power – Jeremy L. Berg

Flesh-Ripping Words & the Word Become Flesh

December 10, 2025

In these days of online retribution, excoriating political opponents, and defaming others’ character, we do well to remember that in the middle of the Christmas story stands a man who goes out of his way to protect another from public disgrace. The historical record gives us very little on Joseph, but one description stands out: “Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man.” … More Flesh-Ripping Words & the Word Become Flesh

A Long Defeat … into Victory

June 2, 2024

Somehow the church tends to pick up the idea that we’re supposed to win. That our place in the world is not one of suffering love, but victorious power. It’s so easy for the church to forget that Christ did not call us to rule but to serve. He called us, as Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it, to come and die. … More A Long Defeat … into Victory

Mocking or Marveling at the Cross?

February 22, 2024

The Gospel reading for this week gets to the heart of everything. This is it. Choose the scandalous Way of the Cross and be a disciple of Jesus, or keep stamping Jesus’ name on the Ways of the World and be Satan’s sucker. There’s no neutral ground beneath the cross: you’re either mocking or marveling. … More Mocking or Marveling at the Cross?

The Divine Bartender & the Power of Music

January 21, 2022

I came across a YouTube channel last night that left me in tears and reminded me of the power of music to reach people spiritually. … More The Divine Bartender & the Power of Music

Kings Rise and Fall (Skye Jethani)

May 14, 2021

In many parts of the West, Christians find themselves being pushed to the periphery of power and influence after centuries of privilege. Fear, anger, nostalgia, and retaliation are not how Christ’s people are to respond when their circumstances change or their cultural authority is taken away. … More Kings Rise and Fall (Skye Jethani)

WATCH: “Resurrection Vomit” (Easter 2021)

April 3, 2021

This Easter we explore Resurrection through the lenses of the Jonah story and hear a sermon we’ll not soon forget, “Resurrection Vomit.” … More WATCH: “Resurrection Vomit” (Easter 2021)

WATCH: A Double Portion for the Narrow Way

February 14, 2021

This week’s sermon looks at Elijah/Elisha as a model master/discipleship relationship and what this remarkable story can teach us about following Jesus today. Plus some flashbacks from Jeremy’s Israel trip one year ago. Text: 2 Kings 2:1-12. … More WATCH: A Double Portion for the Narrow Way

Wielding Words with Wisdom

October 12, 2020

“O Gracious and Loving God, the ancients believed that writing is a sacred gift from you. Send me the gift of words so that I can say what must be said in a way that will cause as little pain as possible. Inspire me with your wisdom and guide my hand as I write.” ― EDWARD HAYS … More Wielding Words with Wisdom

Conversation #3: What About White Privilege?

June 21, 2020

This week’s service honors Father’s Day, Keri’s birthday and Conversation #3 on Racial Righteousness with a message by Pastor Jon Tyson of Church of the City, New York, on Jesus, power and privilege. … More Conversation #3: What About White Privilege?

The Pilgrim’s Progress & Our Story Shaped Lives

April 6, 2019

During one of my Christmas breaks in college, I came home with an old paperback version of John Bunyan’s 17th century classic The Pilgrim’s Progress. I was going through a radical spiritual awakening, and was voraciously devouring the Christian classics I missed as a non-reading sports jock in high school. The Pilgrim’s Progress collided with my … More The Pilgrim’s Progress & Our Story Shaped Lives

CrossRoad 3: The Foolishness of the Cross

March 8, 2019

When the last shovel of dirt is tossed onto my grave and the benediction has been read, I want people to walk to their cars and drive back to the church for cold sandwiches thinking, “He took Jesus at his words, did his best to pursue His Kingdom and live by cross-wisdom — leaving the … More CrossRoad 3: The Foolishness of the Cross

LIFE VERSES 6: Romans 8:11

January 25, 2018

In this series I am sharing some of the passages of the Bible — or Life Verses — that have most impacted my own life. I was 21 years old. I was in the honeymoon period of my newfound faith. I can still remember how exciting it was reading my new Study Bible back then. Everything was … More LIFE VERSES 6: Romans 8:11

Christmas Lights 2: Flipping the Switch

December 20, 2017

From the DI archives. -JB In part 1 of my “Christmas Lights” series I explored the Ongoing Epic of God and His Flickering Lights. The Bible tells the story a humanity “unplugged” from the life of God by sin, and how Jesus came to earth to reconnect us to God by dying on the cross … More Christmas Lights 2: Flipping the Switch

Texts for Taming the Tongue

September 29, 2017

I compiled a sampling of sacred texts below that can help us be more loving and wise in our interactions on social media. If only all Christians would seriously consider these words before they send off that tweet or make that comment on a friend’s post. These are just a few of the hundreds of … More Texts for Taming the Tongue

The Most Powerful Force of All

September 21, 2017

“I always tell my kids that while most people in the world just want to kill and get rid of the bad guys, Jesus wants to change bad guys into good guys. While guns have the power to kill bad guys, only love moves us toward an enemy with the compassion and hope for transformation. A gun or nuclear warhead can destroy our enemy, but only love has the potential to transform an enemy into a friend.” … More The Most Powerful Force of All

EPHESIANS 14: God’s Masterpiece (2:10)

August 16, 2017

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10). If I were called to the hospital bedside of a person who just attempted but failed to take their own life, I think I would bring this … More EPHESIANS 14: God’s Masterpiece (2:10)

Cultivating an Apostolic Imagination

August 21, 2014

A repost from a few years back. -JB What if our faith was as real and powerful as the faith of the Apostle Paul, Peter, James and John, Mary and Lydia, Priscilla and Aquilla? What if our experience of church today was as exciting as those in the upper room at Pentecost, as action-packed as … More Cultivating an Apostolic Imagination

Warning: Explosion Hazard

June 8, 2014

I was standing on the dock putting gasoline into the boat the other day. I happened to read the bright yellow warning sticker as I slowly poured the 5-gallons into the tank. The sticker read: WARNING: Leaking fuel is a fire and explosion hazard. Inspect fuel system often. My mind began searching for some Christian … More Warning: Explosion Hazard

QUOTABLES: Scot McKnight on Non-Violence

August 21, 2011

“I find an increasing number of young Christians are willing to say “enough is enough” when it comes to militarism, to military budgets, and to embracing a peace orientation toward how Christians are to live in a world of international conflicts. Ronald Sider (Christ and Violence) and John Howard Yoder (The Politics of Jesus ) have … More QUOTABLES: Scot McKnight on Non-Violence

Some Thoughts on Preaching

April 11, 2011

Some mysterious Spirit-initiated transformation happened inside me. The transformation was sparked rather suddenly around age 19 when I first began to hear the Living God speaking to me through the sermons of Pastor David Johnson of Church of the Open Door. Notice: I had been hearing sermons my whole life in church. But suddenly I … More Some Thoughts on Preaching

Pastor 7 – “Obedient Playfulness” with the Text

February 4, 2011

Honestly, this is one of the best sections of any book I have ever read. I have rarely been this excited and passionate about anything I’ve read related to the power of Scripture. In the reading of these words, my reason for being a pastor was reaffirmed. I have experienced firsthand the world altering power … More Pastor 7 – “Obedient Playfulness” with the Text

Jeremy L. Berg

Pastor. Professor. Author. Musician.

Tag: power