Spark Cast

Really, what makes things better is not a response, a reason, a theology to the chaos of our world. What makes things better is someone connecting with something inside of them that connects deeply with us. In other words, "empathy." This week, we discover how the incarnation is God's beautiful expression of empathy, and it is that empathic response that brings hope, redemption, and peace.

What is the incarnation? Why is it significant? What did it mean to the early followers of Jesus? And how is it important for our lives today? These, and other questions, will be addressed as we dig deep into the mysterious beauty that is, the Word becoming flesh.

At the end of our Exodus series, we come to the instructions for the building of the Tabernacle, a place of worship. It is as if we have bookended the story of Exodus, as it began with, "Let my people go so that they may worship me," and it ends with the people doing just that, working and serving God. And this, is the culmination of liberation.

This day we commemorate the feast of Sukkot. Known as the "Feast of Tabernacles" or the "Feast of Booths," this festival commissions us to build "shelters," to remind us of our time wandering in the desert. And as we look to the sky above and the ground below, we realize that God has been sheltering us in his love throughout all of life's transitions.

The giving of the second set of tablets at Mt. Sinai exemplifies God's amazing grace, even in the midst of Israel's adultery. Shall we become stewards of God's grace? And not only to others, but also to ourselves?

Join Spark in raising $10,000 to help in the Syrian refugee crisis. Visit www.sparkchurch.net/teachings for more information, links, and resources. This is love. This is Rescue. This is Spark Church!

The work of peacemaking is challenging and complex. It requires much of us, but it is worth our effort. Rabbi and author of "From Enemy To Friend," Amy Eilberg shares her journey towards the cause of peacemaking in this world, and encourages us to do the same.

In this message, Pastor Mark uses the story of the Golden Calf to illustrate how all of us use power, wealth, theology, and other "idols" to make sense of our world when there is none. For us, it is about taking control when there seeming is none. God's love, however, liberates us from shackling ourselves with the idols we have created.

What the tabernacle is to space, so the Sabbath is to time. And to enter into the construction of the Tabernacle, to embrace the beautiful symbology and resonance of the Tabernacle fashioned after the creation story is to be recreated ourselves.

As we get to the building of the tabernacle, we learn that while the focus is on the details and instructions of the tabernacle, the real building is in the people.

In a Christian culture where the quality and expectations of your "time spent with God" is often scrutinized, by self or by others, this passage encourages and empowers us to simply "be."

Some passages are difficult to read. They are a mix of things we appreciate, and things we abhor. How do we read these difficult passages with our 21st century eyes? In this talk, Pastor Danielle introduces us to a "redemptive movement hermeneutic," how there are progressive steps forward found in the writings that transform the original hearers, and set the conditions for later readers.

Following up from last week, we dig deeper into what it means to see the "Ten Commandments," as part of a rescue plan, rather than a list of moral dictates. Understanding this principle helps us no longer condemn immorality when violations occur, but lead us to once again tell the story of God's rescue work in our lives.

As we get to what is popularly known as the "Ten Commandments," we are going to first pause and see upon what are these sayings built upon. Rather than a moral code, or conditions for relationship, these sayings are designed to confirm the relationship and intimacy of the people with YHWH.

This teaching's passage is the same passage studied by the 9 church members of The Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina before they were murdered. We stand in solidarity with them, their families, and their congregation, and continue to work diligently to exemplify the Good Earth, that is God's Earth.

Spark advisory board member, father, husband, and entrepreneur shares from his heart the lessons he has learned about what the stories in the Bible mean for him everyday. "Trusting in God is not the same thing as optimism."

Pastor Mark & Stacy share together the beautiful and wonderful power of "hesed," the lovingkindness of God.

Through the book of Hosea, we see that this prophet’s life is not just a lesson, but a picture of a God who is in pursuit of us as a loving parent. And with a quiet roar of love, God is calling us back home.

The Jethro Principle of Exodus 18 is often about delegation, and time management. However, upon closer inspection, juxtaposed to the governing systems of Egypt and Mesopotamia, we see something significant take place regarding the foundations of governance that will set the course for governments in Israel and other nations to come.

The attack of the Amalekites on the Israelites in the desert poses some challenges for the reader. Why would God allow this? Yet, there are other perspectives with which to see this story, and some powerful conclusions we can draw. Joining this week for the teach is our friend, Rabbi Ari Cartun, sharing insights and lessons along the way.

We all complain. Do we all complain about not having water and dying in the desert? Those seem like legitimate complaints. So, why is this episode looked down upon as a low point in Israelite history. Perhaps because their complaining is more about their loss of identity and relationship with YHWH.

So, what is it? Literally, that manna is "What is it?" In Exodus 16, we do not get a name for this flaky white substance. What we do get is the understanding that it is "bread" from heaven. What we will discover is that this word has rich meaning and significance for the narrative of the story, and what YHWH is communicating to us.

The song that is sung after the parting of the Sea of Reeds is perplexing. But there is a clue, and a connection found in the description of Miriam's song at the end. They both resonate with similar themes and together they exhort us to exemplify the same kind of faith, the faith that stands and sees what God is going to do.

The true miracle at sea is not the parting of the waters, but rather, the birth of a nation. The Exodus imagery, throughout its narrative, is telling a story of Israel is being born again. And this kind of new birth is, for all of us who have experienced the compromise of life, a welcome and celebrated new beginning.

The death of the first born son. In the words of a child, "unfair." What is going on in this last plague, the culmination of the ten? In this message, Pastor Mark shares his insights and personal stories that helps us navigate this challenging plague.