Sermon based on Luke 15:11-32 A Shameful Request. An Unexpected Response A respected man was blessed with two sons. One day, his younger son says to him, “Father, give me the share of the family property coming to me.” Saying this was as good as telling your father he’s worth more to you dead thanContinueContinue reading “It’s Complicated: A Parable about Shame & Grace”
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A Sermon for when Evil Things Happen as did in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, 2025–“Senseless Suffering, Unstoppable Salvation”
“Senseless suffering. Unstoppable Salvation.” Sermon Text: Matthew 2:13-23 Over the past many weeks, we have rejoiced in the miraculous birth of our Lord, Immanuel, God with us. We’ve reflected on the faithfulness of Mary and Joseph, who submitted to the will of God and raised this child and named Him Jesus. We’ve reflected on theContinueContinue reading “A Sermon for when Evil Things Happen as did in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, 2025–“Senseless Suffering, Unstoppable Salvation””
Voting with Faith: Christian Responsibilities Explained
No church or pastor should ever endorse outright a particular candidate for office. The Church’s only endorsement is Jesus Christ. After all, Jesus has never flip-flopped on key issues, used race-based identity politics, or had a questionable haircut. No. Indeed, the Church preaches Christ crucified and Christ risen for the sake of sinners. This, andContinueContinue reading “Voting with Faith: Christian Responsibilities Explained”
Psalm 148 — Twelve Psalms for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany
We’ve learned a lot about the psalms in the last twelve weeks and I’ve enjoyed this series. However, while there are 150 psalms total in the psalter, and combined they express the full range of the human experience—sorrow, despair, hope, love and joy—the psalms we’ve been focusing on in this series have been those thatContinueContinue reading “Psalm 148 — Twelve Psalms for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany”
Psalm 107 — Twelve Psalms for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany
PSALM 107:1-32 & 43 (Color-Coded)Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. 4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in;5 hungry and thirsty, their soul faintedContinueContinue reading “Psalm 107 — Twelve Psalms for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany”
Psalm 19: Twelve Psalms for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany
Psalm 19 – A Psalm for Epiphany “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” – Psalm 19 What a perfect psalm to read on this day that the church celebrates the Epiphany of our Lord. Epiphany is a fancy Greek word that literally means “a sudden shining of light”ContinueContinue reading “Psalm 19: Twelve Psalms for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany”
Psalm 147: Twelve Psalms for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany
Psalm 147 was composed at a very bittersweet moment in ancient Israel’s history. The holy city, Jerusalem, had been destroyed. God’s people had been in exile for seventy years in Babylon—taken out of their ancestral homeland and more than a generation passes while living in that foreign land. Grandparents weep at the fact that theirContinueContinue reading “Psalm 147: Twelve Psalms for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany”
O Lord, open my lips... 