Josiah helps us think through a how undeserved grace. Jesus heals a paralytic by the pool at Bethesda, but unlike most healings, the man showed little or no faith, and little or no gratitude. What lessons can we learn about Jesus and about his grace from this story?
Jesus–He’s Not Safe, but He’s Good — Bob Whitaker (22 September 2013)
Peter, a simple fisherman, probably had no idea what he was getting into when Jesus got into his boat to speak to a crowd. After he had finished Jesus decided to perform an unexpected miracle, nearly turning the boat over by bringing in a miraculous catch of fish at an unexpected time of the day. Then he called Peter to leave everything behind (nets, boats, fish, and livelihood) and follow him. Peter didn’t see that coming and it changed his life forever. Jesus is a selfless, loving redeemer, a good shepherd, a friend of sinners, and a radically dangerous individual. If you invite him into your boat he will turn it upside down – are you ready for that?
Connexion: Jesus Meets a Zombie – Dan Waugh (22 Sept 2013)
What do zombies have to do with the Bible? Well, the Bible tells us that there are people who are alive but dead – alive physically but devoid of life spiritually. Jesus says that unless people are born again from above, from the Spirit, they won’t see or enter the kingdom of God. Dan explores John 3 and Jesus’ interaction with Nicodemus and what it means to be born again.
Freedom Fighter–Dan Waugh (15 Sept 2013)
Jesus stood up in the synagogue and declared he was the one who was anointed to proclaim good news to the poor and freedom to the oppressed (Luke 4:16-30). How will he back up this claim? Teaching. And casting out demons. That’s how. This is a story that shapes our understanding of the world and of Jesus. What does it means to participate with him in the mission of God?
Does God Really Understand Me?–Bob Whitaker (8 Sept 2013)
Have you ever asked yourself, “Are other people struggling with the same things that I am facing? Does anyone (including God) understand the difficulties that I encounter on a daily basis? Since he is God and I am a sinful human being, how could he truly understand?” These are questions that are answered in the real-life circumstances of Jesus.
Connexion: Come and See – Josiah Leuenberger (8 Sept 2013)
Director of University Ministries Josiah Leuenberger helps us think through what it means to respond to Jesus’ call to follow him on the journey of discipleship as well as what it looks like for us to invite others to ‘come and see’ for themselves who Jesus is.
God’s Kingdom–Now or Later — Bob Whitaker (1 Sept 2013)
What did Jesus mean when he said, “The kingdom of God is among you”? When you look around at our world does it seem to you that the kingdom of God is really present among us? Is God’s kingdom actually here, right now, or is it coming in the future? The answer to that question is one word: both. When embracing that paradoxical reality, how should we live today?
Connexion: God’s InFleshedness – Dan Waugh (1 Sept 2013)
The doctrine of the incarnation is really cool and entirely unique to Christianity – God became flesh and dwelt among us. Not only is it cool, but is practical. Because God in Jesus experienced everything we as humans experience, he can sympathize with us. Cool, Practical, and Important. It’s no exaggeration to say that without the incarnation, the infleshedness of God, there would be no hope of salvation. The Word became flesh and is the perfect revelation of God, and the perfect response to God.
Jesus, the Fingerprint of God–Bob Whitaker (25 Aug 2013)
A look at the incarnation–both the divinity and humanity of Christ. If we want to know what God is like, we cannot find a better example than Jesus Christ…yet he was much more than an example. The perfect image of God is reflected in him because he was God in the flesh. He is embedded in time and space but he also transcends time and space. This mysterious reality is the very thing which makes Jesus more significant than any other teacher in the history of humanity.
Connexion: Setting the Record Straight – Bob Whitaker (Aug25)
Pastor Bob kicks of the semester and a new series at connexion on the Gospel of John called Rediscovering Jesus. This week, Bob asks wrestles with questions like: Why do I believe the Gospels are true accounts of Jesus? Is there enough evidence to believe them? Is there good reasons to disbelieve them?