Sermons That Work
Sermons and Bible Studies
The Church Continues, Christmas 2 – 1999
Most of us are still recovering from the busy-ness of ending an old year on our civil calendars, and of launching a new one. The beginning of a New Year invariably calls for taking stock; for determining whether we are still afloat or not. We look back over “the changes and chances” of the past […]
Attention, Advent 4 (A) – 1998
Attention. Joseph was paying attention. The message from God was unusual. That is why an angel brought the message. The medium of the message and message were perfectly coordinated. After the angel said, “don’t be afraid,” the angel then said, “Mary is pregnant because God has chosen her to be the mother of Jesus. She […]
This Is a Story about Jesus…, Advent 3 (A) – 1998
This is a story about Jesus and John the Baptist. John the Baptist is near the end of his life. He wants to know if his life work is being fulfilled. He sent those who lived with him to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come?” Jesus responds by saying to them, […]
From Incarnation to Identification, Christmas 1 – 1998
This First Sunday after Christmas has come so quickly. Can it be that only a few short days have passed since Christmas? For some of you, perhaps, Christmas Day is already beginning to recede rapidly into the past. In many places, the commercial displays and selling of Christmas goods began well before Thanksgiving. By the […]
The Story of Jesus’ Triumphal…, Christ the King (C) – 1998
The story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem is troubling in two ways. First, its closeness to Jesus’ crucifixion is disturbing. One day, Jesus is being proclaimed King. Five days later, the crowd is yelling, “Crucify him!” In this country, we are used to rapid changes in public opinion. But this is troubling in the […]
Jesus Was Always Confronted…, Proper 27 (C) – 1998
Jesus was always confronted with those who wanted to trip him up. The folk with the trick questions were trying to get him to identify himself with the Saddusees. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection. The Pharisees did. If he agreed with the logic of the Sadducees, then the Pharisees could condemn him. […]
At This Point in Time…, All Saints’ Day (C) – 1998
At this point in time, in that strange mix of pop psychology and the learning theory of our age, we have a phrase to describe Jesus’ thought patterns as seen in today’s Gospel lesson. That phrase is “counter intuitive.” Jesus’ thinking is running contrary to normal thinking. Jesus’ wisdom is not the common folk wisdom. […]
Today’s Gospel Story Is Puzzling…, Proper 22 (C) – 1998
Today’s Gospel story is puzzling to many people. It even sounds a bit harsh. The servant has been out working hard all day. The master has probably been sitting around the house or, at best, has been engaged in some high level negotiations. Dirty and weary after a long day’s work, the servant comes home […]
The Danger in Dealing…, Proper 21 (C) – 1998
The danger in dealing with such a familiar parable as that of “Dives” (the rich man) and Lazarus (the poor man) is that its familiarity may cause us to miss the vitality of its meaning. All three of the lectionary passages delve into a subject we would rather ignore: the use of money and its […]
As in All Things…, Proper 18 (C) – 1998
As in all things, let us begin with prayer to Almighty God. The Lord be with you. Let us pray, Lord God, you created all things, you arranged all things and in you we move, and breathe and have our being. Tutor our hearts so we can follow you. Empty our minds of the busyness […]
Miguel Woke Up Troubled…, Proper 17 (C) – 1998
Miguel woke up troubled. He had not slept well and remembered a particularly vivid dream. In the dream he was making his way across a cliff face by a narrow ledge, hugging the wall with great care and determination. He never looked around. It took all his concentration to find the next fingerhold. As hard […]
The Words of This Morning’s…, Proper 15 (C) – 1998
The words of this mornings Gospel may be difficult to hear. The words may even seem harsh. Where are the comfortable words of Jesus, we may ask. The words of our Savior suggest the difficulty of the mission of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ mission is to oppose and overthrow evil. It is, in a sense, a […]
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