Imago Dei Community Sermons

We have been studying Isaiah 61 for several weeks now. We have been looking at how God meets us in the deep streams of life and brings transformation to us. This transformation occurs so that his glory and righteousness will be put on display for the world to see. But how will this happen? Isaiah teaches us that when God's people have been transformed, they will be oaks of righteousness who will rebuild, restore, and renew the cities (or in the words of the New Living Tranlsation, rebuild/repair/revive). This picture of what is coming is a picture of hope and vision. We come to this ancient text of Isaiah on the other side of cross, and we can now join the ministry of Jesus to the world. We can join God in his rebuilding. We have been planted in the world in a particular zip code with a specific culture. Portland is a beautiful city full of rich culture, and desperately in need of rebuilding. We have been placed in Portland for a purpose bigger than ourselves. As we enter into transformation in our own lives,