Jesus at 2AM - A Humorous, Intelligent Look at the Bible, Church History & the Life of Faith

What more appropriate end to a letter such as Romans than a prayer, particularly a prayer in praise of God's goodness and glory? In this episode we examine Paul's closing doxology in detail and in the process review all that we have learned from him about the saving work of God. If it has the effect Paul intends, our ultimate response will be one of thankful worship expressed in carrying on the work of Jesus to the ends of the earth.   The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Romans 16:25-27 (NRSV) Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

As Paul approaches the conclusion of his letter, he extends personal greetings individuals in Rome. It's a list of mostly Greek names that we know little about, struggle to pronounce and are very much inclined to skip. BUT...if we take the time to examine the details, we discover a great deal about the structure of the Roman church (and the early church in general), not least the prominence of women in leadership (named apostles!) - a role that was sadly lost for centuries and needs to be reestablished! The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Romans 16:1-(24?) (NRSV)   Want to see the very first Jesus at 2AM video: Essentials of Church History, Part 01?  Click here! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

As he approaches the end of his letter, Paul turns his attention to immediate and personal matters, most particularly his plans for the future - plans for trips to Jerusalem (to deliver a financial offering) and to Spain (to proclaim the gospel). In doing so, Paul opens an important window into himself and the world of the 1st century church. But he also allows us to see - in retrospect - how God was at work in ways that even Paul did not foresee. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Romans 15:14-16:2 (NRSV) Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The followers of Jesus are tragically prone to argue with each other. We bicker about theology, about worship, about piety and morality, sometimes to the point of church schism (the undoing of the very community we are called to create). So it is now, and so it was for the first century Roman church. In this episode, we look at Paul's instruction to the Roman congregation regarding church unity amidst conflict, and his insistence that the mature in faith be patient, and the immature be humble. A lesson we all need! The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Romans 14:1-15:13 (NRSV) Love beer? Going to be anywhere near Spokane, WA? You have to visit Lumberbeard Brewing Co.! Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The call to love the other - the neighbor, the stranger, even the enemy - is foundational to the Christian life. But why are we to love them? And perhaps even more importantly, how? Where do we find the mean to love those with whom we have no natural bond or affection, or perhaps those who would do us harm? In this episode we examine Paul's instruction on the love of other and how it is to be achieved. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Romans 13:8-14 (NRSV) Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The foundational confession of Christianity is that Jesus is Lord (and thus Caesar is not). So what are Christian to do with Caesar? What role has the civil government? In this episode Paul takes up the question of the relationship between the church and the state and arrives - as you might expect - at a very nuanced answer. Civil government is ordained by God, but that does not mean every governor is a divine appointee. How Christians are to navigate the distinction is the subject of this sermon. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Romans 13:1-7 (NRSV) Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Sometimes life hands us the worst case scenario. This is a sermon about those moments and where we can find hope. It is not a sermon of platitude or cheap advice, but a deep look at scripture's own articulation of hope as found in Psalm 46. It's a poem none of us wants to need. But when we need it, we are so grateful for its presence. If you'd like to read the poem, you can find it here: Psalm 46 (NRSV)     Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

It will come as no surprise that, as Paul turns his attention to daily Christian living, love once again takes center stage. Having allowed our minds to be shaped by the Holy Spirit, now we are to live out the love of God toward others in some very specific ways. In this episode Paul details the manner of love that befits the Christian life - a manner which turns out to mirror the very love of Christ. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Romans 12:9-21 (NRSV) Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Having revolutionized Hebrew theology, Paul now turns his attention to practice - how we are to live as the people of God for whom future salvation is breaking into the present, people who possess the Holy Spirit in our individual and collective center. And Paul's answer begins with nothing less than the very transformations of our minds. In this episode, guest preacher Joe Haley takes us through the passage that begins Paul's new section on Christian living in the real world. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Romans 12:1-8 (NRSV) Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

At last we arrive at the ultimate question: Who is saved? We know by now that the answer is "the elect" (those whom God chooses to save). But who are the elect? Does God simply pick some for salvation (and either actively or passively choose others for damnation)? Does God turn the question back on us and let us determine for ourselves? Or is there a way in which God saves...everyone? In this episode we examine the conclusion to Paul's explanation of the salvation of the world and who is included. The biblical passage referenced in this sermon is:  Romans 11:25-36 (NRSV) Want more content from Jesus at 2AM?? Learn how to become a patron! Want to connect? You can send e-mail here. Or find Jesus at 2AM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.