The Park Road Pres Podcast

The Lamb of Hope

We need more than just sort-of-mindless slogans or optimism (e.g., "Ya just gotta believe" "Everything always works out in the end"). Hope is not simply closing your eyes to the evil and the facts of our lives and world. Hope is not just crossing your fingers or wishing on a star. Hope is a kind of certainty regarding the future; it requires a basis, a rationale.
Let's look at: 1) The Dark Cloud (of HOPELESSNESS)2) The Bright Lamp (SOURCE of HOPE)3) The Life of Hope (CONTAGIOUS CONFIDENCE)

Faux Show

You may be surprised to know that in the earliest period of American History, about 17 percent of colonial citizens were active in churches. Between 1776 and 1850 church participation jumped from 17 percent to 34 percent and Church attendance peaked in the early 1960s. (Martin Marty, "Church Attendance Wasn't Always Robust in Past"; Nov 7, 2012; Sighting, Univ of Chicago). 
So, things have been much worse BUT what's especially troubling in our moment is the precipitous drop. The numbers in our society were falling before the pandemic but now we have to talk about the unchurched AND the dechurched – people who have left the Christian Church during the pandemic and have not returned.
So, let's talk about the elephant NOT in the room: 1) Unchurched and Dechurched 2) Peccatus Interruptus3) Authentic Simplicity

The Problem of Legacy and the Gift of Counsel

Today, I want to talk about legacy and counsel… Two subjects that are present all over this passage today, but two timeless subjects that have historic consequences… but also take shape in our own lives today… How are we as Christians to think about legacy and the shadows it leaves in our lives, and how do we to take and consider counsel? When we hear counsel from others whether it is sought, or just given. How do we receive it and put it to use? 
We're going to see this today from the wake left from Solomon's life that his legacy unfortunately, leads to disunity. For us, the legacy of the gospel is one of unity in the body of Christ. 
So, let's look at three points today – 1. The shadows of Legacy, 2. The confusion of Counsel, and 3. The gift of Unity.

Solomon, The Divided

Today we look once more at Solomon – this time a case-study on the topic of success, prosperity and affluence to the point that his heart is torn. Solomon, the divided.I want to look at the Bright Side of Success, the Dark Side of Success and the Prospects of Success FOR YOU.

Solomon the Great

Today, Solomon receives a mysterious visitor from some 1,500 miles away (like from here to New York), a queen from the South, from what is today called Yemen and in the Bible is called the "Land of Cush", the Queen of Sheba. She's a fascinating figure. She shows up in the Quran (as Belquis) and even in the lore and legends behind Rastafarianism (for our Jamaican brothers and sisters).
What could motivate her to come so long a distance? Why would she "drag" this great caravan all the way from Yemen/Ethiopia through the desert to Jerusalem? And, in fact, what motivates people to do stuff like that? Birds migrate great distances and we chalk up their motivation to instinct. Why can't I pray for 30 mins a day or kick a nasty habit or be more generous or worry less or stop being so self-conscious – where can I find that motivation? That's our interest today – the Mysterious Queen of Sheba and the Mystery of Motivation. Let's look at: 1) The Mystery of Motivation2) The Allure of Glory3) The Mysterious, Surpassing Glory of Self-Sacrificing Love

Good News from Bad Kings: Solomon, The Builder

1 Kings 8:10, 27-30, 54-61; Isaiah 57:15
...thinkers have arrived at some categories to describe the Divine Presence – God's transcendence and God's immanence. That God is above us, transcends us, other than we are. Some of God's attributes we DON'T share; He's infinite, eternal and unchangeable and we're NOT. The other category is God's immanence, God's nearness, with-ness, relatability; the qualities in God we are capable of sharing to some degree: being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.So, let's use these categories to look at Solomon's main building project – the Temple as God's dwelling:1 – God ABOVE Us – Transcendence2 – God NEAR Us – Immanence 3 – God IN Us – God's Humility

Good News From Bad Kings: Solomon, The Wise

1 Kings 3:16-28; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
The writings of Solomon himself – many of the Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon extol the value, cost and desirability of wisdom. AND while Solomon was unrivaled in wisdom, somehow wisdom wasn't enough, and Solomon's life ends in both remarkable achievement AND disappointment.Let's re-enter this period of history looking at: 1) Succession – the age of ALMOST 2) The Wisdom of Solomon 3) How to Approach Wisdom in Our Age

The Incendiary Fellowship

In the late '60's, (the Quaker scholar) Elton Trueblood wrote a book called, The Incendiary Fellowship i.e. the community of believers that's on fire. And these personal greetings and final wishes demonstrate that the early Christian Church was a dynamic, living, growing community of real flesh-and-blood people … regular folks but somehow inhabited by God and therefore pulsating with life and purpose and progress. Let's look at: 
1) The Incendiary Fellowship – How's it Described? 2) The Incendiary Fellowship – What's Implied? and 3) How to Become the Incendiary Fellowship AND why we should want to?

A Biblical Theology of Personal Identity: The Image and Likeness of God

Who are you? What makes you, you? Today, identity is a do-it-yourself project: ours is a day of identity angst. This class will survey the biblical theme of being known by God as His children, a truth that meets our deepest and lifelong need for recognition, and the key for both cheering comfort and moral direction.

Philemon 1-16: The Only Begotten Slave

"What's more important: to do the right thing with a bad attitude or not to do the right thing but with a good attitude?" (Uninvolved but sweet or engaged but with a sour attitude?) Which one would you prefer in a friend…in yourself?