Sermons on John (Page 7)
The Reckoning
Matt’s message is rooted in John 10.1-10 and Brené Brown’s Rising Strong. Brené Brown writes, “One of the truisms of wholehearted living is you either walk into your story and own your truth, or you live outside of your story, hustling for your worthiness” (Rising Strong). “[Jesus] came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10.10). What emotional reckoning might be the gate in your life that leads to abundant life?
The Arena
Linda’s message is rooted in John 20.19-31 and introduces our Easter journey into Rising Strong. This worship series holds the lectionary readings for the season of Easter in conversation with Rising Strong by Brené Brown.
easter sunrise
Linda’s message for Easter sunrise in the Rose Garden at McKinley Park is rooted in the resurrection story from John. We celebrated the baptism of one adult and three children as we gathered in the rose garden as the sun rose on Easter.
Holy Friday
Our Holy Friday evening worship at The Table weaves the story of Jesus’ crucifixion from the Gospel of John with music from The Brilliance. Linda’s message invites us to reflect on what the death of Jesus might mean to us in relationship to claiming him as Christ.
Raising of Lazarus
Matt’s message is rooted in the story of Jesus raising Lazarus (John 11.1-45); which foreshadows what lies ahead for Jesus, and for all of us, if we desire to follow him as messiah. Jesus weeps at the tomb of Lazarus with Mary and Martha. What might it mean for Jesus to meet us at the tomb today? After raising Lazarus, Jesus calls those gathered to unbind him. How might Jesus be calling us to unbind one another from the suffocating reality of death?
Jesus & the Man Born Blind
Linda’s message is rooted in the story of Jesus and the man born blind (John 9.1-41). Where in your life might you feel blind and long to see? How might we nurture one another in our community of faith as we seek to recognize Jesus in our midst?
Finding Life-Giving Water through Conversation with a Thirsty Messiah & a Courageous Woman
Matt’s message is rooted in the encounter of an unnamed Samaritan woman with Jesus at Jacob’s well in John 4. An unnamed foreign woman from a different religious tradition & cultural identity is the first one to whom Jesus reveals his true identity in the Gospel of John. How might this story challenge and invite us to claim Jesus as Messiah in our everyday lives? Our scripture reading of John 4 is woven with Conversations by Sara Groves.
Rethink John 3:16
Linda’s message challenges us to rethink John 3.16 in context; Nicodemus coming to Jesus in the night (John 3.1-17).
Christmas Eve
Linda’s message for our 11:00 pm Candlelight Christmas Eve gathering is rooted in the Christmas story from John’s Gospel. What frame might allow us to see the light coming among us? Linda’s message is woven with selections from our music team’s live rendition of Josh Garrels’ recently released song called The Light Came Down.
Curriculum for Christianity as a School for Love
Matt’s message invites reflection on the movement of love within Christianity. Christianity teaches that we are created in love, we are born into a fallen world, and we are redeemed by God’s love. This is the curriculum for our school of love. How might this curriculum shape our daily lives?
Losing Religion
Kristin Stoneking, Executive Director of Fellowship of Reconciliation, was our special guest preacher in worship this morning at The Table. Kristin’s message is rooted in John 14.1-14 and invites reflection on following Jesus in a multifaith world.
Unity, not Uniformity
Linda’s message is rooted in John 17.20-26. Her words discuss the ways to answer Jesus’ prayer for unity in the community.