This is a stream of the weekly sermons from Long Beach Friends Church in downtown Long Beach, CA. This podcast is released under a Creative Commons Attribute, Non-commercial, No derivatives 4.0 license. Don't modify it or sell it but share it as you wish. See https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
We want all the Fathers in our community - both biological and spiritual - to know that they are loved! God has a future of hope and purpose for them. And a part of his purpose is to pass these things on to the younger people around them. What a privilege to celebrate on this day!
6/15/22 • 15:06
Jesus offended many who had been following him be telling them to eat his body and drink - what was that? his blood? What's that about? In a nutshell: Jesus is the source of life. He's what we need to live.
6/24/22 • 20:08
In John chapter 7, Jesus attends the Feast of Tabernacles, and tells those with ears to hear to get living water from him! It's a remarkable setting for a remarkable invitation.
7/2/22 • 27:44
Authorities bring a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus to see what he will do. So Jesus does what his Father sent him to do - bring life.
7/9/22 • 22:42
The authorities in Jerusalem want to know who Jesus thinks he is. Of course, they already "know" who they think he is. It's one of those disputations where you learn much about each party but no one changes their mind. Nevertheless, Jesus' words are dramatic and inspiring!
7/15/22 • 29:19
Jesus has an encounter with blindness, and a man sees for the first time! This episode covers John 9.1-41.
7/23/22 • 23:48
Jesus, after observing how the temple authoritied handled the healing of the man born blind, confronts them with teaching about what a true good shepherd is like. This episode covers John 10.1-42.
8/6/22 • 25:34
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, demonstrates his power to give life by raising his friend Lazarus from the dead! How do you suppose the false shepherds respond to this demonstration of Jesus' Yahweh power? This episode covers John 11.1-57.
8/10/22 • 27:32
Jesus death is foreshadowed by Mary's extravagent attention - and Judas is offended. Or is he just duplicious? This episode covers John 11.55-12.11
8/20/22 • 22:18
Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on the colt of a donkey, fulfilling prophecy that God's chosen one would enter in this way. Little do the crowds understand that when they see Jesus, they see Yahweh. This episode covers John 12.12-50.
8/25/22 • 23:23
Jesus washing feet? Apparently his approach to being king is, er.... very different. And so it is, as Jesus models the Yahweh approach to wielding authority and power in sharp contrast to the hierarchical methods of fallen humanity. This episode covers John 13.1-38.
9/1/22 • 27:47
Jesus shares the main thing: the way to God is through him. If you have seen Jesus, you have see the Father! This remarkable teaching comes in John 14.1-31, which we cover in this episode in our series on the Gospel of John.
9/9/22 • 26:10
Remaining connected to Jesus is the only way to have life, the only way to do anything! Jesus uses the example of branches attached to a vine in order to bear any fruit at all. This episode covers John 14.30 through 15.25.
9/15/22 • 23:22
Jesus is "going away". Imagine how this news sounded to his disciples! How can they remain attached to him if he's not there? It didn't see like good news to them. However, it was good for them, according to Jesus, because He would send his Spirit to be with them - the Spirit of Truth. What does this Spirit do? This episode cover John 15.26 through 16.33.
9/22/22 • 27:37
In this episode, covering John 17.1-27, Jesus has a conversation with his Father regarding those who follow him - out loud, where some of them can hear! He's talking about them! And one of them, John, writes about it.
9/29/22 • 26:04
Jesus is betrayed by one disciple, denied by another, and abandoned by the rest! They just don't understand what he is doing or why. How can these things happen to the chosen one? These failures set the scene for restoration and deepened understanding to come. This episode covers John 18.1-27.
10/6/22 • 23:05
Jesus is taken before Pilate, the Roman governmor, for a "trial" early in the day. The temple authorities demand he be crucified. Pilate isn't so sure. "Are you king of the Jews?" And then there's the matter of Barabbas. This episode covers John 18.28 to 19.16.
10/13/22 • 24:49
Jesus allows himself to be handed over to the execution squad and crucified; He is lifted up, using his own scriptural language. Nicodemus, to whom Jesus explained his purpose and significance in John's gospel, helps to carry him to a new tomb. That explanation sets the context for Jesus' death on the cross.
10/20/22 • 25:57
Mary Magdalene goes to Jesus' tomb and discovers things are not as she expected. Peter and John see the empty tomb, also... but then, Mary meets Jesus face to face. And finally, most of the others. It's hard to believe, as Thomas demonstrates. What to make of all this?
10/28/22 • 24:24
Jesus shows up as some of the disciples are fishing. He (again) tells them where to fish. And then they eat together. Fellowship and community around a meal - that's life. "Friends, haven't you any fish?"
11/4/22 • 16:16
Jesus, after cooking and eating breakfast with some of his disciples, addresses Peter. "Do you love me more than these?" In a dramatic scene, Peter is restored.
11/11/22 • 22:17
God intends to bring shalom - peace, nothing missing and nothing broken, to all creation. That's the message of God's and humanity's story in scripture.
11/24/22 • 27:14
God intends to call people to himself through his son and his son's followers for what is to come.
12/1/22 • 22:00
Advent is a season of Hope - because we see what God has already done.
12/8/22 • 22:23
Joe reports a bit on his recent trip to Ireland and discusses our source of comfort in the face of the ambiguities of this world. Note that this talk was originally given with slides. Slides for 2023-01-15 episode.
1/12/23 • 20:53
We're starting our new "hot topics" series with a consideration of how Christians are called to handle disagreement. This message takes a broad, principled approach to handling disagreement formed through considering Paul's advice to the Jesus people in Rome, particularly in chapters 12-15 of his letter to the Romans.
1/20/23 • 25:55
How do we, as followers of Jesus, handle disagreement while continuing in the peace to which Jesus has called us? This episode discusses the practical considerations that we need to address, led by Jesus, in order to undertake cooperative efforts together and with other groups wisely and in peace.
1/27/23 • 26:29
We began a series on "top topics" a couple of weeks ago, covering introductory principles and approaches. This week, we plunge in (bravely or foolishly?) with the topic of abortion, considered from a Jesus-follower perspective. At least that's the intent!
2/4/23 • 27:49
How should the church handle abuse in families or even in the church? Lately, we have many times not been doing so well. Music by Adam Selzer: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Scriptures quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. and Holy Bible: The Message (the Bible in contemparary language). 2005. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.
2/10/23 • 28:51
We, as human beings created in God's image and commissioned to care for His creation, have a responsibility to care for the earth and for one another. This week we consider the story of the Reynolds family who quite unexpectedly found themselves confronted by this issue - a "big decision" For visuals, please consider watching the Raising the Phoenix video: https://vimeo.com/204600715 https://www.oaks2b.com/2023/02/17/notes-for-the-hot-topics-creation-and-human-care-message/ Music by Adam Selzer: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan.
2/17/23 • 23:03
