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

The parable of the Good Samaritan is often taught as a morality tale about the importance of compassion (with overtones implying that such acts of generosity are means by which one secures a place in the heavenly afterlife). But Jesus's intent goes far deeper! In this episode we examine central command to love and the human temptation to draw boundaries that divide the lovable from the not-so-much. And we discover that God's embrace knows no bounds. The text for this episode is Luke 10:25-37 (NRSV). Not already subscribed to the podcast? Here’s the quick link to iTunes! Want to connect? I’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mail here, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The 70 disciples who were sent to bear witness to the gospel and embody the ministry of Jesus now return with an astonishing report: it worked! To their amazement, God has given them the power and resources they were promised, such that "even the demons submit to us." It is a lesson every disciple must learn time and again. And as we do, we discover that the gap between heaven and earth is far narrower than we expect! God is not afar off, nor is "heaven" at a distance. Rather, in Jesus, heaven and earth overlap, and those who follow him have signs of the kingdom everywhere around them. In this episode we examine the depth of God's faithfulness to his people and just how close heaven is to earth. The text for this episode is Luke 10:17-24 (NRSV). Not already subscribed to the podcast? Here’s the quick link to iTunes! Want to connect? I’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mail here, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

As Canvas celebrates our 5th anniversary, we return to our very first sermon - an articulation of the mission, vision and core values we felt called to embody. It's an inside look at the first days of a new church plant, and why we have shaped our community in the manner we have. Whether you are thinking of starting something new, considering making adjustments to an ongoing ministry or simply want to know why Canvas has such unique personality, here's why we do what we do. The text for this sermon is Matthew 5:1-16 (NRSV). Not already subscribed to the podcast? Here’s the quick link to iTunes! Want to connect? I’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mail here, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Finally, we come to the joy of Christmas! For weeks we have been examining Israel's fall from her priestly office, and with it the fear that God's project of salvation might be forever lost. But the God of love will not be thwarted, and last we learn how God will fulfill the covenant of with Abraham - God will become human, to carry out Israel's obedience himself! In this episode we look at the Jesus's birth as told in the Gospel of Matthew, and how all the pieces of Israel's story come together in him. The text for this Christmas Eve sermon is Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV). Not already subscribed to the podcast? Here’s the quick link to iTunes! Want to connect? I’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mail here, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Israel's (and thus humanity's) situation has gone from bad to worse. The "trial" we witnessed in part 2 has become a verdict and sentence: exile (a symbol God may be abandoning the promise of salvation!). After all "What more was there to do [for Israel]" that had not already been done? What advantage had not been given? What blessing withheld? And still she could not fulfill her pledge of priestly service. In this episode we examine the depth of Israel's fall and the fear that salvation may never come. The text for this sermon is:  Isaiah 5:1-17 (NRSV) Want to support the podcast??? You can give a tax-deductible donation to Canvas as a one-time gift or pledge to the Canvas budget. Your gift in any amount is a huge help to us! Not already subscribed to the podcast? Here’s the quick link to iTunes! Want to connect? I’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mail here, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Is God really a harsh judge, hovering in the heavens ready at any moment to accuse and punish? In this episode, we find ourselves jurors as God indeed places Israel on trial. And yet, even as God makes his case (airtight we might add), we hear not the rage of a king before a traitor, but the pain of a father who wants nothing but that his foolish children would recognize that they are chasing after the things that will profit them nothing. It's a painful look at human folly and the constancy of God's love. The sermon text is Jeremiah 2:4-13, 26-28 (NRSV)   Want to support the podcast??? You can give a tax-deductible donation to Canvas as a one-time gift or pledge to the 2018 budget. Your gift in any amount is a huge help to us! Not already subscribed to the podcast? Here’s the quick link to iTunes! Want to connect? I’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mail here, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Few words terrify the typical Christian like "evangelism." It instantly conjures images of hellfire preachers on corners or, worse yet, the awkwardly forced conversation about Jesus with a "non-believing" friend (ugh!). It's worth noting that Jesus did neither of these, nor asked it of his disciples. Jesus did, however, send. He sent ill-equipped, nervous followers to carry the good news of the presence of kingdom of God, and to bless whatever instances of grace they might find already at work. In this episode we look at this call to go and to bless; and hopefully discover it is quite a gift to be sent. The passage for this week is Luke 10:1-16 (NRSV). Here is a link to the map I mention early in the sermon.   

Interrupting your regularly scheduled sermon from Luke with a sermon for Advent... Advent is the season of preparation for Jesus's coming, a time to remember his birth in Bethlehem, yes, but primarily a time to remember that Jesus is coming again. In short, it is a time to get in touch with our need for a savior. In this episode we join the story of Israel in the days after the settling in Canaan, and the slow turn away from YHWH to the Canaanite gods of Baal and Astarte. It's a painful reminder of our human impulse to worship our prosperity. The sermon text is Judges 2:6-23 (NRSV) Here are links to the images I mention in the sermon: Idol of Baal (Louvre) Idol of Astarte (Louvre) Example of Canaanite idols found in ancient Judah Other Canaanite idols found in ancient Jewish homes (Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition). Want to support the podcast??? You can give a tax-deductible donation to Canvas as a one-time gift or pledge to the 2018 budget. Your gift in any amount is a huge help to us! Not already subscribed t

As Jesus "sets his face toward Jerusalem" (i.e., resolves to force a confrontation with the religious authorities), the conflict that will lead to his crucifixion begins to take shape. It starts with a rejection of Jesus as he seeks to enter Samaria (located between the regions Galilee and Judea) and continues with Jesus's rejection of some would-be followers. In this episode regular J@2AM preacher, Rev. Mike Regele examines this very complex sequence (Luke 9:51-62), and put on a master class in exegesis (the scholarly work of interpreting a passage) and why such work is essential to our proper understanding of the biblical story!

Who is really doing the work of the kingdom? Is it those who profess faith in Jesus? Is it the professing and pious? Those who work wonders in his name? Jesus's answer is, once again...unexpected. And it - joyfully! - opens new door for our own work of love and for partnering with others. It turns out, "Whoever is not against us is for us."  

It is tempting in the life of faith to seek "mountain top" experiences - those moments when we feel nearly at one with God and alive with passion. We get the sense in those moments that we are being truly "spiritual" (which is the goal, right?...wait, is it?). In this episode we travel to a literal mountain top with Peter, James and John where they have a direct encounter with God. And what the are told to do next will probably surprise you. The story is that of "the transfiguration." The text is Luke 9:28-36. Not already subscribed to the podcast? Don't miss an episode! Here's the quick link to iTunes! Want to connect? I'd love to hear from you. You can send e-mail or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  

At last Jesus's disciples seem to be understanding him! Jesus asks his inner circle: "Who do you say that I am?" And Peter responds for the team: "The Messiah of God!" Finally, Jesus's full identity is being recognized!...except that Jesus then admonishes Peter et al to tell this to no one; and furthermore, to be ready to take up their own crosses when the time comes. It is not quite the spiking of the ball we might have expected. Quite the opposite, in fact. It is a warning of the dangers that lie ahead in the work of salvation. Special thanks to listener Dean Smith who nominated Jesus at 2AM for the Discover Pod 2017 awards! With enough "votes" in the "best of" and "desert island" categories, we might just get the word out about the podcast. To add your nomination in these categories, just click here.

The gospel is ultimately the story of a king reclaiming his throne. In this passage we have Jesus and his allies crossing a body of water to land on foreign shores. The story includes the miracle of calming a storm and casting out demons. But the significance of what happens is very much deeper.

Parables were one of Jesus's primary tools for teaching, and yet they are easily and often misunderstood. In this episode we look at the genre of parable and how it differs from other literary devices (e.g., metaphor, analogy, etc.). We then apply our interpretive skills to the so-called "Parable of the Sower" and discover layers of meaning that were not immediately obvious. In this episode I also mention the Trailhead program being offered by Westmont University. I'm honored to have played a small role in helping shape some of the spiritual formation and discernment curriculum and I think it will be a wonderful experience. If you are (or have) a high schooler, I'd love for you to take a look.  

Notice that Jesus never travels alone – strange behavior for a 1st century Jewish holy man/prophet. Even more…unexpected…is the crowd with whom Jesus surrounds himself.  Many are not known for their “holiness” (being sinners, drunkards and tax collectors). And a few have an even greater disqualifying element of their person  they are women! (Oh…and don’t forget later that Jesus add a very famous murderer to the group!) In this episode we get a glimpse into the earliest church leaders – who they are, and who they aren’t. (Who refuses Jesus's invitation, and why???)

Love is hard to believe. For all our longing for love, all of our hope that love wins..., to actually trust in love when it is offered is incredibly difficult, especially when the offer comes from God. In this episode we look at Jesus's encounter with a notorious "sinner" and the lesson it offers in the breadth of God's grace, a breadth even the most learned theologians of Jesus's day could not fathom. Luke very carefully arranges this story to ensure we understand it is a lesson in the depth of love available to us, and which we are to show to others. We'll also look at one very practical way we can embody the command to love our neighbor. Here's a link to some coins of the Roman Empire of the 1st century. You can see the stalks of grain very clearly in several of them. The text for this sermon is Luke 7:24-50 (NRSV). This sermon was originally preached at Canvas (Irvine, CA) on May 8, 2016.  

For 2,000 years Jesus has been confounding messianic expectations - never quite looking the part of "savior." I mean, shouldn't a divinely-appointed deliverer be easily recognizable? A little radiant glory, perhaps? Or at the very least the trappings of earthly power! And what about some judgment and wrath? It's a sinful world after all, and isn't it part of God's job to be punishing evil?  At the very least, we should see him at the standard holy sites, doing the standard holy things...praying the right prayers, and leading the psalm singing.  Right? In this episode we look at the question that begs asking, a question posed by John the Baptist (the one sent by God to prepare Jesus's way):  "Are you the Messiah,...or should we be looking for another?" If love is the means by which God's redemption is accomplished, what would it look like when it met a fallen world?

Jesus is often misunderstood as teaching a moral system – a new vision of right and wrong that will be more pleasing to God. But to hear him in this way is to miss the greater point of his message. In this episode we explore Jesus’s famous “Sermon on the Plain” (Luke 6) and how […]