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, … Continue reading "Sermon for June 18, 2017" Read the article
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 … Continue reading "Sermon for June 11, 2017 (Trinity Sunday)" Read the article
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 … Continue reading "Sermon for June 4, 2017 (Pentecost)" Read the article
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 … Continue reading "Sermon for May 28, 2017 (Ascension Sunday)" Read the article
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 … Continue reading "Sermon for May 21, 2017" Read the article
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. … Continue reading "Sermon for May 14, 2017" Read the article
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 … Continue reading "Sermon for May 7, 2017" Read the article
Sermon for April 30, 2017 (third Sunday of Easter) Scripture readings: Acts 2:14, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19; 1 Pet. 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35 COMING TO FAITH IN JESUS (Luke 24:13-35) By Linda Rex Today, the third Sunday of the Easter season, let’s look at encountering Jesus. In our reading in Luke’s Gospel, two disciples of Jesus, walking … Continue reading "Sermon for April 30, 2017" Read the article
Sermon for April 23, 2017 (second Sunday of Easter) Scripture readings: Acts 2:14, 22-32; Psalm 16:1-11; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31 THE POWER OF JESUS’ RESURRECTION (John 20:19-31) By Ted Johnston Introduction The news that Jesus had risen from the dead spread rapidly among his followers—at first with skepticism, then hesitation, but finally with enthusiasm and … Continue reading "Sermon for April 23, 2017" Read the article
Sermon for April 16, 2017 (Easter) Scripture readings: Acts 10:34-43 or Jer. 31:1-6; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Col. 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18 or Matt. 28:1-10 THE DAWNING OF THE NEW DAY (John 20:1-18) By Ted Johnston (drawing on commentary by Michael Card) Biographies usually end with the subject’s death. But John’s recounting of the story of Jesus is not … Continue reading "Sermon for April 16, 2017 (Easter)" Read the article
