7/26/09 – Jonathan Chute – “The Wisdom of Crowds”
Sermon – The Wisdom of Crowds
John 6:1-21. This week Jesus responds to the need of the large crowd that follows him out to the wilderness. They are hungry, and there is clearly not enough food for everyone. All four gospels include accounts of this miraculous event, though they differ from each other in some of the details. As John tells the story we see that those who followed Jesus recognized that something truly amazing was happening before their very eyes. But they did not really understand what it meant. Often we take large numbers to be a sign of success. Sometimes that probably is the case. Other times, not so much. Jesus did draw crowds throughout his life, but he knew that popularity was not the measure of his mission.
Scripture – John 6:1-21
7/19/09 – John Kwan – “Hide and Seek”
Sermon – Hide and Seek
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 – In this text, Jesus’ disciples have returned from their work and are now sharing with Jesus all that they had done. Jesus then encourages them to take this opportunity to catch their breaths and rest a while. But even in their rest, Jesus and his disciples are met by the crowds. They then travel by boat to Gennesaret and again are met by the crowds hoping to see them. No matter what they do or where they go, they can’t seem to avoid the crowds.
Scripture – Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
7/12/09 – Jonathan Chute – “Powerless?”
Sermon – Powerless?
Mark 6:14-29. This week we see that even those who hold the reigns of power can be weak at the same time. The death of John the Baptist at the hands of Herod shows us the best and worst of the human family. John was courageous and spoke the truth, even at risk of his own security and safety. Herod was cowardly and anxious, even though he was “in charge.” Sometimes we think we are powerless over our own lives. Sometimes we try to take power in ways that aren’t healthy, for us or for others. Jesus knew, and John knew, that we are called to be faithful, more than to be “successful.
Scripture – Mark 6:14-29
7/5/09 – Jonathan Chute – “Moving On”
Sermon – Moving On
Mark 6:1-13. It’s just like that sometimes. Back in Nazareth, Jesus preaches in his home synagogue. The people of the village have a hard time believing that he is anything special. Their reactions are astonishment and offense, rather than joy and amazement. In the face of their rejection he can hardly accomplish a thing. Immediately after, he sends his disciples out to carry on his work in some of the neighboring villages. He tells them how to handle both welcome and rejection as they travel, bringing the message of the gospel to the any who will receive it. As for those who won’t, he says, that’s not your problem.
Scripture – Mark 6:1-13
