Waters Ave Sermoncast

In this sermon, Chris explores passages from Exodus and Jeremiah that deal with the idea of God's wrath. We find some interesting points about how to think about these texts in general and how they can apply to our modern situation. Tying them in to some words of Jesus from the gospel of Luke, we find a call to leave behind our current path towards destruction and embrace the work of building the common good.  Preached 9/15/2019

In this sermon, Keith walks us through the question, "What is the meaning of life?" Beginning with Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and moving to Jesus' discussion in John 10, he makes the point that meaning is our to create. We are meaning creators, because we are divine. 

In this sermon, Jon Dengler from The Well takes us through a theological reflection of work. We discover from the early stories of Genesis that we are who we are meant to be when engaged in meaningful work, and we hear a call to renew and restore our relationship to the idea of work.    Preached 6/30/19

In this sermon, Chris begins a series exploring Galatians chapter 5 where Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. We look at what these terms mean and what they don't mean as we begin to find ways in which this passage can speak to us today. Preached 6/16/19

In this sermon, Chris explores the story of the Ascension of Christ and explores why it was so important to the early Christians as well as what it might mean for us today. We hear within Ascension a call for allegiance to something greater than any nation or leader and a reshaping of how we view ourselves within this world.    Preached 6/2/19

In this final week of Easter we did something special and had three mini-sermons. Rachel, Keith, and Chris all share from a lectionary reading of their choosing from this day and put their own spin on it as they encourage us to live within an Easter reality. 

In this fifth sermon of Easter, Chris explores three texts: each containing a call to something new. We hear a call for a new world in Revelation, built by the new commandment to love one another in John, extended to new kinds of people in Acts.  Preached May 19, 2019

In our fourth week of Easter, Chris examines John 10 and Psalm 23 to unpack the idea of our vocation of care for those around us. We let these texts inform us as to what true care looks like.  Preached May 5, 2019

In this third sermon of Easter, Chris explores the text from John where Jesus instructs Peter to feed the sheep. We find that care for the vulnerable is equivalent with love for Jesus, and we walk into the call of being good shepherds together.  Preached 5/5/2019

In this second sermon of Easter, Chris looks at the story of the disciples hiding in the upper room - the story commonly known as Doubting Thomas. We explore the idea that the risen Christ is found within a community that has faith in each other. We find that there is a kind of healthy naivety that lives in intentional defiance of cynicism and despair.     Preached April 28, 2019

In this sermon, Chris explores some of the easter accounts from the gospels in an attempt to let them spark our imaginations. Without looking at them from an apologetic nor purely mystical standpoint, we try to let these Easter texts guide us where their authors intended - into hope.  Preached April 21, 2019

In this sermon, Chris looks at the events of Palm Sunday and explores the kind of king and kingdom that Jesus represents and presents a call to continually live within that kingdom.    Preached April 14, 2019 

In this sermon, Chris looks at the words of Isaiah chapter 43, in which we hear the call to "not remember the days of old." In exploring this passage, we hear again the reminder that clinging to an idealized past will only bring destruction. But looking with faith to an open future shows a commitment to love and hope.  Preached April 7, 2019

In this fourth Lenten sermon, Chris examines the parable typically called the "Prodigal Son." Seen as a response to those who challenged Jesus for his association with "sinners", we find that this story calls us into a counter-cultural reception of all that does not take their sin into account. This text, combined with Paul's call to view no one from a "human point of view" calls us to repent of the fear that comes from opening our arms to those who are outside our communities.  Preached March 31, 2019

In this third Lenten sermon, Chris explores in more depth the destructive nature of sin. From Luke 15 we find a striking scenario. Jesus presents God as the spirit of grace that seeks the well-being of all. The principle of sin threatens to not only destroy us, but destroy the entire human race. We see that if we do not turn to Life, we will be consumed by Death.  Preached March 24, 2019

In this second lenten sermon, Chris explores the statement of Jesus that it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside Jerusalem. We discover that the principle of sin not only causes exclusion at the individual level, but also at the societal and systemic level. We find that as sin scales up, it becomes even more destructive and violent. In this sermon we are confronted and challenged by the question "Who must we keep silent for our communities to remain as they are?"  Preached March 17, 2019

In this first sermon in the season of Lent, Chris looks at the story of Jesus being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. We see in his temptations a framework for ours: the voices in our lives call for us to rely on our identities and pasts rather than looking with faith to an open future.  Preached March 10, 2019

In this sermon, Chris explores the story of Cain and Abel to discover that the principle of exclusion, or sin, arises when we seek to protect the identities we've formed for ourselves based on the stories of ourselves we've been given and continue to tell.  Preached on March 3, 2019

In this second part of our transformation series, Chris takes a look at the idea of sin. With the many abuses and excesses of Christianity, the word sin often gets misunderstood or misused. It's easy to just avoid the idea altogether. In this sermon, we see that it can be helpful word, and we begin to define it by looking at the idea of the principle of exclusion that arises as we form our identities.  Preached February 24, 2019

In this sermon of our pre-Lenten series, Chris looks at the idea of transformation and points out that the need for transformation is universal, that transformation is possible, and that personal transformation is each individual's responsibility. Preached February 17, 2019

In this sermon, Chris examines 1 Corinthians 13 and explores the way that faith and hope provide us with the stance of distance and departure that allow us to receive the gifts of a diverse community. And we see that love is what provides the basis for it all.  Preached February 3 2019

In this sermon, Chris unpacks the idea that the communities of the New Humanity must be diverse in order for each member to fully receive the gifts that each other member can be. Differences are crucial and must neither be flattened out nor turned into opposing camps.     Preached January 27 2019

In this sermon Chris explores from 1 Corinthians the idea that in the community of the New Humanity, each member is a gift to each other member. We find that our place in this world is inherently communal in its structure.  Preached January 20 2019

In this sermon Chris explores the idea that our lives in the New Humanity are spiritual in their movement. We look at the book of Acts to discover what being spiritual actually entails.  Preached January 13 2019

In this sermon Chris explores the words of the Apostle Paul from Ephesians 3 to discover the idea that our primary place in the world is in the New Humanity. Preached on January 6 2019. 

In this sermon, Chris looks at Mark 12:28-34 and explores what made it possible for Jesus and the scribe to find common ground. We begin to discover that we can learn to live life in the space between how other people act and our already made judgements of them. In that space, there is freedom to truly love and connect with others.     Preached 11/4/18

In this final sermon from our series on the Parables of Jesus, Chris contrasts the parables of the Vineyard Workers and the Talents to demonstrate the way that Jesus used parables to define life in God's kingdom. We discover that being a participant in the Kingdom of God simultaneously means working wisely and diligently, and living with the awareness that life is ultimately outside of our control.  Preached 10/28/18

In this sermon from our series on the parables, Chris looks at the story of the Unforgiving Servant to explore the idea that our release and freedom are only accessible to us as we release and give freedom to others through forgiveness.  Preached 10/21/18

In this sermon, Jon looks at the parable of the Unjust Judge and the Widow to explore how prayer and action work together in the life of faith. We discovered that prayer creates for us a future of possibilities that pulls us into new ways of acting which are in line with that future. We find that only by standing in this position will we find the strength and courage to speak truth to power and stand on behalf of others.   

In this sixth sermon on the parables of Jesus, Chris explores the story of the Pharisee and the Tax-Collector and uses it to explore the way we live religious lives. What is religion? Is it desirable or does it only work ill in the world? Can our religious lives actually facilitate God's kingdom? These are the questions we attempt to answer by exploring this story from Jesus.  Preached 10/3/18  

In this fifth sermon from our series on the Parables of Jesus, Chris explores the story commonly called "The Rich Man and Lazarus." We discover, through some dramatically told narrative from Jesus, that in God's kingdom, the value of a life is derived from something wholly other than economic impact. From this, we are faced with the possibility of existing in a new kind of world, from which we are able to question and challenge the hierarchies that currently exist in our societies.  Preached 9/30/18

In this fourth sermon on the parables of Jesus, Chris explores the story commonly called "The Good Samaritan." We find that rather than viewing the parable as a moral example, we find it's true power by exploring the way it disrupts categories of "good" and "bad." Through the parable of the Good Samaritan, we find that the kingdom of God is found among the people we are quick to hate.  Preached 9/23/16

In this third sermon from our series on the parables of Jesus, Chris explores more parables of arrival to show that God's kingdom comes as a surprise that brings joy in its discovery. Through this, we uncover a way of life that is joyful, hopeful, and open to new movements and experiences of the divine life.  Preached 9/16/18

In this first sermon from the series on the parables of Jesus, Chris looks at the way parables function - as special stories that undermine and question the world building nature of myth. He examines the book Ruth as a parable in order to demonstrate how parables function, and calls listeners to step into a position of openness so that we can be shaken again by Jesus' parables.  Preached 9/2/18

In this sermon from our series on the book of Romans, Chris explores Romans 12 in order to help answer the question, "What do we do now?" For the church at Rome, and for many modern Christians, having a fresh experience of Christ means that we lose the circles of meaning that ground us. If natural disasters or societal unrest are not signs of God's displeasure, how do we know when God is pleased or displeased? If a religious leader can no longer be seen as an authority, how do I form an ethic for life? These were questions that faced the churches of Rome and questions that face us today. Listen in to explore Paul's answer: allowing love to flow from within you. Preached 7/15/18

In this sermon from our series on the book of Romans, Chris explores chapters 9-11 to discover that there is a wideness in the love of God that is shocking and unexpected. For many in Christianity, knowing how to relate to a religious past that no longer holds meaning is difficult. But Paul's explanation of ethnic Israel's place in the new movement of Spirit experienced by the churches of Rome, helps us to navigate those feelings, and gives everyone a place within the life of God. 

In this sermon from our series on Romans, Chris looks at the word sin and explores what it means in the context of Romans 5 and 6. We discover that a life lived in an open, trusting way leads to life, but a life lived with a closed off heart leads to lifelessness. We look at Paul's contrast of Adam and Jesus from chapter 6 in order to inform the way we should be thinking about ourselves. Preached 6/24/18

In this sermon from our Romans series, Chris looks at Chapter 5 to explore the journey that we call life. Looking forward to chapter 8 where Paul shares the hope of sharing in God's good reputation, we explore chapter 5 to find how to move through life when that hope seems too distant to even be real. Preached 6/17/18. 

In this sermon from our Romans series, Rachel explores Romans chapter 8 to find the way that Spirit moves us towards newer forms of life. We find in Paul's discussion that we are all wombs for one another, bringing each into new life through the Spirit and giving new life to the world around us. We discover that we all are called into the life of the Spirit. Rachel points out that life in the Spirit is about a call rather than a conversion. Preached 6/10/18 

In this sermon from our series on Romans, Chris explores the Apostle's Paul's statement that Jesus is a "sacrifice of atonement." We ask what that phrase would mean for Paul's context, and find that Jesus' death only matters as it stands in relation to his faithfulness, and discover what this might mean for our lives today. Preached 6/3/18

In this third sermon from our series on Romans, Chris takes a look at chapters 2 and 3 and explores the Apostle Paul's discussion on the use of Torah as a badge of honor that provided a sense of superiority for the first century Jewish community. We find that Paul's teaching allows for no boasting and look at what that should mean for us in modern Christianity.  

In this second sermon of our series in the book of Romans, Rachel explores Romans chapter 1 in the context of why it was that the first Christians didn't fit in with society. It wasn't the religious differences per se, but rather that their view of God kept them from participating in rituals meant to secure social cohesion and protection from the gods. They didn't join the "woo"-tang clan. Have a listen to see how she connects that to Christianity today. 

In this sermon, we begin our series exploring the Apostle Paul's letter to the church at Rome, commonly called the Book of Romans. We briefly explore Paul's background and the historical context surrounding the churches of Rome at that time. We find that Paul's ultimate goal is to promote peace and equality between groups that normally would not have been so quick to get along. And we see what that means for us today.     

In this final celebration of Easter, we look at the event commonly called the Ascension of Christ and work to discover how it fit into the early Christian slogan "Jesus is Lord." We look at what that phrase meant for socio-political context of early followers of Jesus, and what it might begin to mean for us as we strip away years of baggage loaded onto it. Preached 3/6/18

In this 5th week of Easter, we explore the text of John chapter 15 where Jesus refers to himself as a healthy grapevine. We explore the historical significance of that metaphor and unpack Jesus' following teaching on loving one another. We discover the importance of a life lived in loving community and discover that it is the path to joy and a depth of life. Preached 4/29/18

In this 4th Sunday of Easter, we look at the tenth chapter of John's gospel where Jesus describes himself as shepherd leading the people of Israel. We unpack what this meant for his context, and it leads us to ask what it might mean for us to guide and lead each other in love. Preached 4/22/18

In this sermon (3rd week of the Easter season), we look at the Resurrection of Christ as an Event that disrupts our lives and forces us to question the stories we've told ourselves to keep our lives running smoothly. Preached 4/15/18.

In this second week of Easter, we hear a special sermon from Ryan as he takes us on a journey through the thinking of early Christianity has they attempted to answer the question, "What happened to Jesus between the time he died and the time he rose again?" From their answer, "The Harrowing of Hell" we see an archetype that helps us to view our lives as a journey that models the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

For this Palm Sunday sermon, we unpack the actions Jesus took during Holy Week to discover what they tell us about the dehumanizing structures of religion. We're invited to follow Jesus in bringing chaos into the order.

In our 5th week of Lent, we look at John 12 and we look at Jesus' call to death. Through his words, we discover that true life will only ever follow death. We see that God's very presence is in the place of death, and we discover the courage it takes to walk into our own, daily deaths. Sermon preached 3/18/18

In this 4th Sunday of Lent, we explore the story from the ninth chapter of John's gospel. The story concludes with Jesus claiming to bring sight to the blind and blindness to the seeing. We unpack the main event of the text and examine each characters response to it in order to make sense of this odd statement from Jesus.