Ecclesia: Church at the Chip Podcast (New)

Happy Birthday to US! We are incredibly proud and thankful to be citizens of this great country. But as we have learned from our study of Luke, we are also citizens of the kingdom of heaven. How do these two relate to one another? Let’s find out....

In recent weeks we’ve heard Jesus tell stories affirming the value of oppressed widows and sinful tax collectors. Today we encounter the third in this series of events, where Jesus affirms the importance of children in the kingdom of God. What does this teach us about kids and the kingdom? Let’s find out....

In this section of Luke, we encounter four surprising stories which demonstrate the upside-down nature of Jesus’ kingdom. We looked at the first last week: A persistent widow and an unjust judge. Today we consider the second of these stories: a parable about Pharisees, publicans, prayer and pride.

Having just taught his disciples about the present and future coming of the kingdom of God, Jesus tells them a rather strange parable to encourage them to “pray and not lose heart.” What is the meaning of this parable, why did Jesus tell it at that time, and what does it mean for us today? Let’s find out....

“When will the kingdom of God come?” asked the Pharisees. It’s a question people still ask today. Let’s take a look at what Jesus had to say to the Pharisees, and to his disciples, and how this might apply to our own questions about Jesus’ kingdom.

As Jesus enters a village, ten lepers cry out, “Master, have mercy on us!” Jesus sends them to the priest, and as they went they were cleansed. All ten were cleansed, but only one returned to thank Jesus -- “and he was a Samaritan.” What is the point of this story, and how does it apply to us? Let’s find out....

It was the Jewish holiday of Pentecost (Shavu’ot), when Jesus poured out his Spirit upon his followers. On that day, the worldwide ministry of Jesus through his church (ecclesia) began. Why was the church born on Pentecost, and what significance does this have for us today? Let’s find out…..

Can you imagine winter without Christmas, or spring without Easter? Of course not. And yet many churches and Christians slide right into summer without observing the final phase of Jesus’ ministry: his Ascension to the right hand of the Father. What is the Ascension all about, and why should we care about it today? We’ll talk about that this morning.

As we continue our trek through Luke on this Mother’s Day, we encounter a text which speaks both to the nuclear family and the wider family of faith. What does Jesus teach us about how families (both personal and corporate) should relate to one another? Let’s find out….

Jesus loves us deeply. It breaks his heart when we live in ways which dehumanize ourselves or others. That is why he is willing to tell us the truth about such things as money and marriage, faithfulness and eternity. Yes, the truth sometimes hurts; but it also heals.

When a warden awoke to the crack of an earthquake, he discovered the prison doors were broken. He naturally assumed his prisoners had escaped. When he found they had not, he was overcome and asked the poignant question, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” The answer changed his life; it can change our lives, too.

As we resume our trek through Luke’s gospel, we encounter a rather confusing parable. Let’s study it together and discover what Jesus wants to teach us regarding how to use “worldly wealth for heavenly good."

God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart.  The Big Idea: God has given us an inner sense that life doesn’t end at the grave. But what will Heaven be like?

Do you remember the birth of your children? Of course you do. When our babies left the womb on their birthday, it wasn’t just their world that changed -- it was ours, too. In the same way, when Jesus left the tomb on Easter Day, it wasn’t just his world that changed -- it was ours, too. How so? Let’s find out together....

Thank you for joining us for our beautiful “sins on the cross” service, including songs and scripture. It will be a meaningful and poignant way to remember Jesus’ death on our behalf. Your Easter celebration will be enhanced by our Good Friday moments of worship.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on the back of a colt, the crowd was ecstatic. Quoting scripture, they shouted, “Behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” They were right: Jesus was their long-awaited king. But he was not the kind of king they expected -- or wanted....

Jesus is doing it again: hanging out in the wrong kind of places, and with the wrong kind of people. The religious people were scandalized. In response, Jesus told three famous stories, one of which we’ll look at today. We’re calling it “Scandal at the Cowboy Saloon."

Jesus is at it again: hanging out with all the wrong kind of folks. The religious people, as usual, are grumbling. Jesus responds with three powerful parables. We will look at two of them today: The Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin. What does Jesus want to teach us through these stories? Let’s find out together.....

What does it cost to follow Jesus? If salvation is a gift to be received by faith rather than works, does that mean it will not cost us anything? Nothing could be further from the truth, as Jesus clearly teaches us in today’s passage. What then does it cost to follow Jesus? Let’s find out together….

As Jesus journeys toward a cross outside Jerusalem, he knows his time is short. The door to his kingdom is open, but someday it will be shut. “Strive to enter through the narrow door,” he says. What did he mean by this? Let’s find out….

The Kingdom of Jesus is an upside-down kingdom — according to this world’s wisdom. Like a mustard seed, it starts small and grows tall. Like leaven, it transforms culture from the inside out. What appears foolish to the world is in fact the wisdom of God. How have we seen this in the life of our church family? Let’s find out….

In the midst of Jesus’ stern warnings about repentance, judgment and salvation, we read about a broken woman whom Jesus healed during synagogue worship. What connection does this compelling story have to the warnings which surround it? And how does it relate to us as we gather for worship today? Let’s find out....

The last several weeks we have been considering Jesus' sobering words for serious times. Last week we summarized them as, “People get ready, Preachers get busy, and People be watching.” Today we close out this section with one more, and shocking, warning: “Everyone, Repent!” Is this ancient message still relevant today? Absolutely! Let’s find out why.

The last several weeks we have been considering Jesus' sobering words for serious times. Last week we summarized them as, “People get ready, Preachers get busy, and People be watching.” Today we close out this section with one more, and shocking, warning: “Everyone, Repent!” Is this ancient message still relevant today? Absolutely! Let’s find out why.

As Jesus moves intently toward his final showdown in Jerusalem, the tension in the air grows thick. Knowing what lies ahead, Jesus gives his followers -- and especially those who lead them -- some sobering instructions: Be Ready. Be Faithful. Be Discerning.