Bob's homily on Mark Chapter 1 makes a simple, perhaps obvious, yet profound point: You can be connected to God, that connection ought to invite others to connect to God. This is a simple, but transformative message.
Not Business as Usual | Caleb Schut
Engrained in us is a standard way of doing things. For early Christians, the law was engrained in them. Often, the story of Jesus was taken and appropriated into the religion of moralism and law. In fact, at Christmas, God interrupts the engrained patterns of achieving, earning, and striving. In Christ, we can go about our lives, but not simply as if things are business as usual.
Baptism Letter
In this homily, Pastor Caleb writes a letter to his daughter about why she was baptized. It is a brief reflection on the significance of baptism.
Advent Hope | Caleb Schut
The first week of Advent begins a new Christian year. If it has been difficult to find hope in 2017, listen to this homily, which highlights the differences between hope and optimism. In this homily, Pastor Caleb looks at a tough passage from Mark 13 about the "day of the Lord." As we prepare for Christmas, Advent encourages us to not only look back at the birth of Christ, but also forward to Christ's coming. Caleb argues on behalf of hope, even when optimism is unlikely.
Reign of Christ Sunday | Bob Reid
Matthew 25 is the familiar passage where Jesus tells followers that whenever they show love to the least among them, they are extending love to Him. God's particular love for the poor and marginalized is on display in this text, along with His justice and judgment. Bob suggests that "oracles of judgment" like the one in Matthew 25 are good news that remind us that God is on the side of justice and peace.
The Story We Find Ourselves In | Aaron Kuecker
"In what story," Dr. Kuecker asked, "does Grace Chicago's mission statement make sense?" The story the Israelites found themselves in, which the New Testament picks up on, is the story of being freed from captivity and led to the Promised Land. What does it mean to be caught up in that story? Kuecker's homily provides some answers and provokes several other questions.
Loving God, Neighbors, Sharing Lives | Bob Reid
Paul's letter to the Thessalonians is one of the Paul's earliest writings. He refers to himself as a wet nurse, and paints a picture of leadership and authority that causes us to do a double take. In this homily, Bob suggests that the Gospel rearranges the furniture of our minds. It challenges our approach to power and forces us to examine how we love God, others, and live sacrificially in community with one another.
Political Division | Caleb Schut
Render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's. What does this saying mean? Jesus' response to the conniving pharisees puts them on their heels by insisting on the dignity of all people. Christians are called to live in the middle of division, insisting on the dignity of all people as well.
The Glory and Honor of the Nations | Bob Reid
In this homily, Pastor Bob looks at Revelation and the broad sweeping salvation that comes through Christ. The text talks about the glory of God, which is tied intractably to the flourishing and glory of human beings. This homily explores the maxim from the Early Church Father, Irenaeus, "The glory of God is a human being fully alive."
Community that Looks Like Christ | Caleb Schut
Philippians 2:1-13 is an iconic passage. Much of it is actually a hymn. Paul reminds the Philippians of what is more important and the most important things cannot be spoken, they must be sung. Paul's use of worship reminds us that our "being in one accord" (the word we get symphony from in the Greek) has to do with gathering around the person of Christ, who shapes and forms us at our core.