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Biblical Text of Sermon: Mark 1:21-28 So, if you are not from a pentecostal denomination, when was the last time you heard a sermon about powers and principalities or demonology? There is probably a good reason. Denominational pastors are by and large an educated lot (often over-educated) and talking about spiritual forces . . . → Read More: The Powers That Be This post from Scot McKnight strikes at a theological nerve. It is the latest and most clear in an grouping of posts. First the caveats. McKnight is a big-tent evangelical. He has a new book to sell. My sympathies lie with McKnight’s general bent. Last caveat – Luther said a lot of . . . → Read More: It’s about the gospel… That is a beloved phrase of Luther. The explanation of the 2nd article of the creed goes, “I believe the Jesus Christ …has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death and from the power of the devil.” There is a woodcut from the Book of Concord – . . . → Read More: Sin, Death and the Power of the Devil – part 1 Full Text Text: 1 Peter 1:3-11; Baptism of Isobel and Michelle One of those times in sermon prep reading you come across a story that is just perfect for the situation. Since it was used so early in setting the theme and it was such a powerful story, you hope and pray that the rest can live . . . → Read More: Impudence Full Text If you had the power to raise the dead, but it cost you your life, would you do it? That is the central question. I think we could answer that question no. Jesus answered that question yes. There are a whole bunch of spiritual truths that come from the sacrifice and resurrection pattern. . . . → Read More: Groaning (Jesus’ reaction to Lazarus) Full Text Text: Matt 11:2-15 We are scandalized by the patchy nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. It appears capricious. It appears unfair. Even the Baptist asked – “are you the one?” But isn’t the the real test of faith? When you trust in the goodness of God even when events look contrary? . . . → Read More: The Baptist’s Cry of Despair? Elizabeth Edwards died yesterday. From what I know she died of breast cancer and left two younger children in her philandering husband’s care. She lived her first 50 years in private and a very public final 11. And those last 11 include a book called Saving Graces and final good-bye that included the . . . → Read More: The Content of Hope or More on MTD (Moralistic Therapeutic Deism) This link has a Sullivan reader giving his logic on why suffering should lead to atheism. Here is the simple Christian answer. We have done something terribly wrong and its fouled up this entire existence. To our relative way of thinking our petty sins aren’t that bad. But to the absolute standard of holiness. . . . → Read More: Suffering & A “Good” God Full Text I’ve heard it from at least two preachers who I really admire for their wisdom and their craft that “all good sermons are first preached at the preacher.” The main point is that if the preacher himself doesn’t need it or resonate with the message he is delivering it probably can’t be a good . . . → Read More: Sermon – Sept 6, 2008 – “In my flesh, I will see God” full text I was struck by the like from Luke 24:41 about disbelief because of joy. The personal context was the birth of our third child – Ethan Isaiah. The main reflection of the sermon is the way that we often pit happiness against joy, or substitute happiness for joy. The true Christian birthright . . . → Read More: Sermon – Luke 24:36-49 – “Surpised by Joy” |
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