Sermons on reaching in love (Page 9)
Little Bit%#!
How might the raw and contentious encounter of Jesus with a Gentile woman of Syrophoenician origin be a tipping point for him and all of us? Matt’s message is rooted in Mark 7.24-37.
Grinder, Burning Man, and a Pastor on the Playa
Linda’s message invites reflection on Burning Man, Default Worlds, and the Letter of James (James 1.17-27). Do you want to hear the story of how we changed someone’s life today?
Bread of Freedom
Rev. Debbie Weatherspoon’s message is rooted in John 6.51-58. The bread of freedom sustained Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and God invites us to taste of this same bread today.
Bread from Heaven
Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes into me will never be thirsty” (John 6.35). Linda’s message invites reflection on the ways John 6.35, 41-51 is rooted in Exodus 16 and challenges us to wonder about the ways God might be sending us bread from heaven today.
Sit Down
Matt’s message holds the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 (John 6.1-21) in conversation with Mama Cat and the Pot Bangerz in St. Louis. Jesus and Mama Cat see the needs of those in their midst and call them to sit down in preparation for breaking bread.
Habakkuk
Matt’s message invites reflection on the often overlooked book from the Hebrew bible called Habakkuk. Habakkuk 2.4 says, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Wendell Berry’s “Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front” echoes these ancient words: “Be joyful though you have considered all the facts.” How might we be called to “be joyful though we’ve considered all the facts today?
Peace! Be Still!
Matt’s message is rooted in Mark 4.35-41. How might this story of Jesus journeying “just as he is” to the other side as a storm rages call us to engage the storms of our world today? Into the chaos and fear…Jesus calls out: “Peace! Be still!” How might our voices join with his today?
Resist.
Matt’s message is rooted in Mark 2.23-3.6 and the revival of the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign. How might we be inspired and challenged by Jesus’s reclaiming of sabbath-keeping as resistance to the religious & political establishment’s desire for stability at the expense of those who are hungry & suffering?
The Movement
Pastor Chris’s message on this Pentecost Sunday is rooted in Acts 2. 1-21.
Complicated Relationships
Linda’s message is rooted in Acts 1:13-17, 21-26 & the 2017 Academy nominated film “Lady Bird.” Relationships are complicated. Whether it is a group of disciples choosing to replace one among their ranks or Lady Bird and her mother, this scripture points to prayer as one of the ways to listen to God’s guidance. When you are in a complicated relationship what guides your choices? Is there a way in which pausing for prayer this week might inform your next…
Even Them?
Matt’s message holds his conversion experience along the US/Mexico boarder in conversation with Peter’s conversion story from Acts 10. How might we be called to follow the Risen One in crossing boundaries, repairing breaches, and joining with God in taking the crucified down from the cross?
Embracing Diversity in Gender & Sexuality
Matt’s message holds the story of the Ethiopian eunuch from Acts 8. 26-40 in conversation with Lady Bird’s representation of gender & sexuality. What might scripture have to teach us about embracing diversity in gender and sexuality today?