Artisan Church Podcast
800 episodes - English - Latest episode: 27 days ago - ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsWeekly message audio from Artisan Church, an inclusive Christian church in Rochester, NY, seeking to live out our mission: to encounter God, embrace people, and engage culture, in the way of Jesus.
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Episodes
Palm Sunday: A Triumph of Misunderstanding
April 10, 2022 18:00 - 34 minutesSometimes, God gives the people what they want, but not in the way they were expecting. The triumphal entry into Jerusalem is a classic example: Jesus enters as a conquering king, not on a war horse and wielding a sword but on a donkey and prepared to die. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Lenten Jubilee: Rebuilding a Life Together”
Temptation Comes at the End
April 03, 2022 18:00 - 31 minutesThe famous Gospel story of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness offers a hint to how the forces of evil work: it is only at the very end of Jesus’s time of wilderness and deprivation, just when he is about to “go back to normal,” that he is truly tempted. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Lenten Jubilee: Rebuilding a Life Together”
New Things for Those Who Hate Change
March 27, 2022 18:00 - 32 minutesThe story of God’s people includes many turning points: new revelations, new realizations, and grace upon grace. But God’s people have not always responded well to these changes. Are we ready for what God is making new, or are we too committed to the status quo to see it? Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Lenten Jubilee: Rebuilding a Life Together”
A Fig Tree in a Vineyard
March 20, 2022 18:00 - 31 minutesA peculiar parable by Jesus about a tree that can’t produce fruit gives us hope after a season that has often seemed fruitless, and maybe even pointless. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Lenten Jubilee: Rebuilding a Life Together”
L.T. Conversation
March 13, 2022 18:00 - 38 minutesA conversation about life together with a panel of Artisans. Part of the series “Lenten Jubilee: Rebuilding a Life Together”
Jubilee?
March 06, 2022 18:00 - 27 minutesAn introduction to the biblical concept of Jubilee, and an explanation of why it might be appropriate for the season of Lent—at least this year. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Lenten Jubilee: Rebuilding a Life Together”
Fasting
February 27, 2022 18:00 - 42 minutesAs we look ahead to the beginning of Lent, we will consider the most common Lenten spiritual practice: fasting. Whether it is a traditional food fast, or another form of voluntary self-deprivation, fasting can be a powerful practice. Yet it can also feel oppressive, and we may carry some baggage from previous attempts. One helpful key: adding in something to replace whatever you’re “giving up” for Lent. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “First Light: Spiritual Practices Afte...
Centering Prayer
February 20, 2022 18:00 - 31 minutesIt is so easy to get distracted in our spiritual practice. Centering Prayer teaches us to regain and return our attention in a non-judgmental way. We use images from scripture as a focal point, receiving God’s love and guidance in renewed ways. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “First Light: Spiritual Practices After a Long Night”
The Examen
February 13, 2022 18:00 - 35 minutesIt could be said that all spiritual practices involve noticing one’s presence with God, and the daily examen is all about this kind of noticing. For this reason, it is our first spiritual practice; it will provide a good basis for all that follow in this series. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “First Light: Spiritual Practices After a Long Night”
Reclaiming the Darkness
January 30, 2022 18:00 - 25 minutes(God works in the darkness, too.) Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Gradual Light: emerging from darkness”
Being an Epiphany
January 23, 2022 18:00 - 28 minutesOnce we have “seen the light” and allowed Jesus to change us, we may occasionally have the privilege of providing light to others. We should bear this responsibility with humility and gentleness. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Gradual Light: emerging from darkness”
Living an Epiphany
January 16, 2022 18:00 - 25 minutesHaving one big epiphany is not enough to sustain a healthy spiritual life. Instead, we can find value in shifting our expectations toward a gradual, ongoing revelation: a life lived in the posture of seeing the light. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Gradual Light: emerging from darkness”
Having an Epiphany
January 09, 2022 18:00 - 25 minutes“Epiphany” is a holy day on the Christian calendar, but it’s also a word used to describe a momentary realization—seeing the light. It is important to seek out these moments, notice them when they occur, and learn from them. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Gradual Light: emerging from darkness”
Tapestry
January 02, 2022 18:00 - 19 minutesThe language of salvation in scripture is rich and varied. Today, we look at a passage from Ephesians that illustrates this breadth of beauty. Which image connects to your soul today? Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Christmastide”
Boxing Day/St. Stephen’s Day
December 26, 2021 18:00 - 21 minutesOn December 26, the church marks two special days that are mostly unfamiliar to American Christians. We look at the meaning of these two observances and think about what God might inspire us to do in our own place and time. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Christmastide”
God Speaks Through the Son
December 24, 2021 18:00 - 14 minutesThe incarnation of God in the person of Jesus means so many things to us, but perhaps the most important is that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God: God’s will, God’s character, and God’s love. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Advent”
Magnificat
December 19, 2021 18:00 - 33 minutesMary’s song-prayer reverberates across the centuries, inspiring and challenging untold millions of people. Will we be bold enough to embrace the vision of the world that this provocative song contains? Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Advent”
Worthy Fruit
December 12, 2021 18:00 - 37 minutesJohn the Baptist offers a sober warning to religious people who he thinks will not be ready for the kind of king Jesus will be. He does not mince words in warning them that their lives are not even ready for repentance, let alone holiness. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Advent”
Prepare – Preparing – Prepared
December 05, 2021 18:00 - 39 minutesThis week’s Advent texts remind us of the theme of preparing the way for the Messiah. As we think of Advent as so many types of anticipation, perhaps we can think of preparedness as a past/present/future spiritual practice. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Advent”
Praying for Strength
November 28, 2021 18:00 - 36 minutesWaiting isn’t easy! It requires its own special type of endurance. The readings for this week emphasize this, indicating that we should pray for the strength to last until the appearance of the Lord. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Advent”
Reign of Christ
November 21, 2021 18:00 - 31 minutesOn the final Sunday in the liturgical year, Christians celebrate the reign of Christ in the world. But for so many reasons, it is hard for us to grasp what it means to think of Jesus as our king. His words say it well: “My kingdom is not of this world.” Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin
Thanksgiving in Suffering
November 14, 2021 18:00 - 26 minutesGiving thanks even in the midst of our suffering is easily one of the most difficult concepts for Christians to practice, or even accept. We will take a gentle look at the idea and see how we might be able to apply it in our time. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Thankful”
Gifts Great and Small
November 07, 2021 18:00 - 28 minutesSometimes it is easier to start out small with a spiritual practice. Before we can even begin to think about giving thanks in the midst of suffering, we must learn to recognize God’s small gifts in ordinary life, and to give thanks as our gift back to God. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Thankful”
Saints of Today
October 31, 2021 18:00 - 23 minutesWe share and hear brief stories from other Artisans to inspire and encourage us, whether we’re feeling saintly or not! Part of the series “All the Saints”
Saints of Old
October 24, 2021 18:00 - 24 minutesWe draw from the well of history, hearing the stories of three saints of the church, each of whom offers us an example of God working through ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary work. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “All the Saints”
Reclaiming Salvation
October 10, 2021 18:00 - 34 minutesThe words saved and salvation are used so often in the vocabulary of Christianity that they may have lost some meaning for us. What are we saved from? And perhaps more importantly, what are we saved for? Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Reclaiming Christianity: Out with the new, in with the old”
Reclaiming Confession
October 03, 2021 18:00 - 41 minutesThe act of confessing one’s sins has a long history within the Church. And the requirement to confess has also been part of many acts of spiritual manipulation and abuse. Let’s look for a way to reclaim this ancient discipline without all the painful baggage it carries with it in the modern era. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Reclaiming Christianity: Out with the new, in with the old”
Debriefing Q&R
September 26, 2021 18:00 - 41 minutesIt’s been a heavy couple of weeks to start out this series! Let’s pause and debrief with a question and response session. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Reclaiming Christianity: Out with the new, in with the old”
Reclaiming the Bible
September 19, 2021 18:00 - 37 minutesThe Bible is often treated like a rule book, an instruction manual, or the answer sheet for a spiritual test. But it was never intended to be read in these ways. Reclaiming the Bible means finding inspiration and deep meaning in our sacred text without resorting to easy literalism or simplistic interpretations. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Reclaiming Christianity: Out with the new, in with the old”
Reclaiming the Cross
September 12, 2021 18:00 - 33 minutesAt the very center of the Christian story is the cross: a beautiful symbol of the surrender of power, of sacrifice, and of love. Yet the cross has come to symbolize a violent, angry, abusive god who looks nothing like the God who Jesus revealed in his teaching, death, and resurrection. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Reclaiming Christianity: Out with the new, in with the old”
A New Truth
August 29, 2021 18:00 - 24 minutesThe problem with all this change is that it’s hard or even impossible to cope with while we still operate under our old way of thinking. In order to move forward boldly with God in this new reality, we may need to change our entire concept of what is true. The good news is that we would be far from the first people of God to have this experience. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “The New Normal*: *is neither new nor normal”
A New Life
August 22, 2021 18:00 - 30 minutesMaybe a new day or even a new season aren’t enough of a change. In this “new normal”, it may be that what is required is something more drastic: a reordering of our entire lives. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “The New Normal*: *is neither new nor normal”
A New Season
August 15, 2021 18:00 - 26 minutesWith each passing season, we are given an opportunity to think about what we have experienced, what is coming next, and how we can live intentionally in each moment. Our current moment calls for this kind of reflection and intention. People of God, what will our next season be about? Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “The New Normal*: *is neither new nor normal”
A New Day
August 08, 2021 18:00 - 25 minutesIn the scriptures, the dawning of a new day is something to wait for, to hope for. It is a moment when things have changed, when the long night has ended. What new day awaits us? We wait in joyful expectation. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “The New Normal*: *is neither new nor normal”
Always Near
July 25, 2021 18:00 - 31 minutesWe are always in the presence of God, and we can cultivate an awareness of that presence through simple practices and the ordinary moments of life. Speaker: Matt Nightingale Part of the series “Embrace the Ordinary: A summer series through Ordinary Time”
Sheep and Shepherds
July 18, 2021 18:00 - 22 minutesFrom the most famous of all the Psalms to Jesus having compassion on a crowd, the scriptures are full of shepherding language. But it’s not always idyllic and peaceful. We can take comfort in knowing that Jesus reveals a God who is closest to us in our time of deepest need. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Embrace the Ordinary: A summer series through Ordinary Time”
Every Spiritual Blessing
July 11, 2021 18:00 - 41 minutesThe opening paragraph of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is rich with poetic language about the blessings of God. Adoption, redemption, forgiveness, inheritance, riches, and more! Each reader will resonate more deeply with certain parts than others—and this is part of the beauty of Christian community! Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Embrace the Ordinary: A summer series through Ordinary Time”
Love and Lament
June 27, 2021 18:00 - 28 minutesIn the midst of grief and pain, it is natural to ask the big question: WHY? And as people of faith, we want to know where God fits in all of it. The book of Lamentations offers us no tidy answers for our pain, but it does point us toward Love. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Embrace the Ordinary: A summer series through Ordinary Time”
Questions at Sea
June 20, 2021 18:00 - 31 minutesThe story of Jesus calming the storm while on a boat with his disciples is famous for his declaration to the wind and the waves: “Peace! Be Still!”. Yet there are four questions in this short passage, and these also hold much meaning for us. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Embrace the Ordinary: A summer series through Ordinary Time”
Seeds, Trees, and Faith
June 13, 2021 18:00 - 38 minutesThe readings this week contain spiritual teachings using agricultural metaphors. Any gardener can affirm Paul’s claim that “we walk by faith, not by sight”—and Jesus’s hopeful reminder that “the earth produces of itself”. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Embrace the Ordinary: A summer series through Ordinary Time”
Mothers, Brothers, and Kings
June 06, 2021 18:00 - 32 minutesThe readings this week contain a prophet’s warning against earthly kings and Jesus’ apparent rejection of his earthly family. Are these the natural result of Paul’s observation that “what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal”, or is there something else going on? Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Embrace the Ordinary: A summer series through Ordinary Time”
An Open Doors Story
May 30, 2021 18:00 - 51 minutesWe are privileged to hear a story from Ville Anttila, our friend in Finland who was drawn to our community because of our desire to open our doors to all people. Speaker: Ville Anttila Part of the series “Open Doors: God’s ever-widening welcome”
Pentecost: Promises Fulfilled
May 23, 2021 18:00 - 30 minutesAfter all we’ve read from the book of Acts in the past six weeks, it is fitting to return to how the story began: with the Spirit descending on the apostles. This dramatic moment was the fulfillment of Jesus’s promise, and the promises of God given through the prophets long before. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Open Doors: God’s ever-widening welcome”
Finding Your People
May 16, 2021 18:00 - 30 minutesFollowing the movement of God into unknown territory can be an isolating experience when the people you know and trust are not willing to come with you. Yet God calls us to move on with boldness, to speak the truth of love—and promises that we will never be alone. Lord, help us find your people! Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Open Doors: God’s ever-widening welcome”
To an Unknown God
May 09, 2021 18:00 - 30 minutesIn a strange new city, the Apostle Paul preached both in the synagogue and in the marketplace, helping to connect the people's wide-ranging religious openness to God's open doors in Jesus. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Open Doors: God’s ever-widening welcome”
We Should Not Make It Difficult
May 02, 2021 18:00 - 46 minutesWhen it became clear that this movement of Spirit was not an isolated incident, the Church convened a formal council to determine how to proceed. In the end, they decided they should not make it difficult for those who were turning to God. We welcome guest preacher Judy Howard Peterson for an inspiring sermon! Speaker: Judy Howard Peterson Part of the series “Open Doors: God’s ever-widening welcome”
What Is to Prevent Me?
April 25, 2021 18:00 - 33 minutesEarlier in Acts, Philip had a Spirit-led encounter with a person who must have seemed an entirely unlikely potential convert: a foreigner of different ethnicity and ambiguous gender. And yet the Spirit moved, and Philip could not stand in the way! Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Open Doors: God’s ever-widening welcome”
Listen and Rejoice
April 18, 2021 18:00 - 36 minutesWhen Peter gave his report of God's welcome of the Gentiles, the religious leaders first were silent, and then they rejoiced. Any other response to God's open doors is a hindrance to the gospel. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Open Doors: God’s ever-widening welcome”
What God Has Made Clean
April 11, 2021 18:00 - 30 minutesThrough a bizarre dream and an encounter with a Gentile named Cornelius, the Apostle Peter learned that he was not permitted to overrule God's decisions about who was welcome, and on what terms. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Open Doors: God’s ever-widening welcome”
Easter: Fragile Vessels, Priceless Treasures
April 04, 2021 18:00 - 25 minutesKnowing about God’s resurrecting power is like having a “treasure in clay jars”: a priceless truth that is held in a fragile vessel. It is true of us, too: we are fragile, especially after the year we’ve had—but we are priceless to God. Speaker: Pastor Scott Austin Part of the series “Lent and Easter: Life After Suffering”