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The Rural Think Tank

…It's Different Out Here.

Tag: sermons

Jesus Is the Resurrection and the Life: Rural Hope When Grief Feels Final

August 9, 2026 by Brent Lacy

Jesus did not merely promise future resurrection. In John 11 he declared, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Rural churches need that hope when grief and discouragement feel final.

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An infographic titled The King We Did Not Expect: Understanding Jesus’ Triumphal Entry. The graphic is divided into sections comparing human expectations with spiritual reality. On the left, titled The Crowd’s Desire: A Political Conqueror, a warrior is shown on a white horse with a crown and sword. Bullet points include Worldly Power, Military Victory, and Personal Agendas. On the right, titled Jesus’ Reality: A Humble Servant, Jesus is shown riding a donkey while people lay down cloaks. Bullet points include Spiritual Restoration, Sacrifice and Peace, and Servanthood. A center arrow notes that praise turns to silence and encourages moving beyond surface level enthusiasm. The bottom displays three numbered steps: 1. Lay down personal agendas. 2. Embrace the gospel’s peace. 3. Witness both hosannas and the cross. An icon of palm branches transitions into three crosses representing the resurrection.

The King We Did Not Expect

August 9, 2026 by Brent Lacy

A Palm Sunday Bible study from Matthew 21:1-11 on the difference between the king people wanted and the King Jesus actually is.

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Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 50: Which entry are you paying attention to?

August 9, 2026 by Brent Lacy

This message is from 3/28/21 at Morey Chapel Church of Christ near Westville, Illinois. It takes a look at the Triumphal Entry of Jesus on Palm Sunday, plcing it in hisorical context of other things occurring at the same time. What are you paying attention to? Sources MinistryPlace.net Rural Think Tank

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Rural Thinktank Podcast Episode 30: The Bible is Bizarre

August 9, 2026 by Brent Lacy

This is a message given 1/19/2020 at Bloomingdale Christian Church in Bloomingdale, Indiana.  This covers some of the odd passages that we find in the Bible and how we can see how God cares for us through them, and what theses passages tell us about ourselves Sources MinistryPlace.net Rural Think Tank

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Dry Bones in Rural America…

August 9, 2026 by Brent Lacy

Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones speaks directly to rural churches facing decline, aging congregations, and the question of whether God can still bring life to places that feel forgotten. Sources MinistryPlace.net Rural Think Tank

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