July 21, 2024
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 The witness of Jesus, and the rest of the New Testament, is that Christ will return, but he will do so at an unexpected time. The phrase Jesus used, which Paul picks up here, is that his return will be like a “thief in the night.” So when you hear people say… Read More »
July 14, 2024
Luke 3:7-16 John the Baptist’s job is to get people ready for the coming of Messiah. What kind of preparation is important to God? John says, “Bear fruit worthy of repentance.” If you are truly sorry for your sins, if you truly desire to know God, if you truly have faith, then live a life… Read More »
June 30, 2024
Romans 6:1-11 In churches that are part of the Protestant traditions, we celebrate two sacraments. Other traditions recognize other things as sacraments, and while we might think those things, like ordination and marriage, are really important, we stop short of calling them sacraments. For us it’s just the Lord’s Supper and baptism. We talked about… Read More »
March 19, 2023
Ephesians 5:1-14 What does it mean for us to live in the light? First, we follow God’s example in all we do, which is the example of Christ. We imitate Christ by living a life filled with love for others, forgiving others. God knows our sins better than anyone, even better than we know them… Read More »
March 12, 2023
John 3:1-17 John’s Gospel is built around short stories of Jesus’ interactions with people, and I think one of the most important of those is his encounter with Nicodemus. It’s a key story for illustrating John’s presentation of the gospel. But it’s also a little bit tricky, replete with difficult phrases and word plays. It’s… Read More »
March 5, 2023
John 4:3-42 In the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in the Gospel of John, we find him crisscrossing the land of Palestine. Chapter one, he’s in Judea at his baptism. Chapter two, he’s back in Galilee for the wedding in Cana. Chapter three, he’s in Jerusalem, talking with Nicodemus. And now, he’s headed back to Galilee.… Read More »
February 26, 2023
Genesis 2:15-17 and 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19 One of the major emphases in the season of Lent is sin. Both texts today deal with the subject of sin and especially as it relates to Adam and Eve. Romans, of course, relates Adam, the original “son of God,” to Christ, the Second Adam, the true “Son of… Read More »
February 19, 2023
2 Peter 1:16-21 Many of you know that one of my favorite things to do is hunting. Strange though it may sound, one of my favorite parts of the hunting experience is “walking in” in the dark. I try to leave the house about an hour and a half before sunrise. I use a red… Read More »
February 12, 2023
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Last fall I went to the New Room Conference for church leaders in Nashville. On the second day, they had “breakout sessions,” where you could choose a speaker and a topic you were interested in. I went to one on suicide. Partly, because I know that it’s a terrible problem right now. And… Read More »