The Word at Shalom

May 22, 2022, Easter 6, Generosity 4: ”The Gospel Dream”

The American Dream declares that if you work hard and make the right choices, you can find happiness through material comfort and upward social mobility. However, for many, the dream has become a nightmare. What would an alternate vision of success, rooted in the gospel, look like? Pastor David preaches, "The Gospel Dream", based on 2 Corinthians 9:1-9. This is the fourth sermon in our four-week Celebrate Generosity series. 

May 15, 2022, Easter 5 (Generosity 3): ”The Wise-Hearted Community”

After the golden calf incident, the relationship between God and people was broken. However, God did not abandon God's people, but renewed a covenant with them. A once "stiff-necked" people (Exodus 32:9) is transformed into a "wise-hearted" people (36:1-2, translated "skillful" in NRSV). How does this transformation occur? What does it mean to be wise-hearted? And how can we live into God's call to be a wise-hearted people today? Pastor David preaches "The Wise-Hearted Community" based on Exodus 36:1-7 (with references to Exodus 32 and 35). This is the third sermon of our four-week Celebrate Generosity series.

May 8, 2022, Easter 4, Generosity 2: ”Looking Outward”

The church at Corinth was deeply divided. Some identified themselves by certain church leaders over Christ. Others used the Lord's Supper as an excuse to get drunk. Still others were entranced by flashy spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues, ignoring the humbler but more important gifts of faith, hope, and love. How does Paul encourage the Corinthians to look beyond their own desires to the needs of others? Pastor David preaches, "Looking Outward", based on 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 and Matthew 6:19-21. This sermon is the second in a four-week series for our Celebrating Generosity Campaign. This week's worship theme is "Giving Is Systematic".

May 1, 2022, Easter 3, Generosity 1: ”Getting Priorities Straight”

As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, Moses gathered them for a final pep talk (our modern-day, 34-chapter book of Deuteronomy). In order to enjoy God's generosity to the fullest, they had to get their priorities straight. Among a lot of important priorities, love of God was to be kept first. How did Moses tell the Israelites to remember? And how can we remember the Lord above all others? Pastor David preaches, "Getting Priorities Straight", based on Deuteronomy 6:1-9. This sermon is the first of a four-week series titled "Celebrating Generosity".

April 17, 2022, Easter Sunday: ”By Name”

Mary Magdalene could only imagine the worst. Jesus' body was missing, which must have meant that someone had stolen it. She was shattered by grief. After Jesus had been so cruelly killed, why would someone do this? However, her grief soon turns to surprise. How does Mary recognize the risen Lord? And how might we recognize the risen Lord among us today? Pastor David preaches, "By Name", based on John 20:1-18.

April 15, 2022: ”Behold the Lamb”

It appeared that the powers of the world had crushed Jesus. He was dead on a Roman cross. But in his death new life would spring forth for the world. How does John poetically describe this new life in the events that happen after Jesus' death? And what does that new life mean in a world filled with death and pain? Pastor David preaches, "Behold the Lamb", based on John 19:31-42.

April 14, 2022: ”A New Community”

Jesus hung on a Roman cross outside the city walls. He seemed to be yet another failed messiah, crushed under the twin wheels of religion and the state. Even at this end point, Jesus loves those who belong to him, and forms a new community at the foot of the cross. What is this new community, formed in death's shadow, like? Pastor David preaches "A New Community" based on John 19:23-30.

April 10, 2022: ”Signmakers”

Jesus performed signs to point to the life he gives the world. In a bitter twist, Pilate fixed a sign to the cross to humiliate the religious leaders as well as Jesus. Yet Pilate's sign becomes an ironic pointer to new life as well. How does this happen? And how might we be signmakers who point to this new life, perhaps in unintentional ways? Pastor David preaches "Signmakers" based on John 12:12-19 and John 19:16b-22. 

 

April 3, 2022: ”Exposing the Powers”

The irony in John's Gospel reaches its height in chapter 19. Jesus is tortured and humiliated, dressed up in a purple robe and crown of thorns to mock his kingship. The Lord of Life appears to be subject to powers of sin and death. However, in his humiliation, Jesus shows us what real power looks like. How does Jesus do this? What does it mean to trust in a condemned and crucified Savior? Pastor David preaches "Exposing the Powers", based on John 19:1-16a.

March 27, 2022: ”Revolution”

Was Jesus a revolutionary? That was the question behind Pilate's question, "Are you the King of the Jews?" However, Jesus responds that his kingdom reaches farther and is rooted deeper than Pilate can possibly imagine. Jesus is indeed a revolutionary--but not in the way Pilate suspects. Pastor David preaches, "Revolution", based on John 18:28-40.