January 22, 2023
This morning we welcome Esther Bowden to the pulpit
Is He the Answer?
January 15, 2023
John 1:29-42 This story happens sometime after Jesus’ baptism. John does not describe Jesus’ baptism, nor the 40 days of testing in the wilderness that happen immediately after. Jesus’ baptism is mentioned, but not described, and the wilderness time is never even mentioned. Why does John leave them out? Well, the simplest explanation is that… Read More »
Identity & Purpose
January 8, 2023
Matthew 3:13-17 Back when I was in college, I was going through the candidacy process for ministry, which I can assure you was every bit as much fun as it sounds. This is the process folks go through when they are pursuing a calling to pastoral ministry. I was doing it with the pastor at… Read More »
In All Their Suffering
January 1, 2023
Isaiah 63:7-9 and Matthew 2:13-23 In an age when the historicity and reliability of the Bible is often called into question, it should come as no surprise that some scholars doubt the authenticity of this story. “Herod wouldn’t send soldiers to murder. This is just embellishment by Matthew. After all, this story is unknown outside… Read More »
Face to Face
December 25, 2022
Hebrews 1:1-12 If the Covid pandemic taught us anything, other than to wash our hands, which you should absolutely still be doing, it is to value face-to-face communication. In those early days of the pandemic, the folks at the CDC and other places implored us not to have any personal contact with people outside our… Read More »
Is There Room in Your Heart?
December 24, 2022
Luke 2:1-20 I think this is one of the most familiar passages in all of Scripture, because it’s something we hear at least a couple times every year in the Christmas season. But I also find that familiar passages have a lot of things just below the surface that if we pay attention to them,… Read More »
Becoming Family
December 18, 2022
Romans 1:1-7 and Matthew 1:18-25 The next step in the great saving work of God begins with two unassuming young people in the little Galilean village of Bethlehem. Now, Matthew, a Jewish author addressing the gospel to Jewish people, starts out his book by telling us that Joseph is, in fact, a descendant of King… Read More »
I Want Patience, and I Want It Now!
December 11, 2022
Matthew 11:2-11 and James 5:7-10 I was given the advice once by a fellow pastor, “Never pray and ask God to teach you patience; he might give you children.” I guess it’s too late for that. What is patience? The Greek word for it in the New Testament basically meant “slow to anger.” It means… Read More »
True and False Piety
December 4, 2022
Matthew 3:1-12 and Romans 15:4-13 John is preaching in the wilderness. In the Scriptures, wilderness is primarily a place of preparation. God sends people to the wilderness to get them ready for the work he has ahead of them. And John is preaching there because he is tasked with getting people ready for the coming… Read More »
God’s Wake-Up Call
November 27, 2022
Matthew 24:36-44 and Romans 13:11-14 Jesus declares, unequivocally, “No one knows the day or hour.” This means two things: First, don’t try to figure it out. Don’t waste your time trying to figure out if this or that means Christ is coming back soon. Second, don’t pay any attention to those who claim they have… Read More »