Advertise on podcast: Epiclesis

Epiclesis has a fall retreat coming up. Our aim is to look closely at the “Great Tradition” and see how it serves as a foundational guide for shaping a believer’s mind, character, and faith. So, just what is the Great Tradition? Join Pastor Chris as he answers that question and looks at one of the great passages of Philippians through the lens of spiritual formation. He writes this, "We cannot master the story that God is writing. But we can choose to immerse ourselves in the mystery of a living process we cannot control. And that is where Christ-shaped people are formed." For more information about the fall retreat, or Dr. Jim Hart, check out this link on the Epiclesis website.

We’ve been talking the last few Sundays about psalms and looking at them through a lens developed by Walter Brueggemann. He says that all of human life with God moves through three seasons: Orientation, Disorientation, and New Orientation. Pastor Chris shared that his life had recently been through that three part cycle. He said, "In each of those places— especially if I turn around and look back at what happened and where I’ve been— I see God’s tender mercies." That phrase, "tender mercy," appears in several psalms including the one we looked at on this Sunday. Join us for the final in our short series in the psalms and hear several that punctuated our pastor's recent past-- and in which you may find encouragement as well. Note: The artwork associated with this sermon/podcast is titled "Tender Mercy" by Steve and Tonya Vistaune.

We just spent several weeks in the Gospel of Matthew. Now, we've pivoted into the lectionary psalm passages. Pastor Chris embarked on a four-week look at those psalms, but we're also looking at how and if those psalms might point to some of the wonderful signs and wonders of the stories we encountered in Matthew. In this third of the series, we look at Psalm 103 and at two or three of its delightful lines that seem speak to two of the characters we met along the way in Matthew's Gospel. Question: Is there a way that we can bless the Lord? You bet. Join us and find out! The main image associated with this sermon/podcast is titled "A Reason to Hope" by Becky Hefty. Other images that Pastor Chris referred to in the sermon are these: Duc in Altum Chapel at Magdala: "The Encounter" by Daniel Cariola. Closer detail.

In our Gospel reading, Jesus is going to take His disciples on a hike. And it’s a hike to hell. The Destination? Caesarea Philippi, a heavily pagan city dedicated to the Greek god Pan. Why would Jesus intentionally go there? Join us for a look into what it means to declare "Jesus Christ is Lord" even (or especially) at the Gates of Hell. The images that Pastor Christ referred to are here (including the main one associated with this podcast/sermon titled "Pan's Grotto at Caesarea Philippi"): Satellite map: Israel Satellite map: Sea of Galilee Map of the journey River coming up to Caesarea Philippi River near the cliff face Cliff face Cave/grotto wide shot Cave/grotto close-up Artist impression of Caesarea Philippi

Through his two terms as president, when difficult situations arose, Ronald Reagan would tell one particular story. The point of the story was this: Real treasure is buried in this mess if we are willing to dig to find it. This sermon uses Reagan's story as an analogy that helps us dig for and find the treasure buried within a mystifying exchange between Jesus and a Canaanite woman whose daughter was demon-possessed. The sermon concludes with some present-day challenges that this "foreigner's" faith presents to our own. Note: The artwork associated with this sermon/podcast is titled "Canaanite Woman" by Michael Cook.

Can you imagine the crowd's astonishment, how they must have been utterly dumbfounded, by the multiplication miracle by Jesus of those famous five loaves and two fishes? No matter whether that crowd could perceive it fully, the Kingdom was in fact near. The Messiah, Jesus, had come, and He had compassion on His people. The covenant was being renewed. The 12 tribes of Israel were being reconstituted with 12 of the King’s followers. Fragments— leftovers and remnants— the broken pieces of God’s people were being gathered up. Join Pastor Chris as he looks at the multiplication-- and its implications-- that happened on the shore of the Sea of Galilee so very long ago. Note: The artwork associated with this podcast/sermon is of the mosaic beneath the altar at the Church of the Multiplication in Tabgha. The images referred to in the sermon: Sea of Galilee with towns. Outside the Church of the Multiplication. Inside Church of the Multiplication. Altar of the church. Mosaic beneath the altar.

In the Roman Empire, patience was not a prized virtue. But it was very important to the early Christians. Early Christians often talked about patience. It was the first virtue they wrote a treatise about —at least three, evidently— and they called patience the "highest virtue," "the greatest of all virtues," the virtue that was "peculiarly Christian." Patience was so important to the early church that at least one author says that it is one of the chief reasons it grew. Join Pastor Chris for a look at three little parables of Jesus that have the strong, but perhaps not so obvious, theme of patience running through them. Note: The work of art associated with this podcast/sermon is titled "The Evolution of a Pearl" by Heidi Heiser.

Why is there evil if the Kingdom is present? And what are we to do about it? In His parable of the weeds among the wheat, the Lord Jesus teaches us that the answer to the weeds around us in the world is... to plant more good seeds: patiently, lovingly, perseveringly, and abundantly, in the hope that in the end, the kingdom of this world will indeed become the Kingdom of our Lord. Our work is to sow wheat, not pluck weeds… except for the weeds inside our own hearts. Note: The painting associated with this sermon/podcast is "The Harvest" by celebrated Romanian artist Arthur Garguromin Verona.

One commentator has said that a parable is “storytelling with a message,” that also declares a truth, and that also asks for a response. So, when Jesus is telling a parable, it’s not just a literary exercise or a brain teaser. He’s using a story to call His listeners into some kind of transformation. But whether it ends up being an "ah-hah" moment for the listener depends upon their heart. Maybe parables are the ultimate heart detectors.   Art credit: "Heart and Soul" by Jan Camerone. Other photos Pastor Chris referred to in this sermon: Model of a working first century Judean fishing boat. Model of the “Jesus Boat” they found at the Sea of Galilee in 1986. The actual “Jesus Boat” on display. The Sea of Galilee from Capernaum. Farther up the hill looking down toward Capernaum. “The Sower” by Millet (1850). “The Sower” by Van Gogh (1888). “The Sower” by Melani Pyke (contemporary).

In this continuing series, we see Jesus ministering in and around the Sea of Galilee. That’s where He set up his home base (Capernaum), and it’s the region where He sent out the disciples as apostles to drive out demons, heal diseases, and spread the word that the Kingdom of Heaven has come near. In this installment, we also see the disciples of John the Baptist come and ask Jesus a very important question. What Jesus says in return includes a curious story of children in the marketplace. What did He mean? And how might it have been an encouragement to John? Art credit: "Christ Preaching on the Galilee" by Minerva Teichert. Other photos that Pastor Chris referred to in this sermon: 1: Globe 2: Israel map 3: Galilee/Tahoe 4: Sea of Galilee 5: Tiberias 6: Magdala 7: Capernaum 8: Galilee and Dead Sea 9: Israel map with dots: Jerusalem, Sea of Galilee, baptism site, Machaerus