Love of Neighbor, Even when Wronged

Audio Version Psalm 119:33–40 Romans 13:8–14 Matthew 18:15–20 Our gospel today is just so jammed packed full of good stuff that Jesus tells his disciples, you and me and all those that are members of the Christian church. The verses of 15-17 are key for resolving conflict but most specifically conflict with a fellow disciple. … [Read more…]

Sowers of Love to All

[youtube:http://youtu.be/Pfm3aRkcb_I] Isaiah 55:10-13 Romans 8:1-11 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 Whenever I have planted a garden, I am very careful about prepping the soil, adding in fresh soil, compost and other things that will help retain moisture and provide nutrients for the seeds I am about to plant.  Then I till all that together and make nice … [Read more…]

Old Self – New Self, Response in Baptism

Audio Link Jeremiah 20:7-13 Romans 6:1b-11 Matthew 10:24-39 So, you have been baptized into Christ Jesus, do you feel different?  Different than what, would be a good question.  Do you feel different than before you were baptized?  For those that were baptized as an infant, that would be something to hear wouldn’t?  Baptism is a … [Read more…]

Greatest Commandment + Holy Spirit = Great Commission

Audio Link Genesis 1:1–5, Genesis 1:26-2:4a 2 Corinthians 13:11–13 Matthew 28:16–20 I have not done this before but today, I want you to pull out pens or pencils and write something on your bulletins.  Write it in a place that you can see, so you can take this with you, maybe even tape it to … [Read more…]

Fear and Love

Audio Link Acts 2:14a Acts 2:36–41 Psalm 116:1–4 Psalm 116:12–19 1Peter 1:17–23 John 20:19–31 I have secrets and do not care to share them. I have had secrets that I dare not share at the time. Some secrets we have may be related to self-perception. Some related to others perception of us. Some are grounded … [Read more…]

Disciples, Chosen through Love, Not Merit

Audio Link to Sermon Video Link to Sermon Isaiah 9:1-4 Matthew 4:12-23 Each of you and myself merit nothing from God. We are sinners through and through. We too are like the people described in Isaiah today, we are in darkness and we turn away from God each and every time we sin. Sure, we … [Read more…]

Aren’t Christians Called to the least, last….

Here is a post from a friend of mine. It speaks volumes about what our schools are not doing to protect the children from bullies. I know some do try but there are so many that do not. Please share, maybe some administrators will stand up and say NO to bullies and YES to protection. … [Read more…]

Share the Wealth

Amos 8:4–7 Psalm 113:1-9 1 Timothy 2:1–7 Luke 16:1–13 Audio Version with Childrens Sermon Link to Video of Sermon At first glance, it would seem that the scripture today from Luke, does not have much in common with that of Amos or 1 Timothy.  You might be asking the same question I was when I … [Read more…]

Give or not to Give

It is a strange thing indeed to sit down with someone who walks into church and is looking for assistance.  I am not new to speaking with strangers or evaluating needs or truth, but this was in a prior “life”. Someone walks in, who I have given gift cards before and now wants money for … [Read more…]

Love of God

Link to Audio Sermon Galatians 5:1 Galatians 5:13-25 1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; … [Read more…]