Category: Sermon
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Spoiler Alert: Christmas Happens In The Real World – A Sermon On Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
I think today’s gospel (Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23) should have come with a spoiler alert. So here it is. Are you ready? Spoiler Alert: Christmas happens in the real world; not in the candlelight of a silent night, and not away in a manger. Here’s why I say that: Today’s gospel spoils whatever sentimental or romantic Read more
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God’s First Sacrament – A Christmas Sermon On John 1:1-18
“And the Word became flesh and lived among us.” That’s the Christmas story St. John tells in today’s gospel (John 1:1-18) and it’s very different from the one we heard from St. Luke on Christmas Eve (Luke 2:1-20). One is not better than the other. They’re just different and we need both. Luke tells us Read more
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There’s Something About This Day – A Christmas Day Sermon On Luke 2:8-20
“The shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place.’” There’s something about this day like no other day. I’ve told you this before but I’ll say it again. Christmas Day is one of my most favorite days in the church year. It is simple, Read more
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Our Original Blessing – A Christmas Eve Sermon On Luke 2:1-20
“To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:1-20) That is the angel’s “good news of great joy for all the people.” It is the summation of Christmas. It is the heart of the Christmas story. What more needs to be said? What Read more
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Blessed Are You Too – An Advent Sermon On Luke 1:39-45
“In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.” I don’t know why Mary set out “with haste” to go to Elizabeth. I don’t know what she wanted or needed from Elizabeth. Today’s gospel (Luke 1:39-45) Read more
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How Are You? – An Advent Sermon On Zephaniah 3:14-20
What comes to mind when you think of repentance? What does it look like and mean in your life today? What is it asking of you? My guess is that for most of us, especially during Advent, our image and understanding of repentance is John the Baptist calling us to shape up or ship out, Read more
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A Word In The Wilderness Of Life – An Advent Sermon On Luke 3:1-6
When was the last time you were in the wilderness of life? Maybe you are there today. We all come to wilderness times in our life. Sometimes the choices we make bring us to the wilderness. Sometimes the actions or words of others send us there. And sometimes it’s circumstances beyond our control that take Read more
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Life In The Gap – An Advent Sermon On Jeremiah 33:14-16 And Luke 21:25-36
Recently, someone said to me, “I’m ready to move on. I don’t like being in this in between place.” I know what he means and I’ll bet you do too. I sometimes think about it as life in the gap. It’s the gap between what was or is and what will be. It’s the gap Read more
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Living Power Differently – A Sermon On John 18:33-37, Christ The King
Today is the Feast of Christ the King. Throughout history kings and kingdoms have at some level been associated with power. So today seems like a good day to reflect on power in our lives and world. Last week a woman came to my office seeking assistance. With tears in her eyes she said, “It’s Read more
Interrupting the Silence 