Jesus
Easter Matters
March 31, 2024 • Chris Edmondson • Luke 24:1–12, Matthew 27:37, Mark 16:1–4, John 20:2, John 20:19
If you think Jesus was a great leader and teacher, but find it hard to believe in his resurrection? You’re in good company. Even his disciples were skeptical. But those same followers were the ones who would later become the spokesmen of a new movement: the church. They would maintain faith in the midst of incredible suffering. Many died still claiming that Jesus was their Savior. So what do we make of this defining event—the one that became the foundation of their faith . . . and of ours? THE BIG IDEA: The resurrection of Jesus created Christianity & launched the church.
Before Pilate
March 24, 2024 • Seth Miller • John 19, Mark 14:50–65, John 18:28–37, Luke 23:4–18, Mark 15:1–24
At Passover, Jesus gathered his followers and spelled out a new relational arrangement between God and humankind: “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” But Jesus wasn’t celebratory. He seemed troubled. Initiating this new covenant with God would require sacrifice. What came next would confuse his followers and send them scattering. THE BIG IDEA: When Jesus died, everybody unfollowed and everybody unbelieved.
One Commandment
March 17, 2024 • Chris Edmondson • John 13, Deuteronomy 6:4–5, Matthew 22:35–40, Leviticus 19:18
Jesus didn’t come to initiate Judaism 2.0. He came to offer something entirely new to the world: a new covenant that would forever change humankind’s relationship with God. And with that new covenant came a new ethic—one that insisted that the greatest choose the back of the line. THE BIG IDEA: “As I have loved you, love one another.”
Living From Love
March 10, 2024 • Seth Miller • Luke 10:38–42, Galatians 5:22–23
We weren’t made to earn love through deeds and accomplishments. Because of God’s love for us, through his son Jesus, we can sit and learn. We can sit and learn how to live from God’s love. An unconditional love that leads a profound transformation in one's approach to life and relationships. A love that challenges the conventional pursuit of validation, advocating for a life led by the security and abundance of love that is freely given. THE BIG IDEA: God’s love frees us to go from living for love to living from love.
Leading Great
March 3, 2024 • Kim Edmondson • Mark 9:30–37, Mark 10:42–45
Jesus introduced the most powerful, transformational, and inspirational leadership principle on the planet. Every leader you respect practices it. The leaders you don’t respect don’t practice it. You can lead without it, but you won’t be a leader worth following unless you embrace it. THE BIG IDEA: In God's Kingdom, leadership sacrifices self for the well-being of others.
Religion vs. Relationship
February 25, 2024 • Chris Edmondson, Seth Miller • Luke 18:9, John 19:38–40, Titus 3:4–5, John 3:1–18
Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again to enter God's kingdom. What does it mean to be “born again”? Let's listen to Jesus explain the answer to this 1st Century Religious person who thought he had all the answers. No one, even the most religious person, enters heaven by doing good things, but only by having a relationship with Jesus. The Big Idea: Religion is spelled do. Relationship with God is spelled done.
Outsiders
February 18, 2024 • Chris Edmondson, CJ Gonzalez • Mark 5:1–20, Mark 6:53–56, Mark 4:35, Colossians 4:5–6
People ask a lot of questions. Who should I marry? Where should I live? What car should I buy? Where did I put my keys? While we will never be able to answer every question with confidence, can we have an answer for everyone? Christians aren't called to have an answer to everything, but to be an answer to everyone. THE BIG IDEA: Your story could be the difference in someone’s life.
Amnesia
February 11, 2024 • Chris Edmondson • Matthew 23:13–23, Matthew 9:12–13, Matthew 18:23–35
We surround ourselves with people who like us. We surround ourselves with people who are like us. But Jesus calls us to maintain relationships with those who disagree with us. How do we do that? The key to becoming a merciful person is to view yourself as a person in need of mercy. THE BIG IDEA: You can’t have mercy if you’re self-righteous, because mercy comes to those who need it.
Jesus and Outcasts
February 4, 2024 • Chris Edmondson • John 4:1–29, Colossians 1:15
We all have a natural tendency to surround ourselves with people who like us. Whether we’re geeks, jocks, hipsters, Democrats, or Republicans, we surround ourselves with people who are like us. But what is the cost of isolating ourselves from those who are different? THE BIG IDEA: We like people who like us and who are like http://us.jesus wasn’t like that, and he wouldn’t like that.
Greater
January 28, 2024 • Dr. Carlo Serrano • Mark 13:1–4, 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, Matthew 12:1–6, Mark 2:27
Something in us is tempted to believe God loves his law more than his people. We’re tempted to prioritize rules over people. Maybe you left church because somebody prioritized the Bible and laws over a person. But Jesus came to offer us a life greater than keeping religious rules. THE BIG IDEA: There are no sacred sites; just sacred individuals.
Something Old, Something New
January 21, 2024 • Chris Edmondson, Jimmy Lancaster • Luke 6:20–23, Matthew 28:18–20, Matthew 5, Matthew 6, Matthew 7
If you aren’t religious or you gave up religion, you probably had good reason to walk away or stay away. You’re a reasonable person, and there are plenty of good reasons to reject religion. But reconsider Jesus. He wasn’t an extension of the old religion. He came to introduce something brand new. THE BIG IDEA: Jesus did not come to continue something. He came to replace something.
Fish Tricks
January 14, 2024 • Chris Edmondson • Luke 4:40, Matthew 4:20–22, Luke 5:1–11, 1 Peter 2:23–25, Luke 14:15
When you read the Gospels, two things are abundantly clear. Being a sinner doesn’t disqualify you from following Jesus. And being an unbeliever doesn’t disqualify you from following Jesus. So, what does that mean for you? THE BIG IDEA: Whatever your next step is, take it!
Something New
January 7, 2024 • Chris Edmondson • Luke 1:1–4, Matthew 3:5–6, John 1:6–29, Luke 3:1–2
Jesus didn’t come to extend an old religion. He did not come to simply complete the Bible, so we'd have both a New Testament and an Old Testament. He didn't come to create Judaism 2.0. From the angel’s announcement to Mary that she would give birth to a son whose kingdom would never end, it was clear: Jesus would do something new for the world. THE BIG IDEA: Jesus came to do something new for the world.
The Four Gospels
December 31, 2023 • Chris Edmondson • John 1:1–14, John 21:25, Matthew 27:37, Mark 10:45, Luke 19:10
The central theme of the Bible is Jesus; He is the focal point. The books of the Bible that focus on the Jesus are known as the Gospels. The word gospel is derived from two words: good and story literally, it means the good news and is used to signify the message of forgiveness and reconciliation of Jesus. The four New Testament reporters who wrote the story of this good news are Matthew, a converted tax collector; Mark, a missionary; Luke, a physician; and John, a fisherman. THE BIG IDEA: The unknown God has made Himself known through His Son Jesus.