Reality Boston

True worship is costly and happens only when we recognize the worth of the one who is worthy of our worship. From Mark 12:41-44, we see a widow willing to give all she has to God, and Jesus stands in awe of her faith. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

What gift might be wrapped in this season of isolation? Most of us aren't leaping to answer such a question though it's probably an important one. From Mark 1:35-39, we'll take a look at how Jesus intentionally withdraws to be with God, regardless of what's happening around him. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

When reflecting on your deepest longing, what would you ask the Lord to do for you? In Mark 10:46-52, we see a blind man named Bartimaeus desperately cry out to Jesus as he is passing by. Jesus hears him, stops, and in his mercy, asks Bartimaeus what he'd like him to do. From this passage, we explore God's response to our desperation, and perhaps his eagerness to do so. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

As we embrace the blessing of a new year, we want to fix our hearts on the kind of faith Jesus wants us to have, his healing power, and compassion towards us. Join us as we re-discover the famous stories of Jesus' healing from Luke 8:40-60, taught by Amanda Hug. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

The arrival of the Magi to worship the newborn Jesus is a familiar story to the Christmas season. From Matthew 2:1-12, we see what it looks like to pay attention to God's revelation and respond to Him accordingly. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

On the last Sunday of Advent, we're going to take time to reflect on a popular passage of Scripture— John 3:16. If you grew up in church you know it well, and perhaps it's lost its meaning to you. But as we actively await the Messiah's second coming, we must do so by remembering his great love, humility, and lavish generosity towards us. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Many of us know the story of Jesus' birth well, and we know that his conception was nothing short of miraculous. When the angel of the Lord appears to Mary, he tells her not to be afraid, but comforts her with a reason not to fear— great joy is coming! From Luke 2:1-12, Sarah Cowan Johnson reminds us that God is with us, and is as work.

As we continue our sermon series in the season of Advent in Luke 1, we see God choose to come to us in a vulnerable state— that of an infant. Not only that, but through an unlikely woman, carefully set aside to care for and raise him. We see God's faithfulness to go to great lengths to bring salvation to the children he loves. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Each year we immerse ourselves in the story of Jesus' birth, the arrival of God-With-Us. We anticipate the arrival of what John 1 calls the "True Light", who shines into the darkness, illuminating with unsurpassed clarity who God is and what He thinks of us. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Joshua recounts the history of God’s goodness to Israel, back to the call of Abraham until the present. He leaves them with a final decision to make: who will you serve? The people choose YHWH and Joshua renews the covenant with them and sets up a memorial stone as a witness to remind the people of this choice to serve God alone. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

After allotting each tribe their land inheritance, Joshua reflects on all that God has done in his lifetime. Not one single word had failed of all the good things God promised Israel. This reminder of God’s faithfulness is also a charge to the people to remain faithful to God. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

If God is victorious and keeps his promises, why should we fear loosing the battle? When we recall the many miracles of God, our faith rises, and this should be what fuels our obedience to trust his command not to fear. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

The sin of one man in Israel has greater consequences both for himself and for the whole community than he could have imagined. God exposes this breach of covenant faithfulness and Joshua acts to uphold the justice and holiness of God. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Joshua trusts God’s unusual means and follows His instructions to capture Jericho. Without battle the city and everything in it is given to Israel. Rahab and her family are spared as promised. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Rahab and the spies. Israel crossing the Jordan River. 12 Memorial stones. This is a story about a God who accomplishes His purposes and keeps His promises. And a people who bear witness and participate in this work, for their own sake and for the sake of the world. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Joshua and the people of God find themselves in a very unfamiliar place. Moses, their leader is gone, and now they have to trust God through the leadership of Joshua to lead them to a place they have never been before. In unprecedented circumstances God calls on his people not to shrink back, but to take up the courage to step out into new places for the new season— all for His glory. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Moses asks God to appoint his successor to shepherd the people. God tells Moses to commission Joshua, a man who possesses the Spirit, to lead His people. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Pastor Rashad Clemons continues our sermon series on the life of Joshua picking up in the book of Numbers. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

Where we're headed in life is almost always tied to how we steward our present moments. The earliest recorded stories of Joshua, before he became the leader of the people of God, was of a young man who was faithful and obedient to Moses and the call of God. From Exodus 17, we explore how God calls us to steward the season we find ourselves in through the example of Joshua, the apprentice of Moses. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.

In life we're always looking for solutions to the challenges we face. If we are fortunate, we may find something that works, but more often than not, we have to move on to find something new. If we're not careful this can creep into our posture toward prayer, though effective prayer is one of persistence and perseverance. In Colossians 4 Paul exhorts the church to commit to a life of prayer until doors are opened! From this passage, Rashad Clemons explores our need and call to a devoted prayer life. For sermon slides, visit realityboston.com/teachings.