Growing with Jesus

Here is the audio of Sunday's sermon, "Growing with Jesus," based on Luke 2:21-24, 41-52, which kicked off the new year for our church family. In it, I describe several of the tangible steps our church leadership is taking in an effort to help each member individually and our entire congregation communally grow with Jesus "in wisdom and in favor with God and people." You can stream the audio below or download it here.

Celebrating with Mary

Here is the audio of Sunday's sermon, "Celebrating with Mary," based on Luke 1:39-55. You can stream the audio below or download it here.

A Consistent Ethic

Here is the audio of Sunday's sermon, "A Consistent Ethic," based on Luke 3:7-18. You can stream the audio below or download it here.

The Faithfulness of Doubt

If anyone knew well the story of God’s promising and providing a child to Abraham and Sarah it was Zechariah. He was, after all, a priest whose life calling it was to know the story of God’s relationship and interaction with Israel through the years. Not only would he have known the story, it seems reasonable to suspect he might have held the story close in hopes that what God did for Abraham and Sarah, God might also do for Zechariah and Elizabeth. The two couples were quite alike. Just as Abraham and Sarah were faithful and righteous people, so Luke tells us both Zechariah and Elizabeth “were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.” But the more obvious commonality that makes me think Zechariah might have prized this story is the fact both couples, though faithful, were unable to conceive and give birth to a child.

It is not difficult to imagine that month after month, perhaps for several years, each time Zechariah and Elizabeth came face to face with the reality it would at least be another month until she could get pregnant, they would pray hopeful prayers: “God of Abraham and Sarah, who can create life even in the midst of lifeless wombs, grant us the blessing of raising a child to whom we might pass on our faith.”

But there’s only so much hope that can be drawn from a thousand year old story. And there’s only so many times one can pray the same desperate, pleading prayer, without growing tired and weary. So which of us can fault Zechariah for being rather skeptical when an angel appears and tells him Elizabeth will bear him a son? And yet, just as the angel declares, Elizabeth does indeed give birth to a son we know as John the Baptist.

I have occasionally heard well-meaning Christians respond to others’ doubts by suggesting greater familiarity with the stories of Scripture would prevent such doubts. The story of Zechariah, however, testifies to the fact that doubts will arise in the life of faith no matter how well one knows the story. Thankfully, what Scripture calls us to is not a doubt-free life, but a faithful life of growth toward maturity. Which is why I love the story of Zechariah. Because if a knowledgeable but skeptical priest can question God’s honesty only to sing a beautiful song of praise and raise a child who would prepare the way for the Lord, surely that gives us hope that our moments of greatest doubt are not discouraging signs of the death of our faith but reassuring signs of the life of our faith.

Patiently Preparing the Way

Here's the audio of Sunday's sermon, "Patiently Preparing the Way," based on Malachi 3:1-5 and Luke 3:1-6.

Two People Went To Church...

Here's the audio of yesterday's sermon "Two People Went To Church..." based on Luke 18:9-14.

Who? Me?

Here's the audio of Sunday's sermon "Who? Me?" based on Luke 16:19-31.

Urgent!

Here's the audio of yesterday's sermon, "Urgent," based on Luke 16:1-9.

Dinner with Jesus

Here's the audio of yesterday's sermon, "Dinner with Jesus," based on Luke 14:1-14.

One More Year: God and Manure

Yesterday was a day of celebration for our congregation. Each year in August we have a homecoming assembly, when we celebrate God's work in and through our congregation. Yesterday marked 113 years of worship and ministry for our church. I am thankful to have had the chance yesterday to meet many former members who are a part of the legacy of our congregation, but who have moved on to other places.

**********

Here are the thoughts I shared in my bulletin article regarding homecoming.

What a wonderful joy it is to be able to gather together today as God’s people. This day, which we have designated “homecoming,” affords us the opportunity to join together with God’s people to celebrate the past, present, and future.

We celebrate God’s work in and through this congregation for 113 years. It is a joy to welcome back many who have worshipped with us through the years and have moved on to other locations. Though we are separated from some by many miles, we celebrate the unbreakable bond we share in Jesus. While the faces and songs and building may have changed, the gospel entrusted to us is the same.

We celebrate God’s work in and through this congregation today. We celebrate the parents in our congregation whose commitment to Christ flows into a commitment to raising their children intentionally and thoughtfully, and who have worked toward such a goal by participating in a parenting class this summer. We celebrate the work of Hohenwald Christian Counseling. Due to the increase in clients seeking counseling from a Christian perspective, AGAPE will be sending a graduate counseling student as an intern with Paula Wiemers. We celebrate the lives of faithful witness being lived by our members, who in their daily routines allow Christ’s light to shine through them, whatever they do.

We celebrate with anticipation God’s work in and through this congregation in the future. We wonder how God will call us to serve our neighbors here in Lewis County. We wonder who will join us in that service. We wonder how God will work to unite followers of Jesus who have a tendency to divide. We wonder and we hope and we pray, all the while celebrating God’s promise to carry on to completion what has been started.

We celebrate with anticipation the day in which the renewal of all creation will be complete, the moment when that which began on the day of creation is fulfilled in the day of re-creation. We anticipate that day when humanity’s selfish destruction of God’s creation is eclipsed by the new heavens and the new earth, when God’s people from past, present, and future, from Jerusalem, Rome, Hohenwald, and everywhere in between, are united together in the presence of God. Today we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face!

**********

Lastly, here is the audio of my sermon, "One More Year: God and Manure," based on Luke 13:1-9.

The Righting of Rights

Here's the audio of yesterday's sermon, "The Righting of Rights," based on Luke 12:13-21.

The Redemption of Perverted Prayer

Here's the audio of yesterday's sermon, "The Redemption of Perverted Prayer," based on Luke 11:1-13.

Jesus and Fine Print

Here's the audio of yesterday's sermon, "Jesus and Fine Print," based on Luke 10:25-37.

This time, I believe I've figured out how to enable downloads, so that if you'd like to download the mp3 instead of streaming it, you can do so. Just click on the divShare logo and a new browser tab will open with a download link.

In reflecting on the challenge issued by Jesus in this text, "Go and do likewise," I wonder: In what ways have you witnessed others living into Jesus' call, and in what ways are you trying to live into it?

The Death and Resurrection of Language

In addition to posting bulletin articles to prompt discussion, I've decided to post sermons from time to time.

Here is yesterday's, "The Death and Resurrection of Language."

Eugene Peterson is one of the major influences on my thinking about language and about scripture. Those who are familiar with some of his writings, especially his Spiritual Theology series, will see the evidence of the impression his work has made on my life and ministry in this sermon and many others.