The Gathering

How willing are you to allow the life you have planned for yourself to be interrupted by God? We follow a God who interrupts us. Easter is an invitation to new life. How we view the interruptions will determine what God is able to do in our lives. A call from God demands our attention.

Why this end? Why is the cross necessary? What were the politics of the time that led to this ending?

How/Where do we find our identity? How prophets are treated in their hometown, story of Jesus' freedom, God's work in our lives

How did Jesus' upbringing in Egypt influence how he treats others? And what does he expect of his followers? Jesus' time in Egypt, Jesus was born as a refugee for the first years of his life, remembrance for Israelites in Egypt as guidance for treating those in the margins, "hospitality... is a hallmark of what it means to follow Jesus", how do we make space to serve others?

What parts of Jesus' birth hold significance for Jesus' life? What were the expectations of Jesus' life? Both Mary and Joseph's lineage could be traced back to King David, Jesus was Messiah but not in the way people expected,

How do I lead a more balanced life? 3 myths about balance: #1 we can do everything. Life is filled with trade-offs. The antidote is making decisions about competing things. #2 Lots of things are important You Cant serve two masters; God and wealth. Rather than trying to do more with the time we have, do the right things with the time we have. Don't confuse urgent and important. #3 I have no choice...

What is the peace that God provides to us through the birth of Jesus?

How does God's mercy allow me to show mercy to others?

Can Jesus help me to change the way I see other people, particularly those with whom I disagree? This is the only book in the series that comes from the New Testament. Matt gives some background to the book, which is a challenging book for modern readers, in large part because it involves a slave named Philemon and a slave owner named Onesimus. Paul asks Onesimus a personal favor. He asks him to s...

What does Habakkuk teach us about patience? Habakkuk was written for the people experiencing the years-long assaults on Jersusalem and Judah. In the book, the writer asks two or three pretty tough questions for God. How long is this attack on Jerusalem going to last? Why is this happening or why aren’t you doing anything about it? When faced with these questions, Habakkuk urges us to have a vision...

What does God expect of us when we witness injustice? Matt tied the message of Micah to the current unrest and ferment in the STL area and the responsibility of all of us to take individual action to address racism, violence, poverty and injustice. He emphasized that God was angry with the people for ignoring injustice that was all around them, not for the failure to observe Jewish ritual and law....

What does Esther teach us about fear and courage in our contemporary life? At the beginning of the sermon, Pastor Miofsky connected Esther to the civil unrest in the STL region in the aftermath of the police shootings and subsequent protests and riots. He was clear that each of us has a responsibility to act somehow in ways that lead to healing for the people in the region.

What does Ruth teach us about our God’s loyalty, steadfastness and chesed? Ruth is one of the oldest and shortest books in the Old Testament. It illustrates that God sees our hearts, not our surface appearance or our family of origin. It shows how God can work powerfully in the midst of life’s travails and setbacks. Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi and Naomi’s loyalty to Ruth are a reflection of God’s loya...

What should be the Christian view of war and violence? Matt gives an explanation of the “Just War” theory, including the key factors that make up a war that is justified. He also speaks about Christian Pacifism. He believes that the two approaches are not as different as assumed. He comes down firmly in the camp that war and violence are always evil, even if it is necessary to combat another evil.

What does the Bible say about Hell? Many Christians see Hell as a literal place of fire and torment. Other Christians believe that hell as a place of eternal torment can’t be reconciled with a God who loves all of us. Matt seems to be making the case that those of us in the latter camp should not be so quick to dismiss Hell. The sermon gives a history of the ideas of Hell from Old Testament times...

How can Christ-followers respond to depression, anxiety and other forms of mental illness? What does the book of Jeremiah say about this?

Am I allowed to have questions about faith?

What do Christians believe about salvation?

What Do Christians Believe About the Bible? Is the Bible really true? Is the Bible literally true? Why should I read the Bible?