Sermon Video - Jesus celebrates God's provision with his friends, Luke 22:14-15

What did Jesus seek out on the evening when his Passion was only hours away?   The company of his friends and devoted followers.  More specifically, their company while they celebrated together God's provision for his people in the past through the Passover, a reminder that God's power and purpose will not be thwarted.

Sermon Video: The Glory of Jesus revealed - Mark 9:1-13

 After telling his disciples that he must suffer and die, and that they must take up a cross and follow him, Jesus allowed Peter, James, and John to see the divine power and glory that made those sacrifices both possible and amazing. On the mountaintop Jesus' divinity was revealed, momentarily not cloacked by his humanity, but Jesus could not stay at the top of the mountain. That experience would be strength and encouragement for the road ahead. Moses, Elijah, and the Father all spoke to bolster Jesus for the Passion that was coming. For Jesus was indeed a king, worthy of glory and honor, but he would set that aside in order to give his life as a ransom for many.

Sermon Video: "Worthy is the Lamb" - Revelation 5:1-14

The Triumphal Entry of Jesus that we remember each year on Palm Sunday was a spontaneous event of enthusiasm by the people of Jerusalem for a political solution to the ongoing problem of foreign domination by the Romans that they hoped Jesus was about to bring to an end.  Their shouts for a king in David’s line were indeed accurate, Jesus was worthy to sit on that throne, but he had other intentions from the beginning.  That unexpected role reversal, from claiming a throne to suffering as a servant, is mirrored in the vision that John sees of the End Times that he recorded in Revelation.

            In chapter five of Revelation, John sees God holding a scroll that cannot be opened by any created being.  That scroll signifies the beginning of the end of history, the final judgment on creation and the culmination of the redemptive plan of God.  Who has the right to decide that such a time is at hand?  Who could be holy enough, righteous enough, to open such a scroll?  At that point the Lion of the tribe of Judah steps forth, he is worthy.  But then something remarkable happens.  In the very next verse, it is not the Lion, the mighty king, who takes the scroll from the hand of the Father, but the Lamb who was slain.

            Jesus had the right as King of kings and Lord of lords to open the scroll, the Son of God and the Son of Man has every right to do so, but he once again approaches this responsibility with the same humility and obedience that led Jesus to Calvary less than a week after the shouts of “Hosanna”.

            The Cross and the Empty Tomb are the great reversal of all of history.  There humility defeated pride, love triumphed over hatred, and a sinless and spotless life triumphed by giving itself up over death.  In our world, power, wealth, and fame are revered, sought and fought over, but not so in the kingdom of God.  The Lamb at the center of the praise and worship in John’s vision is honored because he put others before himself.  He is lifted up and glorified by ever increasing numbers until all of creation joins in the song because he was willing to kneel before the will of the Father.  Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.

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Sermon Video 

Sermon Video: A Father's Faith - Genesis 22:1-18

Abraham is put to the test by God who asks him to sacrifice his son Isaac.  What is God up to, Why would he ask something so contrary to his nature of Abraham?  What does the test tell us about Abraham, and what does it reveal about God?

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Sermon Video

Sermon Video: "Jesus had to rise from the dead" - John 20:9

The account of Resurrection Sunday in the Gospel of John contains a note from the author that Peter and John didn't understand that "Jesus had to rise from the dead".  Not simply that he did rise from the dead, but that it was predicted, necessary, and inevitable.  As the Messiah, the Lamb of God, and the sinless Son of God, the grave had no hold upon Jesus.  He had to rise from the dead.

To watch the video, click on the links below:
Sermon Video Part 1
Sermon Video Part 2