Jesus At 2am - A Humorous, Intelligent Look At The Bible, Church History & The Life Of Faith

I know that as a Christian I am called to sanctification - to a life shaped ever more into the image of Jesus, in short, to a life of sinning less and loving more. And in some areas of my life, I see progress! But in other areas...not so much. Indeed in some facets of my life, I see almost no inner change at all, despite genuine effort. What gives? Do I just need to try harder? Really? (Frankly, much of me is ready to give up and just make peace with a besetting sin or three.) So what does actual sanctification look like??? How do I work with besetting sins? And is there an option for change beyond sloth (i.e., surrender) at one end of the spectrum and scrupulosity (never-ending guilt and anxiety) at the other??? The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Matthew 25:14-30 (NRSV) Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Does prayer work? By which we mean, does prayer change anything? Is it supposed to change things? Change external circumstances? Or merely the disposition of the pray-er? And if God knows all that we need and loves us dearly, does his help depend on our prayers or the prayers of others??? In this episode our beloved Ian Farrell takes up the topic of prayer - a practice with which he is intimately familiar - and offers his insights on the purpose of prayer and the means by which prayer affects us and others. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  John 16 (NRSV) And here's the link to Jordan Seng's Miracle Work. Read at your own risk! ;-)    Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Few words in the Christian vocabulary evoke more discomfort than "evangelism" - sharing the story of Jesus in hope that another will join the community of faith. In the 21st century, such efforts can feel relationally disrespectful and intellectually...crazy. Oughtn't we let everyone have their beliefs, not seek to influence them? And do we really expect people to believe in God? The Trinity? The resurrection? Yet one cannot be a follower of Jesus and not hear the call to "make disciples." What to do...??? In this episode our beloved Rev. Ian Farrell shares his wisdom on the work of sharing our faith - thoughtfully, kindly, respectfully, and...authentically. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  John 17 (NRSV) Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Pop culture overflows with visions of "heaven" - from floating cities with streets of gold to childlike cherubim to the white robed "saved" joyfully playing the harp unto eternity... But these images have little to do with the actual biblical portrait of life in the age to come. In this episode we examine what scripture intends to communicate about New Creation, a world set right. And, even more importantly, how this vision of salvation calls us to life today. The images referenced here: 01 The Billboard 02 Heaven/Hell Diagram 03 (Florence) Baptistry Hell 04 Heaven? 05 Heaven 2? (Raphael) The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Revelation 21:1-22:7 (NRSV) Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Of all the subjects we choose to avoid, death is probably first on the list! We fear it for ourselves, and perhaps even more, we fear the pain of the loss of those we love. But at the heart of the Christian life is a discussion about death and our hope in the face of it. In this episode we examine that hope and the courage it gives us to live generously. Specifically we'll look at the tragedy of death, our confidence in the resurrection, and what happens in the time in between... The biblical passages referenced in this sermon are:  Genesis 3:22-24 (NRSV) Ecclesiastes 3:18-22 (NRSV) Romans 6:3-5 (NRSV) 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NRSV) Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Name a hot topic - from abortion to refugee resettlement to gender identity - and someone in the church will declare "what the Bible says" about the matter. (And where there are 2 Christians there are usually 3 passionate, dissonant conclusions!) So how do we determine what scripture is trying to say? Or, to put it another way, how do we build a theology? How do we move from individual passages to a clear sense of God's intent? Here we'll take slavery as a case study and see what scripture is trying to say. The biblical passages referenced in this sermon are:  Exodus 6:5-6, 20:8-11(NRSV) Colossians 3:9-11, 22-4:1 (NRSV) Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

We begin this series on deep questions with a discussion of the Bible as a source of fundamental truth? Is there any reason to believe it is more authoritative on matters of God than other religious books? Or any books at all? In this episode we look beyond the Bible's self-description as "God's word" and examine the experience of those who wrote it, and our own deep experience of life to see if there is an elemental resonance between the story scripture intends to tell and what we know of life in this age. The biblical passages referenced in this sermon are:  2 Tim. 3:16-17 (NRSV) Luke 22:54-62 (NRSV) John 21:15-19 (NRSV) Acts 4:1-20 (NRSV) Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Once again, Isaiah speaks of the birth of a child in connection with Israel's deliverance. But unlike the the prophesy of chapter 7 (see Ep. 278), the child described is nearly impossible identify in Isaiah's original context. Indeed, the whole of the poem moves fluidly between past, present and future, as though all three ages are existing beside each other, and all are being saved by means of a coming king. It is a very unique poem, even for ancient prophesy, and one pointing very much to a messiah. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Isaiah 9:1-7 (NRSV) As you know, our shout-out city for this episode is the nation of Australia - currently suffering devastating wildfires. If you would like to contribute to recovery efforts, here is a link to the Australian Red Cross donation page.   Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Immanuel." Most of us know these words by their appearance in Matthew's telling of the Christmas story, where we tend to focus mainly on the "virgin" part- as though Matthew's point is to demonstrate that Jesus's birth is miraculous. But Matthew's intent goes much deeper, and to understand it we must first hear what Isaiah was saying in his time and place. And when we do, we get an even deeper glimpse of just how much God is with us. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Isaiah 7:10-17 (NRSV) To see the map to which Kirk refers, click here. What to listen to Kirk's Advent/Christmas playlist? Check out Christmas at 2AM on Spotify! Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Isaiah presents us with another poetic glimpse into God's salvation, this time describing the people of God on pilgrimage home from exile. As they travel through the desert, the redeemed of God find both themselves and the very desert around them being transformed with and by new life. It's a vision of sovereign grace, and one clearly foreshadowing the ministry of Jesus. And thus this text gives us a moment to discuss the sensus plenior (fuller meaning) of a text - a tool of great importance in biblical study, esp. in interpreting the prophets. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Isaiah 35:1-10 (NRSV) To see the map of the divided kingdom to which Kirk refers, click here. What to listen to Kirk's Advent/Christmas playlist? Check out Christmas at 2AM on Spotify! Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

How far can we dream of a world set right? What can we imagine of creation on the other side of salvation? In this episode we continue our look at the vision of salvation that God provides through the prophet Isaiah. And what we see is a coming king of such justice can compassion that his reign leads to a complete transformation of creation. Enmities that we'd never dream could be healed will be reconciled. And hostilities we think are simply facts of life will be turned to life-giving friendships. In short, we get a glimpse of what life looks like when love wins. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Isaiah 11:1-10 (NRSV) What to listen to Kirk's Advent/Christmas playlist? Check out Christmas at 2AM on Spotify! Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

That God intends to save the world from the curse of sin has been clear from the very beginning of the biblical story. But it is through the 8th-century BC prophet Isaiah that God begins to reveal the specifics of how this salvation will unfold. What emerges is a vision of a coming messiah (anointed one) who will bring a radical transformation to history. And in this first of four sermons on Isaiah, we look at the peace God will establish - a peace so complete that humanity will choose to forever turn their swords and spears into the instruments of harvest and abundance! The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Luke 24:13-27 (NRSV) Isaiah 2:1-5 (NRSV) What to listen to Kirk's Advent/Christmas playlist? Check out Christmas at 2AM on Spotify! Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

What more appropriate end to a letter such as Romans than a prayer, particularly a prayer in praise of God's goodness and glory? In this episode we examine Paul's closing doxology in detail and in the process review all that we have learned from him about the saving work of God. If it has the effect Paul intends, our ultimate response will be one of thankful worship expressed in carrying on the work of Jesus to the ends of the earth.   The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Romans 16:25-27 (NRSV) Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

As Paul approaches the conclusion of his letter, he extends personal greetings individuals in Rome. It's a list of mostly Greek names that we know little about, struggle to pronounce and are very much inclined to skip. BUT...if we take the time to examine the details, we discover a great deal about the structure of the Roman church (and the early church in general), not least the prominence of women in leadership (named apostles!) - a role that was sadly lost for centuries and needs to be reestablished! The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Romans 16:1-(24?) (NRSV)   Want to see the very first Jesus at 2AM video: Essentials of Church History, Part 01?  Click here! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

As he approaches the end of his letter, Paul turns his attention to immediate and personal matters, most particularly his plans for the future - plans for trips to Jerusalem (to deliver a financial offering) and to Spain (to proclaim the gospel). In doing so, Paul opens an important window into himself and the world of the 1st century church. But he also allows us to see - in retrospect - how God was at work in ways that even Paul did not foresee. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Romans 15:14-16:2 (NRSV) Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The followers of Jesus are tragically prone to argue with each other. We bicker about theology, about worship, about piety and morality, sometimes to the point of church schism (the undoing of the very community we are called to create). So it is now, and so it was for the first century Roman church. In this episode, we look at Paul's instruction to the Roman congregation regarding church unity amidst conflict, and his insistence that the mature in faith be patient, and the immature be humble. A lesson we all need! The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Romans 14:1-15:13 (NRSV) Love beer? Going to be anywhere near Spokane, WA? You have to visit Lumberbeard Brewing Co.! Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The call to love the other - the neighbor, the stranger, even the enemy - is foundational to the Christian life. But why are we to love them? And perhaps even more importantly, how? Where do we find the mean to love those with whom we have no natural bond or affection, or perhaps those who would do us harm? In this episode we examine Paul's instruction on the love of other and how it is to be achieved. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Romans 13:8-14 (NRSV) Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The foundational confession of Christianity is that Jesus is Lord (and thus Caesar is not). So what are Christian to do with Caesar? What role has the civil government? In this episode Paul takes up the question of the relationship between the church and the state and arrives - as you might expect - at a very nuanced answer. Civil government is ordained by God, but that does not mean every governor is a divine appointee. How Christians are to navigate the distinction is the subject of this sermon. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Romans 13:1-7 (NRSV) Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Sometimes life hands us the worst case scenario. This is a sermon about those moments and where we can find hope. It is not a sermon of platitude or cheap advice, but a deep look at scripture's own articulation of hope as found in Psalm 46. It's a poem none of us wants to need. But when we need it, we are so grateful for its presence. If you'd like to read the poem, you can find it here: Psalm 46 (NRSV)     Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

It will come as no surprise that, as Paul turns his attention to daily Christian living, love once again takes center stage. Having allowed our minds to be shaped by the Holy Spirit, now we are to live out the love of God toward others in some very specific ways. In this episode Paul details the manner of love that befits the Christian life - a manner which turns out to mirror the very love of Christ. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Romans 12:9-21 (NRSV) Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.