Afleveringen
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Many teachings on following Jesus are inspirational. They're about love, connecting with God, and experiencing life in new and "abundant" ways. But a serious reading of Jesus' teachings suggests that discipleship is a very high calling, and costly. In fact, it may end up costing you your life.
In the parable of the tower builder who runs out of money, and the king who goes to war with an insufficient army (from Luke 14), Jesus warns us, "Don't be that guy." Seriously consider what you're getting yourself into. Consider the very, very high bar that Jesus has set for those who wish to follow in his Way, and how high expectations are exactly what we need today.
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This week has been difficult, to say the least. I'm not sure what words to put here. We can find comfort in knowing we are not alone. God is with us and we can be with one another as we worship together and provide space for lament, hope and love, pursuing the way of Jesus, seeking a peace that surpasses understanding.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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We often think the parable of the persistent widow is primarily about being persistent in the face of suffering. When we examine Jesus' words, we find the true, just Judge who wants to hear our cares and concerns. Will He find us faithful when Jesus returns?
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We all know the joy of being forgiven when we’ve wronged someone. We’re also aware of our hypocrisy when we’re stingy with offering that same forgiveness to others. Or are we even aware of it? The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant reveals the ways our senses of superiority blind us from being able to see the ways our lack of forgiveness brings death to those around us.
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Jesus' parable of the landowner in Matthew 20 paints pictures of what God is like, what God's kingdom is like, and how we should treat one another when living in the Kingdom.
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[We apologize for the low-quality recording this week due to technical difficulties.]
We are so amazed, humbled and thrilled at all God has done these past twelve years at Spark. Jesus' Parable of the Lost Things from Luke 15 illustrates for us what kind of party we are throwing!
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The depiction of the "after life" in the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus has had an outsized influence in the consciousness of Christians for millennia. Visceral images of a chasm, flames, and the description of agony have so captivated the imagination that principal to many Christian theologies is the avoidance of such a place. But is hell the point? Is avoiding eternal punishment the principle?
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Jesus says the Kingdom of God is like a seed, like yeast, a pearl ... a treasure. It is productive, it is rare, it is valuable. It must be pursued, found, and nurtured.
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Parables are told so our ears and hearts are exposed to the teachings. The teachings are given so we understand deeper realities. And understanding deeper realities opens us to the possibility of life, and, in the words of Jesus, "life abundant!" But all of that depends upon the soil in which the teachings are planted.
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Jesus' parables paint pictures of what the world is, what it should be and how we are to live in it. When the world tries to divide us, the way of Jesus is clear, we are to love ALL of our neighbors. Jesus' teaching on the Good Samaritan is one of the most brilliant of Jesus' parables and goes well beyond just helping someone along the road.
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We launch our new series, discovering anew Jesus' parables and how they speak to us today.
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We've been asking the question, "Who do the Gospel writers say Jesus is?" From Son of Adam, to Son of David, to a prophet like Moses and Elijah, to Friend & Savior, we've explored these themes in depth. We conclude our series and look closely at the Gospel's declaration that Jesus is LORD.
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Watch Dr. Tisby's talk here: https://youtu.be/5wxU540vSvA
Watch Dr. Tisby's Q&R Conversational Interview here: https://youtu.be/1PHhY89HMIMThe Spirit of Justice uncovers the enduring power of faith and resistance in the fight for racial equality. Brave individuals throughout American history stood against racial injustice, and major movements were inspired and upheld by a deep and profound faith. As a result, significant changes were made manifest in society, and through discovering and retelling their stories we will be inspired to continue the ongoing journey towards justice.
This Spark Learning Seminar took place at Spark Church in Palo Alto, CA (https://www.spark.church) and is co-sponsored by our friends at New Community Church, Menlo Park (https://www.anewcommunity.church).
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Watch Dr. Tisby's talk here: https://youtu.be/5wxU540vSvA
Watch Dr. Tisby's Q&R Conversational Interview here: https://youtu.be/1PHhY89HMIMThe Spirit of Justice uncovers the enduring power of faith and resistance in the fight for racial equality. Brave individuals throughout American history stood against racial injustice, and major movements were inspired and upheld by a deep and profound faith. As a result, significant changes were made manifest in society, and through discovering and retelling their stories we will be inspired to continue the ongoing journey towards justice.
This Spark Learning Seminar took place at Spark Church in Palo Alto, CA (https://www.spark.church) and is co-sponsored by our friends at New Community Church, Menlo Park (https://www.anewcommunity.church).
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When John the Baptist announces the launch of his cousin Jesus’ ministry, he introduces Jesus as, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” How does that work? In what way does Jesus being ‘God’s lamb’ translate into forgiveness of our sins? From the beginning, the Church has embraced the joys and pains that come from grappling with that question, the navigation of our “theories of atonement”, which often say more about our own sense of justice than God’s.
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Often we consider what Jesus taught without considering who he was teaching and why he taught that way. This Sunday Pastor Mark will help us delve into the brilliance of HOW Jesus taught, which may speak to how we are to interact with those around us.
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Prophetic speaking is frequently a telling of hard truths.
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Rulers, thrones, and authorities. These are the governance structures that have guided humanity for thousands of years. To be "king," to this day means to be "in charge" to "reign" and to exude power. As with other titles, the gospel writers indicate that Jesus is coronated as king. However, yet again Jesus upends the definition of that term and provokes a radical view, power exemplified in service.
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Abraham is called a friend of God. Jesus calls us friends. He even calls his enemies friends. So, what does being a "friend" of God mean, that Jesus is our "friend?"
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In the earliest years of our lives, we learn that part of being human means possessing deep longings. One of the deepest longings anyone can ever know is this longing for healing. The story of Jesus healing a bleeding woman is a story of healing and a restoring of her dignity as a daughter of Israel.
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