Things I Wish Jesus Never Said
Divorce
August 9, 2015 • Chris Edmondson • Matthew 5:27–35, Matthew 19:3–10
We believe the goal of marriage is “oneness.” But God says, in fact, the result of marriage is “oneness.” In this message, Chris explores Jesus’ difficult statement about marriage, divorce, and remarriage. And he explains why trying to “un-one” what God has joined may just be harder than we think.
Love Your Enemies
July 26, 2015 • Dave Thompson • 1 Samuel 24:1–10
Jesus said many things while he was here on earth with us, some are easy to follow, while others are just plain difficult. One of the hardest Jesus said was to “love your enemy.” It is hard enough for us to love someone who we would consider a friend, let alone someone who we consider an enemy. Join us today as we unpack just how we can love our enemy, and really how important it is that we do.
Eat My Flesh, Drink My Blood
August 2, 2015 • Chris Edmondson • John 6:48–69, John 6:54–69
You don’t want to leave too, do you? In this message, Chris recounts a statement that those gathered to hear Jesus simply didn’t understand. But more important than the statement was the reaction of his disciples. In the face of a trial, temptation or transition, do we want to leave Jesus, too?
Cut It Off
July 19, 2015 • Chris Edmondson • Mark 9:43–48, Matthew 5:43–48, John 3:16
What would you be willing to give to save your life? In Mark 9, Jesus says that giving up a hand, a foot, or even an eye would be totally worth it if it meant saving your life. It’s a difficult trade, giving up something now for something greater later. But Jesus says it’s worth the cost!
I Want to Be Great
July 12, 2015 • Kim Edmondson • Mark 9:33–37, Philippians 2:6–7, Mark 10:45
Competing to be the best is not a foreign desire or pursuit to us today, and Jesus’ disciples felt the same way two thousand years ago. When left to our natural desires, we all tend to gun for number one. Everybody wants to be ‘great’ and most of us spend a surprising amount of time trying to find it. But where can we find true greatness? Jesus says something crazy when He tells us that our pursuits are best when they are to be last. Jesus sees what we don’t. Our greatest opportunity to be great is to take a posture of service and think firstly of the needs of those around us. According to Jesus, true greatness is not found in how many people serve us but in how many people we are serving.
Do Not Judge
June 28, 2015 • Chris Edmondson • Matthew 7:1–5
People say some crazy things. Politicians. Athletes. Celebrities. Your mom. Your boss. But even the craziest things these people say don’t compare to some things Jesus said. He said some pretty crazy things, shocking things. Things like, “If someone hits your left cheek, offer your right cheek and let them hit you again.” “Don’t judge other people.” “Hate your mother and father and follow me.” “When your angry you commit murder.” “Love your enemies.” Perhaps the most popular commandment among those who don’t follow Jesus is “judge not.” It’s the one Christians are most often accused of violating. It’s also one of the most misunderstood of Jesus’ commands. THE BIG IDEA: Love forbids me to size you up, write you off, and walk away.