Jesus' parable of the Rich Fool confronts one of the most pervasive lies we believe - that life consists in the abundance of possessions.
“Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied with a story that exposed the heart of the expert in the law; our hearts also. How are we justified? How will we respond to “go and do likewise”?
In Jesus' trial Pilate condemns Jesus to death, even though he is innocent, and frees Barabbas, even though he is guilty of murder. That exchange is a window into the cosmic work that Christ does on the cross, dying for all humanity, so we might know forgiveness and freedom.
In Jesus' trial Pilate condemns Jesus to death, even though he is innocent, and frees Barabbas, even though he is guilty of murder. That exchange is a window into the cosmic work that Christ does on the cross, dying for all humanity, so we might know forgiveness and freedom.
On the cross Jesus gives us the example to follow of love, obedience, service and suffering.
So often in life we or those we love feel powerless, oppressed, held captive and enslaved. The Cross is Christ's great victory over the hostile forces arrayed against us, and through the cross we are given freedom and peace.
"God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself". How does Jesus' death accomplish the reconciliation of the world? How does this reconciliation affect our relationships and communities?
Philosopher Merold Westphal says that guilt is a mode of self-consciousness. You know you've done the wrong thing, you're ashamed and you have a sense you deserve punishment. The picture of Jesus' death as a sacrifice helps us understand how his death deals with our guilt.
As we look around our world, we see humanity caught in a destructive pattern. We are victims of the sin of others, but we go and pass on that same sin to others. As we look in our world, we see the need for a new way forward. We need someone who is like us, who can step into this cycle and stop it in its tracks, who can cover over the sins we have committed, and offer a new way forward where we pass on that sin no more. We need a representative who can act on our behalf, where we can't. Who could that man be, and would you let him be your representative?
In this sermon series we're looking at the meaning and accomplishment of the cross. This sermon looks at what it means that in the person of Christ we encounter God himself on the cross.