Mark 1: 4-11 John knew something greater was coming. He told those gathered to him he baptized with water, but the one who will come after him will baptize with AND in the Holy Spirit. This is the Sunday in the Christian worship calendar to commemorate the Baptism of our Lord Jesus. From the gospel…
Category: Holy Spirit
Any Time
“He showed himself prepared to do the will of God and reveal his Kingdom in word and deed. That’s would he sought to teach his disciples to do. That’s what we are taught to do through Word and Spirit, lamp and oil.”
Who Are You?
Matthew 16: 13-20 Little Brandon Smith had just been put to bed for the 22nd time, and his mother’s patience was wearing thin. “If I hear you call ‘Mom’ one more time, you’ll be punished,” she warned him sternly. For a while it was quiet, and then a small voice called from the top of…
Perceiving Our Visitation
Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23 Jesus leaves the house to go sit beside the Sea of Galilee. Large crowds gathered around him. The story of a large crowd pressing in on him and his disciples comes to mind. He then moved to a boat in the sea while the crowd remained on the beach and from…
Welcome!
Matthew 10: 40-42 Jesus said this morning in our text, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me.” Earlier this week, I read this little story, and it seemed to be appropriate. A teenage girl brought her new boyfriend home to meet her parents. They were appalled by his appearance: leather jacket, tattoos, and multiple piercings. Later, the…
What Should We Do?
Acts 2: 29-42 Those who heard Peter explain how Jesus was the Messiah and reiterated the promise of the Father to send the baptism of the Holy Spirit asked what they should do in response to what they heard. Peter said they should repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the…
What Does This Mean?
Acts 2: 1-21 Jesus told his friends and followers not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father – “You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1: 4, 5). Jesus told them before he ascended to wait for the promise of the Father…
What We Will Be
Acts 1: 1-11 A few minutes ago we confessed our belief he ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. Not to be disrespectful, but does that mean he flew? A lady was flying with her infant daughter. When they landed, they were met in the waiting area by…
Not Quite There Yet
Acts 2: 1-21 A Sunday school teacher had cleverly taught her class to recite the Apostles’ Creed. Each student was assigned a portion of the creed to memorize and recite in order. It was the day for her class to recite the creed in worship. The first child began, “I believe in God the Father…
One or the Other or Both
Luke 2: 25-32, 36-38 Frieda, Henrietta and Gertrude were Baptist sisters who lived in separate states but always managed to get together for Christmas. One year, they were discussing their respective churches. Frieda lamented, “Our congregation is sometimes down to thirty or forty in attendance on a Sunday.” Henrietta sighed, “That’s nothing. Sometimes our congregation…
Psalm 102 in The Message 