Video Shorts

There are many things in this world associated with the Christian faith.  But this short video attempts to cut through all the extraneous stuff to express the heart of it, the deepest core.  And not just the content of it, but the importance of it with regard to all other truths.

A classic question of theology and religion. Why can't we come to a clear answer? Watch this video to find out, and to understand why it's so simple and confounding at the same time.

There is a lot of talk, in Christian circles and outside of them, about having a "relationship with God".  But what does that mean? Might seem pretty abstract. In this short video we'll talk about 2 things that it means, from a Christian perspective.  And those two ways of understanding "relationship" will lead us to more questions about what sorts of relationships we might have with God, and what sorts are possible with God.

Intro text Matthew 26:28

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Christianity comes with some core principles and beliefs which are backwards of what we might think they should be.  There are some that are not, and are more readily obvious to us - things of "conventional wisdom" which ring true quickly.  But some of the deeper, more important and more core beliefs, are counter-intuitive.  Unconventional, and hidden without some explanation, and help from the Spirit.  Where do we find them, and how are we to understand them?  Watch this intro video as we begin to explore those truths...

Jesus uses the phrase "The last will be first, and the first will be last" a few times in the New Testament Gospels.  Here we explore one of those uses coming from Matthew 19:28-20:16, and a parable of his (the vineyard owner and the workers), in order to understand that phrase and its meaning for us.  It's about thankfulness, and joy.

Here we further explore Matthew 20 and the parable of the vineyard owner and workers, to discuss how to reconcile both thankfulness and cries for justice.  Parables and teachings of the Bible which exhort us to be thankful for what we have are not at odds with teachings of fairness and justice; we need to view them on different planes.  And we can't lose one in light of the other, both are integral to the Christian faith.

The phrase "It is better to give than to receive" is one well known in society, but the biblical version is actually "It is more blessed to give than to receive".  Here we explore the passage in Acts 20:35 and what it means to for giving to be more "blessed", rather than "better", and why that is more important in the long-run for us to have the right motivation in giving.

Jesus uses the phrase "The last will be first, and the first will be last" a few times in the New Testament Gospels and here we explore the use of it in Mark 9.  Here Jesus' use of it goes beyond our relationship with God, to our relationship with one another.  And even further, he challenges us to not simply do a bare minimum of justice and fairness, but to go the extra miles, for all people-groups.

Here we look at the idea of relationality with God and connection to Him, coming from verses like Psalm 119, and how that relates to the concept of freedom. It goes against the conventional and western idea of freedom (absence of restraint), but it gives a greater and more satisfying experience of liberty.

Backwards to us is the idea that in order to be truly free we must be a slave.  So here we further explore the idea of "slavery" producing freedom, by looking at James 1:25 and what it means for the "law" to produce freedom.  It builds in us new strength and capacity to go in directions we wouldn't otherwise be able; and in doing so it brings a new freedom, and also brings a greater fulfillment.