The question this week is whether it is disobedient to God to disobey the law or resist political power given that Paul and Jesus both appear to endorse obedience to authority in both Romans 13 and Matthew 22:15-22. We look to a non traditional interpretation of Romans 13 from a Jewish scholar. We also examine…
21Jul
Is Death the Enemy?
Guest preacher Craig Perry is a big fan of Crossroads’ Stump the Preacher series and he asked Rev. Cari for a topic for his sermon this week. Today’s sermon looks in depth at two passages from the letters of Paul: Romans 8:31-39 and 1 Corinthians 15. We search for Paul’s understanding of death and whether…
07Jul
Did God Forgive Judas?
The Rev. Edith Baird preached in response to the Stump the Preacher question, “Did God Forgive Judas?” today, using Luke 22:1-6, 14-23 and 47-53 as her text. At the opening of the sermon she offered two initial comments: first, that she would never presume to say who God forgives, specifically; and second that she was…
02Jun
Holy Shift: “Why are you looking up?”
“So why are you standing there looking up at an empty sky?” In Acts 1:1-11, the disciples are asked that question after Jesus has left them. Rev. Edith notes that at the time of that question, Jesus had already shown the disciples how to live; what to do. Jesus had shown them close-up the power…
28Apr
Holy Shift: Recognizing the Stranger
Lydia’s last sermon as the Student Minister at Crossroads focussed on Luke 24:13-35, the story of the walk on the road to Emmaus. Lydia uses the story to identify how in the presence of Jesus (whether or not we recognize him right away) strangers become friends. She invites the congregation to celebrate their role in…
24Mar
Walk This Way: Repent
Drawing from Luke 13:1-9, specifically the parable of the fig tree, Lydia explores what repentance is — a process of changing our minds and being transformed by God so that we may walk in the world in a way that gives life rather than taking it (from both ourselves and others). But, this act of…
17Mar
Walk This Way: Tell the Truth
Luke 13:31-35 consists of a warning and a lament. In the first part of the passage, Jesus is warned that Herod is after him, but he does not allow this threat to waiver his call to preach and heal people. Jesus will continue to follow God’s will for his life, doing what “is necessary” and…
24Feb
Deep Presence
“Deep Presence” is the third sermon in our 4-week sermon series “Go Deep.” This week, we explore Luke 9:18-27, which includes the famous phrase “you must deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” What does it mean to deny ourselves? What does it mean to take up our crosses? What does it…
23Dec
Gathering Us Home
Zephaniah 3:14-20 is known as “A Song of Joy,” a drastic difference from the earlier chapters of Zephaniah that are full of violence, disaster, and destruction. The Song of Joy is an unexpected promise by the Holy that God’s people will be “gathered and brought home.” What does it mean for us to be “gathered…
21Oct
On Downward Mobility: Down is the New Up!
In Mark 10:35-45, James and John command Jesus, ““See to it that we sit next to you, one at your right and one at your left, when you come into your glory.” Jesus responds in a curious way. Can James and John drink the same cup as him? Can they be baptized in the same…