In this sermon we talk about judgment. It’s a word that comes with a lot of baggage, but still very important when looked at in a particular way. We talk about judgment in terms of restoration and God putting the world to rights; about refining fires; about heaven and hell in terms of God’s love and how love can hurt when we are not ready to receive it; and about cancel culture and the next move after someone gets a pie in their face. 

Santa Monica Nazarene Church

07.18.2021 - Towards a Better Theology of Judgment - 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

In this sermon we look at what it means to conspire with God. We talk about an old Latin word, God’s name, and what a Japanese scientist taught me about the power of words to shape the world.

07.11.2021 - Rotten Energy and the Spirit of Words - James 3:1-18

In this sermon we look at what it means to conspire with God. We talk about an old Latin word, God’s name, and what a Japanese scientist taught me about the power of words to shape the world.  

In this sermon we consider what it means to say that the Spirit leads us downwards in the way of Jesus who emptied himself for us. We name the false story of upwards mobility as money, power, and sex appeal in order to embrace a life in solidarity with the poor and oppressed.

07.04.2021 - Ambitious to Love - Philippians 2:1-11

In this sermon we talk about perfection, not as never making our mistakes, but as being pointed towards our end in God even in the midst of our mistakes.

06.27.2021 - The Way of Perfection (Don’t worry, it’s not what you think) -Ephesians 4:1-16

In this sermon we consider what it means for our lives not to be determined any single moment, but of a bigger picture of God. We talk about joy in the trials, about maturity, the designation and the journey, having a single focus, an ancient Chinese parable, and why butterflies have to struggle

06.20.2021 - The Destination and the Journey - James 1:2-8; 3:13-18

In this sermon we consider how Jesus’ teaching that to love God is to love your neighbor as yourself was something he had on repeat in everything he said throughout his ministry. We complicate the notion of love by considering the call to love even our enemies. We link this to Pentecost as the Spirit moves to join people from across boundaries, overcoming tribalism and fear for a new kind of joining together. We talk about what it means to be living sacrifices of this love as we pursue justice and mercy. 

06.13.2021 - Together On This Crowded Planet - Romans 12:1-5, 9-21

In this sermon we consider what it means to be drawn to God, to know God, and to be transformed by God. We look at Paul’s imagery of putting off the old self for the sake of the new. We talk about the oldest tree in the world as a symbol of the spiritual journey of staying put before God. We talk about the different terrains we face as put off the old self. We talk about compassion as what it means to know God and that the spiritual disciplines are there in order for us to become compassionate people in the way of Jesus.

05.30.2021 - The Oldest Tree in the World - Colossians 2:6-7; 3:1-17

In this sermon, with the help of the high lonesome sound, a story about my cousin’s wetsuit, and a couple of movies, we reflect on Paul’s notion of groaning both as we await our adoption and redemption, as well as how the Spirit groans with us.

05.23.2021 - That High Lonesome Holler and the Sound of New Creation - Romans 8:22-27

In this sermon we look at the ascension of Jesus, the question of power, and the importance of the one who presides over all things. We challenge some assumptions that the ascension of Jesus is about some kind of departure of the material world. Instead we argue for his ascension as him coming close to us in creation. In this we are challenged with the question of what the Lordship of Christ means for us today.

05.16.2021 - The One Who Presides - Acts 1: 1-11

In this sermon we look at the future of inclusion and an ever-expanding “we” that God wants for us.

05.09.2021 - The Ever-Widening Definition of "We" - Acts 10:44-48

 In this sermon was talk about what many have been feeling in this pandemic season, which is isolation and loneliness. We talk about loneliness as having to do with human connection in various ways, but also in our having a sense of our own worthiness to love and be loved. We find hope and good news in this image of Jesus as the good shepherd who seeks us out and calls us to seek out the lonely as well.  

04.25.2021 - Do You Know What You're Worth? - John 10:11-18

In this sermon we consider why the bodily resurrection of Jesus matters so much. With the deaths of Daunte Wright and Adam Toledo in mind, as well ongoing mass shootings in American culture, we consider what it means to be drawn into a new kind of future with bodies being made fit for the new creation. 

04.18.2021 - Bodies Matter - Luke 24:36-48

In this sermon, we read the story of Thomas through the lens of grief. We consider that part of what it means to be sent as Jesus was sent is to show up in solidarity with others, showing our wounds and saying that we get it. In this kind of vulnerability, the final word becomes possible. Peace.    

04.11.2021 - Grieving Thomas - John 20:19-29

In this sermon we look at the cliffhanger ending of Mark’s gospel considering the tension between past and future, the empty tomb and the promise that Jesus will meet them in Galilee, and what means for us to walk out of our own tombs into a future made possible because of Jesus’ resurrection. And this with a healthy dose of the Shawshank Redemption to help us imagine it. 

04.04.21 - Into Futures Unclosed - Mark 16: 1-8

Weekly sermons from Santa Monica Church of the Nazarene in Santa Monica, CA.

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Santa Monica Nazarene Church

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