First Presbyterian Church Of San Anselmo

We are beginning a sermon series exploring courtroom scenes in Scripture -- scenes that bring real life in focus as we seek some glimpse of the truth. In Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate, Pilate asks the question, "What is truth?" What we find: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. We are sent now to testify to that truth, that Word embodied in us.

God is sovereign by sharing God’s own freedom with us, urging us to live out the self-giving love of Christ.

In Christ, we are citizens of a new humanity, where all of us belong and participate in the fullness of life. Citizenship is about belonging – that deepest of human needs. And citizenship is about the quality of participation that we put back into the community into which we all have been welcomed.

In a world that would tear them apart, Jonathan and David choose a better way. Friendship is a chosen relationship with another person in which we come to agree to see and be seen by the other; to act for the other’s good; to be present with each other in challenge and struggle; and to be a loving place to which we can always return. In a world that would separate and tear folks apart, God gives us friendship as a way of living out, with each other, God’s own love and loyalty – God’s own hesed – God’s own unshakeoffable love. 

Juneteenth calls us to remember and celebrate freedom and liberation, but also insists that we remember slavery and its continuing impact on our world today. God creates us all equally human, and insists that we work for the freedom and equality of all. 

Pentecost is a tale of wind and flame that becomes flesh and bone before our very eyes and ears – one that we can touch and taste and experience in our very bodies. While the day of Pentecost begins in the loneliness of loss and separation, in its mighty wind and crown of flame, we see connection – God and us – us and us. No separation – a leveling of power-over, a lifting up of all we are, and a radiating out so that no one is left out.

The Way of Resurrection is “enfleshed freedom” – an end to every separation and the freedom of every body. By the power of the Spirit, the Way of Resurrection moves us ever and always into more healing, more freedom, more life.

Radiating out with God’s expansive embrace, the Way of Resurrection unfolds in the complexity of human relationship – in the complexity of community.

In the Way of Resurrection, the Spirit radiates out in ever-expanding circles of embrace. In the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch, we see that God welcomes everyone all the way in.

The "Way of Resurrection" is embodied in us. In the Body of the Risen Christ, "Stretch out your hand to heal and bring to life signs and wonders in the name of Jesus."

We are witnesses to the Resurrection in what we have seen and heard, and in the lives we live.

The Good News of Easter Morning is a Word of life, love, and abounding grace.

As the Hosannas! of Palm Sunday fade, and as the NOs of Holy Week begin to build, Jesus continues to say YES.

Jesus is the Christ we follow into the suffering of the world, who raises us up into life.

Out of our fear, Jesus calls us to take courage, trust, and walk out into the storm – like Jesus, with Jesus – to sink and rise up again.

Forgiveness can come to life in many forms. Jesus encourages us that we can find (and extend) forgiveness in more ways than we think.

Jesus seeks out and calls Peter (and us) into relationship - into community that embodies good news for the poor, healing for every hurt, and freedom from every oppression.

In experiences that are beyond us, God is always bigger, always stronger, always moving the world toward justice, healing, and peace.