Relentless

Relentless Series: Easter Sunday

~ 'Inspiring New Light ~

Numbers 24:15-19

Psalm 118:14-29

Jeremiah 31:7-14

Luke 24:13-53

Acts 1:1-11

1 Peter 1:1-12

Just click the image above or the linked sermon title to access the companion PDF of the sermon.

Although the focus of the church is very much on the morning star of Easter sunrise, the way the church orients itself and the way it conducts itself don’t seem to match. Or maybe it’s that the way that the church conducts itself and the way that society conducts itself are working against each other. You can tell where the focus is based on where the holiday lands. We know that he died on a Friday because they wanted his body down before the Sabbath starts, which is Friday evening sundown. We know he was in the grave for three days, and yet most celebrate his rise less than two days later on Sunday morning. 

Sometimes we wonder why people who knew him so well didn’t recognize him when they met him at the grave or in the days following. But I can think of a few reasons why it would’ve been hard to wrap your head around what you were seeing.

The last time he was seen he was bruised, swollen, and dead for those who witnessed it. Then suddenly a few days later, which is too soon for wounds to heal, and too soon for any resolution in your grief, all of a sudden he’s standing there in front of you – perfectly well. That alone is enough reason for your mind to play tricks on you as your denial becomes the filter. They still would’ve been in the denial phase of grief, much less being able to bridge the gap from what they know to what they’re seeing… 

Relentless Series: Maundy Thursday

~ The Last Supper ~

Leviticus 24:1-9

Psalm 78:1-32

Isaiah 55

John 6:26-71

Luke 22:7-30; 24:25-32

1 Corinthians 11:23-32

Just click the image above or the linked sermon title to access the companion PDF of the sermon.

Eucharist means Thanks Giving.  It is the art and act of giving thanks. Communion is the experience of sharing space, time, attention, and presence. It is the way that we show our thanks. 

We often think of this particular holiday as intimate because Yeshua shared with us the teaching of taking Communion. He broke bread with his brothers in ministry and shared the teachings that they didn’t yet understand about how his body would be broken for them and his blood would be poured out for them. When we hear the teachings of the Eucharist they make sense because of the context of the cross. But when he first shared those words his body and his spirit had not yet been broken. His fellowship had no way of understanding the depths of what it was that he was offering them.

We often forget that the whole scene, the whole speech, is foreshadowing the terrors that came in just hours. But also, the whole scene of the last supper reveals to us the most intimate moment and teaching that Yeshua offered us through his fellowship. It’s not just about the sacrifice that he was yet to make, it’s also about how important sharing that space and every moment as though it was your last really was. 

Relentless Series: Laetare

~ The Original Rebels ~

1 Samuel 27

Psalm 119:1-16

Ezekiel 4

Matthew 3:1-4:11

Ephesians 2:11-18

Just click the image above or the linked sermon title to access the companion PDF of the sermon.

The Bible is a revolutionary book. Not only do the people constantly rebel against God’s commands, but God rebels against injustices, the people rebel against human authority, and the Bible itself rebels against the status quo and norms of society. The original rebels are God, the people, and the Word itself. And as the incarnate Word, we can intuit what to expect from Yeshua as that very energy incarnated in human form. 

God is a complicated God and often that leaves us confused. He demands obedience to the rules while constantly pushing the boundaries, inviting us into more, and sending major characters to change the game. When to know to follow the rebel and when to hold our ground is the personal conflict every soul struggles with. Why doesn’t God make it more clear? Free will! He offers options and opportunities constantly, but they are all just invitations. I believe He holds a prayer for what He hopes for you but always throws you the veto rights… except when He exercises His own ultimate veto rights on our free-will choices. No wonder we can’t ever figure out where the uncrossable line is, who to follow, and what new information to take into our hearts.

For beings who want to love God wholeheartedly, 

live life in the fullness of who God made you to be, 

and follow God’s plan with every fibre of your being, 

it is a nuanced journey of constant discernment.

Relentless Series: Invocavit Sunday ~ Tithing ~

Genesis 14: 17-24 

Genesis 28: 10-22

1 Chronicles 29 :1-19

Psalm 51

Mark 12: 13-17

Romans 13

Malachi 3: 6-18

Just click the image above or the linked sermon title to access the companion PDF of the sermon.

Did you know that the practice of Tithing actually came from a willing offering? It was not a command from God. Rather, on several separate occasions, different founders of the faith offered a tithe to God as a reciprocal acknowledgement for what God had promised or provided. The original design of the practice was not that we would buy in by giving what we scraped together but actually gave a kick-back to support the ministry and show appreciation – more like tipping a practitioner or service provider.

Tithing is about dedicating our resources to a higher cause knowing that we will ultimately benefit as a result of what we are getting in that exchange. But, following our lead, God developed expectations and holds high standards. Though, with an adaptation based on the original prayer of offering: a tenth of EVERYTHING that God gives should be reinvested in your future and relationship with Him.

It’s about shifting our perspective on finances to understand that as an investment (credit) rather than the traditional deficit consciousness that keeps practitioners of the faith quite disempowered.