I ride motorcycles. Not news to our congregation, I know, but I practice motorcycle partiality. Let me explain. Motorcyclists have a signature wave that they give other motorcyclists. It’s a cool, left-handed move that signals, I recognize and respect you. We don’t give this recognition to scooter riders. Even though scooter riders take the same risks of a motorcyclist, wear the same safety gear, and take the same test, they do not receive the same respect. My older brother sold his motorcycle and rides a large scooter, for which I mock him repeatedly. Does that make me a scooterist? Probably.

Partiality is a consistent Biblical word for favoring someone over another. It’s an ancient sin of the human heart, hailing all the way back to the foundations of humanity. Every culture has its forms of partiality that are perpetuated within it. America, along with every known country, has issues of partiality that shape and define it. Join us this Sunday as we consider how Postmodern Critical Theory addresses partiality, while we worship the only One who is impartial!

It’s baseball season! Go Braves! I have a long history with the Braves, having moved to Atlanta in 1977. I remember attending the old Fulton County stadium, then Turner Field, and now Truist Park at the Battery. I had the privilege of watching Dale Murphy back in the day and meeting him in person. People say I look like John Smoltz. I was at the stadium when they honored Hank Aaron before his death in 2021. I’ve lived through their ups like 1995 and 2021 World Series championships, and their downs like their 1988 season where they lost 106 games (tickets were cheap). All this history gives me a perspective on the Braves. Avid fans talk about the strengths and weaknesses of the team, the coaching staff, who to blame for their failed seasons and who to credit for their successful ones. 

Life can be viewed like that of the Brave’s fan. We can assess the team as good or bad; we can attach blame to the owners and managers for their decisions; we can accuse the referee’s for their calls, etc. We each have a different view depending on our lived experience and every fan can have ideas about how to change the team, even recommending the batting line up for each game. Avid fans might even be heard saying, I wish they’d put me in charge because I’d get the team back on track. Everyone’s a critic!

This week we’re going to build on our understanding of Postmodern Critical Theory with their view of the world and ask if it conforms with Scripture. Together, we’ll worship the One who governs the world in righteousness.

Do you remember freshman orientation? You sat in a large room of scared classmates as people explained what your college experience would be like and what you should expect. You looked around the room, comparing yourself with others. You met your overly enthusiastic student advisor who built up the college experience. You met your faculty advisor who told you to see them whenever you needed anything (yeah right). Then you jumped into classes, and while you created some memories, you soon realized that you were oversold on the glory of college. 

Well, imagine you were a child during or immediately after World War 2. The western nations had survived WWI, the Great Depression, and now another world war with the horrors of the Holocaust. Would you start to question the wisdom of western culture? Would you start to question the stories that you were told about the glory of western culture, modernity (think Industrial Revolution)? Would you become cynical, even skeptical of western culture and look for alternatives? Well, some people did, and Critical Theory was born. Critical Theory is a way of looking at yourself, others, and the world that fundamentally rejects western culture and its values. It seeks to deconstruct western civilization and its meta narratives. It’s currently attempting to remake society! 

Join us Sunday as we consider this Theory and worship the only One whose story can create a beautiful community.

One of the challenges with the current social justice movement is that it’s not rooted in truth. Let me explain. In the middle of the last century (generally speaking) culture began moving away from the Enlightenment idea that something could be known through mankind’s reasoning ability. Trust in reason became an issue in the new postmodern construct. Reason leads to fact (reality, truth, objectivity).  Postmodernism is deeply distrusting of anything definitive. You’ve noticed this in the recent attempts to classify gender. How many genders are there? Someone following the Enlightenment model would say there are two genders while someone following Postmodern thought would say that gender is a construct and cannot be determined. 

Consider the ramifications of not having any type (Christian or secular) of foundational truth. How can a person know virtue without some type of foundation? As believers, we have a foundation. Scripture presents us a foundation of what justice and righteousness look like in a person who is knowable, God. Join us Sunday as we consider the foundation of righteousness and justice in the person of God, and let’s worship the source of virtue.

In Micah 6:8, the prophet records God’s indictment against His people, saying, for the LORD has an indictment against his people, and he will contend with Israel. In the following verses He recounts some of His saving acts for them and offers an answer to the question: what does the LORD require from His people? Sacrifices? Offerings? Mighty deeds of valor? Most of us know the famous answer, He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

But what does the prophet mean by do justice? Like many things, the world (those outside the church) has co-opted that word. When George Floyd died from his engagement with law enforcement in May of 2020, Minneapolis experienced violent riots in the name of justice. People talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as a form of social justice. Illinois recently gave 44 residents $25K as reparations, again in the name of justice. But is that justice? Join us as we consider biblical justice and worship the One from whom righteousness and justice flow.

The Apostle James addresses the emptiness of faith that isn't accompanied by works. While his main point is that genuine faith is more than assent—it is relational fellowship with Christ that produces action—he asks this question:

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that (James 2:15,16)?

Did you know that the Corinthian believers were doing just that? The believers in Jerusalem had experienced a famine and were literally starving. The churches in Macedonia (Phillipi, Berea, and Thessaloniki) which were poor people, sent a generous gift, while the wealthy Corinthians were holding back. What good is that kind of faith, especially in the context of God's generosity?

Join us this week as we consider the difference between tithing and thriving, while worshipping the greatest Giver, Christ!

Often, members of our church will ask me one or more of a series of questions: What does the Bible say about tithing? Are we supposed to give ten percent of our income to the church? Should we give ten percent of our gross or net?

Do you know the answers to these questions? Have you incorporated them into your financial stewardship of God’s gifts? Do you understand why we join in supporting a local church?

Join us Sunday as we look to Scripture and worship God for His generosity in Christ.

During an important Jewish festival, amid scrutiny and threat upon his life, Jesus goes up from Galilee to the Feast of Booths to proclaim the gospel to the Jews. Jesus makes two bold statements that seemingly point to the feast’s very purpose: God's sustaining of Israel through provision and his illuminating presence. Truth be told, Jesus Christ is in fact whom this feast ultimately points to. Jesus calls his listeners to see Him as the fountain in which they can find nourishment, and the light of the world in which they can walk not in darkness, but in the light. However, Jesus’ opponents have much to say against Jesus about his claims. We must press into these claims and at the same time, listen to the words of the Great Shepherd who seeks to bring us from the dominion of sin into the kingdom of light. 

Join us this Sunday as we listen to the teachings of Jesus found in the book of John and discover that Jesus is indeed the light of the world

In one of the great scenes of Scripture (Numbers 6:22-26), God speaks to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, 'Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” God is teaching and directing Aaron, the High Priest, to bless His people, Israel. I use this blessing, called the Aaronic Blessing, after our communion service. But notice the next verse, v27, where God says, “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”

While the Priest Aaron is ministering to God’s people, he is directed to bless them, because God is blessing them. Aaron’s blessing is predicated on God’s blessing. God’s blessing is rooted in the Surety’s pledge to atone for them. Jesus prays, “Yours they were, and you gave them to me…” (John 17:6).  Join us this Sunday as we consider the intercession of our Surety and worship Him for blessing us!

This past week we learned about Christ as our Surety. He co-signed, taking responsibility for our covenant obligations. Remember, He didn’t co-sign for a responsible partner, but for people that are spiritually bankrupt and have no hope of fulfilling their covenant obligations. 

Taking this role for our unfaithfulness came with an implied cost. When Christ took responsibility for us, He did so knowing it would require His birth and death for us. He would have to stand before the Father and atone for our breach of contract. This is part of His priestly ministry, the cost of satisfying the terms of the contract. As our Priest, He offers the required sacrifice for our sins. His sacrifice is not the end, but the means to an end. Do you know what that end goal is for Him, for us? Join us Sunday as we consider His Priestly sacrifice and worship Him for His selfless ministry on our behalf.