John 11: 1-45 The text from the eleventh chapter of John was lengthy, I know. It reminded me of the preacher who spoke twenty minutes on Isaiah, twenty minutes on Ezekiel, twenty minutes on Jeremiah, and twenty minutes on Daniel. Then he announced, “We have now come to the twelve minor prophets. What place will…
Category: sermon
Departure From the Norm
John 9: 1-17, 28-41 A traveler was found by a U.S. Customs official to be carrying a half-gallon bottle from Mexico. The official asked the man what it contained. The traveler replied, “It’s just holy water. I took it from the shrine I visited. They say it causes miracles.” The inspector was suspicious and opened…
Thirsty?
John 4: 1-26 I had my recent stay in the hospital after emergency hernia surgery. By virtue of my condition and ongoing examinations by a few nurses and doctors, I was reminded of a story of a man suffering from an irritating headache. He went to a local doctor for some help. The receptionist at…
From One Mountain to the Next
Matthew 17: 1-9 A teenage girl nervously took the wheel for her first driving lesson. As she was pulling out of the parking lot, the instructor said, Turn left here, and don’t forget to let the people behind you know what you’re doing.” The young girl immediately turned to the students sitting in the backseat…
But I Say to You
Matthew 5: 21-26 A fellow bumped into his old friend whom he hasn’t seen in many years. He asked, “How’s your wife?” He replied, “She’s in heaven.” Without thinking, he responded, “Oh, I’m sorry.” Then, realizing that was not the best phrase to use, he said, “I mean, I’m glad . . . Well, what…
To the Disciples Particularly
Matthew 5: 1-12 A little boy was listening to a long and tedious sermon from the preacher. Suddenly a red light attached to some wires leading to the sound system caught his eye. Tugging his father’s sleeve, he asked, “Daddy, when that red light up there turns green can we go?” Oh, it’s going to…
Same Mind, Same Purpose
1 Corinthians 1: 10-19 A couple was celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary. A friend remarked to the husband, “It’s amazing how well you and your wife get along. Don’t you ever have disagreements?” The honored husband replied, “Oh, sure, quite often.” “And yet,” friend said, “you must get over them quickly.” “Ah, that’s the secret,”…
This Is Good News!
Matthew 2: 1-23 This is Epiphany Sunday in the Christian worship calendar. The liturgical season of Epiphany are days to draw worshippers to texts and images of light and splendor. We’re hearing and reading a text today that is not a birth narrative. The child and parents are no longer in the manger. Matthew wrote…
The Lord Is with You
Luke 1: 26-38 Two boys were walking home from church and talking about their Sunday school lesson. They were studying the temptation of Christ in the wilderness. Little Peter said to his friend John, “Do you believe that stuff about the Devil? Do you really think there is a Devil?” John looked at him and…
We All Have a Way to Go
Luke 18: 9-14 Mark Twain said many years ago, “I don’t know of a single foreign product that enters this country untaxed except the answer to prayer.” A kindergarten class went to the fire station for a tour and some instruction in fire safety. The firefighter was explaining what to do in case of a…
Psalm 102 in The Message 