Sermons
Sermons preached in a context, but written for people of all sorts and conditions.
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In Matthew 17 and 18, Jesus reveals the way stumbling blocks get in the way of God’s mission. Including our obsessions with rules and borders. Proper 18A | Matthew 18:15-20 A few years ago, a celebrity pastor got in trouble. He was the darling of the new reformed movement for his high doctrine, aggressive style,…
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In Matthew 16:21-28, we see not just a simple rejection of Peter for being stupid, but a rejection of the historic seducing power of power. Proper 17A | Matthew 16:21-28 Before he foretells of his death, Jesus warns his followers about the Pharisees. While it’s direct, it’s also cryptic and difficult. It’s a warning we’ve struggled to…
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When Peter calls Jesus the Messiah, he gets the right answer the wrong way. A pattern we repeat in our fear of chaos and of intimacy. Proper 16A | Matthew 16:13-20 If you’ve ever watched a painter work a canvas, you see the very transformation of absence into presence. The white canvas gets swirled and…
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In Matthew 15, a confrontation with leaders, a teaching about evil, and an encounter with a woman expose the true evil of abuse and violence. Proper 15A | Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28 With Jesus’s words Do not be afraid still ringing in their ears, When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. After…
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In the story, Jesus walks on water. So does Peter. He is just doing what Jesus did, offering us an option at a time of great fear. Proper 14A | Matthew 14:22-33 The first time I walked on water, I was 16 years-old. I had never done anything so intentional as that before. It was…
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Following Jesus can be really hard. But in the Transfiguration, we have a story about following the path, even when it forces us to face our fears. Transfiguration | Luke 9:28-36 Jesus chose three disciples to join him up a mountain, for prayer. It must be an honor to be chosen. How special they must…