Spark Cast

The letter of James/Jacob opens with an exhortation for the scattered twelve tribes to persevere during times of trial, discovering joy in the midst of challenges. This wisdom from millennia ago provides guidance for us during these difficult days.

To quote the prophet Bono, "The rule has been disproved, the stone it has been moved, the grave is now a groove, all debts are removed!" What a glorious reason to rejoice as we conclude our series on Revelation in the Garden and celebrate the empty tomb found in a garden 2000 years ago.

Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday elicited a chorus of “Hosanna” (Help/Save us now!) from the crowd following him. In his vision, John hears the multitudes in heaven loudly celebrating with “Hallelujah” (Praise the Lord!) after the fall of Babylon. For many of us Christ followers now, holding the tension of the hosanna and the hallelujah can be joyfully wearisome. As we remember the work...

The central part of Revelation reveals the central characters in the central conflict in God’s story. We encounter the Woman and her Son, the Dragon and his Beasts, and their ultimate collision at Armageddon. Making this battle about some far-off, abstract ‘end of the world’ cataclysm removes the urgency with which the original audience felt this story playing out literally in front of them. Placi...

The Four Horsemen. The Destroyer from the Abyss and his demon locusts. Scrolls, seals, trumpets. The Lamb, the Elders, the Angels, the Martyrs. Revelation abruptly escalates from grounded words of advice to a handful of churches to the iconically ‘apocalyptic’ cosmic battle that we tend to associate with the book today. As we are guided through the densest section of symbols in what feels like the...

Concluding the last letter to the seven churches, the author of Revelation ushers us into the throne room of God, where we encounter four living creatures singing unceasingly, "Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty, who was and is and is to come." Worship takes a primary place in John's letter, as he weaves nine different songs throughout the book.

As we look at the letters to the churches in Philadelphia and Laodicea, we do so needing hope ... and there is hope to be found in these letters. We long for peace and we seek a world where empires no longer rage in vain but where we all dine at the banqueting table together with the King. Come to be together, to practice the peace and love and hope found in Christ.

Based upon decades of study on the cultural and rabbinic context of the Gospels, Dr. Steven Notley will reveal fresh insights into Luke 4 and Jesus’ public pronouncement of his ministry at his hometown synagogue in Nazareth. Jesus' message of mercy marks the entire Gospel of Luke though it did not find a home in every hearing heart. Dr. R. Steven Notley is Professor and Dean of Religious Studies a...

Based upon decades of study on the cultural and rabbinic context of the Gospels, Dr. Steven Notley will reveal fresh insights into Luke 4 and Jesus’ public pronouncement of his ministry at his hometown synagogue in Nazareth. Jesus' message of mercy marks the entire Gospel of Luke though it did not find a home in every hearing heart. Dr. R. Steven Notley is Professor and Dean of Religious Studies a...

A closer look at the churches in Thyatira and Sardis reveals that they are encouraged to wake up and repent, and persevere, even when everything around them looks hopeless.

Looking closely at the letters to the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna and Pergamum, John the Revelator speaks to the specific context of the churches in these three cities using the language of first loves and white stones.

Seven cities. Seven churches. Why? A clue is found in the preface, that John, a brother to the people to whom he writes, shares, in Jesus, in the persecution, the kingdom, and resistance. This triad formulates the foundational agenda for John's exhortations and prepares these disciples for the encouraging hope that is coming.

Do you find yourself thinking about the Roman Empire lately? The people of the first century did too! Far removed from the Land of Israel, Jesus followers sought to live faithfully while surrounded by the powers and principalities of their day. A close look at the cultural and imperial context of the book of Revelation reveals that their time resonates with the world we are living in today.

Over the centuries, the book of Revelation has been used to instill fear and confusion in many readers, but the first hearers experienced hope unveiled with the anticipation of justice on the horizon. Let’s take a fresh look at all that John saw and heard, embracing the unveiled hope that still speaks to us today.

The world feels heavy these days. Amidst the joys of new births and hopes fulfilled, we also hold loss, disappointment, fear, grief and anger. We are exhausted and brokenhearted. We are numb and overwhelmed. We are shocked and not surprised at humanity's inclination to do evil or rejoice over violence and loss of life ... and so we cry out, "How long, O Lord?" In times like these, we need holy spa...

According to the Gospel of Matthew, Magi arrive in Jerusalem looking to worship the one born King of the Jews. Following prophecy, they continue on to Bethlehem, the city of David, and following the star, they find Jesus, with Mary and Joseph. Overjoyed, they worship him and present him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. For nearly two millennia, Christians have commemorated the visit of...

The Christmas story is good, but it wasn't meant to be safe.

Third Sunday of Advent

We reflect on the peace of God that arrives with the birth of Jesus. It is a supernatural peace that transcends above and sustains us through the woes of this world.

God meets real-life pain with surprising possibility, a hope that endures when nothing feels changeable.

The importance of practicing gratitude and giving thanks as we follow the way of Jesus.

Travel from Garden to Garden, from Genesis to Revelation, and discover the beautiful story of rescue, grace and love. Discover how God continues to tell this story to us today.

Part 1: Spark Church is excited to host a very special conversation between world-renowned, Grammy Award-winning hip hop artist, activist, and CEO, Lecrae, and theologian, author, and chaplain, Adam Thomason, as they discuss their journey of studying Jesus in his first-century Jewish world, leading to the Reconstruction of their faith in Jesus as Messiah and Rabbi. Part 2: Author Lois Tverberg wil...

Part 1: Spark Church is excited to host a very special conversation between world-renowned, Grammy Award-winning hip hop artist, activist, and CEO, Lecrae, and theologian, author, and chaplain, Adam Thomason, as they discuss their journey of studying Jesus in his first-century Jewish world, leading to the Reconstruction of their faith in Jesus as Messiah and Rabbi. Part 2: Author Lois Tverberg wil...