Awe, Shucks…

Scripture: Matt. 8-10 Matthew 8:23-27 Then he got in the boat, his disciples with him. The next thing they knew, they were in a severe storm. Waves were crashing into the boat—and he was sound asleep! They roused him, pleading, “Master, save us! We’re...

If you don’t have anything nice to say…

Scripture: Matt. 5-7 Matthew 7: 1-5 “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your...

Repentance Revisited

Scripture: Matt. 1-4 Matthew 4:17 This Isaiah-prophesied sermon came to life in Galilee the moment Jesus started preaching. He picked up where John left off: “Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.” Observation: “How would I act if God were...

Suffering in the Lap of Luxury

Scripture: Ps. 124; 2 Cor. 11-13 2 Corinthians 11:23-29 I’ve worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death’s door time after time. I’ve been flogged five times with the Jews’ thirty-nine lashes,...

The Opposite of “Yes”

Scripture: 2 Cor. 7-10 2 Corinthians 7:1 With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship...

Forgiveness for All, even those who irk me…

Scripture: 2 Cor. 3-6 2 Corinthians 5:14-20 Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection...