Sunday, March 4, 2012 We are not a society that takes well to celebrities and public figures who make mistakes. In fact, we really love it when a squeaky clean figure gets all messed up. Take Jesus’ disciple, Peter, as an example. He denied Jesus three times! He’s done! Finished! That is, until Jesus reinstates him. Readings: … Read more
UNDESERVED: God’s Gift of Grace Creation Grace is, by definition, an undeserved gift. One gift that is often overlooked by us is the gift of God’s creation. God made this place, he gave us life, he provides support for our existence and it’s all a gift that we never asked for. It’s a gift we … Read more
The Gospel of John 21 Fresh from their encounter with the resurrected Jesus, the disciples quickly revert back to old routines. For Peter, it was fishing. Peter had no idea that Jesus had come to restore him, to give him the chance to express his love for him the same way he had denied him … Read more
Sunday, February 26, 2012 God became flesh to save us. It’s the basic tenet of Christianity. What about those God came to save? What’s our role? Jesus tells us that as he was sent, so we are sent. Listen to Bethel’s Director of Christian Outreach Jordan Ray talk about how we are to live incarnationally. … Read more
Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Why do we do the things that we do? Why do we put ashes on our foreheads at the beginning of Lent? What’s the incentive? What’s in it for us? Listen to Pastor Seabaugh speak on the true motivation for our good works, Jesus. Readings: Joel 2:12-19, 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10, … Read more
The Gospel of John 20 It’s one thing for a tomb to be empty. It’s quite another thing for the previous occupant to vacate the tomb… himself. Imagine the confusion and dismay of Mary, Peter and John when they find an empty tomb, only to hear Him say, “Mary,” or “Put your finger here.” He’s … Read more
Sunday, February 19, 2012 They were two very understandable things to say, considering the situation. Crucifixion is brutal and one can get very thirsty. As Jesus’ life neared its end, he simply declared it so. But there is so much more behind these words. In these words we see God show his amazing love for … Read more
Sunday, February 12, 2012 In America we don’t know much about living in a kingdom. We don’t! So we have to think cross-culturally to fully realize what Jesus talks about when he speaks of the Kingdom of God. Where is the kingdom? Is it here? Is it coming? Both? Readings: Psalm 4, Romans 10:8-17, John … Read more
The Gospel of John 19 The images of Jesus’ crucifixion are vivid: A purple robe, the crown of thorns, the sign above the cross, the others crucified with Jesus on either side, Jesus’ seamless tunic, Mary at the foot of the cross, “I am thirsty,” “It is finished,” blood and water, strips of linen. Finished … Read more
Sunday, February 5, 2012 What kinds of things do you pray for? Often, when we pray, we pray mostly for ourselves. Is that ok? What kinds of things did Jesus pray for? Should we pray like Jesus? Listen to this challenging sermon by Pastor Seabaugh encouraging us to pray like Jesus did in John 17. … Read more