Tag: Christian Life and Discipleship
-
Life Transfigured, Life Disfigured – A Sermon On Luke 9:28-43
“Life is so beautiful. Life is so hard.” That’s a phrase the author Kate Bowler often uses. It’s a reality we’ve all experienced. It’s a truth today’s gospel (Luke 9:28-43) holds before us. It’s not an easy truth to accept or live. I’d much rather stand on the Mount of Transfiguration than beg in the Read more
-
Taking The Gospel To Heart – A Sermon On Luke 6:27-38
Today’s gospel (Luke 6:27-38) is one of those texts that some say preaches itself. The text itself is the sermon. It’s even called the Sermon on the Plain in recognition that Jesus “stood on a level place” while preaching. I spoke about that level place in last Sunday’s sermon about blessings and woes. Jesus continues Read more
-
It’s Not About The Fish – A Sermon On Luke 5:1-11
For as long as I can remember, whenever I’ve come to today’s gospel (Luke 5:1-11) my focus has always been on the great catch of fish – two boatloads of fish. That’s a lot of fish – so many fish the nets were beginning to break, so many fish the boats began to sink. Simon Read more
-
It’s A Question Of Consistency – A Sermon On Luke 4:14-21
One of the things I’ve always tried to be with you is consistent. I want who you get on Sunday to be who you get on Monday, Tuesday, the day after, and the one after that. I want what you see in and hear from me to be consistent with the gospel week after week. Read more
-
Living Large – A Sermon On Luke 6:27-38
If you heard a political candidate espousing today’s gospel (Luke 6:27-38) as her or his agenda would you vote for her or him? Is today’s gospel the platform on which your political party stands and governs our nation? If we really are a Christian nation, shouldn’t it be? Are you teaching your kids the values Read more
-
Raging At Jesus – A Sermon On Luke 4:21-30
When was the last time Jesus just really ticked you off? When have you been filled with rage at Jesus for something he said or did? And what was that about? When was the last time you were so angry with Jesus that you wanted to throw him off a cliff? I’ve not seen or Read more
-
Today Is The Day – A Sermon On Luke 4:14-21
I went home from work one evening last week and told Cyndy, “I had the best afternoon. I was doing what I love and, I don’t mean to brag, but I did it really well.” I suspect you’ve had days like that. Things just flow. You’re in the zone. It feels like there’s an alignment Read more
-
Desire Beyond Desire – A Sermon On Luke 5:1-11
On the surface it would be easy to hear today’s story (Luke 5:1-11) as one in which Jesus fulfills the desires of Peter and the others; the desire to catch fish, the desire to be successful, the desire to make a living. I don’t think that’s a correct reading of this story. I don’t think… Read more
-
The One Thing We All Have In Common – A Sermon On Luke 4:21-30
The people in the synagogue were looking forward to some hometown privilege. They see themselves as special and they are ticked off when they realize that Jesus won’t play to their presumed privilege and that they are being passed over. That’s what enrages them. They are raging mad about being passed over. And I can’t… Read more
Interrupting the Silence 