Fostering Relationships

Considering the broadness of Gods rescue that saves us both from evil within us and outside of us.

Considering Matthew 18 and the theme of mountain in the scriptures as we meditate on Gods wisdom for reconciliation.

Considering Jeremiah 15, the patience of God and the call to turn

Considering the title of Jesus as Messiah/Christ in Matthew 16

Considering how the scripture presents us with categories for people but also challenges those boundary lines as it urges us to consider God’s love and salvation for all

Considering the scroll of Job, especially in our experience of emotions and questions in the midst of suffering

Considering the generosity of God in Isaiah 55:1-5 and its connection to our imaginations

The first few minutes of the episode were not recorded. The sermon focuses on the parable of the treasure in Matthew 13. Here is a summary of what was missed in the opening of the recording. Matthew’s account is organized with five discourses. Matthew 13 is the third of these five discourses and is a collection of parables, thus it functions as a literary unit. The third discourse is broken into two larger sections. The first is the parable of the sower and its explanation. It is organized as a “sandwich” with the parable of the sower and its explanation forming the start and finish (the “bread”) and Jesus explanation of parables being sandwiched between. The second large unit of the discourse is a “club sandwich”.

Parable of Wheat and Darnel

—Two Short Parables

Parable of Wheat and Darnel (explained)

—Two Short Parables

Parable of the Net (Parallel to Wheat and Darnel)

Considering Romans 8:18-27 and how we rule like Jesus by sharing in his sufferings. (*This was a second recording of the sermon as I forgot to record Sunday morning during the service.)

Rev Mark Schuler considers Matthew 11:25-30

Considering Jeremiah 26-28 and importance of discerning prophetic voices today

Considering Romans 6 and Paul’s use of enslavement imagery for our relationship to sin and Gods rescue and transfer of us to the lordship of Jesus.

Rev Mark Schuler reflects on Matthew 9:35-10:8

Considering Matthew 9 and Hosea 6 as God calls his people to an undivided loyalty with him.

Considering Genesis 1:27 and the poetry of one and yet multiple.

Considering Numbers 11 and the Spirit being given to share in the burden of care for the community

Considering the last sections of 1 Peter, especially resisting diabolos in the way of Jesus

Considering the second half of 1 Peter 3 and how Jesus’ victory shapes our allegiance

Considering 1 Peter 2 and God calling people “his people”.

Considering 1 Peter 2-3, specifically Peter’s words to slaves and wives in his context

Considering the second half of 1 Peter 1 and the framework of holiness and purity in our way of living today as followers of Jesus

Considering 1 Peter 1:3-9 and the new identity we are birthed into by the resurrection of Jesus.

Considering Matthew’s account of the resurrection, especially the presence of guards and the women.

Considering the two men named Jesus in Matthew’s account

Considering Matthew 26 and Jesus words of “my blood of the covenant”, “poured out for many” and “for the forgiveness of sins”

Considering Philippians 2: Jesus’ way of carrying out his divinity in the midst of the way of empire

Considering the prophecy of Ezekiel

Considering John 4 in light of the Torah’s use of wells and water imagery.

Considering the promise of God to give Abraham and Sarah a great name in Genesis 12

Considering the event at the tree in the garden and how it gets repeated through the scriptures.

Guest preacher, Rev Mark Schuler, considers Matthew’s account of Jesus’ transfiguration.

Considering the words of Jesus in Matthew 5 and the reshaping of the world towards God’s goodness

Considering the words of Micah 6

Considering the kingdom of God and the call to partner with Jesus in Matthew 4

Considering the image of the Passover and Jesus as the Lamb in John’s gospel account.

Considering the baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3 and how it shapes our way of relating to our community, state and country

Considering God’s generosity and Solomon’s request for Wisdom in 1 Kings

Guest preacher Rev. Mark Schuler

Considering the ongoing act of God showing up in the world

Considering the relationship of God with David

Considering Immanuel in the opening of Matthew’s account

Considering James 5

Considering the words of Isaiah 11 and God’s animating presence

Considering the words of Jesus in Matthew 24 in light of the Flood account

Considering the centrality of Jesus and the cross in Luke’s account especially.

Considering Luke 12

Considering the name of God in Exodus 3 and its connection to God’s presence.

Considering Matthew 5 and “the poor in spirit have got it made…”

Considering Romans 3 in a first century context.

Considering scripture and the community that gathers around it as a gift from God in light of 2 Timothy

Considering the language of Soldier in Paul’s letter to Timothy.

Considering the passing of time and how God shapes past, present and future. Please note the sound quality fluctuates as the pastor was moving around the chancel and the recording device was stationary.

Considering Gods abundance and generosity in psalm 146

Considering the example of Matthew as a way of learning wisdom for repentance.

Considering the determination of God to remain with his people by grace, especially in light of atonement and Luke 15

Considering the letter to Philemon. The recording ends after the reading of the letter as discussion and sharing were not recorded.

Considering grief and questions that arise in the midst of this tragedy.

Considering the end to the Isaiah scroll and its use of themes from Genesis.

Considering Jesus words about division in Luke 12

Considering Luke 12 and Jesus’ invitation to consider the flowers and the ravens.

Considering Genesis 19

Considering Abraham’s conversation with God in Abraham 18.

Considering the meeting of God with Sarah and Abraham in Genesis 18

Considering Jesus parable in Luke 10

Considering Luke 10 and the church’s role of loving critique in the world.

Considering Luke 9 and drawing boundary lines of “in” and “out”

Considering Peter’s way of speaking about God in Acts 2 and how it shapes our lives.

Considering Revelation 21-22, especially connections to Genesis, Exodus and city images.

Considering the images of Jesus in Revelation 19 and 20 and how it shapes our way of living today.

Considering Revelation 17 and 18, especially the grieving merchants and rejoicing people of God.

Audio recordings resulted in two episodes

Recording issues resulted in two episodes. Considering the slain lamb imager in Revelation, especially between the sixth and seventh seals.

Considering Luke’s account of the resurrection and the entrusting of the message to women.

Considering Luke’s account of the last supper

Considering the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem, along with Zaccheus and the clearing of the temple in Luke’s account.

Considering the 40 days and nights of Jesus in Matthew

Considering Isaiah 43 and Philippians 3 in the ongoing, dynamic relationship of trust.

Considering the story of Elijah’s journey to Mt Horeb in 1 Kings 17-19

Considering the parable of Jesus about two brothers in Luke 15

Considering Numbers 14 and 14 and the twelve spies

Considering Luke 13 and Jesus words on “repent or perish” and the parable of a farmer and a fig tree

Considering the story of the golden calf and the presence of God.

Considering Luke 13 and the desires of Herod, Jesus, the people and ourselves

Wednesdays during lent we are considering scriptural accounts with 40 days

Considering the bringing of first fruits as a way of seeing God’s character and our identity, along with gratitude carried out in solidarity

Considering Luke’s account of Jesus on the mount with Moses and Elijah

Guest Preacher Rev. Mark Schuler - Considering Jesus’ call to love our enemies

Considering Luke 6 about poor and rich

Considering the language of release in the gospel according to Luke

Considering Jeremiah 1 and 1 Corinthians 13 and the role of the prophetic voice.

Considering Luke 4 and 15 and the response of Jesus’ hometown to his proclamation

Considering John’s use of “Signs” and its connection to Genesis and Exodus.

Considering the baptism of Jesus and the language of power

Considering Mary as an example of discipleship in the gospel of Luke

Rev Mark Schuler speaks on Luke 2:22-38

Considering John 1

Considering how the census is problematic in much of scripture and how Jesus arrives in contrast this theme

Considering Mary leaving her home and going to Elizabeth.

Considering the words of Zephaniah