Home of the Darkwater Author
This is an adapted form of the sermon I preached this morning, October 23, 2022. The gospel text was Luke 18:9-14. There was once a Sunday School teacher who taught this story to her students. After telling the story, she helped the kids to understand where the Pharisee had gone wrong, by thinking he was … Continue reading Real Confession (Sermon)
This is an adapted form of the sermon I preached this morning. The texts I preached on were Genesis 32:22-31 and Luke 18:1-8. We were also celebrating "Harvest Home." Walter was a wrestler. Well, kind of. In a way. I mean, really, he was a farmer, and he was one of the most hard-working people … Continue reading Wrestling with God (Sermon)
This is an adapted form of the sermon I preached on Sunday, October 2, 2022. The gospel text was Luke 17:5-10. Now, right before this passage, Jesus had given his disciples some hard commands. He just told them they had to avoid being a stumbling block to anyone, and he told them that if someone … Continue reading A Seed is All the Seed it Needs (Sermon)
This is an adapted form of the sermon I preached this morning, September 25, 2022. The gospel reading I preached on was Luke 16:19-31. I recommend you read it here before proceeding with the sermon. Okay. First things first. This story is not about the afterlife. It’s not about God’s plan for us in eternity. … Continue reading But Nothing Changed (Sermon)
This is an adapted version of the sermon I preached this morning. The gospel text was Luke 16:19-31. During worship this morning, we celebrated the baptism of an infant I'm calling Matthew. Good morning, Matthew. I’m so glad you’re here today. Today you are washed by the waters of Baptism. Today God claims you as … Continue reading Crossing the Chasm (Sermon)
This is an adapted form of the sermon I preached this morning. The gospel text was Luke 15:1-10. Today’s gospel is about being lost. Ever been lost in the woods? I used to hike a lot, and on occasion, I got lost. This was before smart phones, so the only things I had were maybe … Continue reading Seeking the Lost (Sermon)
This is an adapted form of the sermon I preached today, the Fourth Sunday in Lent. The gospel reading was Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, the so-called "Parable of the Prodigal Son." When I recited the gospel right before the sermon, I made an attempt to tell the story slightly differently, emphasizing the younger son's words in … Continue reading The Surprise of the Father (Sermon)
This is an adapted form of the sermon I preached this morning. The gospel text was Matthew 25:14-30. When Jonathan was young, he was always anxious. Things had to be done the right way, or it upset him. For example: he and his brother played with refrigerator magnets, you know, the big colorful plastic letters … Continue reading Ships in Harbors, Talents in the Ground
This is an adapted form of the sermon I preached this morning. The gospel text was Matthew 25:1-13, the parable of the Ten Bridesmaids. I’d like to tell you today about Robert. Robert was a very active member of a congregation I served. Still is, I’m sure. I remember him as a quiet, thoughtful man. … Continue reading Wait Like a Farmer
This is an adapted version of the sermon I preached this morning. The gospel text was Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52. Did you ever feel like you’re banging your head against a wall? Like no matter how hard you try, it doesn’t make a difference? I think we all feel that way in our faith sometimes. No … Continue reading Mustard and Poison Ivy
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