Archive for Spiritual Formation
Parables: Why?
Sometimes, it seems like Jesus’ greatest desire is not to pass out the right answers but rather to prick the imagination and to tease out even more questions. Surely, Jesus could have found a more effective mode of explaining his message … unless explaining was not his chief goal.
Text: Matthew 13:1-23
Speaker: Wayne Cox
Because You Know Me
All debating aside, it’s life-changing when you figure out Jesus knows you personally.
Text: John 4: 1-42
Speaker: Craig Catlett
Sermon on the Mount, Part 6: Escaping the Tyranny of ‘More’
In the Sermon so far, Jesus has defined righteousness spiritually in the Beautitudes, socially in the commands we looked at the past couple of weeks, and now he defines righteousness economically.
Following Jesus gives disciples the power to have a completely new relationship to money and property.
Text: Matthew 6:19-34
Speaker: Wayne Cox
Sermon on the Mount, Part 5: Conflict and Grace
An invitation to reflect God and to be “children of the Father” in the way we love graciously.
Text: Matthew 5:38-48
Speaker: Craig Catlett
Sermon on the Mount, Part 4: All in My Head
Have we rationalized lust because it’s “all in our minds” or do we take the words of Jesus seriously – that lust is as serious as the physical act of adultery.
Text: Matthew 5:27-36
Speaker: Christy Cox
Sermon on the Mount, Part 3: Anger
“You’ve heard it said … but I say to you.” With these words, Jesus shifts his authoritative teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, taking the words of the law and going deeper.
It’s one thing to behave rightly. It’s another thing entirely to have our whole selves oriented toward love. It is easier to keep the commandment against murder than it is to avoid anger in our heart. Jesus offers a more radical ethic — a kingdom-of-God ethic — and the righteousness of this newly inaugurated kingdom is more than following rules. It is a life surrendered to God and neighbor.
Text: Matthew 5:17-26
Speaker: Wayne Cox
Sermon on the Mount, Part 2: Salt of the Earth
You. Are. The. Salt. Of the Earth. This week, we take a closer look at these 7 words and discover more of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
Text: Matthew 5:13-16
Speaker: Wayne Cox
Sermon on the Mount, Part 1: The Blessings
In the sequence of all the blessings, there is a winsome and amazing move of grace! God picks up all who are down and sends them out in the world to pick others up; and this will lead to those in service being thrown back down in persecution, and so in to need. From there, they will rise from their knees back to their feet, where they will be knocked down again only to hear Jesus’ words of blessing again … and this is what Frederick Bruner calls the “aerobics of discipleship.”
Text: Matthew 5:1-12
Speaker: Wayne Cox
The Words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount
Transformation and Mission
If anyone experienced transformation, it was the apostle Paul. And from his story, we can be sure of this: a life-changing encounter with Jesus will mean joining him on his mission. We are changed in order to be sent. Transformation is for mission.
Speaker: Pastor Wayne Cox
October 16th, 2010
