In Jesus’ parting words, he says, “Fight with me. Fight with me by fighting for unity. Fight with me by relying on God alone. Fight with me by taking my words to the nations. Fight with me by being a people of prayer.” Continue
Parting Words: Abide in Me (John 15:1-16:33)
Children challenge me to dream without limits, to think about the impossible, to be idealistic. For children actually trust that: If we believe in Jesus, we can change the world! Continue
Parting Words: Breathe with Me (John 20:21-23)
In John 20:21-23, Jesus invites us to breathe in the Spirit–inhaling life and infiltrating our being–in order to exhale life to the world around us. In other words, the Spirit transforms us into agents of creation. Continue
Parting Words: Come with Me (Luke 22:14-23)
The Lord’s Supper detached from the story can feel just like a mid-service snack where you’re left craving more or even a little peanut butter. But when we realize that this meal defines us as a people, we start to understand the mystery of this meal: when we ingest it, it invites us to become the symbol itself. Continue
Parting Words: Listen to Me! (Mark 14:1-10)
Expectations can be blinding. Expectations can cause confusion, frustration, miscommunication. When we are blinded by our expectations, Jesus loudly proclaims: Listen to Me! Continue
With Everything: The Full Extent of God’s Love (John 13)
When does God show the full extent of his love? It is not to say that creation is not an act of God’s love, because it is. It is not to say the incarnation is not an act of God’s love, because it is. It is not to say the crucifixion is not an act of God’s love, because it is. Yet, there is only one time in the Bible where it describes an action with this designation, and it comes in John 13:1. Continue
Jesus Warns Against: Ingratitude (Luke 17:11-19; 18:9-14)
Two great threats exist in our churches and in our communities. Churches do not split over carpet color or worship music styles; churches split over bad communication and selfishness. Continue
Jesus Warns Us Against: Greed (Luke 12:13-15)
Money is not a reward-it’s a responsibility. Money is a fire that can either be used by you or against you—there is no in between. Continue
Jesus Warns Us Against: Forgetting the Centrality of Love (Luke 10:25-37)
If our theology doesn’t impact how we live then it is absolutely worthless, and I don’t know about you, but at the center of my theology stands a big cross. So here is the question: Do we get to choose who we love? Continue
Jesus Warns Us Against: Failing to Forgive (Matthew 18:21-35)
What do you do when your brother becomes your enemy? When your closest friend becomes your greatest foe? What do you do? When is ‘enough’ enough? Continue
Jesus Warns Us Against: Causing Others to Stumble (Matthew 18:5-9, 15-20)
It is so easy, and even tempting, to think that: My Sin is My Sin. It only affects me—it is my individual sin, and therefore whatever I do only affects me. But the Bible and experience suggest something quite different: your sin is always communal! Continue
Jesus Warns Us Against: A False View of Greatness (Luke 9:51-54; Mark 10:35-45)
I hate the life of John because I feel like I am looking into a mirror of my own soul. But I love the life of John because it shows me there is hope for the transformation of my soul. Continue
Jesus Warns Against: Religious People (Luke 12:1-9)
Hypocrisy is so much more than just hiding behind a mask; it is direct denial of the identity of God. We must remove the masks. Continue