The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Numbers 21, in which the wandering Israelites are oppressed by poisonous snakes, and John 3, in which Jesus compares his own "lifting up" to the bronze serpent Moses lifts up in the wilderness, saving the people. Jesus is most exalted by being laid low; he saves us by being sacrificed on our behalf.
Michael Neal continues our Formation class on Genesis 1-11 with a close look at the disturbing story in Genesis 9 about Ham "seeing" Noah's nakedness. What on earth is going on here? And is there possibly any Good News to be had in it?
The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Genesis 2-3, in which the serpent tempts Eve, and Matthew 4, in which Jesus is tempted in the wilderness. These two stories show us the Good News: that where we fall prey to doubt and sin, Jesus is faithful to the end.
On Ash Wednesday, the Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Matthew 6, in which Jesus cautions his followers not to draw attention to their acts of devotion. So what are we doing putting ash on our foreheads? Well, this ash is an admission of weakness, of humanity, of the need for a savior. Thankfully, in 40 days, we'll celebrate that savior's finished work.
The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Matthew 17:1-9, in which Jesus is transfigured on the mountaintop. The law and the prophets, while both glorious, might as well have no glory at all compared to the surpassing glory of the Good News of God in Christ: the salvation of sinners.
Micah Childs continues our Formation study of Genesis 1-11 with a look at what God has to say about men, women, and the relationship between them, especially marriage. What does God's word say about us? About him? And where is the Good News in all of it?
The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on 1 Corinthians 3, in which Paul chides the people for their divisions, telling them they're not ready for "solid food." How can we talk about spiritual maturity? Whenever Paul confronts bad behavior or immaturity, he does so by stoking faith. In other words, we don't need to do better...we need to believe more.
Michael Neal continues our Formation class studying Genesis 1-11 with a look at what the image of God means. We know that humans were created in this image, but that raises all sorts of other questions: is the image spiritual or physical? Who and what qualifies? And when God says "our" image, to whom is he referring? Michael addresses these questions and more in this fascinating discussion.
The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Matthew 5, in which Jesus asks his followers to be salt and light to the world. How do we reconcile Christ's free gift of righteousness with this call to radical obedience? It is, in fact, that free gift which creates us anew, bringing forth obedience in our lives.
Michael Neal continues this Spring's study of Genesis 1-11 with a look at chapters 3 and 4, the temptation, the serpent, and the entry of sin into the world. And yet, even in the midst of this darkest of episodes, we see foreshadowing of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
