Sermon Video: Paul's letter to the Church in Rome - Romans 1:1-7

Thus begins a long journey, a marathon not a sprint, of verse by verse preaching through the letter of Paul to the Church at Rome...In this introduction, Paul mentions some of the themes that he will soon delve deeply into: (1) that the Gospel is for all people, (2) That it requires obedience to the law of God (righteousness), (3) that such obedience is made possible by faith, (4) that the Gospel will glorify God, and finally that (5) those who become the people of God will have been 'called' by God.

The book of Romans is an intellectual and spiritual challenge, but also one that greatly rewards the effort.

Sermon Video: The Resurrected Jesus: peace, understanding, evangelism, Luke 24:36-49

The first Easter Sunday culminated with a surprise visitation from Jesus to his closest disciples.  After a day of wonder, angelic messages, and doubt, Jesus suddenly stood among his disciples.  They responded with fear and doubt, but Jesus was willing to show them his hands and feet, and then to eat in front of them, to put their fear to rest.  Afterwards, Jesus took the time to explain how his past three days fit into the prophecies of old before honing in on what his disciples needed to do now that he was back from the dead: share the Good News.

Sermon Video: "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" - Ephesians 4:4-6

As a Maundy Thursday (celebration of the Last Supper) text, Ephesians 4:4-6 offers much in keeping with Jesus' emphasis on that evening of unity and brotherhood among his followers.  It reminds us through the repetition of 'one' seven times followed by 'all' four times that God's will for his people is purposefully unified.  God intended the followers of Jesus Christ to form one unit, to be connected, and given that one Spirit empowers them, one hope animates them, and one destiny awaits them, unity in the here and now gains becomes not only possible but ideal.

Sermon Video: Jesus: Prophet, Priest, and King - Psalm 110

King David wrote prophecy through the Spirit of a descendant to come who would be his 'lord', one who would rule with power and might, but also curiously be a priest as well.  Jesus, demonstrating his own prophetic understanding, knew that his role as priest (both final High Priest and final sacrifice) must come before his rule as king, that the suffering necessary to accomplish an atoning sacrifice for sins would precede the final glory that David foresaw.

Sermon Video: The Absurdity of Conspiring Against God - Psalm 2

The universe is not a dualism, there are not equally opposing forces. There is God, and there is nothing. To oppose the will of God is not, as the lie would have it, a path of freedom or autonomy, but one of addiction to sin. It is vanity to reject God, and yet individuals and even nations have done so and continue to do so. In the end, Jesus Christ will assert his lordship over all things, will conquer all resistance, and will reconcile the world to himself. Our choice is simple, submit and know the love, grace, and hope of God, or fight a battle without hope.