Archive: ‘Education’

Sermon, 8.9.09
“Cliques and Christ”
Rev. Erik Bonkovsky
Ephesians 4:1-6
In this passage Paul is expressing unity because he uses the word “one” so many times.  It’s hard to miss it.
But in reality we separate ourselves.  In subtle ways, we draw distinctions between us and other people.  People often feel like they’re on the outside of groups that form [...]

Sermon, 8.2.09
“Seduced by Cool”
Rev. Erik Bonkovsky
Hebrews 11:1-3; 32-40
As set forth in the book Unfashionable, the church spends a lot of time trying to be cool.  But it’s truthfulness, not trendiness, that people are really hungry for.

As individuals.
There is an inescapable seduction that our society calls out, that we must do this, have this, or look [...]

Sermon, 7.12.09
“Everyday Gospel”
Rev. Erik Bonkovsky
Colossians 1:1-14
What difference does Jesus make in our lives?
As Christians, we spend our time professing that our lives are better because we follow Jesus.  But how are our lives any better than those of our peers?  According to the book Unchristian, 85% of people think Christians are hypocrites.  We’re clearly not [...]

Sermon, 6.7.09
“Giving Freely”
Rev. Erik Bonkovsky
Nehemiah 12:44-13:3
Giving freely is not about bringing a lot of stuff to God so that he’ll love us.  It’s the opposite:  it’s a response to how he’s already loved us.  When we talk about giving, we can take either the narrow view or the broad view:

The narrow view: Give money to [...]

Sermon, 5.31.09
“The City Worships”
Rev. Erik Bonkovsky
Nehemiah 12:1-43
This passage is about God’s people gathering to worship him.  This is the high point of the whole Nehemiah story, and this high point is reached by worship.

Worship is a joyful response to what God has done. We tend to think that worship is something we do to make [...]