Christ’s Ascension

IntroductionThis past Thursday was Ascension Day, and today Ascension Sunday. I have never done a sermon on the Ascension, so I don’t know what images that conjures up in your mind, but I know for some it conjures up pictures of the Amish and Mennonite communities gathering at Greenwood Furnace or other such parks for … Read more

Definitely Different

Genesis 32.22-32 Jacob prepares for confrontation But during the night Jacob got up and sent his two wives, two concubines, and eleven sons across the Jabbok River. After they were on the other side, he sent over all his possessions. This left Jacob all alone in the camp … (Gen 32.22-24a) Jacob wrestles God … … Read more

Silver Boxes

Ephesians 4.29 An overview of the verse:Bad talk:Do not use talk that is unwholesome, foul, dirty, abusive. Swearing, vulgar, gossip, talking down to others, tearing others down or belittling, finding fault. Good talk:Say nice things: give compliments, be cheerful, tell the truth, put on a positive attitude. Edify: build up. Ministers grace:Not just that they … Read more

A Christian Heritage

Psalm 22 IntroductionThis is a Psalm of lament, which as most turns from lament to praise. It is a Messianic psalm, especially evident in vv 16-18, sometimes called the Fifth Gospel account of the crucifixion. This doesn’t discount it’s present setting, a psalm of David, where David is in trouble, even near death and is … Read more

Surrender

Today, we’re going to talk about one more discipleship essential: surrender. Jesus said, "If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me. If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your … Read more

In Christ

Ephesians 2.1-10 This passage about what God has done in Christ Jesus, not just through Jesus, not just with Jesus, but in Jesus. Your and my destiny is incorporated in that of Christ. Vv 1-3 are a description of our pre-Christian past. We were dead … in sin. The spirit that was at work within … Read more

Compassion

There are a few essentials of discipleship, it seems to me: teachability and passion, to name two. Today, I want to talk about compassion. Around here (where we’re in the process of merging two congregations), we are asking the question, "How will this look different?" One way I think we must look different is that … Read more