Note on today’s liturgy: November 1 in the Western Christian liturgical calendar is All Saints Day—a day to remember and thank God for the lives of God’s people down the centuries who have faithfully witnessed to Christ, often at great cost. Today’s sermon picks up that theme, correcting a common misunderstanding concerning what a saint … Continue reading "Sermon for November 4, 2018" Read the article
Scripture Readings: Job 42:1-6, 10-17; Ps. 34:1-8, 19-22; Heb. 7:223-28; Mark 10:46-52 Sermon by Sheila Graham (from Hebrews 7, Job 42, Mark 10 and Psalm 34, drawing from The Expositor's Bible Commentary) Marvelous and Wonderful! Introduction Remember the old hymn, My Savior’s Love? The refrain goes like this: O how marvelous! O how wonderful! And … Continue reading "Sermon for October 28, 2018" Read the article
Scripture Readings: Isa. 53:4-12; Ps. 91:9-16; Heb. 5:1-10; Mark 10:35-45 Sermon by Martin Manuel from Isaiah 53 Jesus: The Suffering Servant Introduction Though most Christians know that the New Testament is all about Jesus, fewer are aware of the prominent place Jesus has in the Old Testament. We see that place in our reading today … Continue reading "Sermon for October 21, 2018" Read the article
Scripture Readings: Job 23:1-8, 16-17; Ps. 90:12-17; Heb. 4:12-16; Mark 10:17-31 Sermon by Ted Johnston (From Mark 9-10, drawing on commentary from New Bible Commentary, Bible Knowledge Commentary, and Mark for Everyone by N.T. Wright) The High Cost of the Kingdom Introduction Today’s reading in Mark 10:17-31 falls within a section that spans Mark 9:14-10:52. … Continue reading "Sermon for October 14, 2018" Read the article
Scripture Readings: Gen. 2:18-24; Ps. 8; Heb. 1:1-4; 2:5-12; Mark 10:2-16 Sermon by Lance McKinnon (from Hebrews 1:1-4) No Comparison In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir … Continue reading "Sermon for October 7, 2018" Read the article
Scripture Readings: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22; Ps. 124; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50 Sermon by Ted Johnston from James 5:13-20 Drawing from commentary by Warren Wiersbe (Bible Exposition Commentary), Peter H. Davids (New Bible Commentary) and Luke Timothy Johnson (James, Anchor Bible). Let Us Pray! Introduction In today’s reading in the Epistles, James, the half-brother of … Continue reading "Sermon for September 30, 2018" Read the article
Scripture Readings: Prov. 31:10-11; Ps. 54; James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9:30-37 Sermon by Martin Manuel from Mark 9: 30-37: Prov. 31:10; Prov. 9:10; James 3:13-16 Restoring Humility to our Humanity Introduction Though we all possess the corrupt, fallen human nature that resulted from Adam and Eve’s rejection of God, there is good news: The eternal … Continue reading "Sermon for September 23, 2018" Read the article
Scripture Readings: Prov. 1:20-23; Ps. 116:1-9; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38 Sermon by Lance McKinnon from James 3:1-12 A Word Fitly Spoken In his epistle, James, the half brother of Jesus, begins by seeking to strengthen the faith of Christians going through difficult trials. Then in the section of the letter covered in today’s reading, he … Continue reading "Sermon for September 16, 2018" Read the article
Scripture Readings: Isa. 35:4-7; Ps. 146; James 2:1-13, 14-17; Mark 7:24-37 Sermon by Linda Rex from Mark 7 and Isaiah 35 Hearing and Speaking the Word Introduction Stories about animals that talk and understand humans are fun and fascinating for children and adults alike. Perhaps that’s because God created us for relationship. We see our … Continue reading "Sermon for September 9, 2018" Read the article
Scripture Readings: Deut. 4:1-2, 6-9; Ps. 15; James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Sermon by Sheila Graham from Deuteronomy 4, Mark 7 and James 1 (drawing from the Expositor's Bible Commentary) Embracing True Freedom Introduction According to popular legend, just over 500 years ago, on October 31, 1517, German priest and theologian Martin Luther defiantly nailed … Continue reading "Sermon for September 2, 2018" Read the article
