The Northwood Podcast

Today’s episode considers another parable Jesus told that, as was the case last week, is also set in a vineyard. This own is found in the Gospel of Matthew 21:28-32. But here Jesus makes a different point. In this parable, two sons are asked to go work in their father’s vineyard. This episode reflects on their responses to his request. What does the actions of the two sons teach us about the Churc...

Today’s episode considers a parable Jesus told in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 20. There, he tells a parable about workers in a vineyard who, at the end of the day, were each payed the same amount regardless of the time they put in. This pushes against our overall sense of fairness. What might this parable teach us about God’s values and our culture’s unwillingness to live up to them? In the mean...

This week’s episode attempts to tackle a very large and challenging topic. It’s all about forgiveness. We’ll approach the topic by way of a passage from the Bible found in Matthew 18:21-35. This passage tells us a parable about a radical and astonishing gesture of grace and forgiveness. How does this parable inform our current circumstance? What does it teach us about the ways of our world and alt...

This week’s episode reflects on some teachings of Jesus found in Matthew 18:15-20. This passage is about how to deal with conflict in a community. Jesus’ step-by-step instructions provide a rubric we ourselves may follow. Being direct with others seems to be the key, but our own ability to face our own flaws will also matter a good deal. This message reflects on these themes. In the meantime, if y...

Last week we considered Peter’s confession of faith as recorded in Matthew 16. We discussed the time and place where he made that confession and how his words were very inflammatory in that context. Peter’s was a bold declaration by which he clearly sided with God’s values over and against the dominant culture of his time. This week, we follow with what comes next in the story. Peter, the very one...

Moving right through the Gospel of Matthew, today we read about an interaction between Jesus and his disciples; one that called them to consider where true power lies. It’s found in Matthew 16:13-20. The Roman Empire seemed to be holding all of the cards, but Jesus spoke of an authority and power in God that transcends the empires of humanity. This episode reflects on these themes. In the meantime...

Today, we’ll consider a story from the Gospel of Matthew that is quite disturbing on it’s face. It’s found in the 15th chapter. It tells of a woman who approaches Jesus with a need, but Jesus’ response is not what we might expect. He treats her with all the contempt that his culture would hold for such a woman, for she was an outsider. But, the story ends well. Jesus heals the woman’s daughter. Bu...

Today, we’ll consider a story from the Gospel of Matthew chapter 14. It’s a fairly well-known story about Jesus walking on tumultuous waters. The waters carried symbolic significance in Jesus’ day, standing as a metaphor for the chaos and turbulence we find in our world. What might Jesus’ master over the storm teach us today? This episode reflects on these themes. What In the meantime, if you’d li...

Today, we’ll consider the only Miracle Story about Jesus that is recorded in all four of the gospels. The version we’ll be going over is found in Matthew 14:13-21. Here is where Jesus feeds a multitude of people by dividing 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Somehow, the disciples find this to be enough to meet the immediate needs of the masses of people. What might this story have to teach us today? I...

Today we’ll consider a parable of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 13. It is about weeds and wheat growing together in a field and what to do about it. This is, of course, a metaphor for our own communities that are filled both with people who exude life/love (wheat) and those who do not (weeds). We struggle still today to determine how to coexist with others, especially if they mea...

In this episode we consider one of Jesus’ most well-known parables: the Parable of the Sower. This parable calls us to a greater love, to endure through hardships, and to reject the allures of greed and rampant consumption. We are called to consider our own receptivity to the life-giving message of Jesus. In this message we’ll explore these themes. In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more abou...

In this episode we consider some statements made by Jesus in Matthew 10:40-42. In this passage Jesus tells his disciples of the reward that is received by those who treat his disciples well. While this seems a bit self-serving at first blush, these statements in fact call us towards a greater love and devotion to God and humanity. This episode reflects on these things. In the meantime, if you’d li...

In this episode we consider some statements made by Jesus in Matthew 10:24-39. Some of these are are hard words to for us to hear, for they warn us of the divisive nature of the Gospel message. Jesus’ message does not always fall as welcome words for eager ears. No, he was met with much resistance in his time. Some of the pushback came from his close friends and relatives. How are we to navigate t...

In this episode we consider some statements made by Jesus in Matthew 9. Upon looking at the mass of people in need of help, he remarks how “…the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” This captures the sentiment of many who have spent their life’s efforts and energies towards improving the world, only to discover that there is far more work for one single individual to take on. What to d...

Today we consider two parables told by Jesus about our need to be flexible and adaptable to life-giving changes in our community. It is human nature to be resistant to change. Some things ought not to change. But whenpositive changehas occurred in times pastchurches have oftenresistedand reactedto the changein fear and anger. This message explores these tendencies andchallenges us to be more flexi...

This week’s episode corresponds with Trinity Sunday, a minor Christian Holiday in its own right. It is what it sounds like: a day on which we celebrate the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and the three persons of God, traditionally known by these names: The Father, the Son, and The Holy Spirit. This episode is this podcaster’s attempt at helping us come to a better understanding of the Trinity,...

In today’s episode we’ll go over a story about Moses and his many travails with the people he was called to lead. He was frustrated, felt isolated, and alone in his troubles… or so he thought! Turns out God’s spirit would not only enable him to carry on, but would also empower others in his community to help him shoulder some of the load. In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Northwoo...

Jesus spends a fair amount of time in the Gospel of John preparing his disciples for his departure from them. They react to news that he will be leaving them with fear and apprehension, so Jesus comforts his friends by assuring them that God’s Spirit will remain with them and provide all that they need. He then prays to God that they might be comforted and that they might find the resolve to conti...

We religious folk have sometimes made it a point to highlight and amplify the differences between human communities, customs, and cultures. In today’s story, found in Acts 17:22-31, we read about an encounter between the Apostle Paul and some Roman citizens. Instead of emphasizing the differences between them, Paul draws inspiration from his audience’s own traditions and philosophies. Then, he cal...

Jesus once described what it is like in God’s house. Using imagery and metaphors we can relate to, Jesus described God’s dwelling as a place where one can find love, comfort, and peace. Then, he told his friends how to get there; how to arrive at God’s house. This episode reflects on these things. In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Northwood Christian Church, please visit our websi...

The Book of Acts writes of the early Church. What we find there is a community that is devoted to many things but is especially devoted to one another. Our modern churches have struggled to cultivate bonds of connection and devotion between its members. Our churches should try and return to this basic principle; to devotion to one another. This message explores these themes. In the meantime, if yo...

The claims of Christianity can be hard to believe, and it is understandable why many struggle to believe in this unbelievable hope. Just what does it take to convince someone to become a follower of Jesus? The answer may well be: Communion. This message explores these themes. In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Northwood Christian Church, please visit our website at www.indyncc.org...

Today, we consider a well-worn story about someone and their doubts. The story of Doubting Thomas can be found in the Gospel of John chapter 20, and has long served to help disciples sort through their doubts. Can Christians today give doubters the room they need process their doubt? In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Northwood Christian Church, please visit our website at www.indy...

The Northwood Podcast is back, after a long hiatus. This week we celebrate Easter. This is the day we remember Jesus’ death and resurrection. This story calls us to hope in the face of the very worst life can throw at us; even to hope in the face of death. Today we’ll reflect on these themes. In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Northwood Christian Church, please visit our website at...

This week we’ll be considering a story found in Luke 2. It’s about when Jesus was presented as an infant to the Temple, as was customary. There, he was met by two aged persons who had been waiting for a savior to come. Upon seeing Jesus, they catch a glimpse of their salvation and feel fulfilled. What gives?   In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about Northwood Christian Church, plea...