New Perspective The sermon will be a post on our Facebook page. Please click on link to view sermon. Being a disciple requires an expansive perspective on forgiveness. Today our perspective is broadened by the good news that God’s forgiveness is not based on our idea of fairness, but rather on abundant, unimaginable grace. God “does…
Gospel Matthew 16: 21– 28 After Peter confesses that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (16:16), Jesus reveals the ultimate purpose of his ministry. These words prove hard to accept, even for a disciple whom Jesus has called a “rock.” 21From that time on, [after Peter confessed that Jesus was the…
There Must Be Another Way The sermon will be a post on our Facebook page. Please click on link to view sermon. Peter may be the “rock” on which Christ will build the church (Matt. 16:18), but when Jesus reveals the suffering that will come first, Peter becomes a tempter and “stumbling block.” Assuming God must have…
Confessing Christ, Formed in Faith The sermon will be a post on our Facebook page. Please click on link to view sermon. In late August, students are preparing to go back to school, and many churches gear up for a new year of Christian education. It is a good time to be reminded of the heart…
We Are Beggars, This Is True The sermon will be a post on our Facebook page. Please click on link to view sermon. “We are beggars; this is true,” are reported to be Martin Luther’s last written words. Christians are “beggars” for God’s grace, undeserving but graced nonetheless. A beggar’s faith focuses not on what is…
Silencing the Wind The sermon will be a post on our Facebook page. Please click on link to view sermon. In a world filled with noise and empty words, God comes to us as stillness and silence, even to the point that wind ceases (Matt. 14:32). Jesus walks over stormy waters to his disciples, entering their boat…
Abundance from Scraps The sermon will be a post on our Facebook page. Please click on link to view sermon. Jesus is able to feed us abundantly, even with scraps. He meets earthly needs by feeding the crowds and continues now to offer himself as holy meal, freely given to all, no matter their income or…
The Kingdom of Heaven Is Like . . . The sermon will be a post on our Facebook page. Please click on link to view sermon. A string of parables describe the kingdom of heaven, and then we hear Jesus’ question: “Have you understood all this?” The mustard seed, yeast, hidden treasure, pearls—these bring good news of growth and…
Judgment and Mercy The sermon will be a post on our Facebook page. Please click on link to view sermon. Matthew’s gospel knows little compromise: sheep or goats, wheat or weeds, good or evil. Finding the good news of God’s love for all people, for all creation, can be a challenge in this book. Today’s gospel…
Life in Every Direction The sermon will be a post on our Facebook page. Please click on link to view sermon. We can identify death in every direction. We see war, hunger, addiction, poverty, a dying planet, and broken hearts. This is not a new story. The children of Israel surely saw death in every direction,…