Category: Sermons
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Septuagesima
~ About Seventy Days until Easter ~ Readings: Exodus 17:1-7 | 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:5 | Matthew 20:1-16 Text: Matthew 20:1-16 The dictionary defines “grace” as God’s undeserved favor, as “God’s forgiving mercy” and “Gifts freely bestowed by [Him].”[1] So, we sing praises of God’s grace in Christ. We name congregations after it and we sing…
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The Transfiguration of Our Lord
+ Holy Baptism of David Herman Demarest + Readings: Exodus 34:29-35; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9 Text: Matthew 17:1-9 The Feast of the Transfiguration was celebrated by Armenian Christians in the 5th century, but the commemoration as we know it today was standardized by Pope Callixtus III in 1456. It was to be celebrated on…
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Purification of Mary and Presentation of Our Lord
Readings: 1 Samuel 1:21-28 | Hebrews 2:14-18 | Luke 2:22-40 Text: Luke 2:22-32 In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Gnostics of the first century imported many strange ideas into the Christian Church. Named after their chief aim: knowledge/gnosis, they believed the story of salvation was that the stuff of this world was evil…
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Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Readings: 2 Kings 5:1-15a | Romans 12:16-21 | Matthew 8:1-13 Text: 2 Kings 5:1-15a There are many things which are remarkable about the interaction between Naaman and the prophet Elisha. First of all, we think that the Old Testament is just about Israel, and what’s this gentile doing in the story? Secondly, it’s a story…
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Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Readings: Amos 9:11-15 | Romans 12:6-16 | John 2:1-11 Text: John 2:1-11 In the days of the Prophets, God used object lessons. Jeremiah presented signs of a ruined loincloth[1] and a broken clay flask.[2] Ezekiel shaved his head and beard and divided the hair in three portions.[3] Zechariah dressed as a foolish shepherd and threw…
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The Baptism of Our Lord
Readings: Isaiah 42:1-7 | 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 | Matthew 3:13-17 Text: Matthew 3:13-17 What sort of God do we have? If you look at just general revelation, you will conclude that God is great and powerful, but unmoved by the needs of puny people like us. Only those who are a cut above catch the…
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The Epiphany of Our Lord (observed)
Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6 | Ephesians 3:1-12 | Matthew 2:1-12 Text: Isaiah 60:1-6 “I’ve had an epiphany!” is usually something you say when you’ve made a new connection or come up with a possibly great idea. But that’s not where the word started. It comes from Greek, epi + phaino, meaning to “appear, give light” such…
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First Sunday after Christmas
Readings: Isaiah 11:1-5 | Galatians 4:1-7 | Luke 2:22-40 Text: Galatians 4:1-7 What’s the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament? It’s not a difference where one is Law and the other is Gospel. Both are God’s Word and together make a complete picture of God’s work, so that some educated people call…
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The Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord
Readings: Isaiah 11:1-5 | Galatians 4:1-7 | Luke 20:22-40 Text: Matthew 1:18-25 18Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19And her husband Joseph, being a just man…
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Fourth Sunday in Advent
~ Rorate Coeli ~ Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15-19 | Philippians 4:4-7 | Luke 1:39-56 Text: Philippians 4:4-7 No doubt this week, we will be hearing the phrase, “Merry Christmas.” Take a moment to think about it: Is this a statement or a command? I mean, what should you do when there’s nothing to be merry about? When…