Category: Easter

Easter, Sermon, John 17:6-19, Farewell Discourse, Easter 7B,
Easter, Sermon

The Dividing Lines In Life – A Sermon On John 17:6-19

We all come to dividing lines in our lives. It might be a heart attack, the death of a loved one, a divorce, the loss of job, a shattered dream, an aging body. But it might also be a graduation, a marriage, the birth of a child or a grandchild, a retirement, an unexpected opportunity. In some way our lives are a series of dividing lines. Every one of you could look back and see the dividing lines in your life; the questions that were raised, the choices you made, the struggles you faced, and the ways in which your life changed. Continue reading The Dividing Lines In Life – A Sermon On John 17:6-19

Michael K. MarshLeave a comment
Philip, Ethiopian Eunuch, Baptism, Easter 5B, Sermon, Acts 8:26-40
Easter, Sermon

The Many Baptisms Of Life – A Sermon On Acts 8:26-40

Baptism doesn’t happen just in the font at the back of the church. We’ve been taught and come to believe there is only one baptism in the church. And I think that is right, but I want to put the emphasis on “in the church.” In the church there is only one baptism. In life we are baptized over and over and over again. Continue reading The Many Baptisms Of Life – A Sermon On Acts 8:26-40

Michael K. Marsh7 Comments
Good Shepherd, Sermon, John 10:1-10, John 10:11-19, Pslam 23, Abundance, Easter
Easter, Sermon

The Abundant Life – A Sermon On John 10:11-18

Does my life matter? Do I make a difference, and if so, how? I suspect we all struggle with these questions or questions like them. I’m pretty sure that at some level they are always with us. And we don’t just want someone else to say yes. We want to be able to say yes for ourselves.   

Regardless of when or how those questions come up I think they are grounded in a deep longing and desire for abundance in our life. We want to be an abundant people. We want to live an abundant life.  Continue reading The Abundant Life – A Sermon On John 10:11-18

Michael K. Marsh1 Comment
Easter 2, John 20:19-31, Resurrection
Easter, Sermon

The Impossible Made Real – A Sermon On John 20:19-31

I suspect we all live with our own version of what is and what isn’t possible. And most of the time we live our life based on what we consider to be possible. We consider the range of possibilities and then we make a decision, choose a direction for our life, take our next step, all within the boundaries of what is possible. But what if the impossible can be made real? What if the impossible really does happen? What if the impossible is possible?  Continue reading The Impossible Made Real – A Sermon On John 20:19-31

Michael K. Marsh3 Comments
Resurrection, Resurrection of Jesus, Empty Tomb, Easter, Mark 16:1-8, Sermon
Easter, Sermon

The Two Questions Of Easter – An Easter Sermon On Mark 16:1-8

Easter is not just something from the past to be looked at and celebrated. It is the lens through which we are to see everything. It’s a life to be lived. Getting Jesus out of the tomb is not the ultimate goal of Easter. Easter is about our new life. That means that today is not the end of the story. It’s the beginning. The most important part of Easter is not what happens today. What matters most about Easter is what we do tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that.  Continue reading The Two Questions Of Easter – An Easter Sermon On Mark 16:1-8

Michael K. Marsh6 Comments
John 14:1-14, Troubled Hearts, Easter, Easter 5A, Sermon, Father's House, Pain of the World
Easter, Sermon

Troubled Hearts – A Sermon on John 14:1-14

“Do not let your hearts be troubled,” Jesus says. “Do not let your hearts be troubled?” Are you kidding me? Is Jesus really serious about that? Does he know what is happening in our lives and our world? How can Jesus say that with a straight face when he was troubled at seeing Mary and the Jews weeping at the death of Lazarus (John 11:33), when he said that his own “soul is troubled” (John 12:27), and when St. John tells us that Jesus “was troubled in spirit” (John 13:21)? What is Jesus telling us? It’s not as if there is an on-off switch for troubled hearts. Continue reading Troubled Hearts – A Sermon on John 14:1-14

Michael K. Marsh14 Comments
John 10:1-10, Easter, Easter 4A, Good Shepherd, Abundant Life, Sermon, Life, Voices, Listening, Guarding the Heart
Easter, Sermon

Try Them Apples On For Size – A Sermon on John 10:1-10

Easter 4A – John 10:1-10 “Jesus used this figure of speech with them but they did not understand what he was saying to them” (John 10:6) Has that ever happened to you? Have you ever listened to the gospel reading and then said to yourself, “What is he talking about?” Have you ever read a piece of scripture and wondered, “What does this mean? And … Continue reading Try Them Apples On For Size – A Sermon on John 10:1-10

Michael K. Marsh7 Comments
Road to Emmaus, Breaking of the Bread, Resurrection, Easter 3A, Easter, Luke 24:13-35, Life, Death, Jerusalem
Easter, Sermon

Life Shattered, Life Restored – A Sermon on Luke 24:13-35

Rarely does the gospel tell us what to do or believe. Rarely does it give us a straight answer. And today’s gospel (Luke 24:13-35), the road to Emmaus story, is no different. It doesn’t give us answers. It raises questions and invites reflection. It’s a map by which we orient and find ourselves. It reveals intersections of Jesus’ life and our lives. It begs to be recognized as a story about our lives, and it is a story with which we are familiar. It is a story of shattering and restoration.

If your life has ever been shattered then this is your story. If your life has ever been restored then this is your story. And if you’ve ever been in that in between place, between shattering and restoration, then this is your story.
Continue reading Life Shattered, Life Restored – A Sermon on Luke 24:13-35

Michael K. Marsh12 Comments
Doubting Thomas, Easter, Resurrection, Easter 2A, Doubt, John 20:19-31
Easter, Sermon

Get Out Of The House! – A Sermon on John 20:19-31

I wonder, one week after Easter, what has Christ’s resurrection done for us? Is your life different? Do you see and engage the world in new ways? What difference has the empty tomb made in your life over the last week? When I look at my life it looks a whole like it did last Sunday, the week before, and the week before that. And when I look at the world it looks pretty much the same as before. Continue reading Get Out Of The House! – A Sermon on John 20:19-31

Michael K. Marsh15 Comments
Easter, Sermon

Good Morning. Now Go Home. – An Easter Sunday Sermon on Matthew 28:1-10

I sometimes wonder if we have for so long so over-emphasized the uniqueness of Jesus’ resurrection that we have either forgotten or are unable to believe that there is only life. I wonder if we make such a big deal out of Easter Sunday that we are no longer able to see that everyday life holds the miracle of resurrection. I wonder if we miss the resurrected life that is ours because we are always looking and waiting for Jesus’ resurrection. Continue reading Good Morning. Now Go Home. – An Easter Sunday Sermon on Matthew 28:1-10

Michael K. Marsh11 Comments