Vintage Jesus: “Nationalist Jesus” vs. The Good Samaritan

It seems there are many versions of Jesus now.

Some people are using Jesus to support their own materialism, prejudices, and political agendas. Projecting their own views onto Jesus and distorting Christianity to fit their own narrative, it is as though some are creating Jesus in their own image.

In this series we want to discover the authentic Jesus we encounter in the Gospels by exploring some of His most famous parables. Parables are short stories that illustrate a spiritual point, and parables are one of Jesus’ most common teaching devices.

If you want to follow the actual Jesus we encounter in the Gospels, join us for this series on parables, Vintage Jesus: Spotting the Authentic Jesus in A World of Newly Invented Fakes.

Sermon Schedule
August 1- “Militant Jesus” vs. The Prodigal Son
August 8- “Prosperity Gospel Jesus” vs. The Rich Man and Lazarus
August 15- “Anti-Outsider Jesus” vs. The Great Banquet
August 22- “Nice Guy Jesus” vs. The Barren Fig Tree
August 29- “Political Party Jesus” vs. The Mustard Seed
September 5- “Nationalist Jesus” vs. The Good Samaritan

Join us as we explore some of His most famous parables so that we can spot the authentic Jesus in a world of fakes.

The Ten Commandments: You Shall Have No Other Gods

You may think you know what the Ten Commandments mean, and you certainly know how they are often used in American society as a political football. For example, certain politicians or groups will lobby to display the Ten Commandments on public property in an attempt to gain religious voters. If we’re honest, we may view them as trite or archaic.

The truth is that the Ten Commandments were a leap forward when they were first introduced perhaps 3,000 years ago, and they are still a leap forward for us now.

While we think ourselves as advanced beyond the ancient sheepherding people groups in the Middle East who first encountered the Ten Commandments, consider how we as a people are currently struggling with idolatry, telling the truth vs. lies, coveting, etc.

The Ten Commandments are about how we order society for the benefit of everyone, and they are an inspiring challenge to us just like they were to the first people who heard them.

Join us beginning May 23 for a new series The Ten Commandments.

Sermon Schedule

May 23- No Other Gods Before Me
May 30- You Shall Not Make for Yourself An Idol
June 6- You Shall Not Misuse the Name of the Lord Your God
June 13- Remember the Sabbath to Keep It Holy
June 20- Honor Your Parents
June 27- You Shall Not Murder
July 4- You Shall Not Commit Adultery
July 11- You Shall Not Steal
July 18- You Shall Not Give False Testimony
July 25- You Shall Not Covet (w/ Special Guest Amy Price)

Join us beginning May 23 for a new series The Ten Commandments.

Special Guest Brian Zahnd

Brian Zahnd is the founder and lead pastor of Word of Life Church, a non-denominational Christian congregation in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Brian and his wife, Peri, founded the church in 1981.

Brian is also the author of several books, including, Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God, Water to Wine, A Farewell To Mars, Beauty Will Save the World, Unconditional?: The Call of Jesus to Radical Forgiveness, and Postcards from Babylon: The Church in American Exile.

If God Gave You A Brain, It’s Okay to Use It in Church: Surviving Disinformation and Propaganda

This past year, we witnessed the explosive growth of conspiracy theories, disinformation, and propaganda, along with distrust of medical science and vaccines. While COVID-19 spiraled out of control, many self-professing Christians supported the false claims of politicians with no evidence and even mocked doctors who urged Americans to take common sense precautions. Some Christians have even believed and spread political propaganda that is contrary to their faith.

This has prompted some to ask, “Can a thinking person be a Christian?” Can followers of Jesus trust reason and rationality, or do we have to just accept “blind faith,” and believe in claims in spite of what our brains tell us?

Starting January 10, we will explore the relationship between faith and doubt and faith and reason:

Series Schedule

January 10- The Bible and Your Brain (the Relationship between Faith and Reason)
January 17- Surviving Disinformation and Propaganda
January 24- Interpreting the Bible Intelligently
January 31- The Bible and Science
February 7- Christians, Vaccines, and Conspiracy Theories
February 14- Special Guest Dr. Pete Enns

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