Commons Church Podcast

In this week’s special episode of our S5 Reads a Classic series, we dive into the enduring wisdom of philosopher and spiritual teacher Dallas Willard. Join us as we explore his vision of Christian spiritual formation, the kingdom of God, and the slow, transformative work of grace in our lives.

Whether you're new to Willard or returning to his work with fresh eyes, this sermon will challenge and encourage you to rethink disc...

Dive into Week 2 of our "Reads a Classic" series as Scott introduces us to Brother Lawrence and his timeless classic, The Practice of the Presence of God. Discover how this 17th-century lay monk found profound spiritual transformation in the ordinary, mundane tasks of daily life.

Last week, Bobbi took us on a wild ride with Saint Hildegard of Bingen's Scivias—if you missed it, catch up now! This week, we explore Brother Law...

Join Bobbi as she kicks off a new summer series, "Reads a Classic," by diving into the life and visions of Hildegard of Bingen, a remarkable 12th-century prophet and polymath. Discover Hildegard's revolutionary take on Eve, her concept of "viriditas" (holy greening power) flowing through all creation, and her profound vision of the Sapphire Man as Christ. Bobbi encourages us to embrace the "strength of small changes" and f...

In the finale of our Colossians series, we explore Paul’s sign-off in Chapter 4—and uncover how his final greetings actually complete a sweeping movement through the letter: from the cosmic scale of Christ’s reconciliation of all things… to the gritty, intimate realities of daily life.

✨ We revisit the major themes:
 • The Cosmic Opening: Why Paul starts in the stars to talk about daily ethics.
 • Our Desires and Cont...

This sermon delves into Colossians 3:18-4:1, examining Paul's household code concerning wives, husbands, children, fathers, bondservants, and masters. It explores the ancient Greco-Roman context of these instructions, particularly the concept of the paterfamilias, and challenges traditional interpretations by highlighting Paul's radical call for Christ-like mutuality, self-emptying love, and an end to harshness within rela...

Is there something lacking in Christ’s suffering? Did Paul really mean that he could “fill up what is still lacking” in Jesus’ afflictions? And what does that mean for your life today?

In this week’s sermon, we dive deep into Colossians chapter 2, exploring the tension between divine reconciliation and human responsibility. We wrestle with profound themes like:
 • “Yeah, but…” — How Paul’s writing balances cosmic hope wi...

What does the universe have to do with your daily life?
In this opening message of our new series on Colossians, we explore the mystery and depth of Paul’s poetic vision—anchored in a Christ who holds all things together.

Join us as we unpack:

🖋 Authorship & Literary Context – Why is Colossians such an anomaly? What do scholars say about who wrote it?
📜 Ancient Christian Hymns – Is Paul quoting early worship song...

Welcome to Commons! Today, Bobbi explores the theme of marriage and partnership in our "Strange New World" series, reflecting on how the resurrection reshapes our lives. We'll dive into what the Bible says (or doesn't say!) about relationships, Jesus' teachings, and what it means to build "pocket parks" of love in our lives. Join us as we ponder love, healing, and community in light of Easter.

Topics Covered:
Marriage &a...

Baptism is more than just a ritual — it’s a layered encounter with grace that stretches from ancient Jewish practices to the earliest Christian communities. But why do we do it? And how does it shape our faith today?

In this thoughtful reflection, we explore:

• 🌊 The surprising roots of baptism in Jewish mikvah rituals
• ✝️ How John the Baptist reimagined cleansing as repentance
• 🙏 Why Jesus chose to be baptized — and...

Life is different in the light of Easter. 

Easter plops us into a world that is supposed to feel brand new. We’ve just experienced resurrection, after all. Shouldn’t the world be all white daisies and blue skies? Well, yes and no. 

The thing about living resurrection is that we live it even as we wait for it. Resurrection re-orders life with the expectation that nothing is ever really over. After the winter, there’s the warm...

The Table — not the cross — is the symbol Jesus chose to remember him by.

In this Easter reflection, we step into the Strange New World of resurrection and explore why the Eucharist, Communion, and the Lord’s Supper have always been at the heart of Christian practice. Long before the gospels were written, before theology was fully formed, the first followers of Jesus gathered around a table — and they experienced grace ...

Why does Easter begin with something as heartbreaking — and irreversible — as death?

In this honest, layered Easter message, Jeremy shares a deeply personal reflection on parenting, grief, and the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. From losing a beloved family dog to wrestling with theological shorthand that reduces Easter to a transaction, this is an exploration of why the cross is not about God’s anger — but about Go...

On this Palm Sunday, we join the joyful chorus, shouting “Hosanna!” as we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. We thank You for sending Your Son, our humble King, who comes in peace and love. As we wave our palms and lay down our cloaks, may we open our hearts to welcome him fully. Help us to follow his path of humility, service, and sacrifice. Prepare us for the journey ahead, through the joy and the sorrow, ...

Today we explore the powerful conclusion to the Lord's Prayer, examining the familiar yet mysterious lines about temptation, evil, and the well-known benediction: "For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever."

In this message, we unpack some fascinating questions:

• Why do we ask God not to lead us into temptation? Does God actually tempt us?
• What exactly is "the evil" we’re being delivered from? Is it the de...

Today, we dive into one of the most challenging and profound lines from the Lord’s Prayer: "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors," or is it "trespasses"? In this powerful exploration, we unpack the deep metaphors behind "debts" and "trespasses," examining our obligations, broken boundaries, and the true possibilities of forgiveness.

What happens when forgiveness feels unfair? Can we forgive even when we've been in...

Join Bobbi from Commons Church on March 23, 2025, as she explores the powerful line from the Lord's Prayer: "Give us today our daily bread." This isn't just about physical food, but about all our needs – physical, emotional, and spiritual.

In this thought-provoking talk, Bobbi delves into the historical and social context of this prayer, connecting it to the Exodus story and the concept of Sabbath rest. She shares personal ...

This week, we dive deep into the heart of the Lord’s Prayer—exploring what Jesus teaches us about prayer and how it can transform our spiritual lives.

We begin by reflecting on Meister Eckhart's profound reminder: "If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is 'thank you,' it will be enough." With this powerful simplicity, we enter into a discussion about how the language we choose in prayer shapes our relationship...