In Luke 24:13-35, two disciples meet the resurrected Jesus on the road to Emmaus. The story and its structure point to one transformative truth: Jesus is alive! How can we share this living Jesus with others by wondering with them about their spiritual journeys? Listen to Pastor David’s sermon:
The six levels of the chiastic structure found in this Bible story:
“You know, it’s like I always said… the more things change, the more they stay the same.”
These were the final words spoken in my favorite television series of all time, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. After seven years of stories, conflicts, battles, and drama, the space station called “Deep Space Nine” comes to a place of peace and stability. The local bartender (a Ferengi named Quark) finds himself tending to his shop there once again as he had done for many years. And as the final episode draws to a close, Quark speaks the above words, which has become a favorite quote of mine over the years.
Life is full of transitions and adjustments. We leave one place or situation in life, and we move on to other challenges. One relationship ends, and another begins. Sometimes, when we’re experiencing many changes, we can feel a little out of sorts – as if the world is somehow unstable or unpredictable. For some people, this kind of unpredictability can be invigorating and exciting. For others (like me), big changes are a bit stressful. Continue reading
Our conversations – and prayers – are usually filled with our own talking. What if our relationships with God and others were marked by listening, instead? Check out Pastor David’s sermon on Acts 16:9-15.
In three short verses, Jesus cuts across two major social values of his time. How should we go about building relationships with people on the outskirts of our society? Listen to Pastor David’s sermon on Luke 14:12-14.
This week, our Guatemala mission trip team shared some of their reflections with the congregation. Listen in as Pastor David gives a brief introduction based on Acts 9:36-43 and asks for a couple of volunteers to share how they noticed “God space” around them this week.
Another strange encounter, this time between Saul and Ananias, points us toward the importance of noticing where God is at work in our lives. Where is the God Space in your life? Listen to Pastor David’s sermon on Acts 9:1-22.
By the way, the video which Pastor David wanted to show at the end of this sermon can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4
Evangelism through relationships and conversations, all within “God space.” Read Acts 8:24-40 and listen to this first sermon in Pastor David’s new series on sharing the love of Jesus with people in natural, everyday encounters.
On Easter Sunday, four people were baptized as believers in Jesus Christ. What a wonderful experience to witness! Now the challenge falls to us to share what we have witnessed with other people. Listen to Pastor David’s sermon on Acts 10:34-43, in which Peter shares his experiences with a stranger named Cornelius.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. Jesus is alive! Listen to Pastor David’s message from our early service on Easter Sunday: as 1 John 1:1-10 says, let us walk in the light as Jesus is in the light.
God is present and active in every situation of our lives. Sometimes we don’t always recognize God’s presence and activity within us and around us. But occasionally we catch a glimpse of what God is doing, and that can propel us forward in our journey of following Jesus. I had one such experience toward the end of our mission trip to Guatemala earlier this month. Continue reading