Down by the riverside I laid my burdens down and I'm travelin' light
Posted in Sermon Notes on May 14th, 2015
The Unique Tenacity of Christian Community Romans 14:1-13, NRSV Reflections Paul derives strenuous tolerance not from a soft theory of moral relativism or a pragmatic adjustment to pluralistic reality…but rather from the action of God in Christ. — Robert JewettChristian Tolerance: Paul’s Message to the Modern Church Fire and religion are alike, could be a […]
Posted in Sermon Notes on May 13th, 2015
What The Bible Says and Doesn’t Say Leviticus 18:22, 20:13, NRSV 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, NRSV Romans 1:26-27, NRSV Reflections for the foreseeable future we must find ways to live within the church in a situation of serious moral disagreement while still respecting one another as brother and sisters in Christ. If the church is going […]
Posted in Sermon Notes on May 13th, 2015
The Story of God: Hosanna Matthew 21:1-17, NRSV Reflections Each Sunday is Palm Sunday. Every Sunday we tell the story, remembering the Kingdom of Heaven. Remembering its cost. Remembering its promise. Processing down to the table. Telling the old stories — remembering, rehearsing, doing the theatre. Without the story we are lost. God is nothing […]
Posted in Sermon Notes on Apr 24th, 2015
The Story of God: In Remembrance of Her Matthew 26:1-13, NRSV Reflections The central Christian belief is that Christ’s death has somehow put us right with God and given us a fresh start. Theories as to how it did this are another matter. A good many different theories have been held as to how it […]
Posted in Sermon Notes on Apr 24th, 2015
The Story of God: Urgency Matthew 25:1-13, NRSV Reflections I love songs about horses, railroads, land, Judgment Day, family, hard times, whiskey, courtship, marriage, adultery, separation, murder, war, prison, rambling, damnation, home, salvation, death, pride, humor, piety, rebellion, patriotism, larceny, determination, tragedy, rowdiness, heart-break, and love. And mother. And God. — Johnny Cash Parables are […]
Posted in Sermon Notes on Apr 24th, 2015
The Story of God: The Banquet Matthew 22:1-14, NRSV Reflections “Fears the Lord.” Reverence might be a better word. The Bible isn’t interested in whether we believe in God or not. It assumes that everyone more or less does. What it is interested in is the response we have toward him: will we let God […]
Posted in Sermon Notes on Mar 6th, 2015
The Story of God: Grace Matthew 20:1-16, NRSV Reflections We exulted in Christ not because of the fact alone that he made us as equal, but in making us as equal, He revealed something more amazing. He revealed himself. His personality and predilection to see justice ever through the tinted glass of mercy. Through blood-stained […]
Posted in Sermon Notes on Mar 1st, 2015
A Deeper Love: The Dynamics of a Flourishing Marriage Speaker: Rev Dr Chuck DeGroat Do you long for a deeper love? Most do, but the reality is harsh. Half of all marriages fail. This tragedy is magnified by the reality that many couples stay together but enjoy little intimacy, friendship, and happiness. Amidst our busy […]
Posted in Sermon Notes on Mar 1st, 2015
The Story of God: Forgiveness Matthew 18:15-35, NRSV Reflections When Christ’s promise defines possibilities, memories of the traumatic past become for us just that — memories of one segment of our past. They need not colonize the present nor invade the future by defining what we can do and become. Past wrongdoing suffered can be […]
Posted in Sermon Notes on Mar 1st, 2015
The Story of God: Transfiguration Matthew 16:24-17:8, NRSV Reflections Behind all thingsbehind the grey surfacethere is a glory escapingborn of heavenand belongs to heavena light that welcomesa more profound way of seeing thingsthat transfigures the worldthat casts a spell of hopethat sees the glory in the crossand life within deathit is a glorythat meets us […]
Traveling Light Relay
Down by the riverside I laid my burdens down and I'm travelin' light