Posts by Pastor Shawn (Page 3)

Christ is our peace. He made both Jews and Gentiles into one group. With his body, he broke down the barrier of hatred that divided us… When he came, he announced good new of peace to you who were far away from God and to those were near. We both have access to the Father through Christ by the one Spirit… Christ is building you into a place where God lives through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:14, 17-18, 22 CEB) Yesterday’s…

The people were filled with expectation… (Luke 3:15a, CEB) In the new Young Adult study, we are working our way through the Gospel of Luke. In Luke chapter three, Luke explains that as people witnessed John the Baptist’s ministry, they “were filled with expectation.” This phrase jumped out to me and resonated with how I feel about the ministry of Spokane First Nazarene in these days. Yet expectation is something that always varies from one person to another. In churches…

12 because God’s word is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates to the point that it separates the soul from the spirit and the joints from the marrow. It’s able to judge the heart’s thoughts and intentions. 13 No creature is hidden from it, but rather everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of the one to whom we have to give an answer. (Hebrews 4:12-13 CEB) I’ve heard that it is common for those who do…

Jesus spoke to the people again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me won’t walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12, CEB) Some of you are aware that last weekend I was able to participate in my thirty-year high school class reunion. With that information, you can now do the math to determine my age. 😊 I graduated from a small high school, only 41 of us in my class. I…

We aren’t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens. (Ephesians 6:12) A quick look in just about any direction these days and conflict seems to be ruling the day. Whether we look to politics in our country or reflect on the larger world scene, we are clearly steeped in a struggle. Too often we are quick to single out individuals to whom we wish to assign blame,…

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens… Ecclesiastes 3:1 We each process change differently. Some of us are just wired to be more adaptable, we can go with the flow, and don’t get overly anxious about unknowns. Others of us like to know exactly what is going to happen, and how and when it is going to happen. Regardless of what type of person you are, the reality is that as a…

We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, CEB) It has been one of those weeks where I am reminded that life is messy. I realize some people can tolerate more messiness than others. Some of you know my desk tends to be cluttered, what some would even call messy. Honestly, most of the time, I know where most things are…

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”       And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the…

Jesus answered, “I assure you, unless someone is born anew, it’s not possible to see God’s kingdom.” Nicodemus asked, “How is it possible for an adult to be born? It’s impossible to enter the mother’s womb for a second time and be born, isn’t it?” (John 3:3-4, CEB) I’ve always found the biblical character Nicodemus interesting. Here we meet someone who should have the answers, who should have wisdom and understanding. He is a Pharisee, a seasoned Jewish leader, and…

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. But he put his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m the first and the last, 18 and the living one. (Revelation Chap 1, CEB) On Sunday mornings for our youth discipleship class we’ve begun a deep dive into the book of Revelation. This is indeed a challenging endeavor, but it is something our students were requesting and have an innate curiosity about. We are…

And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. “Who is this?” they asked. The crowds answered, “It’s the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.” (Matthew 21:10-11, CEB) This Sunday is Palm Sunday, which also marks the beginning of Holy Week. As I reflect on this passage from Matthew which describes the triumphal entry, the phrase that jumps out to me is, “Who is this?” In so many ways this question captures the whole progression of the gospel…

Be still before the Lord, and wait for him. (Psalm 37:7 CEB) As we continue our journey through the season of Lent, I want to take a moment to highlight the Sacred Invitation devotional many of us have started engaging through this season. Last I checked there were still a few paper copies available for pickup at the church. The devotional can also be purchased as an e-book through Amazon (the paper copies have sold out online).    Click here…