Kingdom Roots

How do we bring the Kingdom to where we live, work, and play? Jesus created the Church to be the presence of the Kingdom in the world. The Church was a unique group of diverse people from all sorts of backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, and social status. God’s intention for the church was to be a vast fellowship of differents. In this talk Scot unpacks how the Kingdom took root in the household of...

What does God want me to do? Ask any pastor and you will find that this is the most common question that pastors must field. The ironic thing is that God cares more about who we are than what we do. Scot shows how God has a specific way for followers of Jesus to embrace the world and live out His will. No matter what you do God has a way that you can embody the presence of Christ in the life you l...

Jesus has an uncanny way to disturb the comforted and comfort the disturbed. In this Parable Jesus seems to invite those listening to imagine a world where judgment is surprising. Longing for and attention to Jesus’ return is so important and Jesus drives that point powerfully home in the Parable of the Ten Virgins. This parable is one of the most difficult to understand, but when we let Jesus ima...

Epaphras – The Behind the Scenes Kingdom Worker – KR 66 One of the ways God built and is building the Kingdom is through the 'behind the scenes' workers that rarely get notoriety. Paul’s friend and co-worker Epaphras was one of those behind the scenes kind of guys. He did so much to move the Kingdom forward, but we know very little about him. In this sermon, Scot unpacks what we can understand abo...

Imagine a world where everyone was treated like a King. In Jesus’ typical style he invites those following him to live in a whole different world. That world is one where no one is below being treated like a King. This parable has Jesus identifying himself with the most vulnerable and showing his followers how important it is for them to help those in need. How are you treating the least of these,...

The Parable of the Rich Fool - KR 64 Your life is not defined by what you possess, but what possesses you. Jesus says that it is impossible to serve both God and money and this parable drives this important truth. The rich fool was possessed by his possessions. Scot, Kevin, and Joe talk about how Jesus invites his kingdom to be marked by generosity and that there is no room to be greedy with what...

The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds - KR 63 by Scot McKnight

10 Tips for Improving Your Writing (Part 2) - KR 62 by Scot McKnight

It’s incredible how God uses little scribbles on a page to bring about His work in the world. Scot gives ten excellent ways that you can improve on the challenging task of writing. Here are Scot’s 10 tips: 1)Write and write often. 2)Read good writers. 3)Revise, revise, and revise some more. 4)Know your audience. 5)Get good feedback. 6)Finish your writing day by starting the next day. Write first s...

How does God view us? This may be the most important question that one can answer. Jesus tells a parable that not only challenges those who are listening, but it reveals the very character to God. The parable shows that God doesn’t judge how we often think he does, rather he always has the ability to get to the heart of the issue. God loves us as we are and not how we should be. This view of God’s...

God went to great lengths to help his people understand their identity. The people of God have a rich story because of God’s faithfulness, but often it is a story that is tainted with God’s people not listening and obeying. This parable of Jesus provides a significant warning on not listening or acting upon God’s desire. God has given everyone the opportunity to continue His story through Jesus an...

How is it that generosity can create frustration? In Jesus’ parable of the workers in the Vineyard he challenges his listeners to embrace the generosity and faithfulness of God. Jesus takes on the toxic attitude of envy that feeds the darkest parts of our hearts and casts a shadow over our eyes preventing us from the opportunity to see God at work. If followers of Jesus don’t rid themselves of the...

Developing a Culture Generosity (Part 2) - KR 57 by Scot McKnight

The Church can never be all God wants it to be without the generosity of its people. Leadership naturally creates the culture of any organization. It is clear that the leaders of the early Church deeply cared for the poor because they fostered a culture of generosity within the church. Scot lays the foundation from the New Testament on why and how the church can develop a culture of generosity. In...

Throughout Scripture and church history, women have been central to the mission of God. But all too often women have lacked opportunities to minister fully. Many churches lack visible examples of women in ministry and leadership. This can and should be changed. Scot and Tara Beth continue their conversation about how women can be emboldened to do the ministry they are gifted to do. When women teac...

Why have women been silenced & not allowed to lead in the Church? Scot McKnight is a leading advocate for empowering women to be a part of every sphere of church leadership and work. Tara Beth Leach (Sr. Pastor of PazNaz) joins him to help tackle this conversation. This controversial topic always has the potential to be divisive and unproductive. In order for the Church to be all it can be we...

How does one be Christ like in a non-Christ like world? Scot explores how 1 Peter sheds light on the answer to this question. In this letter the Apostle Peter shows that Christ’s life is the pattern for our faith. It also is the path to face unchristian behavior in the world. Scot shares three specific ways that Peter challenges his audience to respond in the face of evil. Interested in reading th...

Is there ever a time to delight in the defeat of an enemy? Scot shows from the temptation of Jesus how Satan was defeated in and through Jesus’ victory over Satan’s temptation. The temptation of Jesus is one of the high points of drama in the story of his life and ministry. Jesus is a part of a much bigger cosmic battle where he proves to be victorious and leads his followers in victory through fo...

Salvation by Allegiance Alone (Conversation with Dr. Matthew Bates) - KR 51 by Scot McKnight

What does it look like for a fellowship of differents to take root? Books of the Bible like Paul’s letter to Philemon are incredible treasures for the present day Church because they are a real life example of how difficult issues got worked out in mission. It is easy to be idealistic about a vision taking root, but it is another thing all together for it actually to happen. Scot and Geoff talk ab...

Vision is necessary for any type of movement to take root. Paul had a vision from God on what the local church should look like. This unique and inclusive vision for Paul’s churches was able to take root so powerfully through embracing the great gospel experiment. Paul’s challenge for the church was to live out this vision that demonstrates to the world God is creating a new community that embodie...

Have you ever had to give up something of value to gain something else of greater value? In these parables Jesus illuminates the fact that following Jesus in discipleship is costly, but also well worth the cost. There is great joy that comes when the true value of Jesus’ Kingdom is discovered and embraced. Jim Elliott captures it well when he says, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to g...

The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) - KR 47 by Scot McKnight

The good news of Jesus’ resurrection breaks the bonds and power of death. Jesus intended this powerful reality to be deeply rooted in the Church. There is an incredible story Jesus invites everyone to take part in through the resurrection. Join in this week’s conversation to discover the implications the resurrection has for followers of Jesus and His community. The resurrection is the biggest “IF...

Following the Church calendar is one of the most powerful ways to embrace and be shaped by the gospel in discipleship. God has blessed the Church with the Church calendar as an opportunity to physically remember and be transformed by embodying the greatest events of God’s people. Scot shares about his journey of paying more attention to the Church calendar and why he began to spend more time remem...