The Word of God is something that is central to all of these readings, and as we see in the readings, the prophetic Word of God often causes sinners to reject it when they hear it. As we consider the use of Word in worship, from the readings to the other places where God’s Word…
A Jesus Centered Community of Scripture, Faith, and Grace
Sermons from 2016 (Page 3)
This week’s readings all tell us something about the concept of worship, which kicks off our Lenten series about what worship is and how we worship. We see that throughout time – from the Israelites worshiping in Deuteronomy to Paul’s understanding of the Word being near – that God works in and through worship to…
The “celebration” of Ash Wednesday is actually the beginning of a fast, the fast of Lent. Throughout the Bible, God’s faithful people would memorialize a time when they saw that they had to turn around and repent (the word “repent” literally means to turn around). It was a time of recognizing where one had lost…
About the 4th Sunday after Epiphany: In this Sunday’s Gospel from the lectionary we have another incidence of Jesus performing miracles, but here it is specifically His healing and demon-casting miracles that are highlighted. We consider what it means for Jesus to be not only the healer of the body, but also his divinity that…
About the 3rd Sunday after Epiphany: This could be also be called “the Sunday of the Law”, but in it, we see how Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law of God, and how He has inaugurated new commandments that are in sync with God’s commands to Israel. And all the people gathered as one…
About 2nd Sunday after Epiphany: Again we have a traditional text that shows up in every year of the lectionary. The 2nd Sunday after Epiphany uses John’s telling of the Miracle at Cana. As we consider this sign, we consider what it tells us about Jesus – that He is the Bridegroom of the Church…
About the First Sunday after Christmas – The first Sunday after Christmas is one in which we continue our celebration of Christ’s birth and appearing, noting especially the hope that His arrival brings to us and to all people. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and…
About Christmas Eve – We will be using the more traditional “Midnight” Christmas Eve readings even though our celebration will be at 7pm. Christmas Eve is a time to remember the tender grace that was born to mankind in Jesus Christ, a grace that makes its first appearance to us here but that has implications…
About this Sunday: Micah prophesies the coming of Jesus saying that “He shall be their peace”. All of these readings give us a sense of peace as we wait, a calm that washes over us as we await the Savior who shall come and finally bring peace to this war-torn earth. This peace is the…