Word of Life Church Podcast

<p>If we love Jesus then it seems like we should love what Jesus loves. And what does Jesus love? The church. While the New Testament uses many metaphors to describe the church, the most helpful may be the image of church as the body of Christ, the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. Paul in 1 Corinthians 12 uses this metaphor as a way to describe our need for one another in the body of Christ. The foot cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you. We are all needed and the church herself is necessary if we want the faith to continue.</p>

<p>Happy are the people whose strength is in God! <br>whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way. <br>–Psalm 84:5<br><br>Put plain and simple, the Christian life is a pilgrim’s journey. It’s not static, it’s not sedentary, it’s not the mere maintenance of the status <a href="http://quo.It" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">quo.It</a>'s the difficult and demanding pilgrimage of following Jesus through life. Nothing of this world (by which I mean American culture) prepares us to be Christian. If we think being Christian basically means being a good citizen and going to church on Sunday, we've profoundly misunderstood what it really means to follow Jesus!</p>

<p>How Much a Dollar Cost <br>Kendrick Lamar<br><br>How much a dollar really cost? <br>The question is detrimental, paralyzin' my thoughts <br>Parasites in my stomach keep me with a gut feeling, y'all <br>Gotta see how I’m chillin' once I park this luxury car <br>Hopping out feeling big as Mutombo <br>"20 on pump 6" - dirty Marcellus called me Dumbo <br>20 years ago - can't forget <br>Now I can lend all my ear or two how to stack these residuals <br>Tenfold; the liberal concept of what men'll do <br>"20 on 6" - he didn't hear me <br>Indigenous African only spoke Zulu <br>My American tongue was slurry <br>Walked out the gas station <br>A homeless man with a semi-tan complexion <br>Asked me for ten rand, stressin' about dry land <br>Deep water, powder blue skies that crack open <br>A piece of crack that he wanted, I knew he was smokin' <br>He begged and pleaded <br>Asked me to feed him twice, I didn't believe it <br>Told him, "Beat it" <br>Contributin' money just for his pipe, I couldn't see it <br>He said, "My son, temptation is one thing that I've defeated <br>Listen to me, I want a single bill from you <br>Nothin' less, nothin' more" <br>I told him I ain't have it and closed my door <br>Tell me how much a dollar cost<br><br>It's more to feed your mind <br>Water, sun and love, the one you love <br>All you need, the air you breathe<br><br>He's starin' at me in disbelief <br>My temper is buildin', he's starin' at me, I grab my key <br>He's starin' at me, I started the car, then I tried to leave <br>And somethin' told me to keep it in park until I could see <br>The reason why he was mad at a stranger <br>Like I was supposed to save him <br>Like I'm the reason he's homeless and askin' me for a favor <br>He's starin' at me, his eyes followed me with no laser <br>He's starin' at me, I notice that his stare is contagious <br>Cause now I'm starin' back at him, feelin' some type of disrespect <br>If I could throw a bat at him, it'd be aimin' at his neck <br>I never understood someone beggin' for goods <br>Askin' for handouts, takin' it if they could <br>And this particular person just had it down pat <br>Starin' at me for the longest until he finally asked <br>Have you ever opened up Exodus 14? <br>A humble man is all that we ever need <br>Tell me how much a dollar cost<br><br>It's more to feed your mind <br>Water, sun and love, the one you love <br>All you need, the air you breathe<br><br>Guilt trippin' and feelin' resentment <br>I never met a transient that demanded attention <br>They got me frustrated, indecisive and power trippin' <br>Sour emotions got me lookin' at the universe different <br>I should distance myself, I should keep it relentless <br>My selfishness is what got me here, who am I kiddin'? <br>So I'mma tell you like I told the last bum <br>Crumbs and pennies, I need all of mines <br>And I recognize this type of panhandlin' all the time <br>I got better judgement, I know when it's hustlin', keep in mind <br>When I was strugglin', I did compromise, now I comprehend <br>I smell grandpa's old medicine, reekin' from your skin <br>Moonshine and gin, now you're babblin', your words ain't flatterin' <br>I'm imaginin' Denzel but lookin' at O'Neal <br>Kazaam is sad thrills, your gimmick is mediocre <br>The jig is up, I seen you from a mile away losin' focus <br>And I'm insensitive, and I lack empathy <br>He looked at me and said, "Your potential is bittersweet" <br>I looked at him and said, "Every nickel is mines to keep" <br>He looked at me and said, "Know the truth, it'll set you free <br>You're lookin' at the Messiah, the son of Jehovah, the higher power <br>The choir that spoke the word, the Holy Spirit <br>The nerve of Nazareth, and I'll tell you just how much a dollar cost <br>The price of having a spot in Heaven, embrace your loss, I am God"<br><br>I wash my hands, I said my grace <br>What more do you want from me? <br>Tears of a clown, guess I'm not all what is meant to be <br>Shades of grey will never change if I condone <br>Turn this page, help me change, so right my wrongs</p>

<p>The hit song Stressed Out by 21 Pilots is track 9 of Finding God on Your iPod. This song captures the desire of most modern men and women of our stressed out, anxiety-filled society. We want to go back to when things were simple and stress-free; the childhood years of life. To be stress free would be like Heaven on Earth and Jesus is inviting us into that kind of reality here and now. How might we learn to life in the unforced rhythms of God's grace? It has something to do with recovering a child-like trust.</p>

<p>"What’s So” by John Paul White is a song about the importance of being rooted. The song opens with these lines:<br><br>Hole in the road <br>Sun on your back <br>Shoulder the load <br>Your ancestors passed <br>Wear on your sleeve <br>The virtues you lack <br>But don't get above your raising<br><br>Modern society is transient. Modern work life has people moving from one place to another and many of us experience the absence of rootedness. Many people feel uprooted and disconnected. The Gospel offers a solution in that all of the work of God is connected to a particular time and place with a particular people. Rootedness in Christ, in the church, and in communion establishes us on a solid foundation.</p>

<p>Mercy Please <br>The Whistles and The Bells<br><br>If we are what we eat then my future it is scary <br>For I have been scarfing down the pages of the devil’s dictionary <br>In my veins there’s a potent cocktail of fear and worry <br>That will show in my soul when the test results return from its autopsy<br><br>I need just a little bit more, a little bit more, a little bit more mercy please <br>A beggar at your door, a beggar at your door I will always be<br><br>When the henchmen of midnight march me up to the gallows <br>and I stand accused with a noose around my neck in the shadows <br>and my crimes fill the dark as the ringleader barks and he bellows <br>And the whisper of hope cuts the burlap rope <br>And steals all the ghetto king's gusto<br><br>I need just a little bit more, a little bit more, a little bit more mercy please <br>A beggar at your door, a beggar at your door I will always be</p>

<p>Leon Bridges claims to be "just a kid from Fort Worth, Texas." This kid, who is 25 years old, brings a sound and a soul from 60 years ago. His vintage sound and soulful songs on his first album "Coming Home" lead us to its concluding track entitled "River." Leon brings a message of light to the world as he shares from a heart that longs for redemption in the waters of baptism. It is the very Baptism of Jesus that inaugurates New Creation and calls us to join in what God is doing to set all things right. Let the justice of God roll down like a river.</p>

<p>The Strumbella's song "Spirits" has been growing in popularity because it taps into the age-old cosmic battle between good and evil, the light and the darkness, Superman and Lex Luthor, Jedis and the Sith, "spirits" and "guns." From classic Greek mythology to modern film, these themes have been played and replayed time and time again. The "spirits" are the things that give life and the "guns" are the things that destroy. Both of these reverberate in our heads, battling it out and keeping us frustrated. The moment we put the guns down and turn to the Spirit, that’s when we say: "Maybe we don’t wanna stay the same." This movement opens us to the possibility of real change.</p>

<p>Rolling Stones magazine claims Lucius is the best band you've never heard of. They bring an honest lament in the beautiful vocal driven "Dusty Trails." Each of us has been told that everything will be ok in midst of our sorrow, but what do we do when everything is not ok? What happens when we arrived in a place of doubt, despair, and disappointment? This track explores how we might live in the honest tension of lament and laughter, doubt and faith, confusion and confession.</p>

<p>I Will Be There <br>Eric Clapton<br><br>When times are hard and friends are few <br>And you need someone to help you through <br>Just call my name and I will come running to your side <br>Don't be afraid, don't be afraid<br><br>I will be there <br>I will be there <br>I will be there <br>I will be there<br><br>When morning comes and nothing's changed <br>And the world outside plays the same old game <br>Just call on me and I will ease your lonely heart <br>Don't be afraid, don't be afraid<br><br>I will be there <br>When you are lost in the night <br>No where to turn <br>I will be there <br>Don't be afraid, don't be afraid <br>I will be there <br>Don't be afraid <br>I will be there <br>When every one that you believe still lets you down <br>I will be there <br>Don't be afraid, don't be afraid <br>Will be there <br>Don't be afraid<br><br>Just call my name <br>And I will come running to your side <br>Don't be afraid, don't be afraid<br><br>I will be there <br>When you are lost, lost in the night <br>No where to turn <br>I will be there <br>Don't be afraid <br>Don't be afraid <br>Don't be afraid <br>I will be there<br><br>When everyone that you believe still lets you down <br>I will be there <br>Don't be afraid, don't be afraid <br>Don't be afraid<br><br>When you are lost, lost in the night <br>No where to turn <br>Don't be afraid <br>Don't be afraid <br>Don't be afraid</p>

<p>Burn The Witch <br>Radiohead<br><br>Stay in the shadows <br>Cheer at the gallows <br>This is a round up<br><br>This is a low flying panic attack <br>Sing a song on the jukebox that goes<br><br>Burn the witch <br>Burn the witch <br>We know where you live<br><br>Red crosses on wooden doors <br>And if you float you burn <br>Loose talk around tables <br>Abandon all reason <br>Avoid all eye contact <br>Do not react <br>Shoot the messengers<br><br>This is a low flying panic attack <br>Sing the song of sixpence that goes<br><br>Burn the witch <br>Burn the witch <br>We know where you live <br>We know where you live</p>

<p>Her Mercy <br>Glen Hansard<br><br>When you're kneeling through the hours, <br>And you're doubting your given powers, <br>And when you're ready for her mercy, <br>And you're worthy, <br>It will come<br><br>When you're sneaking round the back door, <br>And she’s waiting for you no more, <br>And when you're ready for her mercy, <br>And you're worthy, <br>It will come<br><br>When the birds are just tuning up still, <br>And the dawn breaks on your windowsill, <br>And when you're ready for her mercy, <br>And you're worthy, <br>It will come <br>It will come<br><br>When you're broken, <br>When your heart is finally open, <br>When you're down, <br>Down and troubled, <br>When you're lost among the rubble<br><br>Well, there's sugar on the old spoon, <br>Let’s do that two-step around your front room, <br>And when you're ready for her mercy, <br>And you're worthy, <br>It will come<br><br>Mercy, mercy, coming to you, <br>Feel her beauty flowing through you <br>She will unbind you, set the word free. <br>Mercy, Mercy</p>

<p>The story the Bible wants to tell is the story of a good God who created a good world that went horribly wrong. Ever since, God has been at work setting right his good world gone wrong. His plan from Abraham through Jesus was to work through his people as King to make things right. King Jesus is changing the world in particular through the holiness of his people. How we live and how we love is the Jesus way of changing the world.</p>

<p>Once upon a time the trees decided to choose a king. First the trees said to the Olive Tree, "Be our king!" But Olive Tree refused, saying, "Should I quit producing my olive oil that blesses both God and people, just to wave back and forth over the trees?" Then they said to the Fig Tree, "You be our king!" But Fig Tree also refused, saying, "Should I quit producing my sweet fruit just to wave back and forth over the trees?" Then the trees said to the Grape Vine, "You be our king." But Grape Vine refused, saying, "Should I quit producing my wine that cheers both God and men, just to wave back and forth over the trees?" Then all the trees finally turned to Bramble Thornbush and said, "Be our king!" And Bramble Thornbush replied to the trees, "If you truly want to make me your king, come and put your trust in my shadow. But if not, let fire come out from me and devour the Cedars of Lebanon." (Judges 9:8-15)</p>

<p>When we are at critical crossroads in our lives and we are faced with two doors and we are unsure which way to go, the truth is there is not a “right” door in terms of the will of God, as if God is only behind one door. One of the surprising things about following Jesus is we discover God is behind every door. Even if we walk through the door bearing a sign saying: "Sin and Destruction," we can find the love of God there. There is no place where God is not.</p>

<p>The American church should spend the next one hundred years emphasizing two things: Contemplation and Transformation. One of the most serious maladies infecting Western/American Christianity is that we’ve made Christianity non-contemplative (reactive) and transactional. Our reputation for deep anger and shallow religion are symptoms of this. To move away from industrialized soul care to artistic soul care is a major paradigm shift. It requires re-calibrating how we fundamentally think about our engagement with God. Instead of thinking in terms of transaction, we need to think in terms of transformation.</p>

<p>The Life of A Great Sinner was to be the title of Fyodor Dostoevsky's sequal to The Brothers Karamazov – a book that was never completed. In this sermon "The Life of A Great Sinner" is the story of Zacchaeus – the short tax collector who climbed a tree so he could see Jesus, the "wee little man" of the Sunday School song. But describing Zacchaeus as a "wee little man" is probably misleading. Romans weren't looking for "wee little" bureaucrats to collect their taxes, but enforcer types. Zacchaeus was more like "Sammy the Bull" Gravano – the short of stature mafia boss. This is the story of Zak the <a href="http://Bull...and" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Bull...and</a> his encounter with Jesus.</p>

<p>"I woke up this morning looking for someone to blame. Someone to hate. Someone who I could make the single target for my fear about the officers killed in Dallas and for what happened to Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. It was such a desperate feeling to want to discharge the uncertainty and scarcity. Then it dawned on me that this is the exact drive that fueled what’s happening right now. Instead of feeling hurt we act out our hurt. Rather than acknowledging our pain, we inflict it on others. Neither hate nor blame will lead to the justice and peace that we all want—it will only move us further apart. We can’t forget that hate and blame are seductive. Anger is easier than grief. Blame is easier than real accountability. When we choose instant relief in the form of rage, we are in many ways choosing permanent grief for the entire world." –Brené Brown</p>

<p>Jesus, we sit with you in lament for the land.<br><br>We lament the long history of injustice that has been upon this land.<br><br>We weep for the Native Americans who were killed and driven from their land.<br><br>We weep for the African slaves who were sold and suffered in this land.<br><br>We weep for Native Americans who continue to suffer injustice in this land.<br><br>We weep for African Americans who continue to suffer injustice in this land.<br><br>We weep for the families of black men who have been unjustly killed.<br><br>We weep for the families of police officers slain while keeping the peace.<br><br>We weep for our children growing up in this violent land.<br><br>But while we weep, lament, and repent…<br><br>We do not give in to despair.<br><br>We look to God, for our hope is in God.<br><br>The psalmist said, “The meek shall inherit the land.”<br><br>Jesus, you said, “The meek shall inherit the earth.”<br><br>Lord, teach us to be meek and trusting, not greedy and clutching.<br><br>Jesus, you blessed those who hunger and thirst for justice.<br><br>We have a deep ache in the pit of our belly;<br><br>We have a searing thirst deep in our soul—<br><br>For this wounded land to see justice and be healed.<br><br>But we don’t know exactly what to do—<br><br>So Jesus, we sit with you.<br><br>We sit with you so we might see the deep truth—<br><br>That God is love…<br><br>And there is no them, there is only us.<br><br>Amen.</p>

<p>Jacob wrestled with God and became Israel—the God wrestler. In time Israel became the name for the people of God. The people of God are not those who have God all figured out or have learned to use God; the people of God are those who wrestle with God.</p>

<p>As we get closer to July 4th, people often ask: Is it OK to be patriotic? Can I be a Christian and a Patriot? Can I celebrate national holidays like the fourth of July? Answering questions like these require a clear definition of patriotism. If by patriotism you mean pride of place and love of people in that place, then yes, it's OK to be a patriotic. <a href="http://But...it" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">But...it</a> is easy for patriotism to turn into nationalism whereby we elevate our love for country over our love for Jesus, which creates all sorts of problems in our faith life. Jesus calls us to a life of discipleship where we put him first and everything else becomes a distant second.</p>

<p>The land of the Gerasenes is opposite Capernaum on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Though it’s only eight miles away by boat, it really was a world away from Capernaum -- the land of the Gerasenes was a land of Gentiles. So when Jesus said, "let’s go over to the other side," he was saying, "let’s go to 'them.'" (If we’re going to learn to love the other, we’re going to have to get to know them.) The city of the Gerasenes was Kursi. In the city of Kursi there lived a man whose had lost the battle with his <a href="http://demons....but" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">demons....but</a> that was about to change.</p>

<p>Let’s try to evaluate the church in the context of beauty and ask some fearless questions.<br><br>Instead of contributing to the hateful rhetoric of our ugly age, could the church be a shelter from the storm?<br><br>Instead of a furrowed brow of disapproval, a clenched fist of anger, a wagging finger of condemnation, could the church present to the world a compassionate countenance of grace?<br><br>Instead of being sucked into the destructive dualism of reactive people, could the church become a contemplative people seeking to hold all things together in the reconciling love of Christ?<br><br>Instead of ratcheting up culture war polemics, could the church speak the first words of the risen Christ, “peace be with you”?</p>

<p>As a child Prince Mephibosheth was let down by a loved one; as a result he was crippled, living on the edge of hell. Have you ever been let down by a loved one and the episode left its mark on you? Have you ever been hurt by those who were supposed to help you? Do you limp through life, suffering from old wounds, feeling like you're going through hell? This is Mephibosheth. But it's not the end of the story...</p>

<p>Power as defined as the need to be in control, and to be able to control others, belongs to that part of the world Jesus wants to save us from. We are all addicted to power and we don't even know it. This kind of power is challenged by the gospel. Jesus takes away the sin of power through powerlessness, leaving for us an example to follow. Jesus says those who lose their life will save it. When we experience this kind of powerlessness, we are empowered to become fully healed, fully human, and fully alive.</p>

<p>Simeon Bachos, the Ethiopian eunuch, became the first Gentile convert to Christ. There is a powerful message here, because Simeon Bachos was the ultimate outsider. Excluded by his ethnicity and wounded in his sexuality, Simeon had never belonged, never had a place he could truly call home. But when Philip preached Jesus to him and then baptized him, the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled—the inclusive temple of Christ had been built!</p>

<p>Religion is bad when it fosters and legitimizes violence. <br>Religion is bad when it is infected with hypocrisy. <br>Religion is bad when it becomes a source of spiritual pride. <br>Religion is bad when it becomes in end in itself. <br>Religion is bad when it becomes a means of domination. <br>Religion is bad when it becomes an apparatus of coercive power.<br><br>But religion can also be good; not only good, but absolutely necessary. Religion is how we pass on the faith from generation to generation. Christian religion is the practices of prayer, worship, scripture, creed, sacrament, and justice that form us into Christ-like people. Christian religion is what binds us to the Christian faith Only by the practices of Christian religion will we survive the tsunami of secularism.</p>

<p>The book of Ruth is a short-story vignette stuck between Judges and Samuel. From Genesis to Judges the Bible's story is dominated by larger than life characters—Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samson, Gideon. The great heroes of Israel. All of these heroes of faith experienced miracles and were marked by greatness. But at last, with the book of Ruth, we meet some ordinary people. Some people, not like Moses, but more like us. In the story of Ruth there are no miracles, no angels, no tales of daring-do. Yet God is very present in Ruth’s story. At work as God usually is, quietly, behind the scenes.</p>

<p>Bible reading as part of a spiritual formation regiment can be extremely beneficial in helping form disciples of Jesus in Christlikeness. But this isn’t always the case. There are ways of approaching the Bible, reading the Bible, using the Bible that are detrimental to the soul. Because the Bible is such a powerful thing, the misuse of it can be extremely dangerous. So how do we read the Bible so that it's good for us and not bad for us?</p>

<p>God has a face—it’s the face of Jesus. We see the face of God when we see Jesus. The beauty of God is fully seen in the face of Jesus. We see the face of Jesus as it is revealed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. As we gaze on the face of Jesus, we are gradually transformed into the same image. To be transformed into the image of Jesus is the full work of salvation. The Old Testament said no one could see the face of God and live. The New Testament says it’s only by seeing the face of God in Christ that we live.</p>

<p>How can we live in the midst of a world marked by fear, hatred, and violence, and not be destroyed by it? By becoming aware that our true house is not the house of fear, in which the powers of hatred and violence rule, but the house of love, where God resides. Through the spiritual life we gradually move from the house of fear to the house of love.” –Henry Nouwen, Behold the Beauty of the Lord</p>

<p>We are not Levites at Sinai cutting down sinners in our zeal. We are healers from Mount Zion reconciling people to God. We are not given the ministry of death from the letter; we are given the ministry of life from the Spirit. If we have more passion to put up the Ten Commandments in courthouses than to advocate for immigrants, help prisoners, and reconcile sinners, we can be sure we are filled with the wrong spirit and have the wrong ministry!</p>

<p>When the Law was given at Mount Sinai, the Levites took up swords and killed 3,000 people who had worshiped the golden calf. At Pentecost, when the holy spirit was given, Peter preached the gospel and 3,000 people were saved! The Apostle Paul says it this way: “The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”</p>

<p>God is triune but Jesus gets a lot of attention because the Father sends the Son and the Spirit glorifies the Son. Jesus said that the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, would come to glorify him. The work of the Holy Spirit is not to draw attention to the work of the Holy Spirit, but to draw our attention to Jesus. He does this by producing within us the fruit of the Spirit.</p>

<p>Ascension Day is easily the most overlooked holy day in the church calendar. In Western culture Christmas and Easter remain very prominent (even if commercialized). In the church Good Friday and Pentecost are still recognized as holy days. But Ascension Day has been almost totally lost. This should tell us something: We’ve lost the meaning of the Ascension of Christ. The gospel is the story of Jesus: Incarnation, Proclamation of the kingdom of God, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension. If we fail to understand the Ascension, our gospel is incomplete.</p>

<p>The demonic seduction of accusation, empire, and propaganda (dragon, beast, and false prophet) always lead humanity to another bloody battlefield. Armageddon always looms. Yet hope abides. Armageddon is always a possibility, but never an inevitability. If we reject the ways of the beast and follow the way of the Lamb, Jesus will lead us away from the doom of Armageddon into the shalom of the New Jerusalem. Though the fires of destruction are always burning outside the walls, the Spirit and the Bride are always calling us into the city of the <a href="http://Lamb...and" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Lamb...and</a> her gates will never be shut.</p>

<p>The Book of Revelation may be the most important biblical text for American Christians right now, but only if we can rescue it from its egregious misinterpretations and learn to read it properly. Revelation is NOT a 1st century prediction of the geopolitical events of the 21st century; Revelation IS a prophetic critique of the idolatry inherent with economic and military superpowers. The overarching message of the Book of Revelation is this: Jesus is Lord and Rome, etc., etc., is not.</p>

<p>The eschatological vision of the Bible is the answer to our constant prayer, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” So at the end of the Bible we are shown a prophetic picture of the arrival on earth of the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem; a garden city that embodies fidelity and justice.</p>

<p>“Jesus stands before a broken world and says, 'Come follow me.' He invites you to discover a beautiful life that lasts forever." - The Journey at Word of Life Church<br><br>A beautiful life is the kind of life that last forever.<br><br>A beautiful life is the kind of life that saves the world.<br><br>The most beautiful life is the life of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.<br><br>It is the beauty of Christ that shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. It is the beauty of Christ that compels us to join with the Roman centurion at the Cross confessing “Truly, this is the Son of God.” <br><br>In the bleak landscape of our bottom-line, results-obsessed culture, may we find new life as we join Jesus on this journey of beautiful living.</p>

<p>From the beginning Jesus has been gathering together a flock, a community of people, who follow Jesus and believe his teaching, a community that would share his life, eternal life. The Journey at Word of Life is not a solo project. It is an adventure we share together with friends and also with people who we would not necessarily be friends without outside of our shared faith.</p>

<p>Following Jesus is something we do together, but it is a self-initiated journey. No one can walk this journey for you; it is something you determine to do. God does give his Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to be our helper and companion. However, you make the daily decision to either cooperate with or work against the Holy Spirit. <br><br>We are each responsible for our own exploration of The Journey. We have the help of the Holy Spirit, but we also have the help of the collective wisdom of those who have followed Jesus before us. We have summed up much of this wisdom in what we call The Four Practices: awareness, learning, reflecting, action.</p>

<p>In a culture of consumerism worship is an act of holy rebellion. Worship is gloriously impractical—a royal wast of time. Because contemporary models of worship involve a band, a stage, and popular music, we are tempted to confuse worship with entertainment. Worship is not entertainment! Entertainment is evaluated on the basis of did we personally find it enjoyable. Worship is evaluated on the basis of did we give God the glory due his name.</p>

<p>April 8, 1966—fifty years ago today—Time magazine published its most iconic cover, asking the question that haunts modern man: “Is God Dead?” After the horrors of the Holocaust and Hiroshima should we concede that Nietzsche was right in his provocative prophesy about Western civilization? Is God dead? This sermon is on the "Doubting Thomas" story. In his commitment to empiricism and the doubt it engendered, Thomas was a prefiguring of the modern age and the crisis of faith. Thomas was called “The Twin” (Didymus). He had the twin experiences of crippling doubt (“I will never believe”) and soaring faith (“My Lord and my God!”).</p>

<p>On the evening of the resurrection Jesus appeared to his frightened disciples as they were hiding in the upper room. He spoke peace to them, breathed the holy spirit upon them, and sent them into the world. From that locked room on that first Easter the gospel message of Jesus has traveled around the world and down through the centuries launching billions of spiritual journeys.</p>

<p>The expression “the scales fell from my eyes” is an idiom for a sudden epiphany. Something that had blinded us is suddenly removed so that now we see the truth. This idiom has its origin in the story of Saul/Paul’s Damascus Road conversion. “Damascus Road” has also become an idiom for a sudden change. But the Damascus Road event and the scales falling from Saul’s eyes are not exactly the same thing. They’re related, but different. One is deconstruction, the other is reconstruction.</p>

<p>The first person to see the risen Christ was Mary Magdalene. When Mary first saw Jesus in the garden she thought he was the gardener. A logical mistake. Or maybe a prophetic mistake. Or maybe not a mistake at all. As the first seed of resurrection raised, Jesus is now the gardener of resurrection, cultivating new life in all who believe.</p>

<p>With the burial of Jesus the new tomb has become a new womb. On Holy Saturday we have nothing to do—nothing to do but to wait. Sometimes it’s a good thing to come to the end of all our striving and enter into a holy Sabbath. A Sabbath of waiting…resting…waiting. When the work is done and the seed is sown, there’s nothing more to do, but to rest and <a href="http://wait...and" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">wait...and</a> see what tomorrow will bring.</p>

<p>The conquering king on a majestic horse has become a universal symbol of power. The king astride the warhorse is an equivalent symbol to the king upon his throne. Which is why to this day in every capital city there’s always some dude on a horse. But Jesus did not ride a warhorse into Jerusalem. Jesus rode a donkey…a little donkey. The one who rode the little donkey in humility, peace, and gentleness, now rides the white horse with all authority in heaven and on earth.</p>