Sermons on The Gospel
Good News
Scripture: Genesis 12:1-4a, Psalm 121, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17 This story of Nicodemus and Jesus in the garden–the way Nicodemus seems to have snuck away to see Jesus at night, Jesus’ teachings, this image of two men surrounded by the sounds of crickets and big green trees (fine, that last one’s my own image, and Israel is nothing like that, but…
Lost and Found
Scripture Readings: Exodus 32:7-14, Psalm 51:1-10, 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Luke 15:1-10 In our gospel reading today, we have two parables of Jesus about things that are lost. They’re very similar stories, with a person losing something, searching for it, finding it, and finally celebrating its return. In the first, we have a shepherd who is caring for his flock. One of…
Waiting and Preparing
Lectionary: Genesis 15:1-6, Psalm 33:12-22, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40 Waiting and Preparing This past week I read a book called Front Desk by Kelly Yang, which is about the struggles of a Chinese family who emigrated to the US. They work cleaning a motel, struggle to learn English, and barely scrape by, after leaving their families, language, and good jobs in…
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.…
Letting Go of How-it-was
Lectionary: Joshua 5:9-12, Psalm 32, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Let us pray: Lord God, holy and true, we ask for your presence here. Come among us and speak to us. Show us your will and your way. 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. In your holy name we pray, Amen.…
Letting Go of Indulgence
Lectionary: Isaiah 55:1-9, Psalm 63:1-8, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9 Let us pray: Lord God Almighty, be with us this morning as we hear your Word. Speak to us; show us what we need to hear. Bless our understanding; send us out from worship to do your will. In your name we pray, Amen. Letting Go of Indulgence “You deserve this!” I saw the slogan on a…
Called Where???
Lectionary: Isaiah 6:1-13, Psalm 138, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Luke 5:1-11 Let us pray: Lord God, bless us with ears to hear and eyes to see when you speak to us. Give us grace when we fall short, and carry us through those places where your call is too much for us. Give us ears to hear your word, O Christ. Amen. Called Where??? I once read a comparison between searching…
“Throw him off a cliff!”
Lectionary readings: Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 Let us pray: Speak to us this morning, O God, and give us ears to hear your words to us. Show us your majesty and your truth. 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. “Throw him off a…
Redeemed
Lectionary: Isaiah 43:1-7, Psalm 29, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Let us pray: Dear God, remind us of your presence. Remind us of your redeeming love, which we remember in baptism. Speak to us today. In your holy name we pray, Amen. Redeemed Like a lot of us, I think, I was baptized as a baby. I was two months old, and so of course don’t remember a thing about…
Prepare the Way
Lectionary: Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 1:68-79, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6 Let us pray: Lord, prepare the way for your coming. Prepare our hearts and our world. Speak truth to us, that we may see you coming. 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. Prepare the Way A few weeks ago I…