“Who can stand?” That’s the question at the end of Revelation chapter 6. In that chapter, the entire cosmos rumbles and quakes to its foundation. The sun goes black, and the moon turns to blood. The stars fall from the sky like ripened figs. Even the strong and mighty, the movers and shakers of this […]
Bonnie Kelsey’s Funeral Sermon
October 31, 2012 by
Texts: Genesis 2:15-17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-57, John 5:24-30 Preached on October 31, 2012 Over the last year, Bonnie has suffered many ailments and physical hardships. She was living in the brutal reality of a fallen world. She lived, staring down that foreign intruder, death, as he made his presence known in this world, leaving […]
Revelation 14:6-7: Semper Reformanda
October 28, 2012 by
Pick a date, any date. When did reformation begin? If you’re like most, you would say it began when Martin Luther posted his 95 theses that called for a debate on indulgences. That was October 31st, 1517. If you’re a bit more adventurous, you might pick 1514. That’s when Luther had his “tower experience.” That’s […]
Ecclesiastes 5:10-20: The Meaning of Life
October 21, 2012 by
John was a man who lived a life of material success. He had served bravely in World War II. And like so many of that greatest generation, he returned home to his wife and children and became a business leader. And as John became more and more successful in the eyes of the world, he […]
Mark 10:17-22: Riches and Religion
October 14, 2012 by
Riches and religion are heavy on the mind of a rich man. So, he asks Jesus, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” That’s a reasonably religious question because we naturally assume that religion is about doing good deeds to earn God’s favor. And more than that, Jesus is a good teacher. […]
Mark 10:2-16: Jesus and Divorce
October 7, 2012 by
The Pharisees were out to trap Jesus in His own words. And what better place than to set the trap in the tripwire of marriage and divorce! So, they asked Jesus, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” Now, the Republicans of Jesus’ day, the conservative rabbis, said a man could only […]
Numbers 11:4-6,10-16, 24-29: It’s about God … and Others
September 30, 2012 by
Did you ever go on a date where the other person fully dominated the conversation, going on and on, speaking only about herself (or himself)? Was it so terrible that your date didn’t even allow you into the center of the conversation? That’s frustrating! Such a person rarely gets a second date–I don’t care how […]
Mark 9:30-37: The Greatest is the Least
September 23, 2012 by
This was the second time the disciples heard Jesus speak of His death and resurrection. Jesus said: “The Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” Jesus didn’t mince words. He didn’t speak in mysteries, riddles, or parables. Jesus was about […]
Mark 9:30-37: The Greatest is the Least
September 23, 2012 by
This was the second time the disciples heard Jesus speak of His death and resurrection. Jesus said: “The Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” Jesus didn’t mince words. He didn’t speak in mysteries, riddles, or parables. Jesus was about […]
Mark 9:14-29: Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!
September 16, 2012 by
At first listen, today’s Gospel sounds as if it’s only about demon possession and exorcism. For we hear about a boy with a troubling demon that causes epileptic-like seizures and even tries to throw the boy into fire or water. That’s frightening stuff. What makes this even more frightening is that Jesus’ disciples couldn’t deal […]
