The John Knox Presbyterian Church Podcast

"Those Who Mourn"

Rev. Jimmy McPherson - Matthew 5:4 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205%3A4&version=NRSVUE] What could Jesus possibly mean when he says, "Blessed are those who mourn"? In this message from Matthew 5:4, we explore one of the most surprising Beatitudes and discover that Jesus is not glorifying suffering but proclaiming God's presence and promise to those who grieve. Drawing on the biblical vision of God's coming restoration, this sermon considers how faithful mourning can become an expression of love, hope, and longing for God's kingdom. In a world marked by loss, injustice, and heartbreak, Jesus offers a surprising word of comfort: those who mourn are not abandoned—they are blessed, and they shall be comforted. Thank you for listening and for supporting the ministry of John Knox Presbyterian Church Seattle. To learn more about our life together and ministry, visit www.johnknox.church [https://johnknox.church/].

"Poor in Spirit"

Rev. Jimmy McPherson - Matthew 5:1-3 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205%3A1-3&version=NRSVUE] In this opening message of the House Hunters series, we begin exploring Jesus' Sermon on the Mount by asking both who Jesus is and what kind of life he invites us to build. Drawing on Matthew 5:1–3, we discover Jesus as the new and greater Moses who ascends the mountain to reveal God's vision for human flourishing. Far from celebrating self-sufficiency, Jesus pronounces a blessing on the "poor in spirit"—those who recognize their need for God and receive the kingdom as a gift of grace. In a world that constantly urges us to secure ourselves through achievement, wealth, and control, Jesus offers a different foundation: the lasting security of belonging to God's kingdom. Thank you for listening and for supporting the ministry of John Knox Presbyterian Church Seattle. To learn more about our life together and ministry, visit www.johnknox.church [https://johnknox.church/].

"The Story of Us"

Rev. Jimmy McPherson - Numbers 11:24-30 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2011%3A24-30&version=NRSVUE] Moses’ remarkable declaration, “Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets,” is a vision of humility, shared leadership, and the wide outpouring of God’s Spirit. Moving from the wilderness of Moses to the church at Pentecost, this message confronts modern temptations toward prestige, control, and spiritual elitism, while calling the church instead toward humility, generosity, and a Spirit-filled community where gifts are shared and all are welcomed into God’s work. With reflections on leadership, reconciliation, and the surprising ways our words and witness shape others, this sermon invites listeners to imagine a church marked less by grasping for power and more by the grace of Christ that empowers the whole people of God. Thank you for listening and for supporting the ministry of John Knox Presbyterian Church Seattle. To learn more about our life together and ministry, visit www.johnknox.church [https://johnknox.church/].

"The Story of Belonging"

Rev. Jimmy McPherson - Luke 19:1–10 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2019%3A1%E2%80%9310&version=NRSVUE] This sermon explores the familiar story of Zacchaeus beyond the children’s song and into the deeper realities of grace, repentance, and communal transformation. Looking at the social stigma surrounding tax collectors, the symbolism of the sycamore tree, and Jesus’ intentional pursuit of the lost, this message reflects on how Christ’s costly grace not only changes individual hearts but begins healing entire communities. For “the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.” Thank you for listening and for supporting the ministry of John Knox Presbyterian Church Seattle. To learn more about our life together and ministry, visit www.johnknox.church [https://johnknox.church/].

“The Story of Sight”

Marc Gronholz - John 9:1–41 [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%209%3A1%E2%80%9341&version=NRSVUE] Thank you for listening and for supporting the ministry of John Knox Presbyterian Church Seattle. To learn more about our life together and ministry, visit www.johnknox.church [https://johnknox.church/].