Seven Mile Road

As we begin our new sermon series _Summer in the Psalms_ this week, we’ll hear the Psalmist ask the most important question ever: “Who is allowed in the household of God?” or “Who is the person who gets to have a relationship with God?” As we hear the answer, a certain truth becomes clear: none of us measure up. Not one. Except for Jesus. Because of Jesus, this question-and-answer session that cou...

Listen to a quick update for July at Seven Mile Melrose

Three trials of Jesus occur in our passage from Luke this week. Each more sad than the one before. Any of these could set him free. Accusations are made of Jesus, but his innocence looms brightly. It’s these trials and accusations that shine a light on our guilt vs his innocence. We begin to glimpse God’s plan to allow a grave injustice that He might graciously justify His people. Luke 23:1-25

After Jesus’ arrest, he’s taken to meet with the religious leaders. He ends up denied and abandoned by a close friend, beaten, blasphemed, and berated by those guarding him, and convicted for blasphemy. The sequence of events was not only heartbreaking, but it was also prophecy-fulfilling. The very lies people told about Jesus only confirmed that he is, in fact, the all-powerful Lord. Luke 22.54-7...

It was a dark and dreary night when the darkest of sins was committed against the Light, the Son of Man, Jesus, the Son of God. Judas reveals himself as the disciple who was to betray Jesus, Peter pulls out a sword in a heated moment of violence, and Jesus willingly walks off into the night with those who hate him most. Where was God in the darkness? He was where He always is, in control. The ligh...

Jesus nears the time of his sacrifice on the cross. The weight of the reality of our sin is immense. Jesus turns to the Father in prayer in utter dependence as he prepares for this. In doing this, Jesus is more than just as an example to us. He is accomplishing something for us by his faithful dependence on God.

Listen for an update on Seven Mile Melrose this month!

In his last meal with his disciples, Jesus redefines greatness, teaching that greatness is about serving others. Then he invites his disciples into a life of greatness ... a life leading in his kingdom in his ways. Yet, the disciples continue to ask the wrong questions, say the wrong things, and make promises they just can’t keep. They seem to lack everything needed to be great, but we’ll find tha...

Who am I? With whom do I belong? We often answer this question through our clothing, calendars, and who we spend time with. In Luke 22:7-20, Jesus commands his disciples to begin a new practice of eating a simple meal of bread and wine together. As followers of Jesus, he marks our identity and belonging through this meal.

Trapped between a desire to kill Jesus and their fear of the crowds finding out what they are doing, the chief priests are desperate and out of options. At a time when they should be celebrating God's deliverance, a plan develops to kill the Deliverer ... as Judas offers to betray Jesus. Luke 22.1-6

In this update we talk about what mission living means to us at Seven Mile Road and some great things happening this month in the life of the church. 

Life is weighty. Whether it’s the pressure of money, the strain of relationships, or the disappointment of unfulfilled ambitions, we feel the weight of life. Typically, we either cope by distraction from or obsession with these life concerns. Jesus warns that our typical responses actually do weigh us down, but deep dependence on Jesus keeps us from missing His kingdom. Luke 21:29-36

Luke 21.20-28 People, places and events we look forward to often feel so far away until they're right in front of us. Far too often same is true when it comes to Jesus and us. We have heard Jesus' words that he's coming back, but what does that mean? This question is not new today but has been true for millennia. This week we'll hear Jesus explain that redemption will not alway...

With every headline, in so many conversations, we see the fear and anxiety created by our uncertain times. The horrible realities of war, hunger, disease, and disaster. What are we to think? What are we to do? Is there no hope in this business of life? The opposite in fact, there is every hope. Better yet, in Christ there is everything to gain. We aren’t deceived, we don’t fear, we don’t worry, be...

 On the Sunday following Jesus' death, a group of women shows up at his tomb to anoint his body. Upon arrival, they found the tomb open and empty, before being told to remember by two angels. They are to remember Jesus' own words about his life, death, and resurrection. As they remember, these women respond to this good news that death could not hold Jesus and begin sharing it with other...

Listen to a quick update on all things Seven Mile in April!

Jesus turns from his conflicts with Temple authorities to warn his disciples: Beware of Living like the Scribes. The scribes want to be first, to be publicly recognized and honored. They willingly harm those most in need of support to advance themselves. Jesus then tells his disciples to pay attention to the widow. Her poverty was not a barrier to honoring God. Her generosity revealed her deepest...

Identity brings many things into focus. Knowing who someone is gives context and helps you to know how to interpret intentions and behavior. Jesus turns the table from the last few stories in the Gospel of Luke and begins asking the religious leaders questions. He is on the offensive asking important questions about the identity of the Jewish Messiah. No question is more important than asking, how...

For a third time, Jesus faces opposition in the Temple seeking to challenge his authority. This time it is the Sadducees bringing a question about marriage and the resurrection with the goal of discrediting Jesus. Again, Jesus avoids the trap and proves from the scriptures that resurrection is real and hope is certain. Luke 20.27-40

Jesus’ popularity and presence in the Temple threatened the Temple leaders, the scribes and the priests. They feared losing their position, status, and power to Jesus. They withdraw and send spies to try and trap Jesus. Their methods reveal their motivation to remove Jesus; they want another king to worship. This Sunday, we will look at Luke 20:19-26 and see that the way we accomplish something ma...

Knock, knock. Who’s there? The Landlord. The Landlord, who? Precisely. Israel knew they were God’s possession, that they were the people made for His good pleasure, and yet throughout their long history they continually turned away from Him and rejected those who were sent to call them back to Him. Through their actions they denied God as their loving Landlord, and because of this they incurred Hi...

Listen to an update on the life of Seven Mile Melrose for March 2023.

Jesus goes to the temple in Jerusalem and acts as a prophet decrying the misuse of the place. Then with teaching and action depicts a new and better worship of God. To challenge a national identity and to call everyone back to God begs the question of what right does one have to do this? Who has the right to command belief? Who can transcend ethnicity and rivalry in authority? How does all this re...

As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, everything is pointing toward him being King. Everything. He’s in control. His donkey is brand new. The crowd is cheering. The King is here, and just when you’d think everyone should be excited ... we find out that what is plain to some is hidden from others.

As Jesus continues moving towards Jerusalem and questions increase concerning when the Kingdom of God will appear, Jesus tells a parable about servants being faithful to their task (or not!) when their master is away. As the master returns, we see that faithfulness matters and that a servant’s action reveals the heart.