Why Communion and the Cross: Why Did Jesus Die? | Rev. Josh RaderLee

Historically we moved from human sacrifice to animal sacrifice to various modes of self-sacrifice. We did and still do this with the belief that by sacrificing something, God will be moved to bless or accept us. In this sermon Rev. Josh unpacks several theories held throughout Church history around the meaning of Jesus' death for Christians and the world. What if Jesus' death was simply a result of the life he lived? What if the death and resurrection of Christ is understood as a catalyst to reform society, inspiring people to follow His example and live good moral lives of love?

Josh RaderLeeForefront ChurchApril 23, 2023sacrifice, jesus, death, resurrection, atonement

THE GOSPEL OF: "Heaven"

The Gospel of Heaven: Is Jesus the only way?

At some point in your life you were told that Jesus was the only way to heaven or told someone else that Jesus was the only way to heaven. We justify this by using John:6. It says, "Jesus answered, I'm the way the truth, and the life. No one comes to God but through me." This is a terrible interpretation of scripture!

In this 3rd sermon in our EasterTide series, watch Jonathan Williams remind us how Jesus excluded no one from his promise of Heaven. As always, it’s critical that we understand the context of culture at the time these stories were written. When we believe that people who don't believe in Jesus are unworthy of eternal life, we'll treat them poorly in this life.

Jonathan WilliamsForefront ChurchApril 25, 2021jesus, covid-19, heaven, hell, Sheena Iyengar

THIS FEELING'S GOT ME LIKE | "Anger"

“How anger is a gift and a gateway to positive change”

We’ve been taught that the Christian response to anger is to minimize it, but it’s actually *not* Biblical to deny our feelings of anger.

In this sermon, Jonathan Williams shows us that our anger is not a spiritual weakness or failure, but rather something we can employ to help create positive change.

This is the second sermon in our “This Feeling's Got Me Like...” series.

Jonathan WilliamsForefront ChurchFebruary 28, 2021anger, family systems, AA, jesus, lgtbqia

BE | "Intentional Life"

“But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Sarah Ngu, Makenzie Gomez, and Jonathan Williams discuss how to interpret this passage for today. The "narrow road" that Jesus talks about is not about orthodoxy -- believing and doing the right things. Instead, it's about living with intentionality and purpose, and embracing the process and not just the destination.

This is the fifth sermon in our “BE” series.

BE | "Courageous Compassion"

"Be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect" is one of the most misinterpreted and damaging scriptures in our bible. How do we redeem the idea of perfection?

Jonathan Williams explores how striving for perfection has been incorporated into Christianity and reminds us that the real measure of worthiness is not perfection, it’s courage to be compassionate and justice minded towards others. God’s perfection is the simple practice of being courageous, compassionate, and creating connection.

This is the fourth sermon in our “BE” series.

Jonathan WilliamsForefront ChurchJanuary 31, 2021sermon on the mount, jesus, courage, compassion, perfectionism

BE | "Restorative Judgment"

Jonathan Williams asks the question - is judgment always bad?

Jonathan examines Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and the context in which Jesus judges others. He reminds us that God’s judgment is restorative justice in action. God’s judgment always believes the best in others. And so we believe the best in others because that’s how God sees the other.

This is the third sermon in our “Be” series.

Jonathan WilliamsForefront ChurchJanuary 24, 2021sermon on the mount, jesus, judgement, restoration

BE | "Integrity Matters"

Integrity starts with being grounded in yourself.

Sarah Ngu reminds us that Jesus sees us as more than the worst decisions we’ve made or things we’ve said.

In Jesus’ sermon on the mount, he tells us that words matter and that truth matters. Integrity means not just saying what we really mean, but also realizing when we don’t really mean what we are about to say. This starts with being grounded in ourselves and recognizing when we are not in the right mind to speak honestly.

This is the second sermon in our “Be” series.

Sarah NguForefront ChurchJanuary 17, 2021sermon on the mount, jesus, integrity

DEBUNKED | "Feminine Jesus"

Sarah NguRobbie KleinJuly 14, 2019gender, jesus, medieval