2022
Short Sermons
Sunday December 25, 2022 A Great Light
Most of us are comfortable with the Christmas story. The Christmas music helps us to remember that the baby who was born in Bethlehem is Jesus, the Son of God, who brings great joy today. The shepherds heard the good news about the gift of Jesus. And because they shared the good news to the world, we too can sing joy to the world! I find it very interesting that God chose the shepherds to announce the birth of his son Jesus.
Luke does not tell us much about who the shepherds were. In chapter 2, verse 8 we read “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night (RSV).” Throughout the history of Israel, shepherding was a noble profession. Abel was the first to have this job, followed by Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and of course, David. God calls Himself a shepherd and we are compared to sheep, which is anything but a compliment.
Christmas is sharing. Christmas is Holy. Christmas is Caring. Christmas is about much more than just sharing warm emotions and memories. It’s all about what God gives to each one of us. Christmas is about God’s faithfulness made tangible through history. It’s about how God has touched our lives with his love. So, what is Christmas? Well, Christmas is for People Who Have Nothing, and Christmas is for People Who Need Everything.
View the entire Sermon
Most of us are comfortable with the Christmas story. The Christmas music helps us to remember that the baby who was born in Bethlehem is Jesus, the Son of God, who brings great joy today. The shepherds heard the good news about the gift of Jesus. And because they shared the good news to the world, we too can sing joy to the world! I find it very interesting that God chose the shepherds to announce the birth of his son Jesus.
Luke does not tell us much about who the shepherds were. In chapter 2, verse 8 we read “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night (RSV).” Throughout the history of Israel, shepherding was a noble profession. Abel was the first to have this job, followed by Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and of course, David. God calls Himself a shepherd and we are compared to sheep, which is anything but a compliment.
Christmas is sharing. Christmas is Holy. Christmas is Caring. Christmas is about much more than just sharing warm emotions and memories. It’s all about what God gives to each one of us. Christmas is about God’s faithfulness made tangible through history. It’s about how God has touched our lives with his love. So, what is Christmas? Well, Christmas is for People Who Have Nothing, and Christmas is for People Who Need Everything.
View the entire Sermon
Sunday December 18, 2022 Fourth Sunday of Advent
In our first reading for the fourth Sunday of advent Isaiah chapter 7 verse 14 we read, “Behold a young woman shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emmanuel." Isaiah foretold the birth of a child as a sign to King Ahaz of Judah that God would deliver his nation from the treachery of Syria and Israel. The name, Emmanuel, of course means "God with us." As modern scholars are quick to point out, the words of Isaiah may have had a much more immediate fulfillment in King Ahaz's time with the birth of a baby that signaled the defeat of Judah's enemies.
View the entire Short Sermon
In our first reading for the fourth Sunday of advent Isaiah chapter 7 verse 14 we read, “Behold a young woman shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emmanuel." Isaiah foretold the birth of a child as a sign to King Ahaz of Judah that God would deliver his nation from the treachery of Syria and Israel. The name, Emmanuel, of course means "God with us." As modern scholars are quick to point out, the words of Isaiah may have had a much more immediate fulfillment in King Ahaz's time with the birth of a baby that signaled the defeat of Judah's enemies.
View the entire Short Sermon
Sunday December 11, 2022 Third Sunday of Advent
The gospel reading for this third Sunday of Advent is St. Matthew 11: 2-11, in which Jesus redefines the greatness of John the Baptist. In verse 11 Jesus says, “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women, there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” According to Jesus, greatness is not just a matter of impacting the world, leaving your mark. It’s something much more. What is greatness? What is Jesus’ criteria?
View the entire Short Sermon
The gospel reading for this third Sunday of Advent is St. Matthew 11: 2-11, in which Jesus redefines the greatness of John the Baptist. In verse 11 Jesus says, “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women, there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” According to Jesus, greatness is not just a matter of impacting the world, leaving your mark. It’s something much more. What is greatness? What is Jesus’ criteria?
View the entire Short Sermon
Sunday December 4, 2022 Second Sunday of Advent
In all the gospels, we are given a picture of John the Baptist who comes before Jesus Christ and gives the people a message to get ready for the coming Messiah.
Our gospel passage for this Sunday is St. Matthews 3: 1-12. From this passage I want to take a look at what John the Baptist, man of God, told the people of Israel to do, to get ready for the coming of the Messiah. There are four key words that are spoken in this passage. We must heed to these words if we wish to fully prepare for Jesus at Christmastime. VIEW MORE
In all the gospels, we are given a picture of John the Baptist who comes before Jesus Christ and gives the people a message to get ready for the coming Messiah.
Our gospel passage for this Sunday is St. Matthews 3: 1-12. From this passage I want to take a look at what John the Baptist, man of God, told the people of Israel to do, to get ready for the coming of the Messiah. There are four key words that are spoken in this passage. We must heed to these words if we wish to fully prepare for Jesus at Christmastime. VIEW MORE
Sunday November 27, 2022 First Sunday of Advent
Today marks the beginning of the season of Advent, a time of preparation, a time of going toward the coming again of the Messiah, a time of great expectation and great anticipation. But exactly what is it that we anticipate? What are we getting ready for? What do we expect to happen? Do we anticipate the end of the world? Are we preparing our hearts and spirits to receive again the coming of the Christ child into the world? Or are we preparing for yet another month-long shopping spree – willfully and with malice aforethought squandering our bank accounts? VIEW MORE
Today marks the beginning of the season of Advent, a time of preparation, a time of going toward the coming again of the Messiah, a time of great expectation and great anticipation. But exactly what is it that we anticipate? What are we getting ready for? What do we expect to happen? Do we anticipate the end of the world? Are we preparing our hearts and spirits to receive again the coming of the Christ child into the world? Or are we preparing for yet another month-long shopping spree – willfully and with malice aforethought squandering our bank accounts? VIEW MORE