Scripture readings:
Gen. 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 and Ps. 45:10-17 (or Song 2:8-13) or Zech. 9:9-12 and Ps. 145:8-14; Rom. 7:15-25a; Matt. 11:16-19, 25-30
THE JOY OF TAKING JESUS' YOKE (Matthew 11:27-30)
By Cathy Deddo
Introduction
Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matt. 11:28-30)
When I was a child, I loved the comfort of these words, even if I didn’t really understand them. When struggling in some way or anxious, I liked the picture they gave me of gentle Jesus wanting to help me when life got overwhelming. I liked the idea that... Read the article
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Scripture readings:
Gen. 22:1-14 and Ps. 13:1-6 or Jer. 28:5-9 and Ps. 89:1-4, 15-18;
Rom. 6:12-23; Matt. 10:40-42
RECEIVING AND REPRESENTING JESUS (Matthew 10:40-42)
By Martin Manuel
Introduction
Let's begin with a video that illustrates the power of hospitality. [The video shows the work of a Peace Corps volunteer in the Asian country of Timor-Leste.]
[On YouTube at https://youtu.be/NhRIUxsNPIQ . Although the context of this video is not the gospel, per se, it illustrates the kind of welcoming response that Jesus speaks of in the passage covered in this sermon.]
Jesus sent his disciples out on a mission to towns in the region of Galilee. He gave them instruction on where to go and what to do when they got there. He told... Read the article
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Scripture readings: Gen. 21:8-21 and Ps. 86:1-10, 16-17
or Jer. 20:7-13 and Ps. 69:7-10, 16-18; Rom. 6:1-11; Matt. 10:24-39
Sermon by Ted Johnston from Romans 6:1-4
(drawing on John Stott's commentary)
CHRISTIAN LIVING
(THE LOGIC OF BAPTISM)
Introduction
In today's reading in Matthew, Jesus declared that his first disciples were to take up their crosses and follow him (Matt. 10:38). We have the same calling today---this is the life to which we as believers are called, empowered by the Spirit. In our reading today in Romans, Paul addresses the topic of Christian living. The passage falls within a section of Paul's letter where he addresses the unity believers have by virtue of their shared spiritual union with Christ. Chapter 5... Read the article
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Scripture readings: Gen. 18:1-15 and Ps. 116:1-2, 12-19
or Ex. 19:2-8 and Ps. 100:1-5; Rom. 5:1-8; Matt. 9:35-10:8
Sermon by Martin Manuel from Matt. 9:35-10:8
JESUS SEES A HARVEST FIELD---DO WE?
Introduction
Though Jesus tried to contain his popularity, his reputation spread like wildfire throughout Galilee and on into Judea. Wherever he went, crowds followed, many hoping to receive healing and help from this miracle-working rabbi. In chapter 9, Matthew cites case after case of Jesus acting on requests for help from people around him. Amazed crowds (Matt. 9:8, 33) gathered wherever he went. Desperate people flocked to him.
[caption id="attachment_4116" align="aligncenter" width="503"] Jesus Traveling by Tissot (public domain via... Read the article
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Scripture readings:
Gen. 1:1-2:4; Ps. 8:1-9; 2 Cor. 13:11-14; Matt. 28:16-20
REJOICING IN GOD, THE HOLY TRINITY
(Ps. 8:1-9; Matt. 28:16-20; 2 Cor. 13:14)
By Ted Johnston
Introduction
Today is Trinity Sunday---the first Sunday following Pentecost. It's a day to rejoice in God, who is one in being and three in Person---the Holy Trinity. The Trinity is far more than a doctrine to be understood---it is the reality of the one, tri-personal God who is to be loved and worshipped.
[caption id="attachment_1874" align="aligncenter" width="335"] Icon of the Trinity by Rublev (public domain via Wikimedia Commons)[/caption]
Though it wasn't until Jesus came that we learned in detail that the one God is one in being and three in Person,... Read the article
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Scripture readings:
Num. 11:24-30; Psalm 104:24-35; Acts 2:1-21; John 20:19-23
PENTECOST: EXTRAORDINARY LIFE IN ORDINARY TIME (Acts 2:1-21)
By Michelle Fleming
Introduction
Today is Pentecost, which marks the transition from the Easter season to what the liturgical calendar calls "ordinary time.” During the Easter season, we reflect on God’s redemption through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Following that, our focus switches to living out the mystery of the life of Christ. Doing so is impossible without what Pentecost commemorates---the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon humanity. Pentecost is the day on which we move from spectators in the gospel story to active participants. It is the day the church, the body of... Read the article
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Scripture readings:
Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47:1-9 or Psalm 93:1-5; Eph. 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53
ASCENSION DEFICIT DISORDER (Luke 22:44-53)
By Lance McKinnon
Introduction
Many Christians, it seems, suffer from "ascension deficit disorder." Perhaps that's because few churches celebrate Jesus' ascension, which occurred 40 days after his resurrection and 10 days before the sending of the Spirit on Pentecost. One of the benefits of following the lectionary in our services is it causes us to remember the important events of the story of Jesus, and his ascension to heaven is one of them. Today, in accordance with the lectionary, is Ascension Sunday (the Sunday following ascension day). And so today we'll look at Luke's account of that great... Read the article
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Sermon for May 21 (Sixth Sunday of Easter)
Scripture readings:
Acts 17:22-31; Psalm 66:8-20; 1 Pet. 3:13-22; John 14:15-21
WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABANDONED (John 14:15-21)
By Martin Manuel
Introduction
On the night before Jesus died, some 40 days before ascending to heaven, our Lord's apostles were confronted with a troubling question: What would they do after Jesus was gone?
[caption id="attachment_3758" align="aligncenter" width="568"] Christ Washing the Disciples' Feet by Danedi (public domain via Wikimedia Commons)[/caption]
That night in the Upper Room, Jesus shared what was for his followers very distressing news---perhaps the worst of their lives. Jesus, their hero, leader and inspiration---their teacher, Messiah and... Read the article
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Sermon for May 14, 2017 (fifth Sunday of Easter)
Scripture readings:
Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; 1 Pet. 2:2-10; John 14:1-14
SHARING IN GOD'S COMMUNITY (1 Peter 1:22-2:10)
(a sermon about church unity and participation)
By Ted Johnston
Introduction
The Christians to whom Peter wrote were facing the likelihood of increased persecution from the Romans. Knowing this, Peter urged them to “hang in”—to hold on to the true source of their unity, namely their sharing together in God’s divine nature.
From all eternity, God—Father, Son and Spirit—is a tri-personal (triune) communion of love. In Jesus, who is the union of God and humankind in one person, all humanity has been reconciled to God---accepted by God,... Read the article
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Sermon for May 7, 2017 (fourth Sunday of Easter)
Scripture readings:
Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23:1-6; 1 Pet. 2:19-25; John 10:1-10
THE GOOD SHEPHERD (John 10:1-10)
By Martin Manuel
Introduction
On YouTube at http://youtu.be/Coq_grSFlNs
Today is the 4th Sunday of Easter, traditionally referred to as “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Its theme is Jesus the Shepherd of God’s flock and the blessings of being his sheep. Our passage today in John 10 uses the metaphors of sheep, shepherds and sheep-raising to teach us about Jesus and his relationship with his followers. Here we find Jesus’ description of the only legitimate pastoral ministry of humans---one centered on and totally immersed in him, and extended by him to his followers.
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