Covenant and Promise:

A Conversation in Contrasts

During the Lenten season, our sermons will focus on a number of covenants that have been established between God and humanity. Each week, we will consider a thesis from the Hebrew scripture (demonstrating the brokenness of the covenant) and an antithesis from the Christian testament (suggesting a contrasting promise of restoration or reconciliation).

The season of Lent is an experiential conversation of the same sort – life is fallen, in ways, personal and systemic, that we know all too well. This forty-day journey is a call to reflect on the very brokenness of our condition. Yet Christian faith hopes, already, anticipating confirmation of that hope, especially as we look toward the celebration of Easter morning.

We will trace this thesis of brokenness through a number of contemporary issues, from environmental decay to the problem of suffering ("Why do bad things happen to good people?"), and will find that the ultimate contrast in conversation is found in the Cross of Jesus Christ -- the ultimate example, and the ultimate Christian metaphor for the love of God -- in Jesus, God takes on our brokenness. The final resolution of the conversation is left for Easter Sunday, as we find the brokenness of humanity transformed, renewed, in resurrection, for “Suffering is not redeemed by being explained, but by being transformed “(Bill Hull).

Lent 1: March 9 - Russ Dean

Covenant, Cloud, and the Promise of Water

Genesis 9.8-17; 1 Peter 3.18-22

Lent 2: March 16 - Russ Dean

Covenant, Contradiction, and the Promise of Faith

Genesis 17.1-7, 15-16 and Romans 4.13-25

Lent 3: March 23 - Amy Jacks Dean

Covenant, Commandment, and the Promise of the Cross

Exodus 20.1-17 and 1 Corinthians 1.18-25

Lent 4: March 30 - Russ Dean

Covenant, Curse, and the Promise of Life

Number 21.4-9 and John 3.14-21

Lent 5: April 6 - Amy Jacks Dean

Covenant, Continuance, and the Promise of Forever

Jeremiah 31.31-34 and Hebrews 5.5-10

Palm Sunday: April 13 - Amy Jacks Dean

Covenant, Crucifixion and the Death of a Promise

Psalm 31.9-16 and Mark 15.1-34

Easter Sunday: April 20 - Russ Dean

“Nothing Can Separate Us…” -- The Transformation of Brokenness

Isaiah 25.6-9 and Romans 8.31-39