God and the Problem of Suffering - Pastor Adam Ericksen

Scripture: Ruth 1:15-22 and Luke 18:1-8

If God is good, then why is there so much evil in the world? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do bad things happen at all?

In the book of Ruth, bad things happen to Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law. Naomi says that God has turned against her. But is that really what happens? Or is that just Naomi’s perspective in the midst of her suffering? We explore the question of suffering and evil in this sermon.

Crowdsourcing the Sermon: Practices for Inner Peace

September 16, 2024

Scripture: Luke 19:41 Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem, saying that it didn't know the way to peace. But do we know the way to peace? We are bombarded by images and commentary of rivalry, conflict, and violence. How do we get peace within ourselv... See more

The Book of Revelation Pt 2: Worship Is an Act of Resistance

September 9, 2024

Scripture: Revelation 4 Did you know that for the early Christians, worship was not merely a pious act of devotion? It was also a form of political resistance. Check out part 2 in this series on the Book of Revelation for more! ... See more

The Book of Revelation Is the Apocalypse

The Book of Revelation Pt 1 – This Is the Apocalypse

September 3, 2024

Scripture: 1 John 4:16b-20; Revelation 5:1-10 The Book of Revelation has been controversial from the beginning of Christian history. Many believed that it didn't belong as sacred scripture, others believed it did. In part 1 of this sermon series on Re... See more

Locusts, Bridges, and the Realm of God

August 19, 2024

Scripture: Tracks to the Waters Edge, by Olive Schreiner; Luke 3:21-22 Locusts lay down their lives to build a bridge for other locusts to pass over a river. Is there hope for humanity to lay down our lives so that all of humanity can survive and pass to ... See more

How to Overcome Toxic Masculinity with the Bible

August 12, 2024

Scripture: Ruth 2; Luke 12 From demeaning women to scapegoating immigrants, toxic masculinity is on full display in the US. Fortunately, the Christian faith has the tools to overcome toxic masculinity. We explore more in this sermon. ... See more

The Role of Women in the Early Church Will Surprise You

July 31, 2024

Scripture: Genesis 16:13-16; Romans 1:1-7 During much of church history, women have been silenced. But that wasn't the case in the beginning. Jesus advocated for women and Paul was friends with women who had leadership roles. This is all rooted in the... See more

How To Love Your Trump Supporting Neighbor

July 22, 2024

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-12; Mark 12:41-44 Ruth takes it on faith to become a stranger in a strange land. Are you feeling like a stranger in a strange land when it comes to politics? Sometimes I feel so lost when thinking about people with whom I disagree. Ruth... See more

The Cure for America’s Spiritual Sickness

July 15, 2024

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12; Matthew 25:31-46 The assassination attempt on a political candidate is another revelation of the spiritual sickness that runs throughout the United States. That sickness is the belief in violence as a way to solve our problems. C... See more

Project 2025 Is Anti-Christian and This Is Why

July 8, 2024

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:1-15, John 6:14-20 Project 2025 is the right-wing conservative playbook for Republicans to take authoritarian rule in the United States. It is promoted by Christian Nationalists who want to use their version of religion to force other... See more

Scripture: Ruth 1:15-22 and Luke 18:1-8

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