Sermons on Acts (Page 5)
The Prophet and the Wonk
Today in the United States and in the American church, there are a lot of reasons for the church to speak truth to power like the apostles in Acts 5. This prophetic role is essential. We are allegiant to Jesus and his Way is our law, even if that sets us at odds with the laws of the nations in which we find ourselves. Luke, however, masterfully juxtaposes the apostles prophetic stance with their solution-oriented administration of the cultural conflict…
Pentecost: A Different Kind of Power
Pentecost Sunday is an opportunity for Jesus-disciples to turn once again toward God and ask for God’s Spirit to fill us, empower us, and send us. In this message, Pastor T. C. will focus on the nature of the “power” Jesus-disciples receive from God, the receptive posture necessary, how to know we are being caught up in the Holy Spirit and not some other spirit, and the purpose of the Spirit’s empowerment: witness.
Swimming Lessons, Week 5: “Culture and Identity in Christ”
God’s redemptive mission began in earnest through the covenant cut with Abraham and his family who will become Israel. God was restoring the blessing and calling given to humanity in the beginning. God was restoring the shalom, the right-relatedness between God and humanity and between peoples. Right-relatedness was restored between Abraham and God through Abraham’s faith, trust, and allegiance. All this preceded the giving of Torah. By the time Jesus enters the story of God’s redemptive mission, Torah-observance marks off…
