Sermon: It-is-Well Hallelujah
In Jesus Christ you are not a lost cause! You are not damaged beyond Jesus’ ability to repair! Yes, through our sins and wickedness, we are broken beyond our own repair, but Jesus is the one who makes all things news, reconciling us to himself, restoring us to the Father. The Good News is that Jesus “wastes his time on you” because you are beloved by God.
Hymn: Upon the Height of Tabor's Mount
I have worshipped in parishes in the almost forty years of my life, I have become increasingly aware that the wonders of our hymnal (TEC 1982) include a surprising lack of options for certain days of the year or biblical themes. The Transfiguration is one such story. Occurring twice in the lectionary with its own feast day and Last Epiphany, the hymnal has a rather thin set of offerings to commemorate this incredible hinge moment as Galilean ministry becomes Jerusalemite mission.
Sermon: The Falcon and the Falconer
Jesus describes what it looks like when the Messiah comes to town…because the Messiah has come to town! The Spirit has already descended upon him, he has received the Father’s anointing, and he will move forward from this sermon on his search-and-rescue mission. The promises of God are being fulfilled and will be fulfilled through Jesus: it is a veritable Jubilee.
Sermon: Who God Says You Are
The Bible tells a different story where God is the main actor;Where God does the work of salvation;Where God transforms us through his grace and mercy.It’s a story of the God who always loved you.We are not saved by what we have done.We are saved by what God has done for us.We are saved by who God says we are.
Sermon: Another Story Must Begin
The Gospel tells the story of transformation and redemption. And when that transformation happens, the story doesn’t end there. The Gospel was never only about personal salvation. It was always about being Christ’s witnesses as agents of reconciliation and ambassadors of the good news in a world desperately in need of hope, of a future, of God.
Child of God, What Are Your Intentions?
And yet, we are here tonight because two thousand years ago a Jewish itinerant preacher was killed by Rome, raised from the dead, led his disciples to a hillside in Galilee, whereupon he gave them their final marching orders, and then he ascended into the heavens, where he is now seated at the right hand of the Father. This event has shocking theological meaning and missional ramifications.
Were Not Our Hearts Burning Within Us?
In all of his gracious goodness, Jesus is willing to travel miles with his disciples to show them who he is and what he has done. Jesus always draws near because he is Emmanuel, God with us and he is always near to us. He meets the disciples in their grief and walks with them through it, turning their broken hearts into burning hearts.
Miraculous Ministry and the Making of Disciples
What we are learning from Jesus this morning is that the eschatological banquet table–the wedding feast shared between Jesus, the bridegroom, and his people, the bride–will require us to put leaves in the table rather than take them out.