The Park Road Pres Podcast

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

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