In this sermon, Jon Sherwood explores what healthy Christian community looks like when it is shaped by both grace and truth. Beginning in John 1, he examines Jesus as God dwelling among His people “full of grace and truth” and explains why Christian community cannot be built on love without conviction or truth without relational commitment. #PracticingTheWay #Scripture #Sermon #BibleStudy #Community

Follow Jesus into the cross-shaped way of peace. Pastor Jon Sherwood is an unlikely pacifist. Born into a military family and raised in the American Bible Belt, he was shaped by a difficult past of drugs and crime. Though surrounded by evangelical Christianity, he did not encounter Christ as the Prince of Peace until he began examining Jesus' words for himself. What he discovered changed not only his life, but the life of his church. In Southern evangelical "God and guns" culture, embracing the unarmed truth of Jesus' kingdom may seem unlikely. Yet this story shows it is not only possible but transformative. For those, like Sherwood, who love Jesus yet have rarely heard nonviolence named as a central tenet of discipleship, The Unarmed Truth offers a Scripture-rooted invitation to examine our faith, culture, and inherited assumptions. In these pages, readers will discover how Jesus confronted violence--not by wielding coercive power, but by laying down his life. Through self-giving love of enemies, Jesus waged war on war itself and inaugurated a radically different way of peace. Discover the power of a faith that refuses violence and thus changes everything. Table of Contents Foreword Preface 1 A War on Mars: A Southern Pastor’s (Reluctant) Journey into Nonviolence 2 But I Tell You: Jesus’ Vision of Enemy Love 3 Subversive Confrontation: Jesus and the Powers 4 A Cosmic War: The Apostles Follow Jesus into Nonviolent Battle 5 Swords into Plowshares: The Early Church Witness to the Sanctity of Life 6 A Marriage of Two Kingdoms: A Seismic Shift 7 No Blood but Our Own: The Historic Peace Churches 8 One Nation Under God: Christian Nationalism in America 9 God and Guns: The Myth of Redemptive Violence 10 Let God Sort ’Em Out: A Southern Congregation’s (Reluctant) Journey into Nonviolence and Hope for a New World 11 Exilic Outposts: Peaceful Resistance and Uncivil Worship Common Scriptural Questions about Christian Nonviolence Common Ethical Questions about Christian Nonviolence Study Guide Notes The Author Endorsements “For too long, a wider culture of violence has edited and shaped the gospel to fit the convenience of retaliation, retribution, and revenge. Sherwood unmasks these false notions and places us on the path of communal restoration.” —Otis Moss III, professor of homiletics at the McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University “Even rarer than changing one’s mind is truly changing one’s life. Sherwood has done both. He models repentance as the early church taught it, a radical reorientation of mind and life that comes from acknowledging Jesus’ lordship in everything.” —Meghan Larissa Good, author of Divine Gravity “An exciting book, reflecting a fresh discovery of Jesus-based nonviolence from an author with a most unlikely starting point. The Unarmed Truth demonstrates the continuing appeal of the radical way of Jesus.” —David P. Gushee, author of Changing Our Mind and After Evangelicalism

In this sermon, we explore what it means to live as a covenanted community and how Jesus redefines family not through shared DNA, marriage, or legal status, but through shared faith, loyalty, love, and obedience to God. #PracticingTheWay #Scripture #Sermon #BibleStudy #Community

Jon Sherwood is a pastor of a micro church network in Asheville, NC and while in the midst of various world-views and the challenge to truth from relativism, is dedicated to providing fresh and relevant Christian discipleship resources such as bible studies, bible courses, podcasts, and sermons to help ignite and fuel faith in Jesus in the 21st century. Like About Contact Fueling Faith in the 21st Century Jon Sherwood Jon Sherwood is a pastor theologian providing resources to help ignite and fuel Christian faith in the 21st century. Jon loves spending time with his family and the beauty of the blue ridge mountains where he lives. He holds degrees from the University of Florida, Columbia International University, and a doctorate from Mercer University. Learn More Featured News & Updates The Unarmed Truth: 9.1.26 🙌 Following the Prince of Peace in a World of Violence Follow Jesus into the cross-shaped way of peace. Pastor Jon Sherwood is an unlikely pacifist. Born into a military family and raised in the American Bible Belt, he was shaped by a difficult past of drugs and crime. Though surrounded by evangelical Christianity, he did not encounter Christ as the Prince of Peace until he began examining Jesus' words for himself. What he discovered changed not only his life, but the life of his church. In Southern evangelical "God and guns" culture, embracing the unarmed truth of Jesus' kingdom may seem unlikely. Yet this story shows it is not only possible but transformative. Order Now Articles Interviews Books Sermons UNpolished church podcast UNpolished church podcast UNpolished church podcast UNpolished church podcast Honest conversations about the complexity , frustration , and beauty of church life in the 21st century. Topics range from theology , ecclesiology , discipleship , practical ministry , missions , spiritual formation , and other things related to following Jesus in community.

Jon Sherwood is a pastor in Asheville, NC and while in the midst of various world-views and the challenge to truth from relativism, is dedicated to providing fresh and relevant Christian discipleship resources such as bible studies, bible courses, podcasts, and sermons to help ignite and fuel faith in Jesus in the 21st century. Terms & Conditions A Legal Disclaimer Please read these Terms of Use (“Terms”, “Terms of Use”) carefully before using the https://jonsherwood.com website (the “Service”) operated by Jon Sherwood (“us”, “we”, or “our”). Your access to and use of the Service is conditioned on your acceptance of and compliance with these Terms. These Terms apply to all visitors, users and others who access or use the Service. By accessing or using the Service you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you disagree with any part of the terms then you may not access the Service. Intellectual Property The Service and its original content, features and functionality are and will remain the exclusive property of Jon Sherwood and its licensors. Links To Other Web Sites Our Service may contain links to third-party web sites or services that are not owned or controlled by Jon Sherwood. Jon Sherwood has no control over, and assumes no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third party web sites or services. You further acknowledge and agree that Jon Sherwood shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any such content, goods or services available on or through any such web sites or services. We strongly advise you to read the terms and conditions and privacy policies of any third-party web sites or services that you visit. Termination We may terminate or suspend access to our Service immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation if you breach the Terms. All provisions of the Terms which by their nature should survive termination shall survive termination, including, without limitation, ownership provisions, warranty disclaimers, indemnity and limitations of liability. Disclaimer Your use of the Service is at your sole risk. The Service is provided on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis. The Service is provided without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement or course of performance. Governing Law These Terms shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of United States without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of those rights. If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court, the remaining provisions of these Terms will remain in effect. These Terms constitute the entire agreement between us regarding our Service, and supersede and replace any prior agreements we might have between us regarding the Service. Changes We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to modify or replace these Terms at any time. If a revision is material we will try to provide at least 30 days notice prior to any new terms taking effect. What constitutes a material change will be determined at our sole discretion. By continuing to access or use our Service after those revisions become effective, you agree to be bound by the revised terms. If you do not agree to the new terms, please stop using the Service. Contact Us If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us. All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information. These terms and conditions of use are subject to change at any time and without notice. Like About Contact Fueling Faith in the 21st Century

Jon Sherwood is a pastor in Asheville, NC and while in the midst of various world-views and the challenge to truth from relativism, is dedicated to providing fresh and relevant Christian discipleship resources such as bible studies, bible courses, podcasts, and sermons to help ignite and fuel faith in Jesus in the 21st century. UNpolished updates Sign up for news and future opportunities. Email* Submit Like About Contact Fueling Faith in the 21st Century