Scripture: Isaiah 30:12-16 In rest you shall find salvation Psalm 46 Be still and know that I am God Mark 6:30-32 Jesus invites the apostles to rest in the wilderness Sermon: What’s Stopping You?The practice of sabbath is begins by pausing, taking a break, letting go of what we are
Continue readingScripture: Exodus 31:12-18 The sabbath law Deuteronomy 5:12-15 Observe the sabbath day Mark 2:23-28 Challenge about sabbath Sermon: Year-Round Holidays“Holiday” means “holy day”. Sabbath is a holy day; not a vacation, but a holy day. And it comes around again every week, all year round. What is the difference between
Continue readingScripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 2:18-23 Vanity of vanities Psalm 49:1-12 The folly of riches Luke 12:13-21 Parable of the rich fool Sermon: Making Sense of LifeAt first we accept the world as sensible and Jesus life does not make sense. But as we hear the gospel and come to know
Continue readingScripture: Colossians 2:6–15 Christ brings real life Luke 11:1–13 The Lord’s prayer Sermon: Living Prayer By teaching the disciples to pray, Jesus equips them for continuing to live God’s Way. Prayer emanates from the deep longing for the Spirit: “thy Kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it
Continue readingScripture: Isaiah 66:10-13 Comfort to Jerusalem Luke 10:1-11; 16-20 Mission of the seventy Sermon: There Comes a TimeIt was an historic moment. Jesus’ talk of the plenitude of the harvest echoed Isaiah’s words of the promise of prosperity. When the grain is ripe, it is time for harvest. So they
Continue readingScripture: 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 Elijah ascends to heaven Luke 9:51-62 Would-be followers Sermon: Facing JerusalemJesus decides now to go to Jerusalem. He proceeds with tremendous determination, because a moment of destiny is at hand. He calls his disciples to follow with a brutal urgency. Who is this One, moving
Continue readingScripture: 1 Kings 19:1-15 Elijah at Mt Horeb Galatians 3:23-29 Heirs according to the promise Luke 8:26-39 Gerasene demoniac Sermon: Soul LongingWe have a longing, deep in our souls, for the presence of God and for God’s will to be done on earth. Our longing is met by the Promise:
Continue readingScripture: Acts 1:1-11 The Ascension Ephesians 1:15-23 Wisdom and revelation Luke 24:44-53 The ascension Sermon: The End and the BeginningThe stories of the Ascension make the bridge from the Jesus of Nazareth, bodily present on the earth, to the Living Christ, present to us in the Holy Spirit. In profound
Continue readingScripture: Acts 11:1-18 Life to Gentiles John 13:31-35 The New Commandment Sermon: How Then Shall We LoveWhat is Love, really? Does it really warrant the centrality it is given in the Christian way? Or is it just sentimental mush? Not if we are willing to reaffirm the truly Christian understanding
Continue readingScripture: Psalm 23:1-6 Shepherd Psalm John 10:22-30 Jesus is Questioned by the Jews Dramatic Monologue: My ShepherdThe Shepherd Psalm, presented as a dramatic monologue with the shepherd speaking of the One who is a shepherd to them, who lays them down in lush, green pastures, and leads them beside peaceful
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