This week we heard great wisdom from Cynthia Akinsanya and Jan Pierce. While Jan was reflecting back on her life, Cynthia was reaching forward towards hope for her daughter. As we sit with what we are learning from these two amazing women, we thought we would point to another source of wisdom. For many Christians, the weekly sermon is a space where we listen or engage with what we hope will be a bit of wisdom to challenge and grow us. Even if you don't attend church, you might be familiar with the format if you like listening to podcasts or TED talks. Here are a handful of sermons that you might be interested in listening to. If you like them, most of them have something to say every week. We have linked to their YouTube channel or podcast so you can listen to more.
Pastor Tope Kuleoso
Jubilee Church London
Pastor Tope gave this brief sermon four months ago after George Floyd was killed. He speaks directly about how the Gospel compels us to speak up against injustice. Everyone take a moment to listen to this genuine outlook.
Professor Miguel De La Torre
The Bible for Normal People
In this dialogue between Bible scholars and Professor of Social Ethics and Latinx Studies, Miguel De La Torre, shares why we all need to examine where our biblical interpretations come from and why we need to diversify our understandings of the Bible.
Tim Mackie
The Bible Project
Tim Mackie is co-creator of the Bible project. You can listen to him go in depth with Biblical theme with his co-creator and guest speaks at The Bible Project Podcast. You can also listen to some stellar sermons that he gave at Door of Hope Church in Portland, Oregon by listening to the "Exploring My Strange Bible Podcast." We especially love his explanation of heaven and earth- and what that means as we live on Earth.
Brooke Prentis
The Bible for Normal People
Continuing their feature of Bible wisdom from a non-western perspective, the Bible scholars at "The Bible for Normal People" interview Brooke Prentis an Aboriginal leader and CEO of a Christian organization in Australia called Common Grace. On this episode, she shares with us some Aboriginal perspectives on the Bible and how the Bible speaks to the injustices that Aboriginal people have faced and continue to face. It was an eye opening preach! Give it a listen.
Pastor Will Vollstadt
Grace and Glory Community Church, Vancouver Washington USA
This sermon also came 4 month ago, but instead of an urban church in London, a small predominantly white church on the West coast of America. In this sermon we hear from various members of the church as they reflect and move towards real change in their daily lives. We also highly recommend the sermon on Lament, which came the week before this one. Will has been listening, learning and being transformed along with the church he walks with.
Pastor Rob Bell
The Rob Cast
Rob Bell has been reviving the art of the sermon for a number of decades. Now, he shares his thoughts on the Rob Cast, a podcast that includes sermons, interviews, and thoughtful riffs. His sermon this summer called "We Hung Our Harps" moved us, especially in the midst of the pandemic, election, and the issues facing us today. For a different take on a life sermon, we recommend "An Introduction to Joy."
