Every week I pray the same thing for my wife and I. I pray that our marriage would be a picture of the Gospel. I know it is a lofty goal, perhaps unattainable, but I pray it…
Celebrate
It was on the road to Emmaus when a stranger approached us as we contemplated and discussed the events over the last few days. We thought for sure Jesus was going to free us from the oppressive rule of the Romans. Then the stranger asked…
Peace
What is our view of peace? We all search for peace in our, but there are daily struggles that disrupt our sense of peace. The workplace, the transit to the workplace, the tasks and priorites of our workday. Then there is the homelife as well. There are children to care for, meals to prepare, laundry, grocery shoping, after school activities, and the list goes on. We are up before the sun and back in bed shortly after the sun goes down. And the cycle continues. Where is the peace? Few of us, it seems, find peace…
Defend Against Temptation
The best defense against sin starts with the thought. As a Christian we must determine ahead of time to purge our minds of sinful thoughts. If, on the other hand, we give in to the sinful thought and begin to fantasize about the feelings we might enjoy our walls are weakened and we form a desire to carry out that thought. Once we give into the desire we…
The Kingdom of God is Like a Weed
Here is the familiar the Parable of the Mustard Seed: Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.” The common interpretation of this passage seems only common sense. The kingdom of God is represented as this small and seemingly insignificant seed that grows into a fullness that is by orders of magnitude greater than the meek smallness of its beginning. This interpretation finds convenient manifestation in the … Read More
His Proclamation
Ephesians 3:10-11, “10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Usually, in the spring, around the time of Pentecost, I do a series of sermons on the church. In the past three years I have preached Church 101, Church As…, and 7 Churches. This year I planned to do the same; my intent was to focus on the teachings about church in the book of Ephesians. My head, heart, … Read More
His Household
Ephesians 2:19-22, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Usually, in the spring, around the time of Pentecost, I do a series of sermons on the church. In the past three years … Read More
Faith and Deeds
One of the areas of confusion for me, when it comes to the Bible, is the comparison of Paul’s and James’ writings regarding faith and deeds. In reading the books of Ephesians and Romans we find Paul explaining we are saved through our faith in God and His grace. In the book of James (a book we will study as a congregation beginning in January), there seems to be a contradiction with Paul. However, if we look closely at the comments being made by both men, we will find that they agree. James words… James 2:17- 18 “… faith by itself, if … Read More
Prayer and the Love of Jesus
Do you love Jesus? This question, on the surface, seems simple enough. But, if you look deeper, it is difficult to answer. We have the demonstration, or behavior, associated with the love of Jesus. We have been baptized, we belong to a church organization, we read the Bible on a regular basis, we pray, we may have a ministry such as being an usher, or a greeter, or part of the choir. But the question still is unanswered. Do you love Jesus? John 21: 15 – 15, “So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son … Read More
Jonah and the Big Fish
Photo by Sebastian-Alexander Stamatis. Last week the sermon at our church was about Jonah being swallowed by a big “fish” and his subsequent prayer. But most people get hung up on the big “fish”. For instance, was this fish a whale, a dogfish, a shark, or some other fish specifically manifested by God for this sole purpose? Those who want to discredit the Bible gravitate to this book in particular as being “proof” that the Bible is a book of myth and not to be relied upon. However, I would disagree with that assessment. God created heaven and earth, so what would … Read More