Messages on the Atonement
Photograph: A mosaic of fishes and loaves in the Catacombs of Priscilla, in Rome. Photo credit: Berthold Werner | Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons. Early Christians recalled these symbols because Jesus did a multiplication miracle of bread and fish, twice, to feed crowds of people (Matthew 14 - 15; Mark 6 - 7). At a minimum, Jesus used these miracles to represent his feeding people spiritually through his teaching.
Below are evangelistic messages, and then biblical expository messages from various speakers.
Evangelistic Messages on Jesus
The Healing of Human Nature in Jesus
A 30 minute video of a message given to students at Boston College, Nov 15, 2013. This message is rooted in the story of Jesus going through his baptism and wilderness temptation, in Matthew 3:13 - 4:11, reflecting his commitment to fix and fulfill his human nature by going all the way through his faithful life, death, and resurrection, in order to share himself with us by his Spirit.
The Role of Jesus in Revolution and the Pursuit of Justice
A written message, graphics included, on how Jesus inspired twentieth-century non-violent resistance movements around the world, and why. Spotlights Tolstoy in Russia; Gandhi in South Africa and India; Ahn Chang-ho in Korea; the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S.; the Filipino People Power Revolution; Solidarity in Poland; the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa. This is a shining thread of moral clarity, courage, and hope during humanity’s bloodiest century.
A written message and slides on how Jesus brought about a radical change to human history. Christian faith brought about dramatic improvements in health care and hospitals, abolition, education and schools, science and technology, criminal justice reform, and beauty and the arts.
The God You've Already Experienced: Weird Coincidences, Supernatural Events, Funny Feelings
A message about experiencing unusual things, and how to interpret them.
The Desire for a Happy Ending: Interpreting the Movies, Songs, and Stories Around Us
Slides to a presentation. We like happy ending stories because we long for an actual happy ending for the world. This workshop groups all belief systems into not happy ending vs. happy ending stories; and then internal vs. external villains.
Text of a message which delves into the biblical story as the original happy ending story, and other happy ending stories as parodies that change the plot arc, villain, and hero. The message is accompanied by this chart.
The Desire for a Happy Ending: Interpreting the Movies, Songs, and Stories Around Us
We like happy ending stories because we long for an actual happy ending for the world. This workshop groups all belief systems into not happy ending vs. happy ending stories; and then internal vs. external villains.
Where is God in Pain, Especially Mine?
Text and slides of message about God being not behind your pain, with you in your pain, and ahead of your pain pulling you through it.
Desires, Beliefs, and How We Know Truth
Presentation on how desires are a consideration, but not the first or only criteria, in how we know truth.
Sex and Social Justice: Does the Christian View of Sex Make Any Sense?
Text of a message exploring how the Western, individualistic framework of modernism and postmodernism does not give us a relational framework for ethics; that means "sexual freedom" also logically leads to exploitative "economic freedom."
This video is part 4 of our series on The Theology of Marvel Studio’s Black Panther, which offers us an illustration of a healing atonement. We discuss the parallels to Jesus, where T’Challa’s descent and ascent is rooted in his willingness to suffer again, for others, and even to honor others. That is unlike Killmonger’s refusal to suffer again. T’Challa is therefore a Christ-figure, in the framework of resisting the lure of Empire, and wanting to wisely share the gift from above. Jesus’ determination to lead his people to give to the world the gift from above — the Spirit of God — was the only real option for Israel and the good Creator God who called Israel into partnership.
Our video series, The Theology of Marvel’s Black Panther, is found on our Arts and Theology page and our YouTube channel, where we put brief descriptions of each video. It’s a great way to engage people who have an appreciation for the movies, especially if they are also activists at heart, and wonder why we firmly argue that Christian faith is not a “white man’s religion.” Dr. Vince Bantu, Assistant Professor of Church History at Fuller Seminary and Founder-Director of the Meachum School of Haymanot, joins Mako Nagasawa to appreciate Marvel's Black Panther.
This video is part 7 of our series on The Theology of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. It offers us as an illustration of a healing atonement. The hero’s journey is a successful retelling of the past stories of tragic heroes. The hero’s resistance to external evil and defeat of internal evil is atonement and salvation. Just as Gandalf retold Saruman’s story, Aragorn retold Isildur’s story, and Frodo retold Smeagol’s story (almost), Jesus retold Israel’s story, David’s story, and Adam and Eve’s story. He had to: they set up the conditions of sin-sickened humanity, exile, and conflict that we all inherit and must struggle against.
Our video series, The Theology of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, is found on our Arts and Theology page and our YouTube channel, where we put brief descriptions of each video. It’s a great way to engage people who have an appreciation for the stories. Each video has questions for group discussion and/or personal reflection.
Slides to a 40 minute presentation. A fun exploration of J.K. Rowling's reliance on Christian motifs and the biblical plot arc. The 7 books form a literary chasm. Why is book 4 the turning point of the 7 books? Blood and life are highlighted as Voldemort took Harry’s blood into himself. Why do the two New Testament passages quoted in book 7 — about the heart’s treasure and the death being overcome — summarize the whole story? Why did Harry have to surrender his life? The answers to these questions are reflections on Jesus and his importance.
Expository Messages on Jesus
For tips for pastors and preachers on crafting messages, see Preachers’ Corner. See also our Healing Atonement 2019 Conference.
The Healing of Human Nature in Jesus
Speaker: Mako Nagasawa. A 30 minute video of a message given to students at Boston College, Nov 15, 2013. This message is rooted in the story of Jesus going through his baptism and wilderness temptation, in Matthew 3:13 - 4:11, reflecting his commitment to fix and fulfill his human nature by going all the way through his faithful life, death, and resurrection, in order to share himself with us by his Spirit. See more Matthew and Luke.
A message on the Transfiguration of Jesus. A Vimeo video recording of Mako Nagasawa preaching on Matthew 17:1 - 8 and 20 at Newton Covenant Church in January 2023, on the theme of mountains not as obstacles but as places God was present in ancient Israel.
Images of God in a Broken World
Speaker: Mako Nagasawa. The following three messages were given at a weekend retreat. Images of God in a Broken World is the first; it explains why, in a broken world, we get the impression that if there is a “god,” that “god” is evil, at least partially. Jesus is the Image of God is the second; it is an explanation of Colossians 1:15 - 20, how Jesus is the accurate and perfect image of God despite our broken world, because he healed human nature in himself via his life, death, and resurrection. In Jesus, We Are God’s Image Bearers is the third; it is from Colossians 3:5 - 4:6, about how Jesus renews the image of God in us by his Spirit, to share God's goodness in a broken world.
God's Response to Human Evil: The Faithfulness of Jesus
Speaker: Mako Nagasawa. Text of a message from Romans 3:21 - 26 about how Jesus’ faithfulness as a human being reflects and expresses the faithfulness of God to His promises to Israel, to bring about a healed human heart. See more Romans.
Text of a message that reflects on our desire for love, meaning, and justice. Where do these desires come from? Are they connected to the God who reveals Himself in Jesus Christ? This might be called the “problem of goodness,” specifically human goodness. This was the first of three messages at a retreat. The second is Jesus Is God’s New Humanity, from Romans 5:12 - 21. This message explores how Jesus became a “new Adam,” fulfilling the role that God originally set forth for Adam and Eve. The third was God's Victory Over Human Evil in Jesus — the text of a message from Romans 6:1 - 11 about how Jesus’ death and resurrection was the way he triumphed over the corruption of sin in the human nature he took on, and how we die and rise with Jesus to share in that victory. For more on this, see How Our Choices Shape Our Desires: Experiencing the Triune God, the text of a message on Genesis 1 - 2 and Proverbs 2 leading into questions for reflection and/or discussion. The message was given to students at Boston College, and reflects the concerns to discern God’s will as far as vocation and career and major are concerned. If you enjoy these topics, see our section on Desire: Jesus Leads Us to True Beauty.
Speaker: Jeremy Shuck; Upper Room Frisco, Jun 13, 2021.
Advent Part 1: Hope for Healing from Our Sin-Sickness
Speaker: Jesse Harden, New Creation Albuquerque, NM, Nov 28, 2021. A 30 minute podcast sermon on Advent 2021 week 1, on Deuteronomy 30:6 and Jeremiah 31:31 - 34. “The Great Physician, Jesus Christ, has shared in our diseased humanity, so that we might share in his healed humanity. The Spirit of God is coming to us and the world now, healing and restoring us to new life.”
Advent Part 2: Healing as Our Stories Retold
Speaker: Jesse Harden, New Creation Albuquerque, NM, Dec 5, 2021. A 25 minute podcast sermon on Advent 2021 week 2, on Matthew 3:13 - 4:11. “God in Jesus by his Spirit is re-telling your story, healing the wounds of sin you’ve inflicted on others and that others have inflicted on you. God is making peace in your humanity with God, others and all Creation.”
Speaker: Jesse Harden, New Creation Albuquerque, NM, Dec 12, 2021. A 36 minute podcast sermon on Advent 2021 week 3, on 1 John 1:1 - 4. "In a sin sick world of disconnection and relational trauma, we proclaim that joy is possible: The place of your wounding is the place of your healing. Jesus is inviting you back home into the healing relationship of joyful connection in the life of God. Join us as we discover how neuroscience reveals, not only the devastating effects of relational sin, but also how our brains can be healed and restored by God in and through the life and presence of Jesus with us. Joy is life lived in the loving presence of Jesus."
Advent Part 4: Healing Love, and the Gospel in Chairs
Speaker: Jesse Harden, New Creation Albuquerque, NM, Dec 19, 2021. A 35 minute podcast sermon on Advent 2021 week 4. “We conclude and culminate our Advent series, exploring healing atonement, with the "Gospel in Chairs," comparing two versions of the salvation story: 1. The more modern, Western, and legal/retributive model with 2. The more ancient, restorative/healing story of God revealed in Jesus.”
Who is Jesus? Exploring Two Christian Traditions
Speaker: Mako Nagasawa. Presentation slides for a 40 minute presentation on medical vs. penal substitution; focus on Psalm 22.
The King Who Entered Our Sin and Suffering
Speaker: Mako Nagasawa. Text and slides of a message on Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12. See more Isaiah.
Speaker: Mako Nagasawa. Text of a message on 1 John 4:9 - 14. See more John.
Speaker: Mako Nagasawa. Text of a message on John 1:14 - 18. See more John.
Beyond "Near and Far": Jesus Overcomes Shame and Alienation
Speaker: Mako Nagasawa. Text of a message on Ephesians 2:11 - 22. See more Ephesians.
Jesus Frees Us from the Evil One
Speaker: Mako Nagasawa. Text of a message on Matthew 3:13 - 4:11; alternatively, Luke 3:21 - 4:13. See more Matthew and Luke.
Speaker: Gino Curcuruto, The Table Philly, Philadelphia, PA, Dec 12, 2021. Text of a sermon on Malachi 3:1 - 4 and Luke 3:7 - 16, following the Revised Common Lectionary, Year 3.
See more resources in our Preacher’s Corner section, or check out more resources on Scripture or related to Scripture
Bible Studies and Messages from The Anástasis Center:
