Sundays at PBCOB

On Sunday morning we looked at Proverbs 18:21 and spent our time looking at various aspects to wise and unwise speech. - Sermon from 1/23/2022

On Saturday afternoon we looked at Proverbs 12:10 and explored a theology of the animal together. We dove into a big picture outlook of various passages that teach a respect of the animal. While the bible does not outright condemn eating meat, much of how we can go about this in our modern world would be considered foolish, in the biblical sense of the term. We also explored two major Christian ar...

This past Sunday we looked at Proverbs 1:1-7 , which helped to kickstart our new series on Proverbs. Solomon wrote (most of) this ancient book, which helps to guide us in the ways of wisdom. Proverbs require nuance in their understanding and ultimately are Pro Verbs (positive ways of living in the world). At 31 chapters, one can read a chapter a day and be done in a month - so if you have never ex...

This past Sunday we looked at Luke 10:25-37 , which is the infamous story of the Good Samaritan. The original story is one meant to shock, as the Samaritan would have been the hated enemy and the least likely to have thought to help. This parable calls us to a deep faith and as shared, it represents a good frame of reference as we begin 2022 - what does our place in our neighborhood loo like? This...

This past Sunday we looked at Isaiah 40:1-11 , which was referenced in Matthew's Gospel as being fulfilled in John the Baptist. Isaiah announced restoration was coming for Israel and John's message was similar. We spent our time discussing our hope for the new year, despite the difficult times we find ourselves in. - Sermon from 12/26/2021

This past Sunday we looked at the fourth prophet Matthew mentions in his birth story of Jesus - this one being from Jeremiah 31:15-22 . We focused in on the idea that while Christmas is seen as a jolly holiday, for many, this is a time of year that brings up various laments (along with the stress that's potentially common to us all). - Sermon from 12/19/2021

This past Sunday we looked at the third prophet Matthew mentions in his birth story of Jesus - this one being from Hosea 11:1-11 . We spent our time examining Matthew's use of symbolism with Jesus - that he was the New Israel. But unlike the first Son of God, he did not fail in his desert wanderings, which set the stage for further good things. - Sermon from 12/12/2021

This past Sunday we looked at the second prophet Matthew mentions in his birth story of Jesus - this one being from Micah 5:1-6 . We examined how this was understood as both something for the original audience and a future audience, culminating in the arrival of Jesus from the tiny town of Bethlehem. - Sermon from 12/5/2021

This past Sunday we began our Advent series, in which we'll be looking at the 4 prophetical texts mentioned in Matthew's birth story . The first prophetical text mentioned is Isaiah 7:1-17  - we dove into the controversy behind the reference to the woman Isaiah referenced and compared the first Immanuel with the second/new Immanuel. - Sermon from 11/28/2021

This past Sunday we heard some reflections on Proverbs 12:14 and the idea of being thankful. Myself and 3 others shared on what we have been thankful for over this past year. I was incredibly moved during this time and love seeing when folks are able to share about God's working in their lives in powerful and tangible ways. - Sermon from 11/21/2021

This past Sunday we finished up our 10 Commandments series by looking at the capstone of " You shall not covet ". We focused in on the theme of coveting as a mutated form of desire, which causes us to go down an unsustainable path. The encouragement was to flee from our typical consumerist mindset as we are entering in this season of Advent. I mentioned the organization Advent Conspiracy and would...

This past Sunday continued our  10 Commandments series, by looking at #9 - you must not lie. We focused in the concepts of perjury and lying, with the call to be people marked by the truth, which help be people who are guided by Truth incarnate. - Sermon from 11/7/2021

This past Sunday continued our  10 Commandments series, by looking at #8 - you must not steal. We spent our time exploring how this command has gotten a bit more complex as we've advanced as a society. Ultimately we landed on the idea that having a spirit of generosity is the antithesis to stealing. - Sermon from 10/31/2021

This past Sunday continued our  10 Commandments series, by looking at #6 - Thou shalt not commit adultery (as found in Exodus 20:14 ). We focused in on the ideas of the harm of Internet pornography and abuse in marriages. Heavy themes for sure and as always, if you'd like to explore these (or other subjects) further, please do not hesitate to let me know. Two links I have found help...

This past Sunday continued our  10 Commandments series, by looking at #6 - No murder (as found in Exodus 20:13 ). We focused in on the idea of how this commandment isn't simply fulfilled by the avoidance of violence, as a call to be peacemakers in the world. - Sermon from 10/17/2021

This past Sunday continued our  10 Commandments series, by looking at #5 - Honor your father and mother (as found in Exodus 20:12 ). We focused in on the idea of loving and caring for all levels of society and the importance for the local church to be intergenerational. - Sermon from 10/10/2021

This past Sunday we got back into our 10 Commandments series, by looking at #4 - Keep the Sabbath (as found in Exodus 20:8-11 ). We focused in on the idea of the importance of Sabbath rest (how it's an act of trust and worship) and the importance of taking rest for ourselves and those "under" us as well. I referenced a church who paid off local medical debt and you can read about that right here ....

This past Sunday we heard from our friend, Mitch Miller, as he preached on Psalm 86 . - Sermon from 9/26/2021

This past Sunday we heard the story of Zacchaeus , as told by Zacchaeus himself! I hope you enjoyed the narrative sermon style approach and it's something we may continue to dabble in from time to time. - Sermon from 9/19/2021

This past Sunday we continued on in the 10 Commandments , focusing in on #3 - don't be careless with God's name . We spent our time discussing how the command is much more than simply avoiding God's name as a curse word. There was a reference to restaurant servers loathing the post-church crowd and you can read more about that right here . - Sermon from 9/12/21

This past Sunday we continued on in the 10 Commandments , focusing in on #2 - don't make graven images . We spent our time discussing how idolatry worked in the ancient world and comparing that to how we can approach God in the same way. Idolatry is still very much all around us and like Israel, the temptation for us is in our syncretism. - Sermon from 9/5/2021

This past Sunday we started our new sermon series, based upon Exodus 20:1-17 . Our focus will be looking at the 10 Commandments over the next 10 weeks. We covered some of the basic background material to these important laws and focused in on the idea of the 1st Commandment - to be putting Christ first in all things. - Sermon from 8/29/2021

This past Sunday was a bit of a different sermon, where we used Psalm 119:105-112 as the foundation. I shared a bit of my backstory and about a time where God appeared to me in a very real way. I hope you were encouraged by it and learned a bit more about me in the process. Looking forward to starting our next series together this week. - Sermon from 8/22/2021

We finished up our look at James this week, ending on 5:13-20 . There's the simple call to be praying and like the rest of the message (aka - just do it!) we were encouraged to make prayer a priority. - Sermon from 8/15/2021

We looked at James 5:7-12 this past week, focusing in on the idea of patience. Often our lack of patience causes issues with ourselves and our neighbors and this text helps to ground us in the importance of remaining patient. - Sermon from 8/8/2021