Deep Roots
Jan 23 - April 24, 2022
Of First Importance
April 24, 2022 • Chris Bennett • 1 Corinthians 15:1–11
Sunday, April 24 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 The Apostle Paul founded a church in the ancient city of Corinth. Like much of the Greek world, it was pagan and decadent. Sadly, some of the values and assumptions of the surrounding society began to creep back up in the Corinthian church, leading to a host of scandalous dysfunctions requiring Paul’s urgent attention. He addresses these issues and as he begins to conclude his letter, he reminds them of the most important thing he ever shared with them: the gospel. He reminds them that the gospel is their foundation and the animating force of their lives. He reminds them that that they heard him preach the gospel, they received the gospel, they stand in it, and are they are being saved by it. It’s not just a doctrine or an idea; it’s the power of God. Those who experience renewal in Jesus are those whose lives are nourished in the gospel. But what does this mean? What is the gospel? How do we engage it leading to our transformation?
He Breathed
April 17, 2022 • Chris Bennett • John 20
Easter Sunday April 17 - John 20 It’s the morning of the first Easter. Mary Magdalene stands outside the garden tomb in tears. Traumatized from witnessing the torture and death of her Lord, she’s mustered all her strength to come and tend to his body. But he’s gone! Was killing him not enough? Now they resort to stealing his body? She can’t bear the pain. She breaks down. It seems as though her tears carry more than her own pain – she bears witness to the sorrow of all of human history. All the suffering. All the sin. All the loss. But before she collapses in despair, a voice speaks to her. “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She turns and everything changes. Everything. That same voice speaks to us today. It’s an invitation. To seek Jesus. The one who has the words of Spirit and life. He who is the resurrection from the dead. The one on whom we can cast every care, every wound, every addiction, every shame, every tragedy, every death. In our tears he speaks to us. Who are you seeking? Will you turn to face him?
Believe In The Light
April 10, 2022 • Chris Bennett • John 12:1–36
Palm Sunday, April 10 John 12:1-36 We come to what many see as Jesus’ final sign — his triumphal entry into Jerusalem where a multitude greeted him with waved palm branches (hence, Palm Sunday). What might seem like a strange act of worship made a lot of sense back then. Almost 200 years earlier, the Jewish liberator, Judas Maccabaeus, overthrew ruthless Greek invaders, ending centuries of their dominion of Israel. His followers then entered Jerusalem waving palm branches in celebration that they had a new king. The Jews of Jesus’ day also had liberation in mind. Jesus had recently raised a man from the dead! Surely this is the Messiah who would deliver Israel from the Romans. Surely, they would finally be ruled by the Messiah. But Jesus’ idea of freedom was more far-reaching and thorough than anyone could have imagined. We hope you join us this Sunday as we continue our series in the Gospel of John.
The Raising of Lazarus
April 3, 2022 • Chris Bennett • John 11:1–44
In John 11, Jesus raised a his close friend, Lazarus, from the dead. This is a story that is as strange as it is astounding. Why did Jesus wait two days once he got word that Lazarus was deathly ill? Why did Jesus allow Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, to grieve the death of their beloved brother when he could’ve immediately healed him? In this passage, we see the goodness of God, but we’re also faced with the question of just how good God really is. We hope you will worship with us this Sunday as we engage this incredible text and are humbled by both God’s mystery and his steadfast love for us.
Jesus, Wind & Water
March 27, 2022 • Scott Lencke • John 6:16–24
Jesus has just fed the 5,000 – one of his “signs” as highlighted in John’s Gospel. He will soon reveal that he is the true bread from heaven and whoever feeds on this bread will live forever. But, right in between these two passages, we find the disciples on a boat with the wind blowing and the waters churning. As Jesus approaches the boat, the disciples see him walking on water, to which Christ responds, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Why would Jesus choose to walk upon the water as he journeys toward the disciples' boat? Join us this Sunday as we dive further into this unique encounter between Jesus and his disciples.
The Man Given Sight
March 20, 2022 • Chris Bennett • John 9
Sunday, March 20 John 9:1-41 Jesus was and is unceasingly remarkable! In John 9, he healed a blind man. This man who was once confined to darkness now had sight – something we all take for granted. He could now make his way around in the world on his own. But Jesus is always up to more than we realize because he also gave this man spiritual sight. Where God was once a shadow to this man, he was now bursting forth in vivid color. This man could now make his way around the world with God’s heart and God’s perspective. We all need new eyes to navigate this world. May the power of Jesus open all of our eyes!
The Cleansing of the Temple
March 13, 2022 • Chris Bennett • John 2:13–25
Sunday, March 13 John 2:13-25 This Sunday we’re going to talk about the time Jesus cleansed the temple. You know, that time Jesus made a whip and angrily drove out the people who had turned the temple into a market. Easily one of the more provocative stories about Jesus. How in the world does this reveal the glory and the grace of God?
Bread From Heaven
February 27, 2022 • Chris Bennett • John 6:1–15
This Sunday, we reach Jesus’ next sign in the Gospel of John: the feeding of the 5,000 (John 6). In this story, Jesus says some strange things about himself — that he is bread, that his followers are to eat his flesh and drink his blood. What did he mean? The clue may be in the middle of the story when Jesus emphasized the one thing his would-be followers must do. They must believe in him. One thing that is clear in this story is that belief is far more than merely having the right data about God stored in our brains. Faith is not passive. It has the features of movement and action. It is nourished by engagement — by the eating of Jesus’ flesh and drinking of his blood. Or, as Jesus said another way, abiding in him. When you think of faith, what comes to your mind? How would you describe your faith?
Your Son Will Live
February 13, 2022 • Chris Bennett • John 4:43–54
Sunday, Feb 13 John 4:43-54 Jesus’ ministry was quite paradoxical at times. He performed many signs and wonders, but was frustrated by people who followed him only to see miracles. At the end of John 4, we meet an official whose son was gravely ill. This man, in desperation, sought Jesus, requesting that he come to his house to see his son. Jesus’ response seems abrupt. “Go; your son will live.” Come to find out, his son began to recover the moment Jesus uttered those words! What is it that John wants us to know about Jesus and his kingdom as we ponder this story? We may find the answer as we look at this man. Rather than continue to beg Jesus to come to his home, he believed. He trusted that Jesus had authority over life and death. To be sure, this man wanted a miracle. But his faith in Jesus’ words stands out in this story. In perhaps the most vulnerable and terrifying moment of his life, he trusted in the words of the one who is the Word made flesh. His son was healed. But that wasn’t the only miracle that day. In faith, he surrendered to Jesus.