What Would Jesus Say To...
The Next President
August 28, 2016 • Chris Edmondson • Daniel 1:1–6, Daniel 4:4–37
Everyone seems to have an answer about how to improve the country. As the political landscape grows increasingly impassioned during this election season, there is no shortage of opinions as to how the next President should lead. What Would Jesus say to the next president? What conversations might Jesus have with Hillary Clinton? How might Jesus interact with Donald Trump? Republican, Democrat, left or right, we’re all precious in his sight. This political season is an opportunity for us to showcase our political diversity in a way that honors the God who made us so diverse. If we get this right, we’ll learn something. We’ll become a more generous and loving people. If we get it wrong, we’ll be an average church.
Caitlyn Jenner
August 21, 2016 • Chris Edmondson, Katie Matthews • John 8:10–11, 1 Corinthians 6:9–11, John 1:14–17
The issue of sexual identity and Christianity is one of the biggest hot buttons for today’s culture. Questions surface such as “What does the Bible have to say about same-sex issues?” and “How can we balance grace and truth?” Jesus is the definition of truth and grace, and He will never be found partial towards one person or another. You don’t have to agree with someone’s decisions in order to show love. Many people forget this, and this is the very reason that Christians are looked at as judgmental and hypocritical. Many don’t know how to love people who are different from them. But isn’t that what the great commission is all about?
Race, Racism and Faith
August 14, 2016 • Chris Edmondson, Dr. Carlo Serrano • Galatians 3:25–28, Ephesians 2:11–15, Acts 10:27–28
Charleston. Ferguson. Baton Rouge. Minneapolis. Dallas. As our country reels from one tragic confrontation to the next, what does Jesus have to say about the racism issue that plagues our country? How would Jesus speak into this volatile situation where both police officers and civilians are being gunned down, and where every week, another video about shootings goes viral? The first-century church was deeply divided over race and social status. Too often, the modern church is too. But God commands us to love one another as we share with the world the good news that God loves everybody.
Bill Cosby
August 7, 2016 • Chris Edmondson • Proverbs 1:1–3, Genesis 39:20–23, 1 Corinthians 10:12, Joshua 24:14–15, Ecclesiastes 7:1
America’s dad Bill Cosby took a hard fall when allegations of sexual abuse began to surface. Everyone has different opinions, and many wonder, “Guilty or Innocent?” “Is he the victim, or did he victimize others?” In the court of law, we are innocent until proven guilty. However, in the court of public opinion, judgments are often concluded long before a judge’s gavel drops. The bigger question is, “Could it all have been avoided? And, if so, how?” The Bible says there is one thing more valuable than all the gold in the world (by the way, through 2016 that’s a value of $8.2 trillion dollars). This weekend, we will explore that one thing as it relates to Bill Cosby, the Bible, and us.