Embracing Community: Light, Love, and Ongoing Salvation

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Love for the World Includes Everyone

The love of God is not limited or exclusive; it is a love that encompasses all people, regardless of background, belief, or identity. This love is not about drawing lines between “us” and “them,” but about breaking down barriers and inviting everyone into belonging. In a world that often divides and scapegoats, the message that “God so loved the world” calls us to see each person as beloved and worthy. This radical inclusivity is at the heart of the gospel and challenges us to extend grace and compassion to all, especially in times of tension and division. [45:44]

John 3:16-17 (ESV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Reflection: Who in your life or community do you find it hardest to see as included in God’s love? What is one step you can take today to extend compassion or understanding toward them?

Day 2: Bearing Light in Unbearable Times

Even in the darkest and most difficult moments, each person carries a light within that can shine hope and comfort to others. Bearing witness to one another’s pain, holding space in silence, and offering presence are sacred acts that help sustain community through hardship. When words fail or sighs are too deep, simply showing up and sharing light—literally or figuratively—can be a powerful act of faith and solidarity. In times of grief, fear, or uncertainty, the collective light of a caring community cannot be extinguished. [37:14]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Reflection: When was the last time you offered your presence or a small act of kindness to someone in pain? How might you bear light for someone this week, even if words are hard to find?

Day 3: Challenging the Scapegoat Mentality

The tendency to blame or scapegoat others for the problems of a group is ancient, but it is not the way of Christ. The call is to reject systems and theologies that justify exclusion, violence, or the need for a scapegoat, whether in religion or society. Instead, we are invited to recognize the dignity and worth of every person, refusing to participate in cycles of blame or division. This means standing against narratives that pit “us” against “them” and working for justice and reconciliation in our communities. [50:16]

Leviticus 16:7-10 (ESV)
“Then he shall take the two goats and set them before the Lord at the entrance of the tent of meeting. And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the Lord and the other lot for Azazel. And Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell for the Lord and use it as a sin offering, but the goat on which the lot fell for Azazel shall be presented alive before the Lord to make atonement over it, that it may be sent away into the wilderness to Azazel.”

Reflection: Where do you see scapegoating or blame at work in your own life, community, or the wider world? What is one way you can resist this pattern and instead affirm the value of those who are marginalized?

Day 4: Salvation as Healing and Transformation

Salvation is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process of healing, growth, and transformation. It is experienced in the daily acts of forgiveness, community, and choosing love over anger or despair. The teachings of Jesus offer a way of life that saves us from bitterness, isolation, and cynicism, inviting us into deeper belonging and purpose. This salvation is not about appeasing a distant or angry God, but about being made whole through love, connection, and the willingness to change. [42:27]

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you sense a need for healing or transformation? What is one small practice you can begin today to open yourself to God’s ongoing work of salvation in you?

Day 5: Unity Without Conformity

True community is built not on uniformity of thought, but on the willingness to hold space for diverse perspectives and experiences. Unity does not require everyone to agree, but it does require respect, listening, and the courage to share honestly. In a world that pressures us to conform or divide, the church is called to be a place where all are safe to bring their whole selves, to question, and to grow together in love. This kind of unity is a gift that strengthens and sustains us, especially in tense or uncertain times. [55:37]

Romans 15:5-7 (ESV)
“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

Reflection: How can you practice welcoming and listening to someone in your community whose perspective is different from your own? What would it look like to create space for unity without demanding conformity today?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered as a community to hold space for one another in a week marked by grief, anxiety, and the need for deep connection. We began by acknowledging the real highs and lows in our lives, especially in light of recent tragedies and the loss of beloved members. In this space, when we ask, “How are you?” we truly mean it, and we make room for both spoken and unspoken prayers, trusting that God hears even our sighs too deep for words. Lighting candles and sharing silence, we bore witness to each other’s burdens and joys, affirming that even in silence, we are bearing light for one another.

We reflected on the meaning of salvation and what it means to be “saved” by Jesus. Salvation is not a one-time event but an ongoing process—being saved from anger, cynicism, and despair, and being drawn into a life of forgiveness, peace, and belonging. The teachings and example of Jesus, and the love we share in community, continually rescue us from the forces that would divide and diminish us. In a world that often feels fractured and polarized, we are reminded that Jesus is for all of us, not just for some, and that God’s love knows no boundaries.

A central focus was the critique of substitutionary atonement—the idea that God required Jesus’ death as a payment for human sin. This theology, though influential, is not the only way to understand the cross. Instead, we are invited to see Jesus’ life and death as a challenge to systems of scapegoating and violence, and as a call to bear light in dark times. Jesus died not because God demanded it, but because he refused to stop loving, healing, and speaking truth, even when it threatened the powers of his day. The cross is not about appeasing a violent God, but about revealing the depth of divine love and the cost of standing with the marginalized.

We are called to reject scapegoating in both our faith and our politics, to resist the temptation to divide the world into “us” and “them.” The light of Christ burns in each of us, and together, our collective light can shine even in unbearable times. We closed by inviting everyone to share their own reflections, honoring the diversity of perspectives in our community, and reaffirming that unity does not require conformity. For God so loved the world—every part of it, and every one of us.

Key Takeaways

1. True community is built on authentic sharing and bearing witness to each other’s lives. When we create space for both spoken and silent prayers, we acknowledge that God meets us in our vulnerability, and that the act of holding space for one another is itself a sacred ministry. In a world that often rushes past pain, pausing to truly see and hear each other is a radical act of love. [35:57]
2. Salvation is not a static event but a continual process of being drawn out of patterns that harm us and others. The teachings of Jesus save us daily—from anger, isolation, and despair—by inviting us into forgiveness, community, and hope. This ongoing transformation is a gift that unfolds in relationship with God and with each other. [42:27]
3. The theology of substitutionary atonement, which frames Jesus’ death as a necessary payment to appease a wrathful God, is not the only or original Christian understanding of the cross. This framework can perpetuate harmful ideas about God and about ourselves, especially when it is used to justify violence or exclusion. We are invited to question inherited theologies and seek interpretations that align with the God of love revealed in Jesus. [46:37]
4. Scapegoating—blaming individuals or groups for the problems of the whole—is an ancient and persistent temptation, both in religion and in society. Jesus’ refusal to participate in scapegoating, even at the cost of his life, exposes the violence at the heart of this practice and calls us to a higher way. In our polarized world, resisting the urge to create “us vs. them” is a vital act of faith and justice. [50:16]
5. The light of Christ is not extinguished by darkness, but shines all the brighter when we bear it together. Even in unbearable times, our collective witness—through acts of love, justice, and solidarity—can be a beacon of hope. We are called to keep bearing light, not just for ourselves, but for the world God so loves, trusting that love is stronger than any force that seeks to divide or destroy. [52:22]
** [52:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Announcements and Community Updates
[02:30] - Remembering Harriet and Invitation to Reception
[04:22] - Gathering and Deep Breaths
[05:57] - Sharing Highs and Lows: Creating Space for Authenticity
[07:14] - Bearing Light in Unbearable Times
[08:30] - Welcoming Guests and Children’s Blessing
[11:25] - Arriving Fully: Centering Prayer
[12:27] - What It Means to Be Saved
[13:25] - Salvation in Community and Daily Life
[14:43] - Jesus Is for All: Challenging Division
[15:44] - John 3:16 and the Problem of Substitutionary Atonement
[16:37] - History and Critique of Substitutionary Atonement
[18:05] - The Scapegoat Mechanism in Scripture and Society
[19:18] - A New Reading of Salvation and Love
[20:16] - Rejecting Scapegoating in Faith and Politics
[22:22] - The Light That Cannot Be Extinguished
[24:00] - Community Reflections and Closing
[27:51] - Justice Offering and Closing Thanks

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 3:16-17 (ESV) — > “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Romans 8:26 (ESV) — > “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

Leviticus 16:7-10 (ESV) — > “Then he shall take the two goats and set them before the Lord at the entrance of the tent of meeting. And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the Lord and the other lot for Azazel. And Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell for the Lord and use it as a sin offering, but the goat on which the lot fell for Azazel shall be presented alive before the Lord to make atonement over it, that it may be sent away into the wilderness to Azazel.”

Observation Questions

In John 3:16-17, what is the stated reason God sent Jesus into the world?
According to Romans 8:26, how does the Spirit help us when we don’t have words for our prayers?
What is the role of the two goats in Leviticus 16, and how does this relate to the idea of scapegoating?
In the sermon, what practices did the community use to hold space for each other’s grief and joys? ([35:57])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon challenges the idea that Jesus’ death was required to appease a wrathful God. How does this interpretation of John 3:16-17 differ from the substitutionary atonement theory? ([45:44])
The speaker describes salvation as an ongoing process, not a one-time event. What does it mean to be “saved” daily, according to the sermon? ([42:27])
How does the practice of holding space for both spoken and unspoken prayers reflect the work of the Spirit described in Romans 8:26? ([35:57])
The sermon connects the ancient practice of scapegoating in Leviticus 16 to modern tendencies to blame others. What are the dangers of scapegoating in faith and society? ([50:16])

Application Questions

When someone at church asks, “How are you?” do you feel comfortable sharing honestly? What would help you be more open about your highs and lows? ([34:22])
Think about a time when you felt “saved” from anger, cynicism, or despair by the teachings of Jesus or by your community. What happened, and how did it change you? ([42:27])
The sermon invites us to question inherited theologies that may be harmful. Is there a belief about God or the cross that you have struggled with or re-examined? What led you to reconsider it? ([46:37])
Have you ever witnessed or participated in scapegoating—blaming a person or group for a problem? How did it affect you or your community? What would it look like to resist this temptation? ([50:16])
The speaker says, “The light of Christ is not extinguished by darkness, but shines all the brighter when we bear it together.” What is one way you can help bear light for someone else this week? ([52:22])
In what ways can you help create a community where unity does not require conformity? How can you honor different perspectives while staying connected? ([55:37])
Is there a specific situation in your life right now where you are tempted to see things as “us vs. them”? What would it look like to remember that “Jesus is for all of us” in that situation? ([44:43])

Sermon Clips

Knowing that we hold the highs and lows of our lives and knowing that here, when someone asks you, how are you, we really mean it. [00:36:54]

We remember that light holds space. And you'll hear in one of the readings from the poet Jan Richardson that today we're talking about bearing light in unbearable times. And sometimes what we do without saying anything is, is bearing witness to what each of us are holding and bringing. And that's also a sacred act too. [00:37:14]

So even in the silence, we hold space and bear witness. And what a gift. [00:37:44]

Thank you for showing up for yourself, for others, and for the world we want. Thank you. I invite you now as you're moved to take some deeper breaths with me, letting ourselves arrive a bit more fully, tuning in to whatever word God has for us today. [00:41:31]

Jesus saved me and continues to save me daily. Yes, you heard me right. I have been saved by the divine that showed up in him and held by a ground of being that is our God of love. I have been saved from a life of grudges and anger with teachings about forgiveness and peace. Saved from feeling like I'm not sure where I belong with a lifetime of rooting myself in the body of Christ. Saved by each of you daily and collectively, weekly and yearly, being made better by sharing life with you. [00:42:27]

I am saved from being driven by all that the ego commands, all of its need to be angry and right to get more. I am saved and again and again from despair because of our coming together in community and for prayer. I am saved from cynicism and hopelessness because of our doing good, our calling and writing and building and collecting, our showing up for each other, our giving out, our willingness to grow, to change, to learn and love our way forward together. I am saved by Jesus. [00:43:25]

In a time like this, I want to do more, to draw on our tradition, to claim our power, our language, our story, because it is about love and that's not what is being said about our tradition. Someone like me is now being labeled as vicious and horrible. And many of us in this room are in that camp. From the highest office in the land, we're told that the trouble is us. And so I want to say today, it feels important to say out loud, Jesus is on all of our side, not just one side. [00:44:03]

We must challenge the idea that some of us are good and some of us are not, that some of us are the right Christians and some of us are not. There is so much noise right now that it feels important to use this time together in all the ways that we can. It feels really precious because no ads will appear before my face. You won't get that offer to hear my message in AI instead. [00:44:43]

So after a really hard week, another school shooting in the Denver metro area, another assassination, words from our leaders that escalate, a growing distrust in our institutions, increasing polarization driven by money -soaked algorithms. In my words today, I want to convey with the deepest longing for...this tense moment in which we find ourselves that Jesus is on all of our side. There is no us and them. [00:45:07]

For God so loved the world that God wanted to come among us in human form. It seems some Christians like to forget how this verse in the Gospel of John begins. It's love. And instead it is used as a weapon, used as a way to advance the theological paradigm that I want to address today. [00:45:44]

That God needed to let Jesus die or have Jesus die as part of a plan to save humans from our sinful nature. The official name for this theological stance is long and maybe you remember it. Substitutionary atonement theory. And some of you know for the month of September we are doing a series on healing from toxic Christianity and this is on the list. It aims to explain the meaning and purpose of Jesus' death. [00:46:07]

Part of how I understand the reason for this thinking, I really get it. It's been around for eons. We humans love a scapegoat. We love the idea that one person or a group can take blame for the whole tribe. It's ancient. And we get it in the Bible first in the book of Leviticus where a goat is designated to be cast in the desert to be carried away for the sins of the whole community, taking with it all the impurities while the other is sacrificed. [00:47:27]

Part of why it feels urgent to address it today, not only was it not originally part of our tradition, that it comes a lot later, but I want to address it now because it's grounded in the idea that God is violent, that God is reputable, and that God demands some kind of appeasement. Of course, you can read this verse in John mapping that theology onto it, but it isn't there on its own. [00:48:51]

And yet, as I started this message, I do believe Jesus saves us. I do believe these teachings offer us a salvation, a salve for the wounds of this world. I read it like this. Whoever believes in Jesus' teachings and live them will have a certain kind of life. For God so loved the world that love manifested in this human form that everyone who takes these teachings seriously will not perish on earth by being dragged down in all that humans create and may instead find life and find it abundantly. [00:49:18]

God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn, but that the world might be saved. At least for me, I want to pull the theological support for scapegoating out from under all this. I want to read it, especially since authoritarians need scapegoats. [00:49:57]

So I want to say out loud today no more scapegoats in our religion or in our politics. Jesus died on the cross not because it was needed by God so that we could all feel good about living imperfect lives but because if you take seriously living like him it challenges the powers that be discomforts all of us asking us to unsettle our ideas of who belongs he died because he dared to keep speaking keep healing keep bearing light when they tried to put it out as we heard from the poet Jan Richardson keep bearing light keep burning bright and being a glow on an altar where somehow even in the deepest night it can be seen it cannot be extinguished there is a fire in each of us and collectively it is bright with all of us. [00:51:12]

And this light is needed right now, even in unbearable times. For God so loved the world. It's about love. There is no us and them. Jesus is for all of us. What a gift. [00:52:07]

I forgot to say for those of you who are newer to our congregation in our tradition you don't have to agree with me just make sure to and I speak to not for the body so we hold space for all kinds of perspectives I meant to start with that because I know we have a lot of new faces so what a gift we hold space for unity not conformity so what a gift beloved of God for God so loved the world may it be so. [00:55:58]

Each time we gather, we take a few moments to give back. And so we have all kinds of ways you can do that. The little box in the back, you can give easily on our website. If you are a guest, please receive our hospitality freely. [01:09:27]

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