The Park Road Pres Podcast

The Themes of the Magi

Today, we encounter the Magi—these mysterious, foreign, "wise men" that come searching for the Christ child… Who were they? Why is this part of the story? What were they really looking for?
I want us to look at three themes of the Magi- 1. The Gentile Theme, 2. The Contrast Theme, and 3. The Astronomical Theme…. And then I want to end with a couple of ideas for the New Year for you and me.

Happy are those whose Help Is the God of Jacob

There are TWO IMPERATIVES or commands in the Psalm – one positive command (repeated in vv. 1 & 10) and one negative – something to DO and something to AVOID. The negative – the thing to avoid – seems, at first, to be out of place… I want to show that it's NOT out of place, but it is, in fact, the main theme of the Psalm. And WHEN we see the relationship between these two dissimilar commands it unlocks some things in the spiritual life that lead to real happiness… So, this is a happiness sermon; my Christmas gift to you!
Let's look at:1) TWO STRUGGLES in understanding this Psalm2) TWO SOURCES of confidence in the Psalm3) TWO SERVICES this Psalm provides

Sing to the Lord a New Song

Give the King Your Justice

We'll find this poem from the Hebrew Bible conforms to the form of government in Ancient Israel (and most of the Ancient Near East) and THAT was NOT Capitalism NOR Socialism nor Communism but Monarchy, the REIGN of a monarch, a king or queen.
In unpacking this poem about the ideal government we'll see:1) SIGNS We NEED This Reign 2) A Gently FALLING Reign3) Responding to the RIGHT Reign

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

This is one of the 15 "Psalms of Ascent" – most people hold them to be pilgrim psalms, sung or chanted as pilgrims went up (ascended) to Jerusalem for the three feasts prescribed in the Law (Deut 16.16). It's been noted that there were 15 steps up to the entrance of the Temple in Jerusalem and that some pilgrims would memorize Psalms 120-134 and chant one of these short psalms on each step as they ascended. So, what can we learn from these Psalms of Ascent? Let's look at:1) A Pilgrim ELATED2) A Pilgrim FRUSTRATED3) A Pilgrim ANIMATED

Restore Us, O Lord of Hosts

If you've ever suffered real devastation and worried about HOW your Non-Christian relatives will now be reinforced in their unbelief – "Wow! What good is it to be a Christian if THIS is what happens!?" If you've even wondered whether YOUR life is a good endorsement for Christianity because you've NOT had an easy go of it… THIS is a Psalm for YOU!
I want to look at: 1) The Disorientation of Decline and Devastation2) The Reasonable Request for Restoration3) The Firm Feel of Freedom

The Replacement

We have been looking at the life of Elijah in the Book of Kings, events that occurred around 900 BC. And today, also, another episode that took place about 900 years later in the life of Jesus Christ. You may have noticed that the two passages have some similarities: there's actually a profound connection.
And believe it or not that connection is a key, maybe thē key to living a life of spiritual greatness. And, I know, that's a really big claim – "today's sermon is the secret to becoming a spiritual superhero!" – and you may be a little suspicious… But… Give me a chance and I think it will emerge out of these two stories. Let's look at: 1) The SUBSTANCE of the First Story (just the facts)2) The SETTING of the Second Story 3) The SIGNIFICANCE In Combining the Stories

What are you doing here?

Elijah is now a national hero… at the top of his game. And then… the mighty man of God experiences a steep dive into deep dread, depression and discouragement. 
Right after this soaring High Point, we get one of the most vivid pictures of emotional breakdown AND how God deals with it. That's what we want to explore today: 1) a description of depression, burn-out and despair 2) how God treats this condition in his children

The Showdown

Today, I'd like to show that this ancient passage offers real help to modern people as we try to navigate life in this environment. It IS possible to "speak truth in love" to sometimes see and say that there are only two ways to look at a certain issue and I'm convinced only ONE is true. It's possible to get in "good trouble" (John Lewis of Rosa Parks). Let's look at three approaches to truth and truth-telling:1) The Way of Syncretism2) The Way of Imperialism3) The Way of the Gospel

That Wondrous Weakness

I wonder how YOU feel about your weaknesses, your disadvantages, your disabilities, flaws, failures, mistakes, limitations, shortcomings, your needs. There's nothing holy or good about NEED or POVERTY or FAILURE in themselves but when our need is brought to God, it can become a portal – a doorway into our souls – through which God enters and does amazing things.
Let's look today at: 1) The Quest for Power2) Weakness in God's Economy3) Weakness in YOUR Life and Mine