Sermons from July 2022
Jesus Shaped Ethics – Jesus and Work
Genesis 2:15 — In 2014, the Barna Group published a report about trends in faith, work, and calling among people who self-identify as Christians in the United States. The report included the following paragraph: “Most churchgoers are craving more direction and discipleship when it comes to the theology of calling, especially as it relates to work. Barna research shows nearly two-thirds of churched adults say it has been at least three years or more since they heard church teachings on…
Jesus Shaped Ethics – Politics
It seems the last few years have witnessed a dramatic increase in the politicization of our nation. The expected patriotic response to the sight of our nation’s flag or the singing of our national anthem has been joined by a growing tension in our country, a tension built on the belief that the future of our nation hangs in the balance. That tension has resulted in distrust and fear that enflames existing political and social divisions in our country and has engendered a rising suspicion of those who hold differing opinions. And, as we have all seen (and probably even experienced), that distrust has broken relationships and even festered into violence.
Given the political climate in our nation, we should ask ourselves, “How should following Jesus shape my politics?” This lesson will consider Jesus and his kingdom to prepare us for our group discussions this evening that will explore practical applications of Jesus’ kingdom in our nation’s current political setting.
Be the Light
Mark 4: 21-23
Christlikeness and Community
The concept of “community” reached a popular level when I was in graduate school in the late 1990s. It had become a way of casually defining people based on their assumed sociological needs. While the idea certainly possessed rigor, I often saw it uncritically used to reduce the impulse to be part of a group to no more than a longing for belonging. In reference to religion, for example, some would offhandedly comment that it offered like-minded people a community without seriously considering the ideas that formed the community and motivated individuals to want to belong to such a group.
Even though some might misuse it, community nevertheless occupies a vitally important role in Christianity. Rather than merely being the result of the desire for belonging, God designed the church as a community built on the foundation of Jesus. It requires participants to understand and believe in Jesus’ authoritative identity and submit themselves to the purposes he sets for the church. As we continue to explore our effort to be like Jesus, we will use Paul’s comments about the church in Ephesians to consider the relationship between Christlikeness and community.