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Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? The Pharisees asked Jesus this trick question to trap him into saying something dangerous. This may sound like the debates today on whether the government takes too much or if everyone should chip in their fair share to help those in need. Jesus kept it simple: Give Caesar what belongs to Caesar. But is there more to the story? Discover what this question has to say about God and our relationship with him.

MATTHEW 22:15-22 | Chris Shandrow

Jesus frequently talked about God's judgment. He devoted more attention to this topic than he did on getting into heaven. One troubling thing about these teachings is how he described the consequences of judgment. He often talked about a place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. This sounds a lot like suffering. It sounds a lot like hell. This portrayal raises questions about the nature of God as a just and loving creator. Is Jesus suggesting an eternity of torment inflicted by God upon sinners, or is there a deeper meaning? What does weeping and gnashing of teeth mean?

MATTHEW 22:13 | Chris Shandrow

God invites everyone to know Him and be part of His kingdom. However, while this inclusiveness is loving and full of grace, it raises a significant question: Can anyone enter regardless of their actions? What about abusers? What about those who harm children, exploit the weak, or revel in violence? What about people society considers evil? Do they earn a place in heaven just because they uttered a prayer once? Who gets in, who gets left out, and why?

MATTHEW 22:11-14 | Chris Shandrow

Every Easter, we remember the story of Jesus rising from the dead. But for some people, this story clashes with what we understand about how the world works. After all, people don't typically come back to life once they've passed away. This clash with reality makes them skeptical. Many find it hard to believe in the Easter story. While there are those who have strong faith and adore Easter, there are still others who have a hard time suspending disbelief. Is there an Easter celebration for them? Can there be an Easter for skeptics?

ACTS 2:22-41 | Chris Shandrow

Some invitations hold more significance than others. Think about it: getting an invitation through traditional mail somehow feels weightier than one through Facebook. Saying 'no' to a paper invite just feels harder. What about an invitation from God? What does it mean to accept or decline that invite?

MATTHEW 22:1-10 | Chris Shandrow

Jesus regularly used stories to talk to people, but sometimes they could be hard to understand. They often had hidden meanings and stories within stories. He frequently used subtext to communicate truth. We are told the stories of Jesus are still relevant for us today, but if the original listeners had trouble understanding them, how can we? How do we see ourselves in Jesus's stories and learn to think like he thought?

MATTHEW 21:33-46 | Chris Shandrow