Bizarre Jesus – August Sermon Series

Think the latest escapades by Lindsay Lohan and Mel Gibson are outlandish?  Baffled by the content featured on MTV’s “Jersey Shore”? Check this out: What about a healer that used spit and mud?  Or an exorcist who casts demons into pigs? How about a deity that shows up four days late for a funeral?

Think you know Jesus? Think Again.
Bizarre Jesus: Unraveling the strange to discover the sacred.

Download the August Tabloid Here (Bulletin)

The Late Late Show – Week 1
Lazarus Raised From the Dead – John 11

Lazarus, brother of Martha and Mary, died at his home over a week ago.  Suffering from an unknown illness, his devoted sisters sent for the Galilean miracle-worker, Jesus.  They believed that Lazarus, a dear friend of Jesus’, would be healed.  Yet, when word of Lazarus’ illness reached Jesus, He delayed and Lazarus died.  Jesus late?  Does it make any sense that the One who ordered the universe wouldn’t be on time?  Nope. Seems a bit strange. But, what happened next was even stranger.

Egg (Mud) On Your Face – Week 2
Blind Beggar Healed – Mark 8 / John 9

“I can’t explain it,” said the blind man.  ”I don’t know if He used all organic ingredients or what.  All I know is that I was blind; now, I can see.”  So stated a blind beggar miraculously healed by Jesus.  Blind since his birth, this beggar volunteered as an illustration in the Teacher’s latest sermon.  However, when Jesus spit on the ground, made mud, and rubbed it in his eyes, this beggar got more than he bargained for.  Eyesight restored, he’s still baffled.  ”I can’t believe he spit on me but I’m grateful!”

As the Tables Turn – Week 3
Jesus Cleanses the Temple – Matthew 21

Galvanized Galilean.  Rampaging Rabble-Rouser.  Mad Messiah.  Whatever possessed Jesus of Nazareth to destroy the merchant tables inside the Temple Court?  We may never know.  What we do know – He was angry and surprisingly in shape.  He flipped solid oak tables as if they weighed nothing.  He flung gold and silver as if they were light as feathers.  Jesus’ bizarre antics once again raised the question, “Who is He and what is He up to?”

Swine Stampede – Week 4
Local Lunatic Found Sane – Mark 5

You’ve heard the rumors.  The town of Gerasa was spooky.  Well, maybe not the whole town but near the cemetery, wild screams would be heard.  Whispers of a mad man on the loose, muttering to himself and running naked among the tombs.  But then, Jesus came.  What was a good, Jewish boy like Jesus doing in a cemetery, next to a pig farm?  Good question.  ”Didn’t anyone tell Him that a raving lunatic lives there?” exclaimed a local resident.  Yep, Jesus had heard of the lunatic.  What happened next?  Bizarre beyond words; just ask the pig farmer.

Letter “D” – All of the Above – Week 5
The Rich Young Ruler – Luke 18

A wealthy bachelor.  A poor preacher.  A most unlikely offer.  Jesus, the itinerant prophet from Galilee, invited a rich, young ruler to become his disciple.  One catch:  the prosperous politician must sell all he owns. Every possession; no exceptions.  Would he give up all his riches to live as a penniless vagabond?  Would you?