A Sermon for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Luke 15:1-10

Many years ago, the national leader of a small denomination predicted that he would not die before the end of the world comes. But then he did die.

The following Sunday the people wondered what the local pastor would say. He announced: “God has changed his mind.”

He chose as his text our Old Testament text for today from Exodus 32. The people of Israel had turned to worship a golden calf and the Lord said: “I’m going to destroy them all and start over with you, Moses.”

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A sermon for the Thirteenth Sunday of Pentecost

Luke 14:25-33

In the Gospel text for today it says: “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27).

This mandate, expressed one way or another, is found in the Gospels sixteen times. In other words, this is not a minor item in a long list but is said again and again.

Notice that it doesn’t say: “What matters is that your good intentions.” Nor does it say: “Try the best you can.” It also doesn’t allow for us to say: “I’m not perfect, but I’m sure better than so-and-so over there.”

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Hebrews 13:1-16; Luke 14:1, 7-14

A Sermon for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

In this season of Pentecost, we’re asking: How the Christian faith works with our feet on the ground? Today we’re going to look at the whole question of immigration.

Of course, as some say: “We are all immigrants.” All of us could talk about how our ancestors were immigrants.

It’s important to consider at how the Bible looks at this question.

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Luke 13:10-17

A Sermon for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

In this season of Pentecost, we are talking about how we live the Christian life with our feet on the ground. What are the practical consequences of the Gospel for our daily lives?

Today we look at the whole matter of going to church. Why do that when you can turn on the TV, computer, or iPad, and from the comfort of your own couch, watch a worship service in some grand cathedral?

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Luke 12:49-56

A Sermon for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Just two weeks ago, on August 6th, the world marked the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, which ended Japan’s war on the United States in the Pacific in World War II.

This very weekend world leaders are trying to find a way to end the Russian slaughter in Ukraine and return the thousands of kidnapped Ukrainian children to their families.

In a few weeks, on Thursday, September 11th, Americans will mark the 24th anniversary of four coordinated Islamist terrorist suicide attacks by al-Qaeda against the United States.

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