Jesus’ most famous parable of the father who redefines what it means to be a father by his over-the-top generosity and willingness to forgive. The late Henri Nouwen was so moved by seeing Rembrandt’s classic painting, “Return of the Prodigal,” and by studying Jesus’ great parable, that it changed his life. How do we learn to repent of our waywardness and our self-righteousness and become more like the father who empties himself?

The Apostle Paul wants his readers to grasp the surpassing love of God. God wants to do for us “immeasurably more than all we ask for imagine.” So we do we settle for so little? How do we open ourselves to the riches God has in store for us?

Jesus’ parable of a poor widow whose only hope of changing the mind of a heartless judge was her persistence. How can it be that Christians are just as messed up as non-believers? It turns out that being saved doesn’t instantly change our character. If the most marginalized person in town, a widow, can get justice from a heartless judge, don’t we think that we can get justice from our loving God?

The Apostle Paul reminded the early church that each person in the church is gifted in such way as to bless everyone else. The US Surgeon General recently reported on the “epidemic” of loneliness and its devastating effects. And yet Jesus has given us the solution to loneliness, his church? How do we get the world to see that we have what it most needs?

The Prophet Isaiah, speaking to Jewish exiles in Babylon, assured them that God had not forgotten them. We’re not in exile. We live in the freest and most prosperous country in history. We’re so connected to each other electronically, it’s as if we can’t get away. We have no privacy at all. So why do we feel like exiles? How do we know God hasn’t forgotten us?

In teaching the disciples to pray, Jesus first cautions against babbling and then teaches us to address God as “Father.” In an era where we’re expected to use gender-neutral language, some think that should extend to how we address God. But is that right? Can we begin to grasp the privilege Jesus has given us, to call on God in the most intimate way?

The story of how Jesus forgave and healed a paralyzed man who had been lowered by his friends through a hole in the roof. If the God who spoke everything into being actually stepped into the world in the person of Jesus Christ, it would have to be the most important event in history. It would mean that you would want to do anything you could to get yourself and your friends close to Jesus. What are you doing to get close to Jesus?

This is the famous passage where Jesus seems to say that there is one sin that is unforgivable. Is that true? Did Jesus mean that literally, or is something deeper at work here? Jesus was always coming into conflict with the religious leaders of his day. They were so confident that they were in the right, that they couldn’t see the incarnate God standing in front of them. Do you know people who are so self-righteous that they can’t see the truth? How do you guard against self-righteousness in yourself?

The story of how God sent the Prophet Elijah in need of a poor, marginalized, Gentile widow. No matter who we are, we insist on being self-sufficient. Yet the greatest blessings of God come when we give up control of our own destiny. How do we work through our fears to trust God as Elijah did?

This is the day on the church calendar where we celebrate Jesus’ ascension. Do we know what Jesus was ascending to do? To understand Jesus’ famous assurance in John 14:1, “In my Father’s house are many rooms,” we need to go back to the previous chapter. Jesus is glorified by God and that glorification is for us too.

The story of Jesus sending out the seventy-two, who come back rejoicing of their ministry success. “Is This It?” is the title of an article (3-6-23) by Wall Street Journal columnist Rachel Feintzeig, exploring why earthly success doesn’t seem to satisfy. Jesus knows the answer, and he points the disciples to what ultimately matters. How do we keep our own quest for success in perspective?

King David wrote, “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” The historic strength of First Church has always been to keep Jesus Christ at the center of everything it does. What does it mean to “keep your eyes on the Lord?” How do we do that in a world that wants to pull us apart? How does God keep us from being shaken?

Twenty years after the Resurrection, the Apostle Paul explains the Gospel. Popular thinking says, “all religions are the same and lead to the same place.” Do you know why that is not true? Do you understand the difference between “gospel” and “religion?” Do you know what makes the Christian faith unique?

Begins a 40 Day Celebration of Easter.

After Jesus’ triumphal entry on Palm Sunday, he went to the temple and drove out the money changers and the buyers and sellers of sacrifices. In John 2:19-21, Jesus explained what this meant. Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” What was Jesus talking about? Do we see how this statement transforms our understanding of worship?

A woman anoints Jesus with expensive perfume and is rebuked by those present. But Jesus defends her, saying that she will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached. The Centrality of the Cross, #5. The woman who anointed Jesus with expensive perfume has become one of the most famous people in history. How is this scene a preview and explanation of the cross?

Jesus puts himself into danger by crossing the Sea of Galilee into Gentile territory and healing a demon possessed man. The Centrality of the Cross, #3. Our church is in the middle the city, where some of the most hurting people live. Who will go into danger to help them?

At the Lord’s Supper, Jesus predicts his betrayal. The Centrality of the Cross, #2. The phrase, “Very truly I tell you” is one simple word in Greek, “Amen.” But when Jesus says, “Amen,” what follows is of utmost importance. Do we understand the meaning of Jesus being betrayed by his closest friends?

As the cross comes closer, Jesus’ parables against the religious insiders get more pointed, making them even more angry. Begins the Lenten Series, “The Centrality of the Cross.” The cross is the central truth and symbol of the Christian faith. Every minister of this church has taken a vow to uphold the cross for 250 years. Why is the cross so important? How did Jesus understand his own cross? What did he have to say about it?

The Apostle Peter interprets the meaning of the Transfiguration. Standing Stones #6 First Church has always been built on the foundation of the unshakable truth of God’s word. How do we live into that truth in our time, when we have to compete with the “clever stories” of the culture?