The Gathering

Can Jesus help me to change the way I see other people, particularly those with whom I disagree? This is the only book in the series that comes from the New Testament. Matt gives some background to the book, which is a challenging book for modern readers, in large part because it involves a slave named Philemon and a slave owner named Onesimus. Paul asks Onesimus a personal favor. He asks him to s...

What does Habakkuk teach us about patience? Habakkuk was written for the people experiencing the years-long assaults on Jersusalem and Judah. In the book, the writer asks two or three pretty tough questions for God. How long is this attack on Jerusalem going to last? Why is this happening or why aren’t you doing anything about it? When faced with these questions, Habakkuk urges us to have a vision...

What does God expect of us when we witness injustice? Matt tied the message of Micah to the current unrest and ferment in the STL area and the responsibility of all of us to take individual action to address racism, violence, poverty and injustice. He emphasized that God was angry with the people for ignoring injustice that was all around them, not for the failure to observe Jewish ritual and law....

What does Esther teach us about fear and courage in our contemporary life? At the beginning of the sermon, Pastor Miofsky connected Esther to the civil unrest in the STL region in the aftermath of the police shootings and subsequent protests and riots. He was clear that each of us has a responsibility to act somehow in ways that lead to healing for the people in the region.

What does Ruth teach us about our God’s loyalty, steadfastness and chesed? Ruth is one of the oldest and shortest books in the Old Testament. It illustrates that God sees our hearts, not our surface appearance or our family of origin. It shows how God can work powerfully in the midst of life’s travails and setbacks. Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi and Naomi’s loyalty to Ruth are a reflection of God’s loya...

What should be the Christian view of war and violence? Matt gives an explanation of the “Just War” theory, including the key factors that make up a war that is justified. He also speaks about Christian Pacifism. He believes that the two approaches are not as different as assumed. He comes down firmly in the camp that war and violence are always evil, even if it is necessary to combat another evil.

What does the Bible say about Hell? Many Christians see Hell as a literal place of fire and torment. Other Christians believe that hell as a place of eternal torment can’t be reconciled with a God who loves all of us. Matt seems to be making the case that those of us in the latter camp should not be so quick to dismiss Hell. The sermon gives a history of the ideas of Hell from Old Testament times...

How can Christ-followers respond to depression, anxiety and other forms of mental illness? What does the book of Jeremiah say about this?

Am I allowed to have questions about faith?

What do Christians believe about salvation?

What Do Christians Believe About the Bible? Is the Bible really true? Is the Bible literally true? Why should I read the Bible?

How does knowing the why of what I am doing lead me to a better understanding of who I am meant to be?

How can our failures be seen as things God can use to advance us towards His purposes?

How do I sustain and grow my faith day in and day out?

How do I learn how to ask for someone's forgiveness?

How do we learn to rely on God when we hit rock bottom?

What do People of Color experience at The Gathering

How can I help to build a racially diverse Kingdom of God, as Jesus intended?

How can we truly get to know people who are of a different racial background? Rev. Cleaver reminds us that the surface differences of people can be diminished or erased if we get to know others. He says that The Church is God’s answer to racial division. Because we are all created by God and all are beneficiaries of God’s grace through Jesus Christ, our church should look like the people who live...

Am I my brother’s keeper? Yes! (Also my sister’s keeper.) This sermon is built around Genesis and the story of Cain and Abel. At the beginning of the sermon, Matt introduces the idea that the Bible as a whole can be divided up into four categories: Creation, Fall, Reconciliation and Consummation. Race and racism is at the center of our challenges in the St. Louis region, as it always has. Matt cha...

God has the power to produce good out of any situation