Spark Cast

We begin a new series, Why Are You A Christian? Good Question. Let's dive into how we even begin to understand it before we attempt to answer.

This week, we had the tremendous honor and privilege to hear from two published Sparkers on faith, story telling, and creative work. To find out more visit kellyloygilbert.com and lindsaylackey.com.

This is the final teaching in our series, This Is Our Story. Pastor Danielle shares on the overarching theme, the "Grand Narrative," and how we can find ourselves in this story.

Pastor Marcus shares some reflections, historically and personally, on living a life like Peter, and how we all have a really powerful calling.

During a tour to Israel, Pastor Danielle was a guest speaker at our home church in Jerusalem, Narkis Street Baptist Church. Here, she shares on the Parable of the Good Samaritan, and dives into Israel's history as context for Jesus's teaching.

Pastor Tom speaks to the radically rebellious nature of the Jesus movement, that we are to be different, in very transformative ways.

By taking a few snapshots of Paul's life, we get a glimpse into his full agenda, a personal transformation that had profound public influence.

While love is sometimes seen as perhaps the fount from which our faith flows, Pastor Danielle will argue here that it is actually the Resurrection that transforms everything, including how we love.

A Conversation with Dr. Diana Butler Bass, including Q&R from the audience.

Our special guest, Dr. Diana Butler Bass, shares how the Zacchaeus story illustrates Jesus's radical upending of the patron system of the first-century, causing gratitude to emerge in the heart of Zacchaeus.

Most popularly known about the story of Jonah is the big fish and the controversy (?) discussion (?) around the "miracle" or "myth" of that event. However, this story is far deeper, more profound and more convicting than that. It is more about the categories we put people in, and the challenge to love our enemies.

This is a very informal follow up conversation between Rabbi Ari and Pastor Danielle on a variety of questions about the book of Esther.

Our friend Rabbi Ari led us through the reading of the Megillah, the scroll of Esther. With song, and wit, we tell the story of hiddenness, irony, and redemption.

How shall we live when we're in "foreign lands?" How do we maintain faithfulness, in the midst of tempting compromise?

Suffering. Justice. Blame. Innocence. These are all challenges and ideas that emerge in this, the most ancient of texts we have in our Bible. Predominant on all of them, however, is wisdom.

There is always a temptation to be like those around you, to be seduced into their way of living. Yet, our story is one where we are to be different, to be a light to the nations, not like them.

This is the recorded conversation from our Communal Meal following service, on finding our place in this world.

Our guest Dr. Cyndi Parker continues our series on Story, and what role the concept of "place" has in our narrative. Far from a simple geographical location, understanding our place is about becoming aware of how the physical space within which we find ourselves informs how we belong to the world and to each other, and how we find meaning in all the spaces of our lives.

Pastors Kevin & Danielle share in this teaching, some thoughts and insights from the Book of Judges.

Joshua's famous cry is to "be strong and courageous." This clarion call is the grounding identity of the Israelites as they enter the "Promised Land." Rather than mere "guts," being strong means to stay connected to the stories and covenants that have been established throughout Israel's history. And they are not to turn from it, either to the left or to the right.

The very name of God is one that refuses to be boxed in. So, if you think you're going to box God in—to define God's name—get ready for a broken neck and a weird, weird disease.

Distinctly different from a "resolution," being "born again" pulls long historical threads of redemption, liberation, and being made new. We celebrate those who have been "born again" in converting to Christianity. We now hope we can be born again, again, to live anew God's redemptive story, as it was from the very beginning.

In the midst of darkness, Mary sings a song. In the midst of chaos, Mary glorifies the Lord. In the midst of despair, Mary believes. Can we?

Stories are not just captivating, but they're powerfully convicting. In this message, Sparker Omair shares how stories can expose and confront in a way that mere argumentation cannot. This is perhaps why Jesus told so many parables, as a revolutionary master story teller.