Jesus’ Baptism Is Important
Old Testament Isaiah 43:1-7 Psalm Psalm 29:1-11 New Testament Acts 8:14-17 Gospel Luke 3:15-22 The story of Jesus’ baptism must be important. It is one of few stories that are contained in all four gospels. … [Read more…]
Love
John Testifies to the Word, Son Incarnate, for All
Sunday, January 3, 2016 Second Sunday After Christmas Old Testament Jeremiah 31:7-14 Psalm 147:12-20 New Testament Ephesians 1:3-14 Gospel John 1:1-18 JOHN 1:1–18 The bolded text is this author’s additional explanation to the reading as translated by N.T. Wright. 1 In the beginning was the Word. The Word was close beside God, and the Word was … [Read more…]
Fear and Faith: Jesus Responds
Sunday, June 21, 2015 | After Pentecost Proper 7 Year B Job 38:1–11 Psalm 107:1–3, 23–32 2 Corinthians 6:1–13 Mark 4:35–41[2] Prior to our Gospel from today, Jesus and His disciples spend the day at the seaside. When you hear that, did you think, wow, what a nice day at the beach? A mini … [Read more…]
Baptism Changes Our Reality
Audio Link Sunday, June 7, 2015 | After Pentecost Genesis 3:8-15 Psalm 130: 1-8 2 Corinthians 4:13–5:1 Mark 3:20–35 Isn’t it nice that we are in a different gospel today? Oh don’t get me wrong, John is great stuff, but it is nice to have another perspective of the gospel too. Last time I was … [Read more…]
Love is Experienced in Faith in God, in God’s Love
This sermon was delivered at Wartburg Theological Seminary, on Monday May 10th, 2015. The final year students have been preaching this semester from the previous Sunday New Testament text, for their Monday Chapel preaching. As part of the sermon, just prior to giving the sermon, the song, They’ll Know We are Christians by Our Love … [Read more…]
I Am the Vine: You are the Branches Made New in Baptism
Unfortunately the Video and Audio is not available for this particular sermon. Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 3rd, 2015 Acts 8:26-40 Psalm 22:25-31 1 John 4:7-21 John 15:1-8 Jesus says that He is the Vine and we hear that we are the branches. In baptismal language, we have been grafted into Jesus’s family as branches … [Read more…]
What We Say and Do, Matters
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B Old Testament Deuteronomy 18:15–20 Psalm Psalm 111:1-10 New Testament 1 Corinthians 8:1–13 Gospel Mark 1:21–28[1] 11 … so by your knowledge this weak person … [Read more…]
Who are They-We are Neighbor?
During a class about American Genocide, I was presented with an opportunity to reconsider what I knew to what I have heard about Native Americans. What is it that we want to hold onto? In response to a particular negative report about Native Americans on the Rose Bud Reservation, a group of Native American high … [Read more…]
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…]