Ecclesia Princeton

Every person has a purpose and calling from God. We open our teaching series on vocation looking at our shared human calling. What does it mean to be human? And how does that determine the things that we do?Support the show

From Luke 24, two disciples are led to a revelation  of the risen Christ. Jesus patiently listens, asks questions, narrates the story, and shares a meal leaving their “hearts burning within” (Luke 24:32)Support the show

Can beauty truly save our fractured world? Our latest episode navigates the depths of this profound question, guided by the Gospel of John and the stark realities of a world ensnared by darkness. Amid the chaos, we dissect the enduring symbol of the cross, delving into the paradox of finding beauty within an instrument of death. It's a journey through the shadows, where Jesus Christ's ultimate sacrifice emerges as an unexpected beacon of transformative power, beckoning us to step into the light and acknowledge the arresting beauty that promises redemption.Support the show

John 12 depicts Mary offering perfume at Jesus' feet and the crowds offering palms as Jesus rides into Jerusalem. What is the scripture's vision for the kind of offering that we bring to Jesus and how is all of it taken up into the hands of Jesus in his great offering of peace? Support the show

Ecclesia Director of Prayer and College Ministries looks at the parable of the Good Samaritan and what it tells us about doing God's will and responding to needs that are right in front of us. Support the show

The call to suffer alongside Jesus is central and clear. So how do we as the people of God distinguish between the different sorts of suffering in the world? How do we heed Jesus' call to carry our cross and to join the fellowship of his sufferings? Support the show

Pastor Ian Graham looks at a simple for doing God's will moving from delighting in his presence (as he delights over us), having our desires refined by his beauty, goodness, and truth, and then moving to face the demands of the day. We pray this teaching is a blessing to you! Support the show

Pastor Ian Graham continues our series examining "Doing The Will of God" by looking Holy Spirit's role in empowering us to live our lives in freedom and peace of Christ. He contrasts that with the scripts of our culture that promise freedom and yet bring only slavery and addiction. References to Carol Dweck, Ted Gioia, and Hans urs Von Balthasar. Support the show

Pastor Ian Graham begins our Lenten teaching series with a "choose your own adventure" teaching reflecting the remarkable freedom we have within the bounds of God's love and will. Support the show

One of the most surprising ways that God speaks is through our pain and loss. Pastor Ian Graham looks at episodes from the life of Jesus that demonstrate the voice of God in the midst of suffering and sorrow. He describes how Jesus speaks not just into our pain but from it, through it, and over it. Support the show

Have you ever found yourself questioning the true nature of prophecy, or perhaps been taken aback by someone claiming to have received a divine message? My personal journey with faith and prophecy has been one of skepticism and discovery, a path that has led me from a scripture-centric childhood to grappling with the vivid reality of spiritual experiences. Today, drawing from the poignant advice in Colossians 3:12-17, we unravel the Biblical essence of prophecy, seeing it not as a crystal ball but as a divine conversation starter. Together, we'll redefine this misunderstood aspect of faith, as I recount stories of moments when God's voice echoed through prophecy, compelling us to look beyond our doubts and lean into an intimate relationship with the divine.In the heart of our conversation, the transformative power of prophetic words takes center stage, especially as we navigate life's intricate mazes. Whether it's finding the right words in a tough conversation or witnessing a loved one's struggle, I open up about how prayer and listening for God's guidance can be incredibly impactful. Sharing tales of hope, humility, and the sacred art of discernment, this episode celebrates the positive reinforcement prophetic words can bring, spotlighting their capacity to affirm our gifts, inspire growth, and dismantle the lies that bind us. We'll delve into the significance of community in nurturing each individual's calling, with a nod to church leadership's role in this spiritual dance.Wrapping up our soulful discussion, we call upon every church member to recognize the irreplaceable role they play in weaving the tapestry of a thriving faith community. From college students to venerable church elders, we discuss how each voice contributes to the collective wisdom and how encouragement emboldens us all. I'll share instances where God has communicated through scripture and personal encounters, urging every member to embrace their gifts and join our prayer team's mission to support every soul in our midst. Let's come together to speak into each other's lives, fostering a sanctuary where prophetic words and prayer are not just concepts but lived experiences.Support the show

Are the sacred and the scientific in eternal conflict, or can they inform and enrich one another? Join me, Pastor Ian Graham, as we navigate these waters, offering a new perspective on the age-old debate. With philosophical insight from Charles Taylor and a deep dive into the construction of the Bible, we illuminate the dance between earthly knowledge and divine wisdom. This episode promises to shed light on the complexities of scripture, the canonization process, and the profound spiritual insights that can coexist alongside scientific explanations.Our journey through the Bible's formation reveals the intricate process that determined which books were included and which were left out. Discover the stories behind the Gospel writers like Mark and Luke, who, despite not being direct disciples of Jesus, contributed critically to the New Testament we know today. As we peel back the layers of biblical poetry and genre, we uncover the hermeneutics and authority of Jesus in interpreting scripture. Understand the weight of the texts that guide our morals and actions, and see how they have inspired generations to live out their faith authentically.We wrap up with an extraordinary tale of courage and compassion from the villagers of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon during World War II, who embodied the teachings of the Bible through their actions. This episode isn't just an exploration of spiritual texts; it's an invitation to witness the lived impact of these teachings on real people facing extraordinary circumstances. You're invited to open your heart to the transformative power of scripture, as we delve into how it can guide us in making moral choices and facing life's challenges with faith and courage.Support the show

Have you ever wanted Jesus to just tell you plainly what he's talking about? Well, in the Parable of the Sower, he does exactly that? We examine the four soils from Jesus' brilliant story and how they intersect with our lives and our world.  Join us for week two in our teaching series on hearing the voice of God. Support the show

Pastor Ian Graham begins our new teaching series as we seek to be people who hear God’s voice. Support the show

As the frost of conflict thawed on that remarkable Christmas in 1914, soldiers exemplified an incredible humanity, daring to embrace hope and unity amidst the horrors of World War I. Our latest episode delves into the Christmas Truce, where British and German troops crossed the scarred no man's land to share fleeting moments of peace, play soccer, and sing carols. It's a narrative that not only revisits a poignant slice of history but also serves as a powerful allegory for the Christmas story's potential to echo in our lives today—binding us together in the spirit of harmony and reflection.Journey with us as we uncover the joyous essence of the Christmas narrative, stepping beyond its traditional religious confines and into its universal themes of liberation and elation. We unwrap the significance of these themes, akin to the anticipation of giving a heartfelt gift, and compare them to the often grim canvas of today's news. Through stories of personal transformations and the retelling of C.S. Lewis's magical tale, we invite you to connect with the continuous presence of the divine in our modern existence. It's a call to rediscover the intimacy of the Gospel and the personal resonance of faith, as we share in the celebration of salvation and the promise of God's closeness.Support the show

Pastor Ian Graham looks at Zechariah's "punishment" of silence and how it may not be a penalty at all, but rather an invitation to take our place in the story of God's redemption. Support the show

Pastor Ian Graham looks at the way the angels’ commands to not be afraid meet us in the very real confines of our fears and uncertainties.Support the show

Pastor Ian Graham begins our advent teaching series by looking at the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth and the words of the angel that announce that a new hope is dawning. Support the show

Andrew Ojeda looks at the parable of the banquet in Luke 14 and invites us to consider the radical grace of Jesus that invites one and all to come to the feast. Support the show

Pastor Ian Graham looks at the joy available to us through the life that God offers us. The psalms are an invitation to live as fully human and to live as citizens of his beautiful kingdom. Support the show