Ancient Words, Modern Embodiments: Does our Reading Bring Freedom?
In a sermon by Carl Garrison, he asks the question: What do we do with ancient words in a world where those same words have been used both to liberate and to oppress? In this message from Luke 4:16–30, John … Continue reading →
Voices of Women – Reflections of some Marys Excerpts from the Gospels
In a service on Mothers Day, the Manhattan Church looks at the various Marys in the Bible. Mary of Bethany, Mary Jesus’s mother, “Other Mary” the mother of James and Joseph, and Mary Magdalene. The Marys are an embodiment of … Continue reading →
Learning Life within God’s Power
Acts begins where Luke leaves off, with the risen Jesus, a band of ordinary disciples, and the promise of power. In this message from Acts 1:1–26, Tom opens the book of Acts and explores the transition from resurrection to Pentecost: … Continue reading →
Jesus, Expectation, and Power
What do you do when the risen Jesus appears in the room and it’s almost too joyful to believe? In this message from Luke 24:30–53, Tom traces the final scenes of Luke’s Gospel, the disciples overwhelmed by the risen Jesus … Continue reading →
Beloved Community: A Church Labels Can’t Contain
Labels can tell you everything and nothing at the same time. In this message from Romans 12:9–22, Leviticus 19:33–34, and Deuteronomy 10:17–19, Jason continues the Beloved Community series by exploring what it means to be a church that refuses to … Continue reading →
Who do you say I am: “What responses already reveal about priorities, desires, and God.”
When Jesus asks “Who do you say that I am?” in Matthew 16, he isn’t asking for a theological answer, he’s asking for a confession that will cost something. In this message from Matthew 16:13–24, Carl examines how we reveal … Continue reading →
Life Renewed in Burning Hearts
The tomb is empty. The disciples don’t know what to make of it. Two heartbroken travelers meet a stranger on the road to Emmaus, and as he opens the scriptures to them, something stirs, and then breaks wide open when … Continue reading →
“Father, Into Your Hands…” — Crucifixion
From the road to Golgotha to the silence of a sealed tomb, Luke’s account of the crucifixion is filled with voices, scoffing rulers, a converted criminal, a Roman centurion, weeping women. In this Palm Sunday/Passion message from Luke 23:26–56, Tom … Continue reading →
Jesus on Trial…and All around Him.
Pilate finds him innocent. Herod finds him entertaining. The crowd chooses Barabbas. In this message from Luke 23:1–25, Tom examines the competing interests swirling around Jesus’ trial, religious leaders protecting their power, a Roman governor looking for political advantage, and … Continue reading →
“You were with Jesus. Do you Know Him?”
Three times Peter denies knowing Jesus. Three times he hides his identity. Then a rooster crows, Jesus turns and looks at him, and Peter weeps bitterly. In this message from Luke 22:54–71, Tom follows Peter’s painful journey of self-discovery and … Continue reading →