old Christmas stories, in this old dusty book called the bible, could be of any help in building a better future. And yet, just like Dr. Who’s Tardis, the bible is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside. This Christmas Eve we walk with Lucy from the Chronicles of Narnia into the wardrobe and discover a light still shining in the darkness.
Ever wish your own average life could be more like what you see in the bible – where people saw miracles and signs, and God spoke, and it was clear which way was the right way to go ? Join us as we walk with Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist towards Christmas Eve.
What if our current ability to send each other text messages could help us understand how God could speak to us through the bible ? What does that famous verse mean “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God ?” Join us as we dig into the gospel of John for the first Sunday of Advent. And as you might guess, it all starts with a conversation about Stromboli...
One of the greatest joys of life is helping another person experience the good news of the Gospel - helping them to know the joy of following Jesus. But how do you do that without being preachy, self-righteous, and annoying ? Also, some of us are still unsure about following Jesus ourselves. We don't want to be blind sheep, we have doubts and questions. If I had a conversion what proof would there be that it was actually real ? Whether you are a seeker or someone who wants to help seekers experience God, join us as we look at two key moments when very ordinary people encountered the presence of Jesus the Christ.
I want to make my mark for good in the world. And Christians are to fight for mercy and justice for all. But what does all that look like in the real world ? What practices and habits really help ? How should my faith and my politics go together ? Should governments act just like individuals but on a larger scale – or do governments have a very different role to play? Join us as we take a deep dive into scripture and then try to see how biblical teaching can guide a citizen of a modern Democratic Republic today. See the show notes below for the images of Conservatives, Liberals, and Libertarians mentioned in the sermon.
When you think of what a huge fraction of your life is spent working, it really matters how we live our lives there. So how is your job ? Do you wonder if you have the right job ? Do you wonder how your faith and your work should go together? Today we look at a biblical understanding of work and how to find godly satisfaction in our 9-5 lives.
Somewhere along the way, many of us got so busy and “grown up”, that we forgot how to play. But what if being playful is actually a crucial aspect of being created in the image of God ? Today we look at the example of Jesus and look at ways to recapture a playful heart.
How would you describe your relationship with our own body ? What does a healthy relationship to food, exercise, and sleep look like ? We seem to live in a time of extremes when it comes to body image. Today we ask five difficult questions to help you get a handle on just where you are in your relationship with these things, and we look at four scriptures that help set the boundaries for a more joyful life inside your own body!
When it comes to sexuality, we live in confusing and divided times. Today we do an introduction to Christian Sexual Ethics. Our goal is not to conform to the political left or the political right but rather to hear what the New Testament is trying to teach us. Our goal is not to talk about “those” people who may differ from us in their beliefs, but rather to ask “Lord, what would you have ME do ?”
Trying to raise kids well is one of the biggest challenges of life. But getting along well with our extended family can be a close second! Today we look at how we can bring spiritual disciplines to our families – that we might honor God in the way that we treat them. And we begin in the strangest way… by taking parenting tips… from a Klingon !
Many influences in our modern culture make us feel more alone than ever, leaving us unskilled at real friendships and unprepared for the commitment that true friendships require. Real friendship is crucial for physical, psychological, and spiritual health. We need it not only for comradery, but also to form virtue in us – we need people who know & love us enough to speak truth into our lives. Spiritual friends are those who share a commitment to grow in Christ.
Spirituals Disciplines, habits and routines of life, can help us grow in our relationship with God. But when it comes to Spiritual Disciplines, one size does not fit all. We need to find rhythms that work well for our particular shape, for the unique person that God made us. However all Christian models always contain three basic foundations: Scripture, Prayer, and Sabbath. Sabbath is the one that most of us are most tempted to cut the corners on. Could there be some deep and crucial reasons why God makes such a big deal about how important it is for us to experience truth Sabbath. Find out in our podcast this week! See Notes for more details.
Ken Shigematsu argues “What ever we do repeatedly, (even if it is simple), has the power to shape us.” Much the way a grape vine can be trained on a trellis, our habits train us into a certain shape. This fall we are going to look at ancient spiritual disciplines that can shape and train us into the people God intended us to be. Today Pastor Langdon shares lessons from his own vineyard that can teach us how we can grow and flourish in God's vineyard. And we look at how practice and a "long obedience in the same direction" is exactly what makes great artists, athletes, and spiritual warriors. You can see the video of Yo-Yo Ma that was shared during the sermon at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1prweT95Mo0
What would it be like to get a glimpse of Heaven ? What if you could pull back the surface of the physical world and see the mechanics of Heaven at work behind it ? Today we look at the last paragraph of Psalm 103, the sixth window. We dive into the deep end of the heavenly realms and then conclude with a practical six step meditation you can use to start your day with your face towards God. You can do the meditation at http://levpres.org/starting-your-day-with-the-six-windows-of-psalm-103/
The fifth window of Psalm 103 is one a lot of us don’t like to look out – the window that faces our mortality, the one that causes us to think about our own deaths. And yet true wisdom and true freedom are found here. In fact, when understood the right way, empowered by the Holy Spirit of God, it can cause us to embrace life with new passion and hope. We start with a classic scene from “The Dead Poet Society” , meet Scrooge on Christmas morning, then end with the power and promises of God.
Often life can seem like a barren wilderness – a brutal desert where nothing grows. And there are many voices to tell us that any claim that there is more to life is a mirage at best and an evil lie at worst. But hidden down between the barren wastelands there is a thin green ribbon of flourishing and growth that winds its way through life. Those who walk it encounter the hope, love, and peace of God. Join us today as we hear the harshest critics of Christianity as well as the sure voice of the One who loves us to the moon and back.
Is Christianity about individual conversion or about social justice ? Is the focus my personal spiritual journey or national policies for the poor and oppressed ? Today we continue our verse by verse exploration of Psalm 103 as we come to a fascinating two verses that connect ancient history to our current cultural moment.
Today we join the author of Psalm 103 as he looks back along his life and all the ways that God has blessed him. We take a wild ride that ranges from the choices we have made all the way down to the latest scientifc discoveries about what is going on inside our bodies at the level of proteins and cells. And we end by encountering the word that is the secret that leads to an exceptional life.
Today we begin a wonderful six week journey through Psalm 103. Join us as we study and experience a psalm that can reset and reorient our relationship with God. See the Episode Notes for great quotes and resources.
In an attempt to try to live forever, some people do crazy things like having their bodies frozen in a cryogenic chamber in the hope of one day being brought back to life. Most of us are not that extreme, but are there ways we are attempting to live forever through our legacy ? If the unspoken truth is that we are terrified of death, this fear will distort the choices we make, it will rob us of the very life we are afraid of losing. When it comes to our lives, our legacy, our significance – do we try to set up shop on our own ? Do we try to create our own salvation, or do we trust in the God who is able to save us, who gives us our true meaning, who has the ability to resurrect us after death ? Today we look at how the characters of Tom Riddle and Harry Potter illustrate two very different life paths, and we turn to the scriptures to encounter he ultimate King’s Cross Station. It turns out we are standing there – right now.
Today we look at two stories in Harry Potter to help us understand the multidimensional meaning of three crucial words: Temptation, Repentance, and Reconciliation. We track what happened to Hagrid and Percy, and discover an amazing parallel to the story given by the master story teller, Jesus, known as “The Prodigal Son.”
What do you do when you come across teachings of Jesus that seem cold, abrupt, even rude ? What do you do when the teachings of Jesus offend you ? Would a good person ever come across as abrupt, rude, or cold ? Is there a difference between being a good person and being a nice person ? When the bible tells us that Jesus was unattractive and despised – do you think he would have been attractive to you ? Today we explore a side of the historical Jesus of Nazareth that people often avoid by considering his parallels to the most unlikely character imaginable in the Harry Potter series…
How can you know if your faith is real ? In a classic scene, Harry Potter is told that the passage to the other world of Hogwarts is achieved by going through what looks like a solid wall. On the surface, this advise makes no sense, but some kinds of truths that can only be known through experience. Today we look at what it means to take the leap of faith and how that is quite different than blind faith. We learn from Soren Kierkegaard what it means to have passionate faith and we turn to the book of Acts to see it in action. We face the reality that we tend to say to God “Show me and then I will trust you”, but we live in a world where God says “Trust me, and then I will show you…”
Do we really have free will, or is it just an illusion? Do you think you can control your future or do you believe whatever is going to happen is going to happen ? Is there such a thing as fate or destiny ? If there is a God and he is in complete control, how can our choices matter ? Today we face these fundamental questions about life and our introduction is the classic scene in Harry Potter where the Sorting Hat decides to which house he will be assigned. We then jump into the scriptures and discover that in the midst of all the uncertainty of life, the primal thing we need to know is this: Is God Kind, Is God good ? Can God be trusted ?
One of the reasons Harry Potter is a world-wide phenomena is that beneath the magic and fantasy it touches strangely familiar experiences in our own lives – including what it feels like to be tormented by other people and what it feels like to be tormented by our own thoughts. Today we look at how the creations of the Harry Potter story known as Dementors and Delores Umbridge paint the reality of experiences in the real world. We then go to the wisdom of the scriptures to learn how to live in a world where dark emotions and dark souls can oppress us. There actually is such a thing as a Patronus – one who guides and protects us and covers us and keeps the dementors of this world at bay. During this sermon, our own Emily McGlaughlin painted alongside Pastor Langdon, telling the same story visually. You can see her painting above
In the Harry Potter series JK Rawling does a great job helping us see and feel what it is like to experience prejudice and rejection. We meet Lucious Malfoy, the poster child for what the bible calls “the wicked.” But the goal is not to despise fictitious characters like Lucius Malfoy, the goal is to be able to see the Lucius Malfoy in us. Today we compare the way of the world to the beautiful, life giving way of Jesus, and what it is like to be part of the fellowship of the King.
As we kick off our Harry Potter series on Mother’s day, we look at what can learn from the very different parenting styles of three very different mothers. series. We then explore how the series illustrates and brings to life what the bible teaches about friendship and making choices. And we encounter Jesus, the ultimate friend who made the ultimate choice: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:12-13
Does life ever feel like a briar patch to you – like every where you turn you get poked and snagged, and everything is connected, and there seems like no way out ? Does life sometimes look like a thicket – a maze of thorns everywhere you turn? Today we look to Jesus to show us how to live in a life full of thickets. But more than that, we get a mental image that is truly helpful for understanding our relationship with Jesus as the one who makes a way straight through the thicket into the Kingdom of Gd. And we discover that to follow Jesus we must be like warriors and children – both at the same time!
Today Paul tells us to put on spiritual armor because we are in a spiritual battle. Is that really true ? Is there really such a thing as demonic forces ? If so, what is this armor and how do we use it? Paul shows both the cosmic battle and the practical facts on the ground: a big part of loving Jesus is choosing to stand your ground.
Today we get some practical advise about parents and children but then we jump into deep waters when Paul addresses the relationship between household slaves and their masters in the ancient world. Why doesn’t Paul take a much stronger stance against the evil of slavery ? Is the bible a source of oppression or the very thing that produces freedom ? We dig into the cultural background, the trajectory of the bible, and Paul’s goals in writing this letter to get the answer. We find ourselves asking the question that every Christian in every age must ask: “Am I living more like the people around me, uncritically accepting the values of my culture, or more like a radical follower of Jesus? Am I truly counter-cultural in my willingness to forgive those who hurt me, love those who are my enemies, and pray for those who persecute me ?”
Today we look at one of the most debated and difficult sections of scripture. What does Ephesians teach about the roles of husbands and wives ? Is the bible the source of sexism, oppression, and inequality, or is it the source of revolutionary freedom and equality ? Men and women often have a hard time understanding each other, and it is not always clear how we should relate. How can I have the kind of healthy relationship with my significant other that God intended for me to have ?
Today Paul challenges us in one of our most personal and private areas – sex. But he does so in a way that is not only challenging but liberating – all based not on archaic rules and regulations, but on a dynamic, joyful present tense relationship with God as our Heavenly Father. God is saying “I know how the world lives, I know how all those around you live, but I am calling YOU to come follow me and live a different way. On this Saint Patrick’s Day Sunday we end with a daily prayer from Patrick that offers hope and promise for the road of life.
The right to think for yourself. The Enlightenment. What true Atheists and true Christians hold in common. Our cultural moment. How to become more like Jesus. How Les Miserables reveals a key truth of Ephesians chapter 4. Your life. Join us for a wild ride!
There is a cacophony of voices all around us confidently claiming they know the right way to go, telling us that they have life figured out. But there is another sound too. There is the sound of the symphony that God is performing through the orchestra of His people, and it is bringing hope, meaning, mercy, and redemption into the world. Can you hear it ? Are you in the orchestra? Are you pursuing the personal responsibility and spiritual maturity that allows you to be a part of the unfolding of the Kingdom of God here and now ? Today we study an incredibly important section of the New Testament and learn what it means to finally grow up.
Today’s scripture ranges from the big questions like: “Why did Christ come when he did?” and “How do Christianity and Judaism go together ?” to the practical questions like “How do I deal with my discouragement ?” Join us as we dive into the wonders of making Maple Syrup in the spring, Growing Lemons for the world, and a 2000 year old Olive Tree to discover God’s plan of redemption for the world!
Today we look at the good news of the gospel … but it ends up forcing us to take a hard look inside ourselves. The current raging debate in the U.S. over a southern border wall reveals the bigotry of both the political right and the political left. It reveals the bigotry in me, and that is not a comfortable thing to experience. This podcast will not be easy, but we hope it will get people of all political persuasions to reflect on their own temptations to see people as guilty by association, to reduce them to nothing more than a totem for “Those People.” We look at when walls and tribes are good, and when walls and tribes become bad. We dig into what Paul meant by the “dividing wall of hostility” and the incredibly good news that Jesus went to the cross not only to pay for our personal sins, but to reconcile us the clans we are tempted to despise as “those people.”
Today we encounter some of the most crucial and famous verses of the New Testament, verses that helped give birth to the Reformation. Paul tell us that we “have been saved by faith not by works”, but he also tells us that we are “God’s workmanship created for good works.” How do these two things go together? This morning we dig into the basics of the Christian faith but we also discover the message hidden in plain site – why church sanctuaries look the way they do, and what sitting in a church was supposed to tell us.
In all the ages of human history, in all locations in the world, there is one place that does not resolve, there is one place where there is an unfathomable mystery, like an infinite well, and that place is the person known as Jesus. Today Paul helps us catch a glimpse of the actual nature of Jesus and then models for us a way to pray. We often pray for our circumstances to change and the scriptures encourage us to do so. But today Paul teaches us an even more important way to pray.
Today we begin our verse by verse bible study of the book of Ephesians, an incredible letter of hope and practical advice. What does it mean when Paul says that God "chose us before the foundation of the world" ? Join us as we dig into the introduction of Ephesians which reminds us who we are and whose we are.
Is there actually a way to interpret the bible correctly ? Yes, there is. There is a basic method that works for understanding any book. We then add to that approach the unique revelation of Jesus Christ, because Jesus is the key that unlocks the meaning of the scriptures. Come join us as we cover five basic principals that will allow you to study the bible for yourself and discover not what you want it to mean, not what someone else told you it meant, but what God intended for it to mean!
The new year stretches out before us like a field beckoning us to come out and play. Who will I be in the year ahead ? What practices and habits can actually help me be the person I want to be in the coming year? Come with us on a crazy ride through dreams and fields and ice storms on New Years day that leaves us standing in silent awe before the Maker of Heaven and Earth!
How do we deal with worries and fears ? We worry about very many things, and each worry is different. In this sermon from Advent 2007, Pastor Langdon discusses a number of biblical strategies for dealing with worry and we pray that one of these will help you with the worry you are dealing with right now. See the show notes for additional resources
We are told that the first Christmas is about “good news of great joy”, but the truth is a lot of people missed it, lots of folks never encounter it. It is God’s idea that we have prepare ourselves for the coming of the Messiah so that we have eyes to see him when he actually comes. John the Baptist tells us exactly how to do this. What he tells us does not exactly sound Christmassy – it is not exactly tinsel and gingerbread men. It turns out that rebuke and salvation always go hand in hand. Join us as we find out how “Tidings of Comfort and Joy” are only for those who remember that “Christ our savior was born on Christmas day – to save us all from Satan’s power when we had gone astray…”
“Therefore the LORD himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Is there really such a thing as revelation and prophesy ? Does the Old Testament really prophesy that Jesus is the Messiah, or do the New Testament writers take the Old Testament out of context ? Join us for a fascinating journey that spans from the politics of 750 B.C., past Handel’s Messiah, right up to our very lives, as we learn how to interpret Old Testament prophesies.
See the four images of prophecy at http://levpres.org/sermons/advent-scene-2-the-sign-of-the-prophet/
This Advent we look at four signs that declared that the Messiah really was to come on the first Christmas morning. This morning we look at the story of the Wisemen and the Star of Bethlehem. Is this story just a cute myth for children that has nothing to do with the actual history of the world ? Why would a Jewish author writing to a Jewish audience make pagan astrologers from Babylon the heroes of his story ? How could a “star” stand in one place over Bethlehem when we know that comets and planets move ? Recent scientific discoveries released just this month imply that there is much stronger connection between bible stories and cosmology than we realized. Join us for a fascinating journey into the story of the Wisemen!
Video Clip of the conjunction of Jupiter and Venus: https://mk0astronomynow9oh6g.kinstacdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Jupiter-Venus_5-30Jun2015_620x420.gif
Video of how planet orbits appear from Earth showing retrograde motion: http://i.imgur.com/AReqgfP.gif
How can I be happy ? This last podcast of our Jordan Peterson series, given on the sunday after Thanksgiving, finishes up the story of Jacob's Ladder and points us to the Christian life. It ends by actually answering the question "How can I be happy ?" Believe it or not, the answer we get actually works!
Does God exist ? Some people say “No”, some people say “How would you know?”, and some people say “What difference does it make – I don’t see any signs that God makes any difference to this world…” Although this question sounds philosophical and theoretical, it is actually a very practical question. Few things are more practical than asking what I am here for and who am I meant to be. What should I do with the rest of my life? If there really is a Maker of Heaven and Earth, and he designed me and knows me, mightn’t He have something to say about these things?
But when we talk about things like trying to encounter God (who is infinite), our reason (as crucial as it is) can only take us so far. Is it wise to go beyond what reason can tell us ? Today we come to the last in our Jordan Peterson series as we encounter Jacob’s Ladder.
When you see someone who has it so much better than you, is your first thought “I am so, so happy for them” ? Envy pretends to give us an accurate picture of the state of affairs in the world but it actually reveals the state of affairs in our heart. We tend to think it is natural, no big deal, hardly a sin to hold on to feelings of envy. But New Testament writers over and over again warn us that Envy corrodes our soul. You cannot hold onto Envy and Happiness at the same time. Could it be that some of your own discontent comes from hidden envy ? Jordan Peterson writes “Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today.” Pastor Palmer says “I can envy the incomplete image I have of someone else’s life OR I can work on the strange gift of life that I HAVE been given – and thereby find true meaning. . .” Join us today as we dig into the story of Cain and Able and the teachings of Paul which lead us to Jesus and the way out of Envy.
Anyone who says parenting is easy either has never done it or is not particularly good at it. But while it is hard, it can be done well and we can take steps to help our kids flourish and become all that God meant for them to be. Today we look at what secular psychologist Jordan Peterson has to say about raising kids and how that relates to the ancient wisdom of the scriptures. Join us as we learn to “say no to brats, helicopters, and lawn mowers, and yes to skateboards, dress up, and ‘good enough’.”
How often does the average person lie in a day ? It turns out we lie a whole lot more than we realize. And we don’t only lie to others, we lie to ourselves. We tell ourselves inaccurate stories about our past and ourselves in order to make ourselves feel OK. But these over simplified stories we tell our selves don’t really help, they actually sabotage our own long term happiness. Join us today as we look at what Jordan Peterson, Jim Carey, the ancient scriptures, and Jesus himself can teach us about lying and telling the truth.
Jordan Peterson challenges us with these words "To have meaning is better than to have what you want. Pursue what is meaningful, not what is expedient.” Is he right ? If he is, what is the difference between a life based on meaning and a life based on expediency ? And where is a life of meaning to be found ? Today we dive into this subject and discover that the path to a life of deep meaning and purpose can be found in one of the most unexpected places - the practice of keeping the Sabbath. This thing that sounds so old is actually what can pull me out of my box out into the wide open spaces with God where one pursues the Good, the True, and the Beautiful.
While many of us struggle with arrogance and pride, others struggle with the exact opposite problem – we are our own worse critic. We constantly beat ourselves up with self-incrimination, perfectionism, and unrealistic expectations. We think we are being virtuous and humble by obsessing on our own shortcomings but we are actually sabotaging our own happiness and productivity. If you tend to get down on yourself a lot, this podcast is a must listen.
Do arrogant, opinionated, judgmental people annoy you ? Most of us are far more aware of when other people act that way then we are doing it ourselves. In fact, most of us are blind to this very thing that cripples us spiritually and leads to a miserable life in the long run. Today we look a the third sure fire way to avoid being happy: “Be arrogant, opinionated, and the self-appointed judge of others!” We will learn a three step dance that draws us away from this tendency and towards the Maker of Heaven and Earth.
Some of us are tempted to withdraw from relationships and isolate ourselves from the messiness of people. We are tempted to live like hermit crabs, withdrawing into our own private Idaho – where no one can hurt us. Instead of spending time looking into a good friend’s eyes, we stare into the dark glass of our smart phones. Others are tempted to do the exact opposite – to jump into unhealthy relationships with people who are no good for us. Today we look at the second sure fire way to avoid happiness – settling for loneliness or toxic relationships. We look at practical advise from Jordan Peterson’s “12 rules for life” and then compare that to the ancient wisdom of the scriptures. We study three different stances we take that cause us to sabotage our own happiness instead engaging in the rich personal relationships God intended for us. We flesh out rule #2 for living life well: “Don’t be the hermit crab, make friends with people who want the best for you and those who will draw you closer to God.”
How often do we end up sabotaging our own happiness ? Today we begin a sermon series on “9 Sure Fire Ways To Avoid Being Happy” which looks at the ways we bring misery upon ourselves and compares them to 9 biblical truths for living life well. We draw from the practical of wisdom of Jordan Peterson’s book “12 Rules for Life” and then we go beyond it to the revelation of Jesus Christ. Today we look at Peterson advice to “Stand up straight with your shoulders back.”
Who wants to hear warnnings ? Who wants to hear bad news ? No one. But what if the only way to get to the good news is to face the bad news ? The entire book of Zephaniah is a warning - crying out to people to turn from the way they are going and turn to God. In the midst of this dire warrning comes one of the most hopeful, inspiring, joy producing verses in the entire bible: Zephaniah 3:17. Join us as we study the sweep of the book of Zephaniah in order to grasp what this famous verse actually means.
How do deep personal worship, pomegranates, economic systems, worry, and what I ate for breakfast this morning go together ? Today we look at what appears to be a simple phrase in the Lord’s Prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread.” It turns out that with this phrase Jesus gives us a crib sheet where every word opens up for us crucial biblical truths for how to live life well in the middle of broken lives in a broken world. Join us as we jump into his teaching and discover both the joy and the responsibility of being creatures in time.
What is the Kingdom of God ? Is it here now, or is it something that comes at the end of the World ? If its here now, how come so many things are still so messed up ? If it’s real, how come we can’t see it ? While there are a lot of serious issues when it comes to the need for justice and righteousness in this world, why is it that one of the primary images Jesus uses again and again for the kingdom of God… is a joyful party ?! Join us today as we dig into this powerful teaching of Jesus when he prays “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven…”
There is a crucial tension between the two phrases “Our Father” and “Holy is your name.” Jesus uses the first two lines of The Lord’s Prayer to help us see the true beautiful nature of the God who is. Join us today as we discover how we declare the name of God with every breath we take. And when we do, we find that we are ready to leave the town we have been living in for far too long – the town known as “WhatEver-ville.”
We often say familiarity breeds contempt. It certainly tends to breed indifference and a sort of blindness. Consider a the beauty and power of the Colorado river pouring through the Grand Canyon. If you saw it every day of your life, it would become familiar. Over time you might take it for granted, begin to become indifferent to its beauty and dangerous power. The same can be said of the Lord’s Prayer. Many people grew up saying it repetitively in church services. For some it is so familiar we can just go through the motions of saying it. But when accessed correctly, the Lord’s prayer opens us up to the beauty and the power (and the danger) of living life everyday with God. Today we begin a 9 week series on “Living the Lord’s Prayer” Join us for the journey!
What happens after we die ? Is that just the end, or is there an after life ? Are Heaven and Hell myths or reality ? If they are real, how could an all loving, all powerful God allow anyone to be in Hell ? What we believe about eternity will drive the priorities and stance we take towards our lives here and now. Today we jump into difficult waters and try to get some grasp of eternity. We draw from multiple scriptures and the picture painted in C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce (in chapters 9, 13 and 14) to try to understand what awaits us on the other side of death.
Do we have control over our fate ? If God is completely in control and has already decided how everything is going to work out, do we really have choice, do we really have free will ? Do we make choices, or do our choices make us, or does God make both, or all of the above ? These are not idle, speculative questions. How we answer them, what we really believe, will effect how we live our lives, it will have a profound impact on our futures and who we become. Join us as we delve into the deep waters of Free will, predestination, and the beautiful revelation of scripture of the God who loves us!
What will be your legacy ? We only get one shot at this life, and when your is done, what do you hope people will say about you and how you lived ? Today we look at two very different people who ended up with two very different legacies. We join C.S. Lewis as he encounters the Dwarf and Sarah Smith. And we turn to the book of Colossians Chapter 1 to find the kind of life that leaves an eternal legacy.
Why do smart people do stupid things ? Why are we constantly shooting ourselves in the foot ? Why are bad habits so hard to break ? Why do some people get better and better at their craft while others get worse and worse ? In one of the most vivid scenes in the book ‘The Great Divorce’ C.S. Lewis shows us the radical difference between the lives of those who rule their desires and the lives of those whose desires rule them. And just to be total nerds, we connect this story to recent discoveries in brain science! It turns out that modern research confirms that the ancient wisdom of the scriptures is not only true, it actually works! Join us as we come to the place where we are willing to confront The Red Lizard.
What’s the difference between wanting the best for someone and being a control freak ? What do truly healthy relationships look like ? Do you have a relationship right now that you would like to improve ? Today we look at two examples of really bad relationships to help us see more clearly what good relationships can be like. We start with a hilarious video from Tory Kinne for one extreme and then a character in C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce for the other. We then look at practical advise from the scriptures that can help us create relationships that age well – that get better with time! While we focus on romantic relationships this morning, most of these principles can be applied to any relationship in your life. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqQgDwA0BNU for the Tory Kinne video The Notes Sheet for this sermon is available as a PDF above.
We often tell ourselves “I need to get more organized!” It might be true, but perhaps the more important question is this – what is my life organized around ? What organizes me ? Today we look at three people who organized their lives around very different things and how those choices changed their destiny. We look at the Grumbling Woman and the Artist that C.S. Lewis depicts in the Great Divorce, and we compare them to the Psalmist who wrote Psalm 131. Come join us for a fun but convicting look at how NOT to live your life!
When you think about it, few things paralyze, cripple, and stunt a person’s soul more than… shame. Today we join C.S. Lewis as he shows us “The Embarrassed Woman” so we can understand how to pride, guilt, and shame go together. There is a huge difference between healthy guilt and debilitating shame. It is the difference between the road to hope and the road to despair. This is a challenging podcast, but what we can discover on the other side of shame is is a way of living where we never have to listen to shame again !
Do I lean towards Optimism, Do I lean towards Pessimism, Or do I lean on Jesus? Today we discover that two very common sense approaches to life actually keep us from seeing the Kingdom of God. We take a look at two characters in the Great Divorce, Ikey the Business Man and the Hard-bitten man in order to avoid two dead-end streets. We end with the incredible words of Isaiah 61:10 which show us the way to live which is life indeed!
How do you know if a spiritual leader is leading you closer to God or farther away ? Today we come to the story of the Bishop in C.S. Lewis’s The Great Divorce. We begin with a dramatic reading from the book. Join us as we dig in to 1 Timothy 3:1-17 to learn not only what a false teacher looks like but also what a great spiritual leader looks like.
Have you ever met people who have a litany ? A litany of all the reasons why they are OK and why all their problems are somebody else’s fault ? It’s not just other people – all of us are tempted to be full of excuses, finding ways to tell ourselves that we are right, that we are righteous. This tendency cuts us off from the very life of freedom and grace that God wants for us. Join us today as we meet the person C.S. Lewis calls “The Big Man” who was full of excuses and out of grace. And we discover that there is a way to live out of excuses and into grace!
Are you facing any choices in your life right now ? Have you noticed recurring streams of thought – on going conversations you have with yourself about yourself or about others that you know are no good ? Today we begin our sermon series on the Great Divorce when C.S. Lewis comes on stage and shares with us a piece from his Introduction. Lewis shows us how our choices and streams of thought are connected. We look at Proverbs 16 and Romans 13:12-14 to understand Lewis’ premise – streams of thought lead to streams of choices which shape who we become and where we end up. For more resources see http://levpres.org/the-great-divorce/
The New Year can be a great time to think about where we are, where we want to be, and most importantly, who we want to be in the year ahead. Erwin McManus’s new book, The Last Arrow, is a challenge to live life well and live life large – to the glory of God. Join us as we take a look at what it means to be willing to step out into your future with God.
If the Holy Spirit of the living God were to come to you (in the middle of everything you are facing in your life right now), and ask you a question… what would it be ? Stop and think about it for a moment. Is God asking you a question right now ?
Today we look at the stories of Elizabeth and Simeon – two ordinary people who were able to recognize the presence of the Messiah. It was the Holy Spirit of God within them that allowed them to perceive his presence beneath the surface of things. The same can be true for you!
It is one thing to read an old book and there find sayings from a long dead author that you find very meaningful. It is quite another thing to believe that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, God speaks in the present tense to you through the ancient words of scripture. Does this actually happen ? Is it bad theology to think it does ? Were the first Christians right in believing that the Old Testament contains prophesies that predicted the coming of the Messiah, and further, that there were so many pointing to Jesus that it would be almost impossible to fake it ? Join us today as we jump into the deep end and examine how the Holy Spirit makes “the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
What if our natural curiosity, our desire to know the truth about Science, Nature, Philosophy, Art … is a gift from God, meant to lead us to the source of all those things – The maker of Heaven and Earth. The Advent Story reveals that the Holy Spirit of God is at work in those far away and far from God, in ways we can’t begin to understand. Join us as we find the very Jewish gospel of Matthew telling us how pagan astrologers from Babylon ended up perceiving what all kinds of “religious” people failed to see.
Thanksgiving – or the practice of giving thanks – turns out to be far more essential for our happiness than we realize. It also forms the foundation of the life of faith. And the book of James builds upon that foundation of faith and asks “OK, if I really have placed my faith in Jesus, then how should I live ?” This Thanksgiving weekend, we go back to the basics of the gospel then discover that James builds a three legged stool for the life of faith upon it. He gives us three practices for how to live here and now in this world while connected to God and eternity at the same time.
On the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, it turns out that the truth Martin Luther re-discovered is exactly what we need in our own lives today. Join us as we dig into the book of James and the teaching of Paul and discover that rather than contradicting each other, James and Paul warn us of two different ways to live our lives in a a Cul de Sac and thus reveal to us the narrow way to freedom, truth and satiety found in Jesus!
This morning we start with two questions:
1 -What is the bible really?
2 Could a simple image from a comic book from the 1930’s change the way you see the world ?
This morning we look at the scriptures the way James saw them so we can understand why he calls them a mirror. It turns out that the bible acts like a mirror in three ways – it collects and reflects God’s message so that we can see it, it gives us a clear reflection of our sin, and it also reflects who we are in Christ. Many of us struggle to be able to see that third reflection – a portrait of who we are and who we are becoming. But once you do, it changes everything. Join us for this, our second podcast as we work through the Book of James.
In Tolkein’s “The Lord of the Rings”, a band of friends sets out together, and encourage each other towards virtue and courage. In the same way, real Christianity could be called “The Fellowship of the King“, because we too are called to encourage each other towards virtue and courage – for we have been adopted into the the household of the one true King. And we have been sent out to be about His business.
The book of James was written for those willing to take such a journey. It is one of the most practical and challenging books of the New Testament. This Fall, join us on an immersive eight week adventure through the Book of James. We will find that he calls upon us to Seize the Day – to live it with fierce joy for God.
In the last of our Vital Signs series, we ask how am I doing Spiritually really ? We look at four gauges from Acts, and three messages we need to hear from God. But first we learn why our Pastor cut the tip off his finger last week.
How is your relationship with money -really ? It turns out that the bible has a lot to say about the impact our finances have on our spiritual life. The very practical self-evaluation you can do with this podcast will help you treat money the way that God intended, and that leads to both freedom and generosity.
When asked why they waited too long before they went to see a doctor, most people replied “Because I didn’t want to hear bad news.” We can’t get better if we are not willing to face reality, to look at what our vital signs tell us versus what we want to believe is true. Today we take a hard honest look at our relational health, and measure ourselves against scripture.
The Fall Season is stretching out in front of us, waiting to see what we will do. Do you have a sense that it is time to make some changes in the way you do life ? Are there some habits that you would like to change ? Who are you supposed to be and what is God calling you to ? Could you use a spiritual re-boot ?
Join us for a fascinating and challenging podcast on an exercise which has been misunderstood and abused, but which when used correctly can help you open yourself up to all that God is calling you to this Fall.
See http://levpres.org/jabez-a-fierce-daily-prayer/ for more resources
Ever look out at life, and everywhere you look you see problems? It is fair to ask in such moments – “Where is God in the midst of all this ?” Today we look at fascinating verse in John chapter 10 that is often overlooked and yet yeilds a clue and a promise for a way to see life that is honest, true, but also incredibility empowering and assuring. Join us for this podcast as Pastor Langdon gives us an empowering way to see and act in this unpredictable, problem-strewn thing we call life. Meditate on the image for this podcast before listening. All scriptures referenced are included in the notes. You can buy Sam Phillip's song "A River of Love" at https://music.apple.com/us/artist/leslie-phillips/1165898071
We have been brought up to be very suspicious of words like Dogma, Doctrine, and Orthodoxy. Many of us have an emotional reaction to those words - they sound rigid, unthinking, prejudice, old fashioned, the kinds of words that people with closed minds hold on to. And when these words are abused they can function that way. But it turns out that real orthodoxy can serve as a map that leads me out of the cramped universe I constructed for myself into the wide open spaces with Jesus where living water is found. Today we take an intense dive into the philosophical waters of our day in order to discover that what we need now more than ever is the Spring House of Orthodoxy.
Do you ever struggle with depression or doubt ?
Rollo May defined depression as the inability to construct a future.
Our pastor recently had an encounter with the Lord where God used the psalms to paint a picture of the true future given to all those who love God. These scriptures (Psalm 128:1-2 and Psalm 37:3-4) reveal afresh Jesus as the fount of every blessing, and give us some very practical guidelines for how to walk with him. We have developed a spiritual discipline from this sermon that you can use in your personal devotions and worship. It is found at www.levpres.org/fount.
Are the sexual morals of the bible outdated ? Or are they the very foundation that modern people can use to build a beautiful life ? Did Jesus really talk about sex ? What are we to make of it all? Join us as we jump into the deep waters of the seventh of the Ten Commandments: You shall not commit Adultery.
NOTE: This sermon was highly visual, so an audio-only version loses a lot. Here are two resources that were used in this sermon:
The sermon begins with https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QASREBVDsLk The song by Casting Crowns can be bought here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/slow-fade/id262038605?i=262038748 Near the end Pastor Langdon talks about a video of wolves in Yellow Stone Park. You can watch it here: https://www.facebook.com/newsnercom/videos/810945719072741/
Did you ever look at some aspect of your life and think “This is a mess – how did it ever come to this ?” Did you ever wish you could start all over, clean everything off the table and begin again? But if you did wipe the table clean, if you did get a fresh start, what would be the first thing to put on that empty table ? Today we look at the first of the Ten Commandments and it turns out it is number one for a reason.
The New Testament basically says "Because the resurrection actually happened..., you should live this way..." Well, how should we live ? Where is the good life found ? Where can we find human flourishing ? What if the science of psychology is just now catching up with the revelation of God's word spoken 2000 years ago ? What if the supernatural miracle of Easter claimed by Christians actually creates a practical, real world solution for our lives here today?
The writer of the letter of Hebrews has no small goal – he wants to help us understand the architecture of reality! He want to help us take a look under the hood of what we can sense to show us how things that happen in the physical world are connected to what happens in the heavenly realms. It is deep stuff, but to the degree that we can glimpse the image he is painting, we will understand why people drop to their knees in worship and awe at how amazing God is. There is a wild connection between what happens in Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday and the theological claims of Hebrews Chapter 9. Join us on this wild adventure to understand what he meant when he said “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation…”
Chapters 10 & 11 of the Book of Hebrews are filled with so many wonderful verses and insights that it is hard to know where to begin. This morning we focused on one main question from these two chapters : what exactly, does the word “Faith” really mean ? It is used to mean so many different things in our culture that we can miss out on what the bible is actually telling us if we have a faulty understanding of this simple word. What does it mean to have biblical faith, and how do you know if you have it yourself ? Join us as we take a strange journey across America and discover faith in the process.
Hebrews Chapter 8 uses some difficult language comparing the old covenant of the law with the new covenant Jesus brings. We look at a crazy home improvement project to understand the difference. Each of us has a default contract with life. Jesus stands at our door offering a totally different contract, a totally different way to see and justify ourselves. Join us as we hear his challenge.
In Hebrews Chapter 7 we encounter the mysterious priest Melchizedek who appears out of nowhere. The story, history, and geography are fascinating, but wilder still is how this ancient priest helps us understand who and what Jesus is. Our nerd quota is complete as Pastor Palmer uses old school tractor feed printer paper to help us understand how we who are bound within time experience the One who was, and is, and shall be.
Chapter 6 of Hebrews gives us an incredible insight into the very architecture of reality. Today we look the experiences of rock climbing and sailing as a ways to understand the profound truths this chapter reveals, and why we can have hope in a broken world full of broken dreams.
What is the bible really ? Is it something supernatural, or did a bunch of guys just make it up? Why try to apply something so old to today's culture ? Can hurried, scattered people like us actually experience true peace and rest in a hurried, scattered culture like ours ? I let people see my "presentable self", the part I want them to see. But how do I deal with my "dreaded self" - those parts of me that make me feel like a defective loser ? Chapter 4 of Hebrews helps us with all these questions as it reveals to us "The Sabbath, The Sword, and The Savior."
We are constantly tempted to turn away from the very two people that the scriptures constantly urge us to turn towards - Jesus and our needy neighbors. It can get weary following Jesus when most of your culture looks at the effort as a sign of foolishness. Back in the 1800's Nietzsche said "What is now decisive against Christianity is our taste, no longer our reason." Like a great coach, the author of Hebrews takes us on a race away from Nietzsche and towards the Author of salvation.
What if you had a spiritual coach who wasn't afraid to get in your face if he knew that was what was best for you ? The writer of Hebrews is such a coach and today he gives us his first warning - there is real danger in drifting away from the gospel. A clear sign of human sinfulness is the fact that for all us us, familiarity breeds contempt. We can be so familiar with the Good News that we begin to take it for granted, and then we become passive, and then we become ungrateful, and then we drift with the currents of life away from our Savior. Today we look at the sound teaching of Chapter Two which ends with great hope as we are giving a picture of how intensely Jesus desires to be with us.
JourneyThroughTheBookOfHebrews
What if we discovered an ancient manuscript that showed not only what the first Christians really thought Jesus was all about, but also gave us a glimpse into Heaven. We have. It is called the Book of Hebrews. Join us on this journey as we go chapter by chapter ending on Easter Sunday.
Our last FRED Talk deals with the hardest question of all: If God is all powerful and all loving, how could God possibly allow the horrible things that happen in this world ? Why doesn’t God stop them ? This talk looks at the various ways people have tried to understand this dilemma and comes to a conclusion that is brutally honest and realistic yet still full of real hope that comes from the Maker of Heaven and Earth.
NOTE: The video we watched can be found here: http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/22/world/kim-phuc-where-is-she-now/
Is Religion what we need, or what we need to get rid of ? When people say “Religion is the reason we have wars and hatred and intolerance…” – are they right ? Does Religion set people free or does it oppress them ? Does religion cause human flourishing or stunt it ? As a Christian was does it mean to work for the common good and the flourishing of the city ? Today we look at these questions, a definition of Wisdom, and world history to come to an understanding of the relationship between Christianity and Culture.
If you want to hear some grumpy people, just go to a web site where they are debating Creation versus Evolution. The one side asks “How can you believe in the primitive myths of Religion when Science can show you what is actually true about the world ?” The other side asks “How can you be so blind and arrogant that you cannot recognize that this creation proves there is a creator ?” Who is right ? Is it rational and logical to be fully devoted to Science and fully devoted to God at the same time? In this talk, Pastor Langdon Palmer goes to some pretty strange sources including Snow White, Donkey Kong, Despair.com, and the source of all inspiration – the shower. But we think you will find a fresh new way to understand the roles of faith and science which will free you to pursue both with passion and joy.
There are two ways to ask that question - 1. You can be married to someone and wonder 'is this as good as it gets ?' or 2. You can wonder if Marriage is really the ultimate in relationships - the ideal we are all called to, God's best.
Today we laugh and we cry as we take a look at a biblical understanding of both singleness and marriage and present some practical tools that can help couples love each other better.
We are sometimes tempted to look at other families who appear to have their act together and think - "Why can't my family be like that ?" Family Dynamics can feel as complicated than a Nuclear Reactor, and sometimes it is just not clear what we should do. Today we look at practical tips for raising babies, teenagers, and the challenges of caring for elderly parents in honoring ways. It turns out that the family unit is not one more possible group of people, but rather a gift that God intended for your blessing. But in a broken world, families get broken too. Today we get wisdom from God's word and are reminded that no matter how broken our biological family may be, we can be members of the family of God.
All of us want great friends, but as Emerson said, “If you want a good friend, be a good friend.” How do we do that ? And how do we know when friends are doing us more harm than good ? What does it mean to have healthy friendships that last ? We look at wisdom from the book of Proverbs and the ideas of Martin Buber to help us see other people as co-mysteries created in the image of God – rather than as a means to an ends.
What should you do when people drive you crazy ? What is the right way to deal with difficult people ? How do you dance with a porcupine ? Today we look at a practical set of exercises that can really help you deal with difficult people in a godly way. We study several images that can help us in the heat of an argument, and we turn to Ephesians 4 for a vision of who we are called to be in tough times. See the hand out for this sermon at What should you do when people drive you crazy ? What is the right way to deal with difficult people ? How do you dance with a porcupine ? Today we look at a practical set of exercises that can really help you deal with difficult people in a godly way. We study several images that can help us in the heat of an argument, and we turn to Ephesians 4 for a vision of who we are called to be in tough times. See the hand out for this sermon at http://levpres.org/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Leverington-Handout.pdf
The first step to being able to improve any relationship is understanding the difference between Stimulus and Response. Do we have the ability to choose better ways of doing relationships ? Are we merely animals that respond to stimulus ? It turns out that we are, but we are also something much more - created in the image of God. Join us as we wrestle with the first foundation for great realationships. See the handout for this sermon at: http://levpres.org/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Covey-article.pdf
Psalm 90 is the first of our "Living in the 90's" summer podcasts. Here is an intimate prayer whose gaze spans from the eternal glory of God to the fleeting frailty of a human life. Psalm 90 does a great job of re-booting our priorities and calling us to live afresh, to live now, to experience what it is like to have God as your home in the midst of barren and broken landscape.
Ever had a neighbor that drove you absolutely nuts ? It is said that there are two kinds of people in the world - our friends and our teachers. Believe it or not, that crazy neighbor can help teach you an important lesson about the book of Galatians! In Galatians, Paul contrasts two very different lists - a list of the acts of our sinful nature and a list of the fruit that the Spirit of God produces in us. The difference between those two lists is the difference between self-centered misery and self-forgetful joy. Today we focus on the second list, the amazing, beautiful fruits of the Spirit and find out that we can't manufacture them ourselves, but we can be the farmers that till the soil so they can grow.
A black hole looks so much like nothing - it is so dense that even light can't escape its gravity - so when you look at it you see... nothing. Sin is a lot like a black hole - it doesn't look like much, but the further you go in, the harder it is to get out. Today Paul covers a list of sins - sins that a lot of us don't want to talk about, sins that frankly some of us don't think are all that bad. We don't see why they are even called sins in the New Testament. But what if we don't see them because they are like a black hole or a land mine - hidden from our sight, yet deadly. What if it is not so much that the Bible is old fashioned, but rather it is like a pair of x-ray glasses that reveals dangers we just cant see even though they are right in front of us ?
Many of us grew up thinking that a big part of being a Christian was being moral - obeying God's laws and trying to live a good, godly life. Then how can Paul say that living under the law actually leads to bondage and being cut off from God ? ! People have all kinds of theories about human nature and God's will, but most of them simply don't match what we actually see and experience in real life. Today Paul gives us realistic image of human behavior and what true freedom looks like. It turns out that it takes effort to hold on to your freedom and it is easy to drift away from it. We tend to drift away in one of two directions - either towards self-indulgent sins or towards self-righteous rule keeping - both of which end up in bondage. Today we look at one of the most amazing scriptures we have for understanding the promise of the gospel - Galatians 5:1 - "It was for freedom that Christ set you free..." Come join us on a journey that begins with the best cork screw ever invented and ends with a picture of your relationship with God that could change the way you think about the way you do your life.
This podcast gives us both a technical biblical study and an experience of resting in God's presence for our own lives today. Many people struggle with this strange section of Galatians where Paul quotes a section of Genesis that ends with "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son." Doesn't sound exactly loving. What the heck is this all about ? The people Paul was talking too were very proud of their knowledge of the scripture and the fact that they were "Abraham's Sons." Paul effectively says "If you really knew the scriptures, you would know that Abraham had two sons - and they ended up in two very different places. Which son are you... really ?"
If someone could you tell you a truth that was hard to hear, but it would help you grow into the person you are called to be - would you want to hear it ? We all have blind spots - character faults and lousy personality traits that stunt us and cripple us, and make us petty, small people. Today Paul challenges the Galatians with the question "Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?” We take a practical look at very practical step you can take to grow into the image of Christ.
Today we look at a very famous scripture where Paul says “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” What does that really mean ? Is it a political statement ? Does it mean there are no real differences between us ? In our polarized cultural moment, is there hope to be found here ? We believe this amazing piece of scripture when understood in context holds both a great challenge and a great promise. Or as our longest sermon title ever puts it: ""That condescending sense of superiority - dies right here... and The joy-full gift of freedom and honor – is born right here.”
Where is the good life found? For some people it is in being able to say "I lived by my principles, my code of ethics." For others it is in being able to say "I grabbed as much as I could and experienced most of what this life offers." In Galatians, Paul offers a third way. But it is a subtle path that easily gets overgrown with the weeds of simplistic thinking and therefore missed. In the complicated scripture we look at today, Paul makes a number of different arguments to explain the relationship of the law to the gospel. This is not easy stuff - it requires careful thinking. But we are not interested in Hallmark Card Christianity, short simple pithy statements. We want the real thing. Join us as we go through Paul's argument step by step and end up at the other end with an image that can permanently help us understand the relationship between the free gift of the gospel and the covenant of right behavior that the ten commandments call us to.
In Galatians 3:1-14, Paul uses a lot of very complicated arguements quoting from a wide range of Old Testament scriptures. What does it all mean ? He talks about faith, but what does it mean to have faith ? What does it mean to believe ? How would you know if you had enough faith or if you were a real believer ? To go a step further, how does trusting in God connect to Human innovation, reason, and science ? How do faith and human initiative go together ? How do belief and science go together ? Today we take a fun walk through the science fiction thriller "The Martian" and find an incredibly helpful way to understand the story of Abraham and the story of our own lives as Human Beings who are called both to strive with passion for knowledge and survival - and to have deep faith in the promises of God - all at the same time.
What do you think of the "COEXIST" bumper sticker seen in the image for this podcast ? There is one way to see it that is exactly what we need in this cultural moment, and there is another way to see it that is exactly the problem of this cultural moment. In our scripture for this morning Paul is about to say some pretty exclusive and politically incorrect things. If we are going to really understand what he is trying to say, we are first going to have to come to grips with how we should think about the word "Tolerance."
As we prepare to jump into a verse by verse study of the book of Galatians, we pause to ask a fundamental question - How do we know there really was a Paul or that he actually wrote this letter ? Even if he did, what we have today is a copy of a copy of a copy. How can we have any confidence that the version of the bible we have today has anything to do with the original version ? We take a serious look at these questions and then jump into the hope of Galatians!
It turns out there are basically two ways to look at the world - the way of Politics and the Way of Easter. Materialists, like atheists and communists are those who say we live in a closed system - there is just matter, just stuff and that is it. There is no God, no supernatural, no spiritual realm - just the physical stuff that science can tell us about, and therefore people are nothing more than stuff too. In a world like that, politics is all you've got to try to make a better world. On the other hand, Christians believe we live in an open system - there is more going on here than can be measured with instruments. This physical world is not all there is. The world of science and politics and stuff is very real, but only a part of reality. What happened on the first Easter ? Was it just one more political event ? Or was it a singularity in human history, when the Maker of Heaven and Earth broke into the world of politics and made a way where there was no way - when he revealed once and for all that there is far more to life than we have been thinking ? Join us for this Easter sermon where we first have some fun with the current election year politics and then turn to the deep and beautiful truth of the Resurrection.
Some parts of the bible make sex sound amazing and joyful, other parts give warnings and set boundaries. Why? What's wrong with a little lust - what's wrong with looking as long as you don't touch ? Isn't sex the spice of life ? Aren't Christians overly uptight about Sex anyway ? By way of "The Church Lady", Burkas, and Cosmopolitan Magazine, we take an honest look at the last of the Deadly Sins, the one no one wants to talk about: Lust.
New scientific research is revealing that pornography use works like a drug on the brain- actually changing the brain physically, and setting us up for miserable, lonely, unfulfilling sex lives. If you struggle in this area, there is hope for you - things you can do to make a real change. And best of all, we worship the God of second chances, the God who created sex to be rich, sensual, delicious and the celebration feast of true love.
Is it wrong to want more money? How much food is too much ? Can you be skinny and eat tiny healthy meals and still be a glutton ? Can a child playing with dolls be more greedy than a Wall Street fat cat ? What are gluttony and greed and where do they come from? More importantly, how do I say no when they come knocking at my door? Join us as we face these two G's of the seven deadly vices with wisdom from the word of God.
What do I do with this Anger? Many folks struggle with anger, and many Christians don't know what to do about it. Is it OK to be angry? If so, when? When does Anger turn evil? How can I handle it ? We look at Jesus and the wisdom of scripture and discover what it really means to Rage Against The Machine.
Do you have people in your life that no matter the topic of conversation, they are always able to turn it around to themselves, making themselves the center of attention ? Vainglory is an old fashioned word - but it means empty glory - the desperate seeking after attention. It is about life where image is everything, where "it's all about you." In a cultural moment filled with Selfies, we may be the most vulnerable generation yet to the insidious ways this sin shrinks and distorts our souls. And like all the other seven deadly sins, Vainglory is much easier to see in other people than to recognize in our ourselves. Today we take a funny but haunting look at this vice - how to see it and how to deal with it. Sermon notes and quotes are available.
If you want to make sure you have a miserable life, pursue one or more of the Seven deadly sins. Each promises us happiness as it drives us further and further away from real happiness. The first of these deadly habits of thought is ENVY. Have you ever looked at someone else and compared their situation to yours and secretly thought "I wish our situations were reversed..." In other words have you ever found yourself getting bitter when others get it better ? These are hints that Envy is crouching at your door. Today we look at two people Antonio Salieri from the movie Amadeus and Cain from the book of Genesis to help us see the root of Envy in our own lives. We conclude with practical steps you can take against the rule of Envy in your life. Sermon notes and quotes are available.
How should I live my life in this New Year ? Can I actually make a difference in this world ? What should I do when I am feeling tired and beaten down - and my perfect plans don't look so perfect any more ? The biblical books of Ecclesiastes and Colossians both tell us "Whatever you hand finds to do - do it with all your might..." - but they give very different reasons for why we ought to live this way. One gives us realistic wisdom and the other supernatural revelation. Join us for this encouraging podcast as we explore how realistic wisdom and supernatural revelation can go together to give us hope and empowerment for the New Year!
In the past month there have been political decisions made about abortion, health care, and gay marriage. Meanwhile a white man just murdered nine black brothers and sisters in their church, raising again the issues of racism and gun rights. What stance should a Christian who is trying to follow Jesus take on all these issues ? This morning, we take a fresh look at foundational principles from scripture that can help us begin to think about these things. While it is important where we finally end up on all these issue, perhaps it is even more important how we got to the stance we have taken. What does it mean to make Jesus Lord of my politics ?
Do you worship the God who brings wine to the party ? What are we to make of this miracle of the wedding at Cana ? What can it tell us about the nature of God ? Plenty !
"Stairway to Heaven." Some of us recognize that as a song title, but it turns out that our wild scripture for today describes Jesus as the true Stairway to Heaven! It also calls us to "Come and see..." what he is all about.
In the calling of the first disciples we find both natural followers and dramatic conversions. And we are given a pattern for what it means to follow Jesus and to share our faith with others in a natural, winsome way.
Why did Jesus have to die ? Why does the creed say "descended into hell ?" Is it OK for the church to use military metaphors when we talk about what Christ has accomplished ? Today we look into the amazing imagery of the book of Revelation to get a deeper understanding of the meaning of the phrase "He descended to Hell. The third day he rose again..."
What does it really mean when we say that Jesus is the son of God? Why is there such a gap in the Apostles' creed between the birth of Jesus and his death? Doesn't his life matter ? Of course it does, but the creed is focused on the question that comes first while we focus on the question that comes second. All religions have lists of morals and stories about their leaders. The creed is focused on what sets Jesus apart from all other leaders the world has ever known - and that begins with WHO he actually is...
When we hear great news, ever notice how the whole world seems to change ? We look at everything, not just the news, in a different way. What if the most exciting news we could ever hear has been at hand all along, lying in the corner, covered with dust, dismissed by us as unimportant and irrelevant? What if we mistook the Apostles Creed for a somewhat arbitrary bundle of religious doctrines and propositions when in fact, it was the very story of the cosmos... dehydrated ? Join us as we discover the incredible drama going on all around us when we put on the glasses called "The Apostles Creed."
Would the Jesus you know tell a desperate woman who comes to him for help that "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs (i.e. to you)" !??? What is going on in Matthew 15:21-28 ? What do you do when God seems cold ? What do you do when you have prayed your heart out but God remains silent? In this podcast we cover a crucial aspect of Jesus' nature that is often ignored in our generation. In so doing we discover that even Severus Snape can teach us a thing or two about Jesus!
We often think that the stories of the Old Testament are either made up, or that God doesn't work that way anymore. The lives of these ancient heroes of the faith seem so unlike our own lives. But when we take a closer look at the calling of Moses, we find that life pretty much works the same way for him as it does for us. In the classic story of the burning bush we actually find helpful clues to how to hear God's call on our own lives today.
Are you an idealist or a realist ? What if neither quite sees the world for what it actually is ? The book of Hebrews says that the earthly sanctuary and sacrafices of the Old Testament are but a copy of the real thing in heaven. Does that mean that this physical world is just a cheap imitation of the real thing in the spiritual realm? Today we both dig into philosophy and practical insights as we discover the implications for our lives when the bible says Jesus gave his life as a ransom for many...
How do the Old Testament and New Testament go together ? If God knows everything, why didnt he just start with the New Testament ? Did he try something that didnt work and then change his mind ? To look at one of the deepest sections of the book of Hebrews, today Pastor Langdon talks about the adventure of replacing a 30 year old furnace in an old farm house as a way of understanding God's radical plan of redemption.
Some of us want "free range" spirituality others want to stick to rules, traditions, and doing things "the right way"... but left to our own devices all of us end up in the end... kattywampus. This morning we follow the strange logic of the book of Hebrews about a mysterious high priest who shows up out of no where to bring blessing, and we find out that behind the scenes everything is connected, and that God often comes to us out of left field - from the last place we expected.
We all have many hopes for the future, and unfortunately, there is no guarantee that most of them will come true. And yet in the midst of life’s storms and trials there is still one place we can turn to - there is one anchor that will hold in any storm. Join us as we turn to Hebrews Chapter 6 and the real life experiences of others to discover the meaning behind one of the most popular verses in the bible.
Is the glass half empty or is the glass half full? We often talk alot about optimists and pessimists. It turns out they not only see life differently, they do life differently. Find out what a difference it makes, and how following Jesus can actually change the way we look at life and therefore change the way we do life.
This morning we come across some of the most famous verses in the bible such as "The Word of God is alive and active, sharper than a two edged sword." But what does that mean ? How does modern scholarship and honest doubts about the bible go with this claim ? Can they be reconciled ? Today we see there is a way - which is to be true to the bible as it actually is.
Recently in the news was a study that showed that a diverse multi-ethnic research team produced better science than a team from all the same ethnicity. But it turns out that diversity can either bring flourishing and growth or death to science depending on how it is used. The same is true for diversity in the church. Join us as we see how the writer of Hebrews brings us back to those few non-negotiables that make diversity a blessing to the church.
Is marriage as good as it gets ? What about my life as a single ? Looking at the status of my own marriage - is this as good as it gets ? Today we look at a biblical understanding of marriage and some practical steps for both singles and couples to see marriage as God intended it.. Key to understanding this sermon is watching the following video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2bk_9T482g Join us for a fun, sad, passionate look at marriage!
Do the bible and Christianity frown on sexuality ? Are Christians to be uptight about sex ? It turns out that the impression our culture has of what the bible says about sex has very little to do with what the bible actually does say about sex. Join us as we honestly face what it means to be sexual beings who love Jesus. For more resources, go to http://www.southridgeworship.com/relationships.htm
All of us what deep, meaningful, supportive relationships. Today we start with the most basic building block - the first step to building better relationships with co-workers, friends, and family. Do you think you have the ability to have more rewarding friendships ? Join us for this first crucial step of growth. For more resources on this topic, go to http://www.southridgeworship.com/relationships.htm
Why did the ancient church always read scriptures about the judgement at the second coming as a way to prepare for Christmas ?
Why can't I have a simple faith ? Why do I always struggle with doubt ? There are so many scams in the world, how do I know Christianity isn't just another one of them ? It turns out that the one they calling Doubting Thomas is the very one who can show us the way to real faith in the midst of our questions !
What does the crude, irreverent, alienated hero of The Catcher in the Rye possibly have to do with the gospel and the good news of Jesus Christ ? It turns out - quite a lot.
What should we do when we are trying to do the very thing we thinking would give God pleasure and God seems to be giving us a big "No." ? Why does the Old Testament contain such strange stories about such messed up people - stories that never seem to resolve neatly? Are people like David in the bible to be our heroes and role models or for a totally different reason ? We cover a lot of rich ground that brings us right up to the current Left-Right divide in our country as we turn to a key moment in King David's life.
For lyrics, see Notes. For more from Watermark see http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/LangdonPalmer
Is it possible God is knocking at your door? Is it possible to be too religious ? Is it possible to religious but never actually know God ? In our scripture for this morning God reached out to Samuel four times before Samuel finally understood and said "Speak Lord, for your servant listens." Today's sermon offers us a chance to walk the "Roman Road" - a basic explanation of the gospel that can help us come to know the Lord.
What are we to make of the story of the burning bush ? Did it really happen ? Does God still communicate that way? Would the God you say you know act that way today ? In this amazing story we find something that makes us uncomfortable - God does not reach out to Moses through his reason, but rather by his confusion. In the middle of a very ordinary looking world he puts this one small spot that makes no sense, one place in Moses' world that makes no sense. It is in that place that he encounters not the God he wants, but the God who is. .
C.S. Lewis said " I take Psalm 19 to be the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world." When this amazing Psalm becomes our psalm, good things happen. Today we look at what this Psalm means and give you an effective way to memorize the entire thing. In the very act of memorizing it you will be participating in the prayer of it's very last verse: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer."
A 3 minute reflection on why I can't say "I'm not religious..." anymore. Music by Luke Pigott For more resources, go to TheCreedProject.com
A 3 minute reflection on why I can't say "You have to choose between Science and Faith" anymore. Music by Luke Pigott For more resources, go to TheCreedProject.com
A 3 minute reflection on why I can't say "I'm not religious..." anymore. Music by Luke Pigott For more resources, go to TheCreedProject.com
A 3 minute reflection on why I can't say "I don't need doctrine" anymore. Music by Luke Pigott For more resources, go to TheCreedProject.com
When we hear great news, ever notice how the whole world seems to change ? We look at everything, not just the news, in a different way. What if the most exciting news we could ever hear has been at hand all along, lying in the corner, covered with dust, dismissed by us as unimportant and irrelevant? What if we mistook the Apostles Creed for a somewhat arbitrary bundle of religious doctrines and propositions when in fact, it was the very story of the cosmos... dehydrated ? Join us as we discover the incredible drama going on all around us when we put on the glasses called "The Apostles Creed."
Why did Jesus have to die ? Why does the creed say "descened into hell ?" Is it OK for the church to use military metaphors when we talk about what Christ has accomplished ? Today we look into the amazing imagery of the book of Revelation to get a deeper understanding of the meaning of the phrase "He descended to Hell. The third day he rose again..."
What is the church ? How we answer that question will impact many things including how we view ourselves and what we are doing. We look at three images and the amazing teaching of Hebrews 12 and discover the beauty of what the creed means when it says "I believe in the Holy Catholic Church and the Communion of the Saints"
This intense sermon explores the Trinity, the spiritual world, temptation, and how believing in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit both brings you much closer to all the other religions of the world and at the same time sets Christianity completely apart as something different than anything else that has ever been proclaimed in the history of the world. This is a heavy sermon but it covers a lot of ground and gives a great overview of why the Trinity is the central idea of the Christian faith.
What could a fantasy story like Harry Potter have to do with understanding the actual historical event of the first Easter ? There is a reason that we love the stories we do. Today's sermon reaches out to those who love Harry Potter but aren't so sure about church and Christianity to introduce them to the actual King of Everywhere. What if we are living inside a story that actually happened ?
Should we feel happy or sad on Palm Sunday ? Is it the story of how fickle, faithless and fallen human beings are - one minute raising palms in celebration of Jesus and the next minute raising fists crying Crucify Him? Actually it is about a whole lot more, and in it we find the incredible way all of scripture is woven together. There is a promise in it waiting for every person who has ever felt like a hypocrite
With this parable Jesus gives us a chance to look under the hood - to see what the basic stance of our heart is. It turns out that this basic stance affects how we see every other aspect of our lives. He gives us the chance to be out of excuses but in to grace. For images of the sculpture discussed in this podcast go to http://www.southridgeworship.com/parables_of_jesus.htm
Did you ever have a day when you just weren't much of a fan of yourself and you could have used a little comfort and encouragement ? A day when you were depressed over how mediocre you are ? A day when you think you've done everything you are supposed to do and then you show up and they tell you "you're not on the list ?" This morning we look at Jesus' teaching about the man who built the house of his life upon the sand and the man who built the house of his life upon the rock. Comfort is found in strange places...
What does this parable mean? Is Jesus saying that God intends for some people not to ever understand the gospel? Does Jesus talk in parables to the crowds but plainly to his disciples to intentionally keep people out ? What do the four soils mean ? What is the point of this parable that some call the very foundation of the Gospel of Mark. Join us as we explore this masterful parable of Jesus. Yep, the sound you hear towards the end of the podcast is Langdon casting seeds all over the sanctuary !
What should be the goal of my life ? What is the purpose of life ? Some say the pursuit of happiness or pleasure, others say the pursuit of nobility and character. It turns out that the answer is found between the prodigal son and the older son - it is found in Him from whom all blessings flow. Join us as we unpack one of the most famous and familiar parables and discover not only sides to it we never thought about before... we find ourselves and the God who loves us.
When Jesus says the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed - what does he mean ? We look at three kinds of people - the person who plants, the person who watches, and the person who is too busy to notice - as a way of thinking about our own lives. But what is the primary mustard seed that Jesus is talking about ? . It turns out that something as small and apparently inconsequential as one wandering Rabbi 2000 years ago was the beginning of something that would grow so large that at the end of days every knee will bend and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. To see the art work mentioned in this podcast and other resources on the parables of Jesus go to http://www.southridgeworship.com/parables_of_jesus.htm
How do you want to live this year ? What do you want your life to be about ? No matter what the past has held, there is still time to choose a different way today, because this is the day the Lord has made. On this first Sunday of the New Year we begin our sermon series on the Parables of Jesus. Today we look at one that is often overlooked - the story of the two sons who go into the field. When we listen carefully we find our selves inside the story, and find that Jesus is calling us to make a decision - to choose who we will be. To see images of the sculptures used in this sermon and other resources, go to http://www.southridgeworship.com/parables_of_jesus.htm
This sermon is for people who love the show "Big Bang Theory." Do you have to choose between science and faith ? We all have ideas about the way the world is supposed to work, but what do we do when our rules and laws and equations dont match the way the world actually works ? There is a way to understand the relationship between faith and science that makes sense - but you have to be willing to abide a thing called Paradox.
Often the string of stories in the Old Testament like the string of events in our lives don't seem to make much sense. But today we look at the coming of John the Baptist as the messenger who prepares the way for the coming of the messiah. A messenger implies a message - in other words, things we don't already know, but need to hear. A message that comes unexpected out of left field. If God sent you a message today - about things you know nothing about - would you want to hear? Join us as we explore this wonderful combination of the Old Testament prophesy of Malachi with the wonderful prayer of Zachariah as he looks at his baby son John and it is revealed to him by the Holy Spirit who his son will become.
In many Sci Fi stories there is some ancient relic that has been passed down from generation to generation - but nobody really knows what it's for any more. Then comes the moment when the hero realizes it's not some useless artifact from the past but the very key that can change everything in the present. We look at the story of the City of Ember as way of understanding just how crucial the Lord's Prayer can be. It turns out that this prayer that is so often said by rote and without thought can actually act as a key into life in the Kingdom of God.
Ever notice how self conscious you can feel in public? We all want to look good to others. Sometimes we waste a lot of energy worrying about what others think of us. But what happens when we start intentionally trying to draw attention to ourselves? More than we think. This week Jesus both talks about the three crucial spiritual practices of - Giving, Praying, & Fasting - AND - shows us how these beautiful things can become ugly if done for the wrong motives. Join us as we explore the world of telling stories and discover we have the chance to live within the greatest story ever told. When we live inside that story we don’t have to spend so much energy worrying about how we are coming across to others.
Some parts of the bible make sex sound amazing and joyful, other parts give warnings and set boundaries. Why? And what is the Christian view of Divorce ? By way of Farming, Burkas, Cosmopolitan Magazine, and Monty Python we get to the beautifully balanced teaching of Jesus on these tough, important topics.
Some of us really struggle with conflict and our anger. Others of us think we don't have an anger problem but anger has many faces including Grumbling, Sarcasm, Cynicism, Moodiness, Withdrawing, Playing the Victim, Depression, and Contempt. Jesus teaches us how to live in a world full of anger.
In this crazy world filled with so many opinions and choices, where is the path to the good life found? What's more important - what we believe or what we do ? Could it be that most of us get this question wrong? When Jesus said "Don't think I have come to get rid of the Old Testament law but to fullfill it" what did he mean? Are Christians supposed to obey the Old Testament laws today ? Is Christianity about doing the right things or about God's love, mercy and grace ? How do those two things go together ? Jesus shows us in the Sermon on the Mount.
One bible scholar has called the Beatitudes the best known and the least understood of all of Jesus' teachings. What are they really about ? What does Jesus mean when he says Blessed are the Poor, or Blessed are those who mourn? Today we look in depth at the Beatitudes and find they are giving us a summary of both the Christian life and the promises of God.
Sometimes when we hear too many details, our minds go numb, and we miss the big picture of the forrest because of the clutter of the trees. In our scripture for this morning, Paul sweeps away all the clutter, all the secondary concerns and lays out the gospel and the Christian life in a clear and challenging way. It turns out there is one word we need to get deep down in our bones if we are to live the Christian life - there is one word we need to understand - and it is the word RECONCILE.
There are ideas that empower us and draw us closer to God, and there are ideas that undermine us and paralyze us, leaving us defeated. We look at an episode in The Hobbit, where a small, uncertain, very ordinary person who felt trapped and lost, learned how to act when faced with powers that seemed overwhelming. We discover in 2 Corinthians four smooth stones that can help us when destructive ideas come knocking.
Why do Christians act so weird ? It has to do with seeing the world differently. But is this view accurate? What does it mean to walk by faith and not by sight? Is Christianity 'blind faith' ? Do you have to turn off your brain to be faithful ? We get a beautiful image of what the Christian life actually is from one of the most beautiful places on earth - the Grand Canyon. To see the image that this sermon is built around, go to http://www.southridgeworship.com/2_corinthians.htm
What is the key to a life well led ? Is the good life based on what we do or fail to do? What is the relationship between the Old Testament law and the Grace and Freedom found in Jesus ? How can we experience for ourselves the presense of God? All these important questions are tied up with the section of scripture we study today. And it turns out that the Old Testament law is alot like the nail gun being you will hear being used during this sermon !
Is holding on to dogma as bad as people in our culture think it is? How about the dogma that declares that God loves us so much that he wants to give us eternal life? What does the wilderness portage of a canoe from one lake to another have to do with eternal life? In this last sermon on the Nicene Creed, we look both at a summary of the creed as a whole, and the particular meaning of it's last phrase: "We look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting" In our modern scientific age is it really reasonable to believe in a literal resurrection of the body - a real new physical body at the end of days? It turns out that it is! For images and other resources on the creed go to http://www.southridgeworship.com/nicene_creed.htm
Ever try some new experience and look at everyone else and wonder - am I doing this right ? Is what I am feeling what I am supposed to be feeling when I do this? How do you know that you are really a Christian? How do you know that what you are experiencing is what other people experience as the life of faith? How do you know if you are doing it right or if you are missing something? It turns out that baptisim gives us a window into the entire Christian thing. But what is baptisim ? What does it do? We look at the whole sweep of scripture through three verses and three movements: The Promise, The Preparation, and The Power - to discover the meaning of baptisim and how to know if you are experiencing what people mean when they talk of being born again.
If the kingdom of the Son of God is real and shall have no end, why does it seem like our culture is falling apart ? Why are we falling apart ? In the year 410 the Christian thinker Augustine was struggling with the same questions - he came up with profound answers and he began by asking one of the most basic questions - 'How can I be happy?'
Does the church every drive you nuts ? Do you ever look around in church and think this doesnt look much like the church I see described in the New Testament? Today we dig into the fours signs of a healthy church - that it is one, holy, catholic and apotstolic.
What is a two bit political hack named Pontius Pilate doing in the middle of Christianity's most holy creed? How can we believe in God in a world full of suffering? What did Jesus achieve on the cross? Who should you vote for in the next presidential election ? All this and more is covered in our sermon for this week!
If Jesus was born on the first Christmas, but the Son of God existed before all worlds, where was he before the first Christmas? Today we explore one of the most challenging and amazing aspects of the Christian faith - the implications of Jesus being fully God and fully human. We take a quick look into Einstein and relativity as way to look at the relationality of the triune God.
Every word of the first phrase of the Nicene Creed was carefully chosen and is packed with scripture, history, and meaning. Is it obvious that this phrase touches on why we still need the Old Testament, Discuses how God can be all powerful and all loving yet there is evil in the world,the use of male pronouns in scripture, or the use of bumper rails when you go bowling? Come join as we explore the first hallway of the Nicene Creed. The recording begins halfway through the reading of Acts 17:16-34
A song written and recorded within our church community that talks about what we believe the church should be about. For lyrics goto http://www.southridgeworship.com/credo_lyrics.htm
What should your church be all about ? What are the signs of a healthy vibrant church that is headed in the right direction? We talk about six distinctives of a great church and discover that the first one - a commitment to the basic gospel as found in the Nicene Creed is the foundation upon which the other five are built. Today we begin our series on the Nicene Creed by asking first "What do we believe the church should be" and then focusing on the first two words of the Nicene Creed "We believe". This podcast includes a song written in our church community which captures our mission - the six essentials we are trying to embrace. To see lyrics for the song "Credo" go to http://www.southridgeworship.com/credo_lyrics.htm
What happens when a commuter train filled with 1000 peoples travels down the tracks 600 miles in the wrong direction?
Is being lazy really that bad ? After all, isnt busy uptight people who cause all the wars ? Why would the ancient church consider Sloth a deadly sin? It turns out their understanding runs much deeper than ours and is brutally conviciting. On this Palm Sunday we turn to C.S. Lewis' Screwtape letters to get a perfect picture of the habit of sloth, and to Jesus in the gospel of John to see it's opposite: Diligent Love. For more information about the 7 deadly vices, go to http://www.southridgeworship.com/seven_deadly_sins.htm
What do I do with this Anger? Many folks struggle with anger, and many Christians don't know what to do about it. Is it OK to be angry? If so, when? When does Anger turn evil? How can I handle it ? We look at Jesus and the wisdom of scripture and discover what it really means to Rage Against The Machine. We have put up a prayer meditation on line so that wherever you are and whenever you need it, it's available at http://www.southridgeworship.com/anger.htm
Is it wrong to want more money? How much food is too much ? What are gluttony and greed and where do they come from? More importantly, how do I say no when they come knocking at my door? Join us as we face these two G's of the seven deadly vices with wisdom from the word of God.
Ever know someone who, no matter what the conversation begins about, they always find away to make it all about them? Ever known someone who constantly needs attention and praise? Turns out, there is some of it in all of us, and this old sounding vice of VainGlory actually ends up cutting us off from both God and the people whose attention we want. We take a tough look at this and then the remedy found in scripture. Our long term happiness really turns on turnning from these seven primal vices to freedom walking with God. Join us! For additional resources go to http://www.southridgeworship.com/seven_deadly_sins.htm
Envy doesn't feel good at all. It's easy to see other people's envy, but aren't most of us tempted to get bitter when others have it better? It turns out that Envy is not just a cute phrase used in commercials, it is one of the deepest rooted sins in the human heart. It is more than coincidence that the very first sin recorded in the bible after the fall of Adam and Eve is the birth of Envy captured in the story of Cain and Abel. Join us for this tough but crucial topic. We start first with the classic movie Amadeus, then turn to scripture and some key insights for how to deal with the way Envy makes us absolutely miserable.
Do you ever go by the smell test - when something just smells wrong, seems fishy, but you dont know why? It is the one time when listening to your gut can pay off. In this installment of the Nudge Series we look at the amazing gift of smell, and how we can use the spiritual smell test in our lives. We end with the question - when you come into a room - can people smell Jesus on you ? We find out how it can be so!
The Song of Songs has some awfully sensual langauge in it. Spicy Language. In fact spices are mentioned over 40 times across 16 books of the Old and New Testament. Jesus himself enjoys giving sensual experiences to people. What is going on here? Is there a whole side of the bible we have been missing? What about the Cross? It turns out that after the Cross, one of the primary images of the scriptures is the Table. Come join us as we learn how to live in the space between the Cross and the Table - as people able to delight in physical senses because we first delight in the giver of all good gifts!
What does Jesus mean when he says "He who has ears - let him hear?" Why does the bible talk so much about listening for God? It was God's idea to give us the gift of physical hearing in this physical world. It turns out that the kind of sonic environment God designed and intended for our emotional and spiritual well-being included a lot more silence than most of us are experiencing today. In this interesting study we explore the famous parable of the sower, the soil and the seeds and think about what it means to listen to God, listen to other people and how to tell others about Jesus in a way they can hear it.
How is it that something can be right in front of our face and we don't even see it? If I had been there to see Jesus when he was walking the earth - would I have noticed, or totally missed it? I don't want to miss what God is doing in the world all around me here and now. It turns out that God has given us two books - the book of Scripture and the book of Nature - to help us pay attention to what is really important. This world is full of sign posts and wonders - if we only have eyes to see... The video referenced in this sermon is http://vimeo.com/32071937. For more information on this series see http://www.southridgeworship.com/nudge.htm
No matter how hard we try to avoid it, we are going to wait. The question is not whether we are going to wait but how we are going to wait. Mary teaches a way to wait that redeems the time and frames our life and our waiting in the big story of the redemption of the universe!
Recent neuroscience research indicates there is far more going on inside us then we realize. This is why it is so hard to change our selves - we don't even have access to some of the things that are broken in us - but God does. John the Baptist shows a way to live that opens us up to God's work deep beneath the surface of our lives. It is also a way to prepare for Christmas, it is the way of life that Advent is all about - Preparing and Turning to God. See http://www.southridgeworship.com/examen.htm for the spiritual discipline discussed in the Podcast as the perfect way to prepare for Christmas.
LYRICS Why do we tear down everything we cant explain? Break it all to pieces till it all looks the same We reduce mighty men, honest men of great deeds To a pocket full of unmet needs. CHORUS: Somebody tell me why we turn Mountains into Molehills we turn Mountains into Molehills we turn Mountains into Molehills Better change them before they change you Why do we tear down everything we cant explain ? Does it cause us that much pain? Who stole our wonder for this wild world - who stole our eyes? There's bigger things here than you and me - I 'll take scary reality over comfy little lies CHORUS We've close all the windows that face towards heaven Locked all the doors against unexpected answers But lately I've been thinking about the things we tossed in the name of reason - you can't last long in a sealed room Oh God, Somebody, -get me out of this tomb Take me to the mountains Take me to the mountains Take me too
How do we read the book of our own lives? How do we read the book of Revelation? It turns out there are three questions and how we answer them will impact the course of our lives - who and where we will be five years from now. And those three questions are the very ones that the book of Revelation is trying to get us to think about.
Does life ever seem meaningless to you? Or, have you made some bad decisions, or are you facing some hard choices? In each of these cases what we need is wisdom - godly wisdom... and it can be found the section of the bible known as the books of wisdom. Job,Proverbs,Ecclesiastes are known as the books of wisdom and together with Psalms and The Song of Solomon are also known as the books of Poetry. Each of these five books gives a different type of wisdom that we desperately need to hear. Today we look first at a guiding principles for understanding each of these books, then apply this approach to the first two chapters of the book of Ecclesiastes. It turns out that in the very place that seems so hopeless - a man crying out "Meaningless, meaningless, everything is meaningless" - true hope can be found! A worksheet for this sermon can be found at http://www.southridgeworship.com/how_to_read_the_bible_for_yourself1.htm
Can you really be content in all circumstances? Why does Paul say things that seem harsh ? Have you ever been inspired to read a book of the bible based on a great quote you saw, only to find there was a lot of other stuff in the book that seemed not so great? Was Paul grumpy in some of his comments to the Philippians? All of these questions turn around how we interpret the Epistles - the letters of Paul. Reading the Epistles is like reading someone else's mail and so we really need to understand the context if we are going to get what the author is trying to say. Today we look at Paul's famous verses about being content in all circumstances. We start by realizing that this was a letter written on a specific occasion - Paul is writing a thank you note to good friends for a gift they gave him. We end by looking at the secret of Paul's contentment. This recording starts several minutes into the sermon.
If Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God, then the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are a crucial and logical starting point for our first readings in the bible. The gospels contain both the story of Jesus' life and his teachings. It turns out the Jesus of the gospels is much more startling than the Jesus of American imagination. We illustrate two practical tools for reading the gospels and then apply them to the section of Luke's gospel that gives us both an example of narrative (Jesus exeperience with Zaccheus) and example of Jesus' teaching (The parable of the Minas).
Like reading a book with a pair of glasses, we all read the bible through our presuppositions, through the conclusions we have before we even start to read it. Some glasses distort what we read while others correct a defect in us so we can actually see what is there. It turns out that when we realize that God's primary characteristic is generosity we begin to see both the bible and our selves in focus.
If God sent you a prophet - would you actually listen? What if he was gruff, loud, and self-confident? How can you tell a true prophet from a false one? Why do the old testament prophets have so much doom and gloom? What guidelines can help me to read the old testament prophets for myself ? Join us to find out!
Why are there so many strange laws in the Old Testament? Do the laws of the Old Testament still apply today? We look at the TV Series LOST, and white water rafting to discover a set of basic principles that will allow you to read the Old Testament Law in a way that makes sense for today.
In part 2 of "How to read the Bible for yourself" we realize that if you really want to know what the bible says you need to recognize that it includes many different genres - proverbs, songs, laws, history, letters - and that do justice to each we must read each according to it's particular genre. This week we look particularly at how to read Old Testament narratives as they were intended. Is so doing, we discover an amazing insight into how to think about our own family history and how to live within it
We dont like people invading our personal space, but the whole point of the gospel is that Jesus came to invade our lives... and save them. We look at this beloved psalm including the part no one wants to talk about. Join us as we look towards the one who knows us better than we know ourselves
Do you sometimes think 'If only I was more organized, and my house was more organized, and my schedule was more organized, then I could have some real peace and satisfaction? Maybe what is more important than being organized is what your life is organized around. With our busy schedules and hectic lives, is it possible to be both active and still and centered on God? Yes. We contrast the deep peace of the Psalmist in Psalm 131 with what organizes the grumbling woman and the artist described by C.S. Lewis in The Great Divorce. We discover three basic clues in Psalm 131 on how to live with our heart and soul located in the very presence of God, regardless of how crazy our lives are!
Why are there such awful things in the bible? Today we look at one of the most difficult passages in all of scripture: "Blessed is he who seizes your babies and dashes them against the rocks!" How can the bible be the word of God if it contains a verse like this? It turns out this verse is crucial for helping us understand our sense of rage and indignation at the unfairness of the world. We look at the history of ancient Israel and discover the true story behind this verse.
What if there was a book only 22 sentences long that covered the following topics: The nature of God, the nature of human beings, what actually happened on the cross, the role of social justice in the Christian life, the role of personal morality in the Christian life, and how to live a life full of meaning! Psalm 103 contains 22 windows that not only allow us to look out and get our bearings but also allow the light of God's self-revelation to break in and illuminate our world. Join us as we work through Psalm 103 and along the way learn from C.S. Lewis a helpful way for Christians to read and understand the entire Old Testament !
Ever have a day where nothing is going your way and then you see someone who seems to have it easy even though they are a jerk? If God is real, why isn't life fair? Why is there no justice? I think one of the reasons the Harry Potter series is so successful is that JK Rowling gets what it is like to live in an unfair world. It turns out that Psalm 73 shows us the way to live in a world where the wicked prosper.
Ever feel like you are in a wrestling match with yourself - where part of you is trying to hold on to your faith and the other part of you is questioning the whole Christian thing? Do you know someone who has walked away from the faith? This morning we find in this ancient psalm a brutally honest examination of how doubt works and we find a clue to the way out in a really surprising place!
Imagine a life which is like a tree planted by the streams of living water. Compare that to a life like chaff where you are blown all over the place, where there is lots of motion and movement, but very little to show for it. With this podcast we begin our journey through the book of psalms, with the beloved gateway - Psalm 1. Here we are given a way to live and a way to avoid. It turns out there is a sin that seems insignificant to us which can turn our lives to chaff, yet there is something that looks undramatic to us - just old words on a page - God's word, that can change the entire trajectory of our lives.
What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit ? What was the first Pentecost all about? When people say they are being led by the Holy Spirit - how do we know if it is true, or they are just making things up ? We look at wind surfing, running and gas masks to come to grips with the reality of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that is described in Acts 2 at the very birth of the church.
When faced with difficult times or thinking about your future have you ever heard yourself say "I just want to be happy." In this sermon on the last verses of the last chapter of the book of Acts, we find discover an ancient quote from the book of Isaiah reveals clues about the practical things that turn us from people with calloused hearts to people with joyfull hearts.
Should churches have standards of behavior for members, and if so, how do we decide? How should Christians handle disagreements? We look at these two very timely questions as we study Acts 15 verse by verse and discover some general principles that apply directly to our own struggles today.
What is the good life and where is it found? Some used to say 'In Christ.' But has Christianity outlived its usefulness? Is it nothing more than a narrow minded relic from a bygone era ? Today we see Paul on Mars Hill encountering the philosophers of his age. It turns out there is a lot that the Cynics, the Stoics, and the Epicureans can teach us about the good life. There is much to learn. But is philosophy enough ? Paul wants to introduce us not to another approach to the good life, but rather to the very Author of Life.
The picture of the early church painted in today's scripture reading is so beautiful it can actually depress us - how can our own church experience fall so short of it? But there is more going than first appears and in fact this scripture describes things that can be true about us and our own churches today. Many of us enjoy the classic child's story the Grinch who stole Christmas, but what if we are the ones whose hearts are two sizes too small? What if this is exactly what the Holy Spirit came to change? In today's lesson we learn how to live radically generous lives for the sake of Jesus - a bold generosity empowered by none other than the Holy Spirit !
What would it feel like to live a life fully empowered by and guided by the Holy Spirit? What if part of being led by the Spirit was being good at waiting? In this first part of our study on the book of Acts, we look at the days after the ascension of Jesus and what it can teach us about how we can be the church together today.
What really happened on the first Easter? How can it be that Jesus really came back to life? Even if it happened, what difference does it make to our lives here and now? It turns out that an analogy from 8th grade math can help us come to grips with the true meaning of the Christian story. The images shown during the sermon can be found at http://www.southridgeworship.com/easter_2011.htm
Does life ever feel like a random collection of fragments of unfinished stories to you? Pieces of stories that just don't make sense when you try to put them next to each other? How can there be so much beauty and so much horror mixed up in the same world? Where can meaning and hope be found in a world like this where one minute the crowds welcome Jesus with Palms and the next minute cry out Crucify him? We take what appears to be three random fragments: The story of Palm Sunday in Matthew 21, an ancient song in Psalm 118 and a intensely introspective song by Bruce Cockburn to discover the true meaning of Palm Sunday and how to live in a world that seems to be made of fragments of stories that never resolve. You can purchase the song "Dialog with the Devil" by Bruce Cockburn on Itunes.
Does it ever feel like hurry is too much a part of your life? But then again is it really that bad? When pastor claims that hurry destroys people's souls. Is it true? We look at the famous story of Martha and Mary and find out that things are a little different than they appear at first. Martha's problem is not that she is busy... it is that she doesnt know what time it is. Find out what that means and think about seven habits that can help to slay the hurry monster in our lives !
Jesus turns to people and says "Come and See..." What if he were to say that to you ? Is it possible that the writer of the gospel of John tells us about how the first disciples came to follow Jesus exactly because he is calling out to you and I across the ages "Come and See...", Today we look at classic section of the gospel of John that gets us thinking about our own role in saying to others "Come and See". When ever we are given the opportunity to check out a real adventure there is always a risk and always a cost in moving from thinking about it to actually living it. It takes effort and courage to live a life of adventure. Jesus turns to people and says "Come and See..." What if he were to say that to you ? Is it possible that the writer of the gospel of John tells us about how the first disciples came to follow Jesus exactly because he is calling out to you and I across the ages "Come and See...", Today we look at classic section of the gospel of John that gets us thinking about our own role in saying to others "Come and See". Jesus is calling us to the adventure of a life time!!
When Jesus said "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" did he mean that judging other peoples actions is wrong? Is the story of the woman caught in Adultery a story about not condemning others or naming sin for what it is? It turns out that most of us only hear half of this story - the half we want to hear, and miss the half we most need to hear. Join us as we hear the story of the woman caught in Adultery from a fresh perspective - where we are located in the position not of an observer but of the woman, not 2000 years ago, but today.
Ever feel doubtful about saying Jesus is the only when there are so many other religions and good people in the world? How comfortable are you with your understanding of Jesus? Jesus looks at each of us and says "Who do you say that I am?" Today we look at the archeological and theological background to Peter's great confession "You are the Christ." We touch on the trap of those who try to get behind the gospels to the historical Jesus, and turn instead to the Jesus of the gospels, the Jesus that doesn’t fit, the Jesus that disturbs us, the Jesus of the gospels, the real Jesus -the pantocrator - the ruler of heaven and earth.
How well do you know Jesus? If you could know him better - would you really want to? In our scripture for today we encounter one of the wildest scenes of the New Testament - the Transfiguration - and we discover that it is in embracing the mystery of Jesus Christ that all the rest of life begins to make sense...
When we hear someone say they are on a mission for God we either think of something silly like the Blues Brothers or something terrifying like religious extremists blowing people up in the name of God. But what if God really did have a mission for you and you really could know it? We find a mission from God in an amazing section of the book of James - a practical way to live both the outer mission and the inner mission that God wants us to undertake!
In the midst of many church services is an activity that seems like the mosty holy mystery to some folks and a strange empty ritual to others... What is this thing we do called The Lord's Table? Why do we do it? What does it accomplish ? Does it really change anything? We take two soundings from the book of 1st Corinthians from chapter 10 and chapter 11 and find out there is a whole lot more going on than meet's the eye !
What is your church known for? What should it be known for? Why are so many mainline churches dying ? Why do some churches prosper while others slowly fade away ? If we are the church, if we are the body, if we are supposed to have unity - where does that unity come from ? We look at the first and most important ingredient for a thriving church - a common faith. It turns out that many of the things we think are important for church sucsess are actually rotting the church from the inside out...
Living the Christian life is like sitting on a three legged stool - you need all three legs for it to work. One leg is love of God and the worship and faith that follow it. The second leg is mission and service to the world - acting on our faith - doing something based on what we believe. But third leg which is so vital is often overlooked. It is part of God's plan to grow us up and fill us with joy but it is the leg we often ignore. Today we encounter that third leg and what it means to be the incubator church! For another take on the basics of a healthy church listen to http://podpoint.net/South_Ridge/Nicene_Creed_1_-_We_Believe_-_Joshua_24:14-15,_Mark_9:14-27 For more resources go to www.SouthRidgeWorship.com
Did you ever feel like your life is full of so many thoughts, issues, and questions that you don't even know what you believe anymore - like the noise and busyness of life has grown like weeds - covering and hiding the underlying assumptions and choices you are living by ? Today we take a weed-whacker to the undergrowth and cut back the weeds so you can see clearly where you stand on the road of faith. We start at the most basic questions of life and look at how major religions of the world answer them, and travel the distance between Joshua Joshua 24:15-15 and Luke 2:15-35 and find a challenge for how to live in this coming New Year!
All of us struggle with self doubt - but what makes some people fearless despite it ? What makes some people live with honor and dignity even though they know full well what a mess they are? We are so easily defeated - is there a set of convictions that can set us free from the paralyzing effect of feeling so small? YES! C.S. Lewis shows us a way to live firmly here in this world by setting our eyes firmly on the promises of God and he does it through the most surprising character - a mouse ! We look at the character Reepicheep in Voyage of the DawnTreader and find a refreshing vision that helps us understand the promises of Hebrews 11:13-16... oh and yes that is the slurpping of Egg Nog you hear at the begining of the talk!
Ever wish you were somebody else or wish you had what they had? It is a natural thing to compare ourselves to others instead of delighting ourselves in God. Ever wish you could hear what people were saying about you behind your back? How about if you really could ? We follow Lucy into a Magician's house and learn from the temptations she faces there - not only the temptation to be somebody else and the temptation to eaves drop, but also the temptation of fear itself. We find an amazing connection between this fantasy story by C.S. Lewis and the teachings of 1 Corinthians 10:11-14. Join us as we get a fresh perspective on dealing with fears and temptations.
There once was a boy named Eustace Clarence Scrubb – and he almost deserved it. What would it be like to become on the outside what you were on the inside? What if that happened and you looked in the mirror - only to see a Dragon looking back at you? In this first talk on The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, 3rd book in C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia series, we find out what happened to Eustace, investigate the incredible parallel to 2nd Corinthians 5:17-21, and discover how what happened to Eustace in Narnia can help us to live our ordinary lives here and now on Planet Earth.
Ever feel like you are stuck in your spiritual life - like it is going nowhere? What if the Hillsong classic "From the Inside Out" contained a four step dance that results in a life of deep joy - a way to get unstuck and purse a deeper walk with God? We dig into the scriptures echoed in this song: Isaiah 60, Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 23:26-27, Luke 11:33-41 and Psalm 100:5 to find the good life - the life focused on the art of losing myself in bringing God praise.
Do you live in a world where the self-revelation of God is possible? Why would Michael W. Smith take the most bizarre, spooky, supernatural verses in scripture and put them in the most fun-loving normal top 40 style melody imaginable? Does a song like You Are Holy trivialize the great truths and revelations of scripture? No it puts them in their right place. It turns out that the best way to have a down earth, normal, natural life is to be in direct exposure to the super-naturally radical reality of the living God. Join us as we look at the verses in Isaiah 6, Isaiah 9, Daniel 7, Revelation 4 and Revelation 5 that form much of the lyrical base for the song You Are Holy
One of the current classic praise songs is Matt Redman s Better Is One Day... but what is it all about? We look at the rich scriptural foundation of this song as we step through the song line by line. We discover that Psalm 84 is a song for the road - a song for those on the journey when the going get's tough. It turns out that your life was meant to be a living waterfall and no matter how much is broken, no matter how much you have lost - your life can still be a beautiful gift both to those around you and to God. Join us as we seek after the Maker of Heaven and Earth together through this great song based on an ancient psalm - Better is one day...
In this third sermon in the Great Divorce series we move from the basic sins of the Big Man to the sins of intellect of the Bishop. We discover a man who views him self as very religious yet doesnt even realize he is living in Hell. Not all spirituality leads us to Jesus. There are ways of understanding faith, Jesus, and the scriptures that are so distorted that they actually lead us away from Jesus. The scriptures are full of warnings about false teachers. In our own day we can feel the pressure to conform our beliefs to what is currently in vouge, what is considered thoughtful, tolerant, reasonable ... even if it is actually none of those things. We look at 2 Timothy 3:1-17 and discover a practical way to uncover the assumptions of the strand of heresy C.S. Lewis personified in the bishop - the very strand we are most in danger of swallowing in our day.
What does it mean to dwell in the house of the Lord - Is David talking about the physical temple, eternity with God, or something else ? In this final sermon on the 23rd psalm, we review the psalm and conclude with this wonderful promise that tells us how we can live our lives now, and how the story of our lives will end !
Should the end of Psalm 23 say I will dwell in the house of the lord forever, or I will dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long? In this aside from the main sermon, we look at the details of the hebrew and issues of translation to come to a conclusion.
There are two very different ways to understand the idea that goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life - One involves the Hound of Heaven who refuses to leave us alone that we might not be alone, and the other is concept of that our life leaves a wake like a ship on the water - what does the way you live leave in your wake - do you leave blessing, goodness, and lovingkindness in your wake? Yes, or No, join us for this teaching !
Have you been feeling bugged lately? Are you butting heads with anyone? Does your cup feel like it is overflowing or does it feel like it has run dry? What does this verse mean, and what was Jesus called the anointed one? This short verse gives us insight into how to deal with difficult situations as it brings us closer to Jesus, the anointed one who offers us the cup that never runs dry - the cup of the New Covenant.
If God offered you a meal - would you really like what was on the menu ? What does it mean that God sets a table for David in the presence of his enemies? Is David just gloating as he eats while his hungry enemies look on? We look deeply into this verse of the 23rd Psalm as well as Hebrews 5:12-14, Mark 10:45, Proverbs 9:1-6,Matthew 26:31 and discover there a Table of Wisdom, of The Word, of Wonder, of Welcome, and of Worship.
How could anyone find a rod or staff comforting? Is God more about love or discipline ? Isn't questioning authority a good and necessary thing? Then why is it that most of our modern dictators arose by doing that very thing? What does it mean to make Jesus your Lord? We look at the ways a shepherd uses the rod and the staff and discover that when it comes to Jesus - that the good shepherd stretches out his arms to hold both Rod and Staff - upon the cross - and the space between his Rod and Staff has a name - The Mercy Seat - the only place that true comfort can ever be found.
Has your life felt like you were walking through a dark valley that seems like it will never end? This verse is the hinge that turns Psalm 23 from theology to prayer. We take an honest look at what it is like to walk through the valley and still be able to say EVEN THOUGH ...
I keep trying to restore myself, but it never sticks. What are the paths of righteousness, and how do I get there ? It turns out God doesnt just give us the map, he walks alongside us every step of the way - and so I can say with the author of Psalm 119: I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free!
What does it mean to lie down in green pastures and be led by still waters? Today we learn more about sheep than we wanted to know and find out that they look awfully familiar. In a culture of high speed high tech pseudo-life, we find that the Christian life can be one of rhythm and quiet confidence.
I cannot think of a conclusion that would change the direction of a persons life more, a conviction that would change their outlook on everything more than the five simple words - The Lord is my Shepherd. In this first part of our series we look at how radical it is that the number one description of God in the Old Testament is as the Shepherd
The evil witch controls Narnia, but "Aslan is on the move." Do you ever feel hopeless? What if God were on the move in your life ?
If Jesus paid for the price of our sins on the cross, why did he need to rise from the dead ? Does your Christianity need a Easter morning? We look at an amazing true story of a world war 1 hero and then the role of a lead climber in rock climbing only to discover that Easter is even better news than we thought!
Would an all loving, forgiving, merciful God really send people to Hell? What is God really like? Get ready to be offended. In our concluding sermon on the Great Divorce we look at the great questions and we discover that our ability to see and enter the gate to the freedom, forgiveness, and joy of eternal life turns upon how we answer the question no one wants to ponder – Do I deserve to go to hell?
Do you make choices or do your choices make you or does God make both? If God is in complete control of how things turn out - how can my choices be real? We look at proton rain, sunlight on a stone, and stupid human tricks searching for answers and find in Philippians 2:12-13 a tiny verse that holds human free will, God's soverignty, and the mystery of human existence together !
A life of manipulation leads to a legacy of ashes. A life centered on God leads to a legacy of love that never ends. Have you ever felt manipulated by someone? Worse yet, have you ever caught a glimpse of your own manipulative ways? C.S. Lewis shows us the strangest ghost yet - a dwarf chained to a mannequin - to show us the truth about ourselves. We turn to Colossians 1:3-14 to find out how to leave a legacy that matters.
Why do smart people do stupid things? Why are bad habits so hard to break? Who are you when no one is looking? How are we to break the cycle of bad habits of thought or deed? In particular how are we to handle pornography and sexual addictions ? How do you kill a red lizard? The answer is found in Colossians 3:1-7. For more resources for this sermon, search for Red Lizard at www.SouthRidgeWorship.com
What do you do when shame or guilt has such power over you that you would choose a life of hell rather than be exposed to your shame. It turns out that guilt and shame are not the same thing, and real freedom can found in the strangest place - a scripture about the dangers or pride.
Why is it that romantic relationships that can provide the greatest joy in life can also produce the greatest misery? We explore 10 key principles that can help us to build relationships that age well. Check the SouthRidge website for a video and PDF of the worksheet.
Do I lean towards Optimisim, Do I lean towards Pessimism, Or do I lean on Jesus? Today we discover that two very common sense approaches to life actually keep us from seeing the Kingdom of God. We take a look at two characters in the Great Divorce, Ikey the Business Man and the Hard-bitten man in order to avoid two dead-end streets. We end with the incredibles words of Isaiah 61:10 which show us the way to live which is life indeed!
What if there was a wall in your mind that was keeping you from crossing over into the wide open spaces of an intimate relationship with God ? It turns out that the idea that we have any rights before God is a wall that shuts us out from the very thing we want. We look at the story of THE BIG MAN in The Great Divorce and discover how to be out of excuses and into grace.
Ever been haunted by a train of thoughts you knew were no good for you ? Ever want to meet C.S. Lewis? We do both as we hear Lewis read from the Preface of the Great Divorce about how the choices we make shape who we become. We look at Proverbs 16 and Romans 13:12-14 and how both they and Lewis call us to go against the flow of our own thoughts when they would pull us away from the good of God. To see the images referenced during the course of this sermon, go to http://www.southridgeworship.com/the_great_divorce_01_the_preface.htm
In a world of winners and losers, of superstars, people who are one in a million like the atheletes we watch on TV, where is your place in this world? It turns out that Jesus has handed you a check for two million dollars to use for good in this world - you just dont know it yet.
Behind all our striving and fantasies, what most of us want is deep peace and deep purpose. We look at the famous scripture where Jesus says I am the vine and you are the branches to discover where deep peace and deep purpose can be found and the Trellis God provides us to stretch and train us so that we can produce the harvest he wants in our lives.
Do I really need to go to church to be a Christian? Churches are so messed up, why should I bother? What is this thing called the Church of Jesus Christ, and how could you tell a good church from a bad church ? It turns out that lying in 4 short verses in Hebrews 10 is a revelation of four signs of a healthy church. Get stoked - the church of Jesus Christ is the Hope of the world!
Does God call us to a specific job or task? How do we figure out what career is best for us? What do you do when you feel stuck in your job or in your life? We turn to Ephesians 4 and discover there that God as 4 callings for us: To work, to walk, to grow, and to build. This is real hope for real lives!
How is your 9 - 5 life going? We look at the most common frustrations in the workplace and most common tensions between mangers and workers, and find there actually is a really good reason to heed the call - Whatever you hand finds to do - do it with all your heart.
What do you do when the dark days come? Why does God allow good things to be taken away from our lives? We turn to the song Blessed Be Thy Name, the scriptures that form its foundation including Job 1:18-22. and ancient painting entitled Hopeless Dawn to discover the way of hope in tough times
The worship song Beautiful One seems so simple and yet carries within it profound revelation of what we mean by Father, Son, and Holy Spirt. We look at a wonderful collection of scriptures this song is based on and discover that Beautiful One is a refrain that proceeds from the foundations of the world !
In the Lord of the Rings, the heros come to a place where the gate of Moria is supposed to be. But all they can see is a bunch of words on a stone wall. Ever feel like you are sitting outside the gate of the good life with now way to get in? Does the bible ever seem like just a bunch of words on a wall that dont change anything? What good are the ten commandments if I can't keep them? If Jesus is real, why do I feel so miserable? Today we conclude the 10 Commandments series by studying two of the most difficult chapters in the bible - Romans 7 & 8 - there we discover the password that opens the gate - we discover the true meaning of Grace
Have you ever found yourself thinking - If only I had that ... then I would be happy... ? Or have you ever found yourself envying someone else's life? What are we supposed to do with that feeling ? Is contentment on this earth possible ? Is desire to aquire nice things really wrong? We find an incredibly hopeful answer to these questions as we find out what beach houses, butter wrapped in bacon, tapeworms and the story Jesus told of the Rich Young Ruler all have in common !
Bending the truth, white lies, gossip - they seem to have become America's favorite pastimes. We cant stand it when others lie to us, and yet we dont really think that our own bending of the truth is any big deal. But it turns out that lying creates three great seperations in our lives, and keeps us from experiencing the kind of fulfilling lives God wants for us. Join us as we explore Proverbs 6:16-23 to find out how to fight back against the three great seperations.
Is it wrong to make copies of music, or keep stuff from work, or chargge high interest rates? What exactly does God mean when he says "Do not steal"? And why does the Old Testament spend so much time talking about weights and balances ? We take a look at an obscure scripture in Leviticus 19. It turns out it that honest scales are a foundational requirement for any culture and they make us to take a hard look at ourselves when we consider the Commandment "Do Not Steal." It turns out we have a savior who hung in a thief's place between two thieves...
Why is that the love relationships that seem the very best blessings of life can turn into the very things that can break our hearts, fill us with remorse, and leave us feeling half dead? And what's the scoop with sex? Are Christians uptight, do we need to get caught up with the times? Is biblical morality out of date ? In a very candid talk we discover that it was God's idea that Sex be awesome, and there is a way to delight in sex and delight in innocence - all at the same time!
If you had to rank the ten commandments in order of importance, which one would be #1? Most people choose Thou Shall Not Kill. But that simple four word phrase opens us up to some of the most divisive issues of our day: The death penalty, Abortion, War, Suicide, Doctor assisted Suicide, etc. What should a Christian's stance be towards these issues? We try to find out by facing the tough questions raised by the death of Dr. George Tiller, and then listening to Jesus.
What would you think of a God who gave only 10 rules to live by and the one he spent the most time on was the command to rest, relax, and cease from your toil? We explore practical ways to return the Sabbath rest of God to our lives as we look at Deuteronomy 5:12-15, Isaiah 30:15, and Psalm 62
What if the ten commandments are not about rules but about learning the ways of the master craftsman of living life well - Jesus? As a matter of fact, the 2nd Commandment warns us you can be too religious! But why were idols such a big deal and why does saying God's name in vain make the top ten? We find out as we discover the difference between idols and icons in 1 Timothy 1:17
Does your life ever feel like a mess? If you could wipe the table clean, start your life all over again, what is the first thing you would put back on the table? Why in the world is the 1st of the Ten Commandments the 1st? We look at how resturant tables, mountain pools and weddings point us to the great truth of the first commandment.
Why would Honor your Father and Mother make God's top 10 list of most important moral commands? What does honoring our parents really mean when we didnt have the greatest parents? How can we be the kind of parents that raise their kids well, parents worthy of honor? We find out as we look at Ephesians 6:1-4 and Collosians Colossians 3:20-21
Is there a way to live the simple life in our busy world? How does life in a constantly changing high tech cyber world of facebook connect to something as ancient and unmoving as the 10 commandments? Are the 10 commandments for today? Are Christians to live by grace instead of the law? What did Jesus teach about the commandments ? What was up with the Ark of the Covennant ? Why did it have a mercy seat ? It all comes back to Jesus.
How can I read the bible to really understand what it says? What do I do with parts of the bible that make no sense to me? Is the bible so open to interpreation that it can mean pretty much anything? Is it accurate? Are all bible verses created equal? We look at the 21st chapter of the gospel of John to get an understanding of what the bible is and how to use it.
Does the church ever drive you crazy ? Do you ever wonder if you will find a spiritual home? Is there such a thing as a church that holds on to the absolutes of the faith, yet is all about freedom, compassion and welcome? Is there such a thing as a generous orthodoxy? We re-visit the Apostles Creed and discover there the Spring House that holds the key to a healthy, generous orthodoxy.
How do we move from a bunch of beliefs in our head to a vibrant, joyful, living faith? In this last part of our Christianity 101 series, we encounter the 5th revelation which is the gateway from belief to life. It turns out the Sci Fi movie THE FIFTH ELEMENT contains a scene that unlocks the secret for moving beyond the debates of modern/postmodern, individualistic/communal, liberal/conservative religion to an authentic, full bodied faith. It turns out that you are the one who is called to become the fifth element!
Have you ever come to a point where Christianity went from being a possibility to being your identity? There comes a moment when we become aware that God is present and a decision must be made now. Each of us must choose if we will bow before the king. It turns out our identity, our vocation and our future turn upon this choice. This sermon is for those who are new in the journey of faith or feel they need to return to it. We find the place where deep joy meets deep loyalty in Romans 10:9 - God is waiting for us there ...
Do you ever feel like the world is beautiful but there is a tear in it's fabric ? Do you ever feel like there is a rip in your own heart that you just cannot mend? Why did Jesus go to the cross and what really happened there ? In the 3rd revelation on the ancient path for moden pilgrims we look to 1st Timothy 2:5-6 and discover weaver of all things waiting for us there - weaver who paid a ransom in his blood in order mend hearts and the cosmos
Which is worse - to call someone evil or to call them sinful? There are five great revelations that form the heart of Christianity and today we explore the one we dont want to talk about - the nature of our own sin. The second great reversal in how we see the world and ourselves is revealed to us in Romans 3:23
Does God Exist ? Can you prove it ? What is God like? How can you believe God is like a loving parent when you see all the human suffering in the world? What is the difference between reason and revelation? Instead of the four spiritual laws we look at five spiritual revelations that form the foundation of a Christian World view. Today in Part One we look at John 3:16 to discover the first revelation.
Here's an overview of the flow of the Lords Prayer that focuses on it's final phrase. Why is this phrase in the prayer if Jesus didnt say it? We turn to Psalm 145 to find out - it turns out these are not words to be lightly spoken
Is it God who leads us into Temptation? What does Jesus mean by this line in the Lord's Prayer? What is temptation and where does it come from? We look at James 1:12-17, the scholar Diogenes Allen, and the Band Casting Crowns to find answers. We conclude with a way of dealing with temptations that works - it all turns upon Jesus...
Trying to actually forgive someone who wronged you is no small potatoes. What does it mean to forgive? How do we do it ? Should we forgive people who dont say they are sorry? Jesus shows us the way in the book of Matthew in general, and in the story of the Prodigal Son in particular.
So which is it - trespasses or debts when I say the Lord's prayer? Today we actually find out! And we take a journery through the world religions and find ourselves standing at the cross....
With this line Jesus creates a prayer that spans from the holiness of an almighty God to the earthyness of my kitchen table. Within this phrase is the gateway to a life of simplicity and dependance - a life present to the present rather than our anxious thoughts. Deuteronmy 8:6-18, James 2:14-17 to find out how the hungry of the world, the good things of life, and the love of God come together in this amazing prayer
Are the things we see happening in the world actually God's will? If not, why doesnt he do something about them? What is God's will for my life? Can we really know God's will? We take soundings in the deep waters of God's word to find some answers: Ezekiel 33:10-11, John 6:35-39, Luke 22:18-20,41-44, Matthew 5:43-45
What does Jesus mean when he says "The Kingdom of God is at hand", or when he prays "Thy Kingdom Come?" Has it already come, or is it to come? Will there be a rapture? What is the Kingdom of God anyway ? Strangely enough, abandoned swimming pools and a bombed out church from world war II give us a clue...
Why does Jesus include the strange phrase "Hallowed by thy name" in his prayer? This phrase turns out to be even wilder than what first meets the eye. Join us on this journey into the Holiness of God! We look at the second line of the Lords Prayer in light of Psalm 90.
Is it possible that the Lord's Prayer is so familar, we have become so comfortable with it that we have forgotten how powerful and how dangerous it is? This prayer will change the way we look at everything. The very first line of this prayer is a declaration that Jesus is right and Nietzsche is wrong about the biggest question of our lives.
Should you feel guilty about buying that thing you have been thinking about - or is material prosperity a sign of God's blessing ? How should a Christian think about Money ? We tend to view our spiritual life and our finances as unrelated, but it turns out they are surprisingly connected. Deuteronomy 8:11-18 and 1st Timothy 6:7-19 put side by side give us a great biblical foundation for understanding money and wealth
What are we to make of THE PRAYER OF JABEZ? Some folks think it has worked magic in their lives and others think it represents everything that is wrong with American Religion. Beneath all the debate lies the prayer itself. When understood in the context of the full witness of scripture, it offers us a profound resource for our prayer life and our journey with God.
When we beat a friend in hoops or a video game we love to say Who s your Daddy! But that phrase takes on a whole new meaning when we look at the only person who had the right to say that to the entire human race... but chose instead to stoop down and washed our feet... Today we turn from Prince Caspian to look at John 12:31-50 and the amazing words of Jesus as he faced the toughest substance on earth - hardened hearts. This early summer sermon ends in a most surprising way!
In the poster for the movie Prince Caspian, why is he holding both Susan's horn and a sword? What does it mean to put on the full armor of God? There comes a time when each of us must take a stand and decide whose side we are one. The ancient church and Prince Caspian show us how to stand against the world, the flesh, and the devil by looking at Ephesians 6:11-18. For a personal devotional based on this sermon, go to http://www.southridgeworship.com/prince_caspian_3.htm
C.S. Lewis told us stories about the world of Narnia so we could understand how to live in this world. In Prince Caspian the children come back 1300 years later to hear people tell them legends... about themselves! If The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe offers parallels to the time of Jesus of Nazareth, Prince Caspian shows us how deal with spirituality and belief in our time. Join us as we look at 1 Corinthians 15:1-10 and learn from TruffleHunter the badger how to live in the ancient future. For a personal devotional on this topic, go to www.SouthRidgeWorship.com//prince_caspian_2.htm
Why is it we sometimes feel closer to God in the woods than in a church? Dr. Cornelius gives us the answer as we look at 1st Chronicles 16:31-36. The Journey back to faith part 1. It turns out this world is even wilder than we imagined. For a personal devotional based on this sermon, go to http://www.southridgeworship.com/prince_caspian_1.htm
In our culture it is popular to treat science and faith like they are opposites - but they are not. In this fascinating scripture we look at the way Capihas, Judas, and Mary use reason in differen ways and come to very different conclusions. How can we have free will if God is in control ? Here is an image that helps us with this timeless question. John 11:45-12:8
Sometimes we read the bible and get nothing out of it - it feels like a desert of lifeless words. Sometimes church services seem lifeless like a barren desert, and sometimes our very lives seem like a barren desert - Where is God in all of this?
If I am a Christian I am supposed to love everyone, but some people drive me crazy ! Is it me or is it them? What practical steps can I take to love difficult people the way Jesus would have me love them. A short guide to dancing with porcupines !
A live recording of a tribute done in our worship service upon the death of Larry Norman. For more music from Rick and Debra go to http://www.cdfreedom.com/artists/lyraproject/
Why does God allow suffering ? Why doesn't God intervene and make things right ? Why did God let my loved one die? How can I believe in God when horrible things happen here on earth? Does God exist? Does God care? Is God powerful enough to change things? Then why doesnt he? We find some answers in the story of Lazurus in John 11.
What does the ressurection of the body and the life everlasting mean for you an me? In this final sermon on the Apostles
Does the church ever drive you nuts? Do the people in the church ever drive you nuts? What is the church? Why does the creed say "Catholic"? in describing the church? We get the answers first from C.S. Lewis' ScrewTape Letters, and then from the word of God in ACTS 2:40-47 ,1 Thessalonians 5:16-17,1 Peter 2:1-10,ACTS 2:40-47. The news for your local church may be better than you thought!
What is the name of a two bit Roman bureaucrat doing in one of the most sacred writings of Christianity – the Apostles Creed ? How do we know a bunch of guys didn’t just make the bible up? How can we believe that God is loving and all powerful if he allows suffering? This fascinating short phrase of the creed addresses all three of these questions. As with every other line in the Apostles Creed we explore the powerful scriptural foundation that anchors it as we turn to Hebrews Chapter 2.
Does it really matter if Jesus had a miraculous birth ? Is it so important that it should be included in the list of most important Christian doctrines found in the creeds ? What is packed in this phrase "Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary" ? It turns out... a whole lot! We turn to the Annunciation in Luke Chapter 1 where we find the courageous words of Mary. It turns out this event not only helps us understand the incarnation, it helps us deal with situations in our own lives that seem completely impossible. Most importantly, we come to understand why some theologians refer to Jesus as "The God-Man"
All that we have said so far about the Apostles Creed sounds pretty good to modern ears. But today we come to the line that is unsettling in every culture. Today we come to the watershed line. Today we move from vague religion to the particulars of Jesus. Did the early church really think Jesus was God, or rather a great teacher ? Which do you think was easier - for these ancient people or for our scientific age to believe Jesus was God? The answer may surprise you as we study the full depth of each of the words in this crucial phrase that makes Christianity Christianity. For a visual version of this sermon, go to http://www.southridgeworship.com/apostles_creed_resources.htm
n this short phrase we encounter the relationship of Christianity to Pantheism, Polytheism, Monotheism, the Environmental movement and Feminism ! We discover that one of the primary attributes of the creed - calling God 'Father' was never meant to be an excuse for patriarchal oppression but rather was a whole new way of thinking that Jesus brought into the world which turned the world upside down and brought with it Mercy and Grace.
This very first sermon on the Apostles Creed was recorded the Sunday after the Virginia Tech massacre. How are we to believe in God in a world like this? Join us for this first part of our Apostles Creed series as we begin with the phrase "I believe"
In this final podcast on the Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe we look at the deep theology behind the breaking of the Stone Table and the return of Aslan. What does it mean that the law was written on Stone Tablets? It turns out this supposed children's story by C.S. Lewis gives us profound insight into the atonement. We look at Luke 2:10-11,1Titus 2:5-6,Hebrews 9:15,Hebrews 12:2 and find that the Chronicles of Narnia declare "He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant." Joy to the world - the Lord has come - let Earth receive her King!
Why do we give in so often to stupid choices that mess up our lives? Is there a devil ? How does temptation work ? How can we deal with it? In this second podcast on C.S. Lewis' The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, we discover that Lewis illustrates the many ways temptation works through the story of Edmund. We look at James 1:13-22,Luke 21:34-22:6, Ephesians 6:10-13, Romans 6:16-23, and Genesis 3:1-13, and then end with end with a top ten list to remember when faced with temptation.
This first podcast on the Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe gives an introduction to C.S. Lewis and the book. Then it turns to two deep truths found in this supposed child's book. First, what it is like to deal with hopelessness and depression - what it is like to live in a world of grey where it is always winter but never Christmas. But next it takes us to a deeper truth - the fact that the redemption of God cannot be stopped, that Aslan is on the move, that right at the coldest day of winter is when the spring begins. We look at Isaiah 9:2-7, 1 Peter 3, Romans 15:4, 1 Peter 1:13, and discover that the Chronicles of Narnia actually point us to the biblical reality of being a people who walked in darkness but have seen a great light.