Sermons on Following God
Rescued?
Readings: Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22, Psalm 84:1-7, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, and Luke 18:9-14 “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom.” Paul writes this in our reading from 2 Timothy for this morning. “The Lord will rescue me.” And I was struck by this sentence because—I mean, what does it really mean? Taken literally, it means…
Mary & Martha & You
Scripture: Luke 10:38-42 Our gospel passage for today is one of those times where I can see the merits of both sides. So often people read this passage and try to pit Mary and Martha against each other. Martha represents work and Mary represents contemplation; Mary was better than Martha; Jesus approves of Mary but not Martha. But it’s not as simple as that.…
Look at that Mountain
Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4, Psalm 37:1-9, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10 I’d like to begin this morning by telling a story. It’s one that I pulled out a few weeks ago for a sermon, and it has been both stuck in my head and giving me hope ever since. This story is from Sarah Bessey, an author, who has done some ministry in Haiti. Pastor Gaetan and his…
Love
Lectionary readings: Proverbs 25:6-7, Psalm 112, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14 As I was getting ready to preach this week, I was so struck by Psalm 112. This psalm describes a godly person, someone who loves God and neighbor and lives their life justly and lovingly. It reminded me of how much I would also like my life to look like this. I want to be someone who…
Storage Barns
Lectionary readings: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 2:18-23; Psalm 49:1-12; Colossians 3:1-11; Luke 12:13-21 Let us pray: Lord, we thank you for this chance to hear your Scripture read. We pray that you would enter it and speak to us, each of us what we need to hear this morning. And may the words of my mouth and the meditations on all our hearts be pleasing in your sight, O…
On our Travels
Lectionary Readings: Deuteronomy 30:9-14, Psalm 25:1-10, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 Let us pray: God, come among us this morning. Bless our hearing of your Word, that it might open our hearts to hear you speak to us this morning. And may the words of my mouth and the meditations on all our hearts be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer. Amen. On…
Doorknobs and Avocados and Ovens, Oh My!
Lectionary readings: Isaiah 65:1-9, Psalm 22:19-28, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39 Let us pray: We come before you this morning, O God, after having heard your Scripture read aloud. We pray that you would fill it with your Holy Spirit, just as we pray you would fill us with your Holy Spirit. Give us ears to hear your words. In your Son’s name we pray, Amen.…
“Who am I?”
Let us pray: Almighty God, in you are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Open our eyes that we may see the wonders of your Word; and give us grace that we may clearly understand and freely choose the way of your wisdom; through Christ our Lord. Amen. (prayer source) “Who am I?” Like a lot of young people, when I was younger I had very definite…
What’s next?
Lectionary: Acts 9:1-6, Psalm 30, Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19 Let us pray: Bless us this morning, O God: our ears to hear Your word, out hearts to accept and understand it, and our bodies to go out and live it. In Your holy name we pray, Amen. What’s next? I was fast approaching my last year of college; I was starting to seriously ask, “Now what?”…
Letting Go of Reluctance
Lectionary: Isaiah 43:16-21, Psalm 126, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8 Let us pray: Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, we look to you. Be with us this morning; guide us and speak to us. Show us your way and give us strength to follow you. In your name we pray, Amen. Letting Go of Reluctance Saul had it all, you know? His family observed the law faithfully,…