Sermons, Lectures, & Teachings
Honoring the past context for God’s word.
Understanding the current relevance for God’s word.
Living in the future hope of God’s word.
Sabbath: Stop | Exodus 20:2-11
Flip through any popular magazine, scroll on your favorite social media app, or watch any commercial on your free streaming service and you will see all sorts of advertisements–a couple drinking coffee and reading the morning newspaper in bed, a man lounging on the couch playing the guitar, a group of friends on the beach for a picnic… What exactly are they selling? They are selling sabbath.
Divorce & What Jesus Really Says | Matthew 5:31-32
Jesus clarifies both the law and the practice of divorce. He addresses the misplaced allegiance & displaced loyalty of his audience, redirecting their focus from the law to creation’s intent. He peels back the veil of obligatory obedience to black-and-white laws to emphasis loyalty. And Jesus pushes us to see people as sacred, to see people as image bearers not objects for our discard.
Salt & Light | Matthew 5:13-16
And then Jesus reminds the people that they are a people of covenant, which is a sacred agreement between them and God himself. He starts this reminder with:“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” Matthew 5:13 CSB
Overflow of the Heart | Luke 1:25-55
A young woman named Mary had received surprising news herself. News that could have ruined her life. It could have been the catalyst for Joseph, her fiancé, to call off her marriage. It could have made her an outcast in society. It could have brought out feelings of anger or frustration or disappointment because the life she once thought was hers for the taking was now taken away.
The Shepherd’s Guidance | Psalm 23:2-3
Advent leads to more, however, than the celebration of Christmas Day. Yes, we celebrate the newborn babe Jesus who was born in that lowly stable, surrounded by animal feed and manure. Even moreso, we celebrate the arrival of our Shepherd, the one who leads us, once we are willing to declare, as Robert pointed out last week, “The Lord is my shepherd.“
I AM the Vine | John 15:1-17
Jesus often spoke in picture illustrations so that his audience would relate. He captured the ordinary and turned it divine. By likening himself to bread, he communicated that we need him to live, that he alone satisfies. By likening himself to a shepherd, a common profession in the time and region of Jesus, he communicated that he will lay down his life for us and protect us from enemies.