Epiclesis

Epiclesis
  • 4.7 (15)
  • Christianity
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Ancient Future Faith Community

Episodes

  1. Jul 12

    Heart Detector

    One commentator has said that a parable is “storytelling with a message,” that also declares a truth, and that also asks for a response. So, when Jesus is telling a parable, it’s not just a literary exercise or a brain teaser. He’s using a story to call His listeners into some kind of transformation. But whether it ends up being an "ah-hah" moment for the listener depends upon their heart. Maybe parables are the ultimate heart detectors.   Art credit: "Heart and Soul" by Jan Camerone. Other photos Pastor Chris referred to in this sermon: Model of a working first century Judean fishing boat. Model of the “Jesus Boat” they found at the Sea of Galilee in 1986. The actual “Jesus Boat” on display. The Sea of Galilee from Capernaum. Farther up the hill looking down toward Capernaum. “The Sower” by Millet (1850). “The Sower” by Van Gogh (1888). “The Sower” by Melani Pyke (contemporary).

  2. Jul 5

    Jesus, the Galilee, and John the Baptist

    In this continuing series, we see Jesus ministering in and around the Sea of Galilee. That’s where He set up his home base (Capernaum), and it’s the region where He sent out the disciples as apostles to drive out demons, heal diseases, and spread the word that the Kingdom of Heaven has come near. In this installment, we also see the disciples of John the Baptist come and ask Jesus a very important question. What Jesus says in return includes a curious story of children in the marketplace. What did He mean? And how might it have been an encouragement to John? Art credit: "Christ Preaching on the Galilee" by Minerva Teichert. Other photos that Pastor Chris referred to in this sermon: 1: Globe 2: Israel map 3: Galilee/Tahoe 4: Sea of Galilee 5: Tiberias 6: Magdala 7: Capernaum 8: Galilee and Dead Sea 9: Israel map with dots: Jerusalem, Sea of Galilee, baptism site, Machaerus

  3. Jun 28

    A Cup of Cold Water

    On this Sunday, we came to three little verses that cap off Matthew 10. And it’s the last thing— the last bit of instruction, the final words if commission— that Jesus gave before He sent His Apostles off on their mission. Wonder if the apostles were trying to grapple with the fact that their lives truly were no longer their own? Now they had to take on the same mission— and even the destiny— of their Master.

  4. Jun 21

    Not Peace But a Sword

    Jesus is saying it very plainly— He’s laying it right out there—that His messengers, His apostles, should expect persecution. Jesus even goes as far to say that His apostles should expect being flogged. Should we expect persecution as modern-day followers of Jesus? Join us as we look at a passage in Matthew 10, and along the way we also think about what it means to pledge our allegience to Christ.

  5. Jun 14

    Shepherd, Shepherds, and Sheep

    As Jesus traveled around through the villages of Galilee, large crowds gathered around Him. Matthew describes those people as confused and helpless. Why did Jesus begin His ministry there, and why does the Gospel compare the people to sheep? Join Pastor Chris as he continue our series where we're "telling the story of Jesus," as the beloved old hymn says. The artwork associated with this podcast/sermon is "The Good Shepherd" by Daniel Bonnell, one of our favorites at Epiclesis. You can find his art at www.BonnellArt.com.

  6. Jun 7

    Tell Me the Story of Jesus

    We're in the long season after Pentecost and on this particular Sunday, Pastor Chris began a short series examining the Gospel readings. Matthew's account of the person and work of Jesus is full of wonderful stories. Our first story records Jesus healing several people, and one of them in particular is praised by Jesus for her faith. The Greek word is "pistis." But does our word "faith" adequately and fully describe what the Bible means? Let's dive in and learn! The painting associated with this sermon/podcast is titled "The Encounter" by Daniel Cariola. It is displayed in the chapel's lower level (recently excavated down to street level at the time of Jesus) in Magdala. The scene is the healing of the woman with the "issue of blood." Other photos Pastor Chris referred to:   Duc in Altum Chapel exterior Duc in Altum Chapel interior Duc in Altum Chapel lower level

  7. May 24

    Everyone Was Filled

    The Holy Spirit was surely present and at work many times in God's Story throughout the Old Testament. So, what made the giving of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost different than previous times? Join Pastor Chris as he looks at three Old Testament characters, radically empowered by the Holy Sprit, as a lens through which to look at the breathtaking events of that first Pentecost Sunday. The image posted with this sermon/podcast is a mosaic depicting the Day of Pentecost. The artist and location are unknown.

  8. May 17

    Jesus Ascended

    Scripture tells us that Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. And so, the ancient church, the early church Fathers, and the historic creeds affirm that the bodily ascension of Christ is a vital part of God’s Big Story. Without it, the saving work of the Lord Jesus would be significantly incomplete. And yet more recently, the church, especially the Western church, has either neglected Christ’s ascension, or underestimated and misunderstood its significance. In this sermon, Pastor Chris makes the case for sayingthat all four parts of the work of Christ-- Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension-- are critical and can’t be separated or removed from the other. The artwork that Pastor Chris referred to is "The Ascension" by British painter Ford Madox Brown. The full image is here. The lower portion is here. The middle, here. And the top portion is here. The top portion is being used as the featured image for this podcast/sermon. The handout/notes we used is viewable/downloadable here.

  9. May 10

    Roman Emperors and Fiery Ordeals

    In this final sermon in a series on the first letter of Peter, we took a close look at the first six emperors of Rome. Why? To provide some vivid and even shocking context for what otherwise might seem like easy words and phrases in the Scripture passages. The details, frankly, are gruesome; and they are important for us to know. They're also why Peter's words hit all the harder: "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." Are those words for us today, too? Yes, indeed, and Peter's admonitions help focus our responses to the sometimes gruesome nature of the world around us. Join us as we dive into one of the most chaotic, brutal, but formational times in Christian history. The image associated with this post is "The Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer" (detail) by Jean-Léon Gérôme (1883).

  10. May 3

    Royal Priesthood, Holy Nation

    Christian person, have you ever thought of yourself as a priest? Our baptism makes us to be people who share in the priesthood of all believers. We are to minister in a kind of priesthood, through the power of the Holy Spirit, spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and offer sacrifices of love and praise to God the Father in and through our daily lives.

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About

Ancient Future Faith Community

Information

  • Creator
    Epiclesis
  • Years Active
    2010 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Epiclesis
  • Show Website
    Epiclesis