Sermons
Sermons preached in a context, but written for people of all sorts and conditions.
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An Embarrassment of Grace
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10 min read
Jesus sends his disciples out before they’re ready to do the work they don’t understand. A lot like us. Because that’s the work for us to do. Proper 6A | Matthew 9:35-10:23 Some time ago. A few years before seminary, before I preached my first sermon or proclaimed my first gospel, I was getting up…
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Discipleship Reimagined
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8 min read
When we take the Great Commission as our marching orders, we often make the same mistakes about Jesus the first disciples made. First Sunday after Pentecost | Matthew 28:16-20 These are the last words in the gospel of Matthew. Words which are often referred to as “the Great Commission.” A name which has parallel and…
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With the Communion of Saints
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8 min read
In the ascension, Jesus leaves the followers with the vision, mercy, and love to do the work they were already doing, always called to do. Easter 7A Acts 1:6-14, John 17:1-11 The book of Acts begins with an end. It begins at the end of Jesus’s earthly ministry and his return to God. Much like…
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When the Power Goes Out
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7 min read
The ascension is one of the most challenging stories for modern Christians to believe. And yet, it might be among the most important to hear.
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Full of Love
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8 min read
My parents were going out on a date and I was old enough to be left home without a babysitter. Just not old enough to make good decisions. I was asking them about going to a friend’s house (he’s moving the next day! I pleaded. I won’t see him again!) They weren’t going to be home anyway,…
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Hearts broken open
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7 min read
Why do they kill Stephen? Our lectionary jumps in at the very end of a two chapter story. A story about Stephen, our patron saint. After all the explanation of who he is, what he says, and why it makes the people angry enough to kill him, then they jump in. So let’s back up…