Jesus, Stephen and Violence

Jesus, Stephen and Violence

Author: Cory Driver April 27, 2026 Duration: 8:07

Acts 7:55-60; 1 Petere 2:2-10; John 14:1-14. Look, Jesus isn't Caesar and he is not Spartacus. His revolt uses swords only to make sure that there is a pretext to arrest him, NOT to injure humans (ask Malchus!). Too often, Christians try to have it both ways, worship the Prince of Peace, and waging murder and war in his name. The lectionary passages this week address the relationship among Jesus, his followers and violence.


For those who carry the responsibility of weekly preaching, the days are full-pastoral care, administration, and the quiet work of prayer can easily push sermon preparation to the margins. Moving Forward-Weekly Lectionary Podcast is designed to be a practical companion within that busy rhythm. Hosted by Cory Driver, this weekly audio resource arrives every Monday, offering roughly ten minutes of focused reflection on the upcoming Revised Common Lectionary readings. The idea is simple: to provide a thoughtful starting point early in your week, so you’re never truly beginning from a blank page, even if time forces you to start writing later. Driver shares his perspective to spark your own engagement with the texts, aiming to lighten the load of initial research. This isn't about delivering a finished sermon, but about offering a catalyst for your own creative and spiritual process. By integrating this short, consistent podcast into your routine, you gain a reliable touchpoint for the scriptural themes awaiting your congregation. It’s a tool for pastors and lay leaders alike who seek a structured yet flexible approach to connecting the ancient texts with contemporary life, helping you move forward with a bit more clarity and a little less pressure each week.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Moving Forward - Weekly Lectionary Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Plans A, B and C [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:24
1 Sam 16:1-13; Psalm 23; John 9:1-41 Has everything always gone right for you? No? Me either! The lectionary texts this week are all about when we need to resort to other plans.
Movement and Thirst [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:36
Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95; John 4:5-42 - Did you ever go for a run, and forget to hydrate properly? We get sweaty and NEED water! The lectionary passages this week are about dealing with thirst that comes from movement.
Journey of Blessing (Lent 2026) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:20
Gen 12:1-4a; Psalm 121; John 3:1-17 - As we continue our Lenten journey, what does the Bible have to teach us about the purpose of journeys? Genesis, John (and by special request, the psalms) help us frame the journey we…
Facing Temptation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:48
Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7; Matthew 4:1-11: There's plenty of temptation in Scripture, and in life. The passages appointed for this week offer stories of people responding positively and negatively to temptation.
God of Mountaintops and Valleys [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:05
Exodus 24:12-18 & Matthew 17:1-9 (and a little 1 Kings 19) - Who doesn't love a mountaintop experience? Concerts, Superbowl parties, conferences, graduations... but then what do we do on the following Monday? This week,…
Foolishness or Power? What are the Rules? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:51
Isaiah 9:1-4 & Matthew 4:12-23 (and a little of 1 Cor 1:10-18) - Honestly, I am tired of a certain kind of winning that pits one group of humans against another group of humans. That's bad news. The good news of Jesus es…
Perserverance & Breakthroughs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:14
Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Cor 1:1-9; John 1:29-42 - Looking back, do you recognize any moments when you were SO close to finishing or succeeding, but you were exhausted, maybe burnt out, ready to quit? But you push…
The "What" and the "Why" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:12
Isaiah 42:1-9; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17 - A lot of times, we are searching for the "what?". What's the meaning of life? What is my purpose? What is the correct way to life? What am I doing? This week, the lectionar…