Rembrandt van Rijn, Christ Crucified between the Two Thieves: The Three Crosses, 1653 In a letter to early Christians in the cosmopolitan city of Corinth, the Apostle Paul writes these striking words: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power …
To Be Set on Fire :: Makoto Fujimura, “Pentecost”
Makoto Fujimura, Pentecost, Mineral Pigments and Gold on Kumohada over Board; 2008. What must the early disciples have been holding in their hearts and minds in those days after Jesus' ascended? His final words to them were drenched with weighty anticipation: "I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the …
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Jesus’ Resurrection and True Hope
Before the crucifixion, and while on His way to Jerusalem, Jesus predicts His death in conversation with His disciples three different times. In each of Jesus’ predictions of His death, there is an expanding description of the suffering, but there is a consistent description of resurrection, each time given in one final phrase: “…on the …
“Before Anything, There is God the Creator”
This past weekend at Eastbrook, we began a new preaching series entitled "In the Beginning," drawn from Genesis 1-3. This is the first part of a two-part series on Genesis 1-11 that will stretch from January through Lent up to Easter. This first week of the series I preached from Genesis 1:1-2 on the revelation …
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The Wonder of the Cross: my 2022 Good Friday message
A few people asked me if I would post my message from yesterday's Good Friday services at Eastbrook, so here it is. The message was based out of the Apostle Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 1:18: "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being …
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Matthew Erickson 