Had fun with the sermon today.
Preached from John 15, "I am the vine and you are the branches." We learned three big lessons for all children of God.
1. We MUST stay connected. Hold onto the rope. Sacraments, prayers, singing, group study, and working together connect us.
2. We MUST allow pruning. When we bear fruit we will be pruned so we can bear more fruit.
3. We MUST bear fruit. No exceptions. See 1 Corinthians 12 for a nice list.
Showing posts with label Sermon Notes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sermon Notes. Show all posts
Sunday, August 06, 2017
Today's Sermon
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Monday, April 14, 2014
If I Were Preaching this Week on Easter
If I were preaching this week I would be working with the
Gospel reading from John 20:1-18. This
wonder-filled story of Mary finding Jesus in the garden moves with grace to the
heart of the gospel message. I never
tire of reading and retelling this story because the depth of the mystery of
God is right on the surface and ready to be shared.
Easter sermons are unique among sermons. They can be overwhelming for the preacher because
of the workload of the week. Pastors
will most surely be running on fumes by Sunday morning. The sermon which felt so powerfully awesome
on Tuesday can be a difficult fifteen minutes to deliver by Sunday. Therefore, I believe, it is important to prayerfully
prepare with focus on theological basics using your particular communication
strengths.
This is not the day to go long and add the extra story that
is your favorite, or to introduce your personal theological twist. There will be folks listening who only hear a
few sermons a year. Others who hear
every sermon you preach will be listening for something extra on this day of
days.
This is the day to preach our doctrinal standards. If you can find a quiet moment, take a new
look at our Basic Christian Affirmations on page 47 of the 2012 Book of
Discipline. Let these statements of faith
inform your preaching on Easter. “We
hold in communion with all Christians a faith in the mystery of salvation in
and through Jesus Christ.” I say, “Get
out of the way and let the Gospel speak on this day; bring it.”
This passage invites us to consider our surprise and response
at Jesus speaking our name. We come into
the church on Easter with grief, pain, and all forms of discomfort. We come hoping to hear a word which offers
hope and life. We will come to your church
on Easter much like Mary came to the garden. And as we are fed the Gospel
message that Christ is alive, we will not be disappointed. If we can accomplish nothing else, we should
tell this Gospel story with truth and passion in our hearts and voices. To hear
the story changes everything.
I struggle with the idea that the season of Lent is
culminated in Easter and we can now take a rest until Advent. The Good Friday words of, “it is finished,”
were not meant to describe the life in the church following Easter. And yet we
all forget that every Sunday is a little Easter and the Holy Spirit will move
even stronger for a few weeks because of all your good preaching and the good
work of so many faithful church members.
I am praying for your preaching this week and plan to remember each of
you by speaking aloud your name on Easter Sunday. Go with Christ.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
If I Were Preaching this Week.
I would go after this lectionary passage from the gospel of
Matthew 5:38-48 again. Matthew has a way
of holding up a mirror, and when we think we need to zag, we find a zig. The passage for this week is no different.
One pastor has described verse 38, “An eye for an eye,” as
business as usual. Then Matthew reports
Christ offering a zig to that zag. In my
words, Christ says something like this, “knock off the negative backbiting and
infighting, and start to love on each other, especially the folks who you hate.” So maybe I would title my sermon, “Business
as Unusual.”
In my work as a Conference Superintendent over the last four
years, I can tell you the one thing we need more of in the church today is love
for each other. Perhaps my path takes me
into places where there is more conflict and division in the church than is
normal, but I doubt it. Pastors are being
controlled and abused while congregations are being micromanaged and
marginalized. I have begun calling the church
a violent place to hang out these days, however, we must find a way to become
non-violent. The church of the future
will not sustain this level of attack and pain.
Unfortunately, this all feels like business as usual for a large part of
the church. The world should know us by
our love, but that is just not the case these days regardless of how many times
we sing the song. Our actions define us,
always have.
If I were preaching in the local church here are a couple
things I would need to be sure I visited in preparing the sermon this
week. The first is our Bishops Trimble
being arrested at the White House on Monday for his non-violent stand against
immigration deportation of almost 2 million souls. I would throw this out as a way of doing business
unusually. No matter how you come down
on the immigration issue, we can all agree we must stop pulling families apart. The Second is the Olympics. Everyone has been watching them, so they
provide a ready and steady sermon illustration stream for which just about
everyone has knowledge. Point out the amazing stuff that is not business as
usual, and then point out what makes you cringe and for which we wish we had a
redo button. Where do you see the golden
rule and where do you just see rules?
How can we push through business as usual and get to the unusual business
of grace and love for one another?
And finally from the book, Native American Wisdom, these words
to consider on leadership from the Constitution of the Five Nations. “With endless patience you shall carry out
your duty, and your firmness shall be tempered with tenderness for your
people. Neither anger nor fury shall
lodge in your mind, and all your words and actions shall be marked with calm
deliberation.”
Wednesday, February 05, 2014
If I Were Preaching this Week
If I were preaching this week I would be looking at the
Gospel lectionary from Matthew. The
Beatitudes, Chapter 5 all the way to Chapter 7, provide some deep and profound
words for us to chew on. Last week I was
struck how the initial, “Blessed are,” sayings are fully inclusive. They gather us all into one body. We all experience grief. We all experience loss, abundance, and
hunger. We find ourselves in
relationship without regard to any human agenda potentially sorting us into
competitive camps.
As I pondered the reading for this Sunday, I was wondering
where that kind of radical relationship outlined last week might lead. As I looked closer I found the same guiding
thought leading me to the same conclusion.
We all are together in the same boat.
We all lose our saltiness at times.
We all walk in darkness at times.
We all deal with anger. We all
deal with lust and saying things which we regret. We are in this together, like it or not. God may not care to view a bunch of
selfies. Rather God might prefer to see
a family portrait.
When we deal with our sin and our loss together, then we can
also deal with our love and our new life in Christ together. We were never built to go it alone. The preceding passage to the Beatitudes finds
Jesus calling the disciples together, and then ministering to the crowds. No mention of individual preference or
personal salvation in this reading. We
are invited to be in the boat, in the crowd, along with every other human
being.
Oh my goodness, in this society where even the church is
crowned triumphant as it offers individual care, individual praise, and
individual spiritual self-differentiation, here is different path. Matthew is shouting that it is not about
me. Life is not about getting my needs
met, or my agenda massaged. Life is
about walking with the crowd, dealing with the reality of finding ourselves in
the midst of the fullness of human expression. Life abundant happens with us,
all of us, together. There is no other
way. Feel free to use these thoughts if
they are helpful if you are preaching this week.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Notes for Sunday May 31, 2009
Read: Acts 2:1-12 Pentecost
What do we really know about the Holy Spirit? Maybe the best we can ever know is the feelings we have when the Spirit wants to be known to us. The Spirit goes where and how it wants. The best we can do is open our lives to be a living vessel into which the Holy Spirit may be poured. We invite our lives to be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Most days we go through the motions of work, eat, play, and sleep. We may even find some of our activities enjoyable, but much of the time is spent simply breathing. However every once a while a very special day comes along which lifts us and moves our hearts. We may feel empowered to say and do giant things for God. We may feel prayerful and deeply connected with our neighbors. We may even fall to our faces in honor and praise of our God.
Consider the most special of all those special days over the course of the history of the world. For those who follow Jesus Christ, that day is Pentecost. This was the day when the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, cut loose and filled the believers to overflowing with Spiritual fruits. Everything was in process, anything was possible, and nothing was out of the question.
We in the church like to celebrate Pentecost much like we celebrate a birthday or a holiday. We may pause to remember, sigh, eat some cake, and go home pretty much like we came. But that was never the intent in Pentecost, not then, not now. After all they were people just like us.
What do you have in process? What do you find impossible? What have you been told is out of the question?
Now we are talking; a little Holy Ghost action. Oh, Yeah! Come Holy Spirit, be our guest.
Scripture: Acts 2:1-12
Sermon: “People Just Like Us”
What do we really know about the Holy Spirit? Maybe the best we can ever know is the feelings we have when the Spirit wants to be known to us. The Spirit goes where and how it wants. The best we can do is open our lives to be a living vessel into which the Holy Spirit may be poured. We invite our lives to be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Most days we go through the motions of work, eat, play, and sleep. We may even find some of our activities enjoyable, but much of the time is spent simply breathing. However every once a while a very special day comes along which lifts us and moves our hearts. We may feel empowered to say and do giant things for God. We may feel prayerful and deeply connected with our neighbors. We may even fall to our faces in honor and praise of our God.
Consider the most special of all those special days over the course of the history of the world. For those who follow Jesus Christ, that day is Pentecost. This was the day when the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, cut loose and filled the believers to overflowing with Spiritual fruits. Everything was in process, anything was possible, and nothing was out of the question.
We in the church like to celebrate Pentecost much like we celebrate a birthday or a holiday. We may pause to remember, sigh, eat some cake, and go home pretty much like we came. But that was never the intent in Pentecost, not then, not now. After all they were people just like us.
What do you have in process? What do you find impossible? What have you been told is out of the question?
Now we are talking; a little Holy Ghost action. Oh, Yeah! Come Holy Spirit, be our guest.
Scripture: Acts 2:1-12
Sermon: “People Just Like Us”
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Notes for Sunday May 24, 2009
Read: Luke 24:44-53 Ascension Sunday
I trust you all had a wonderful Easter celebration and are enjoying the spring weather I am sending you. I am encouraged by all I see happening among you in my name.
I thought a little update since I last wrote you might be in order:
Since the ascension I have been hanging out here with the Father doing a lot of remedial kind of work. As much as you may think there has been a lot of water under the bridge, and things have changed, I have to say most of that change is on your side of the river. Here in heaven it is pretty much business as usual and overall business has been good.
I know that I left you all in a pretty big hurry and some of you are still hurting about the fact that I cannot be physically with you all the time. I am, however, with you in Spirit which is perhaps an even a better thing for all of us in the long run. In the short term consider ways we can be in communication throughout every day. I am really open to visiting with you when ever you have time.
Most of my time here is currently taken up with worship. As I think about it, worship has taken up most of the last 2000 years. We have had some excellent times of powerful worship. Sometimes I even get to singing and waving my hands in the air to join in the chorus. But that is for another day.
Right now I want to share that you are my hands and feet. Your willingness to reach out to the people in your neighborhood is quite important. Please know that I will go with you and even speak a quiet word to you about where to go and how to speak. I want the best for you, but also for the others who do not yet know me. I know this may leave you feeling stuck in the middle, but this was the plan I was given by the Father, and it has worked out good so far with many others before you.
The future is not to be revealed to you, but if you could see what I see for the future, you would follow with all your heart. Do not be scared by this; because nothing can harm you while you are with me and I am with you. Thanks again for all you are doing. Hold me in prayer as I hold you.
Jesus.
Scripture: Luke 24:44-53
Sermon: “Mixed Feelings”
I trust you all had a wonderful Easter celebration and are enjoying the spring weather I am sending you. I am encouraged by all I see happening among you in my name.
I thought a little update since I last wrote you might be in order:
Since the ascension I have been hanging out here with the Father doing a lot of remedial kind of work. As much as you may think there has been a lot of water under the bridge, and things have changed, I have to say most of that change is on your side of the river. Here in heaven it is pretty much business as usual and overall business has been good.
I know that I left you all in a pretty big hurry and some of you are still hurting about the fact that I cannot be physically with you all the time. I am, however, with you in Spirit which is perhaps an even a better thing for all of us in the long run. In the short term consider ways we can be in communication throughout every day. I am really open to visiting with you when ever you have time.
Most of my time here is currently taken up with worship. As I think about it, worship has taken up most of the last 2000 years. We have had some excellent times of powerful worship. Sometimes I even get to singing and waving my hands in the air to join in the chorus. But that is for another day.
Right now I want to share that you are my hands and feet. Your willingness to reach out to the people in your neighborhood is quite important. Please know that I will go with you and even speak a quiet word to you about where to go and how to speak. I want the best for you, but also for the others who do not yet know me. I know this may leave you feeling stuck in the middle, but this was the plan I was given by the Father, and it has worked out good so far with many others before you.
The future is not to be revealed to you, but if you could see what I see for the future, you would follow with all your heart. Do not be scared by this; because nothing can harm you while you are with me and I am with you. Thanks again for all you are doing. Hold me in prayer as I hold you.
Jesus.
Scripture: Luke 24:44-53
Sermon: “Mixed Feelings”
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Notes for Sunday May 17, 2009
Read: Psalm 98, Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 Easter Six
“Abide in my love.” One of the last things Jesus offered to the disciples before his death was this command to abide. The word abide can be defined: to wait patiently. Abide can also be defined: to remain or dwell, in other words, to stay put. To wait patiently for Christ’s love is a wonderful idea, nice to offer, but hard to accomplish. Most days we are anything but patiently waiting. Rush, rush, rush.
How lovely to linger in the path of the love of God. I like the idea of dwelling in Christ’s love. To remain, as if I already have that love about me, I dwell richly; I stay put in the midst of grace offering life. What if … I was able to live my life in the midst of a constant experience of God’s love? What if … we as a church we willing to stay put in the midst and not allow our minds or our tongues to wander or wag causing divisions and hardships in our relationships? That would be something to behold. I believe it is possible, yet not easy. Abiding is not our thing. But Christ helps us again.
The next verse (vs. 10) offers Christ abiding in the love of the Father. As we abide in Christ, so Christ abides in the Father, therefore we have direct access to the Father through the Son, or along with the Son. “Where I am, there you will be also,” Jesus said to the disciples just a few verses before this passage. Fear not, my sisters and brothers in Christ; Abide.
Scripture: John 15:9-17
Sermon: “What If …”
“Abide in my love.” One of the last things Jesus offered to the disciples before his death was this command to abide. The word abide can be defined: to wait patiently. Abide can also be defined: to remain or dwell, in other words, to stay put. To wait patiently for Christ’s love is a wonderful idea, nice to offer, but hard to accomplish. Most days we are anything but patiently waiting. Rush, rush, rush.
How lovely to linger in the path of the love of God. I like the idea of dwelling in Christ’s love. To remain, as if I already have that love about me, I dwell richly; I stay put in the midst of grace offering life. What if … I was able to live my life in the midst of a constant experience of God’s love? What if … we as a church we willing to stay put in the midst and not allow our minds or our tongues to wander or wag causing divisions and hardships in our relationships? That would be something to behold. I believe it is possible, yet not easy. Abiding is not our thing. But Christ helps us again.
The next verse (vs. 10) offers Christ abiding in the love of the Father. As we abide in Christ, so Christ abides in the Father, therefore we have direct access to the Father through the Son, or along with the Son. “Where I am, there you will be also,” Jesus said to the disciples just a few verses before this passage. Fear not, my sisters and brothers in Christ; Abide.
Scripture: John 15:9-17
Sermon: “What If …”
Monday, April 27, 2009
Notes for Sunday May 10, 2009
Read: Psalm 22:25-31, Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 Easter Five
Pruning sounds harsh. In fact, it is harsh. Take the plant by the hand, reaching into the inner crown, finding a fork of a branch, and cutting away the longer, larger of the two branches. Make the cut with sharp, clean pruning shears large and powerful enough to make the cut with grace and efficiency.
Pruning opens the plant to allow light and air to penetrate and circulate properly. Pruning encourages new growth and proper fruit setting. A properly pruned plant will look natural, not scalped, not mowed.
Keep in mind pruning is NOT a size control. If you need to prune to reduce the overall size of the plant or to reduce the impact of the plant upon its neighbors, then you have the wrong plant growing in this particular place. Proper planting leads to proper pruning. Never substitute a poor planting choice with abusive pruning.
The goal in pruning should never be to control size; rather the goal is to maximize fruitfulness. Unfortunately pruning in order to control size is the rule we have all learned to accept as valid, even while it has never been particularly effective. Just like the guy who mows the grass at one inch of height, verses a healthy height of 3-4 inches. He has just caused more problems for himself by this behavior, but the grass is much shorter and he does not have to worry about it for another week or so. However, later in the summer he will stop and wonder why his yard looks sick compared to a neighbor. So it goes with pruning, slowing down and taking your time is your long-term friend.
The key to pruning is to remember the goal. If your goal is to make the plant shorter, smaller, less productive, stunted, looking something like a poodle just home from the groomer, then get out there with the power shears and go at it in 20 minutes. However, it your goal is to encourage the plants natural DNA, the God given structure and capability, to encourage the natural shape and flowering, if you are hoping to reach the maximum potential for fruit bearing, then you will prune carefully with wisdom and thought. You will secure the proper tools and take the time to see clearly the potential risk and benefit of each cut.
Then, the harshness of the cut can make sense and offer hope. The pruning, even while painful, can be life-affirming and life-giving. May it be so.
Scripture: John 15:1-8
Sermon: “The Pruned Life”
Pruning sounds harsh. In fact, it is harsh. Take the plant by the hand, reaching into the inner crown, finding a fork of a branch, and cutting away the longer, larger of the two branches. Make the cut with sharp, clean pruning shears large and powerful enough to make the cut with grace and efficiency.
Pruning opens the plant to allow light and air to penetrate and circulate properly. Pruning encourages new growth and proper fruit setting. A properly pruned plant will look natural, not scalped, not mowed.
Keep in mind pruning is NOT a size control. If you need to prune to reduce the overall size of the plant or to reduce the impact of the plant upon its neighbors, then you have the wrong plant growing in this particular place. Proper planting leads to proper pruning. Never substitute a poor planting choice with abusive pruning.
The goal in pruning should never be to control size; rather the goal is to maximize fruitfulness. Unfortunately pruning in order to control size is the rule we have all learned to accept as valid, even while it has never been particularly effective. Just like the guy who mows the grass at one inch of height, verses a healthy height of 3-4 inches. He has just caused more problems for himself by this behavior, but the grass is much shorter and he does not have to worry about it for another week or so. However, later in the summer he will stop and wonder why his yard looks sick compared to a neighbor. So it goes with pruning, slowing down and taking your time is your long-term friend.
The key to pruning is to remember the goal. If your goal is to make the plant shorter, smaller, less productive, stunted, looking something like a poodle just home from the groomer, then get out there with the power shears and go at it in 20 minutes. However, it your goal is to encourage the plants natural DNA, the God given structure and capability, to encourage the natural shape and flowering, if you are hoping to reach the maximum potential for fruit bearing, then you will prune carefully with wisdom and thought. You will secure the proper tools and take the time to see clearly the potential risk and benefit of each cut.
Then, the harshness of the cut can make sense and offer hope. The pruning, even while painful, can be life-affirming and life-giving. May it be so.
Scripture: John 15:1-8
Sermon: “The Pruned Life”
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Notes for Sunday April 05, 2009
Read: Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Mark 14-15 Passionate Trust
“Can God be trusted?” continues as my primary ministry question. Boil it all down, all the talk and all the speculation and we are left with this one simple question. Can we trust a God who feels distant? Can we trust a God who allows my neighbor’s cancer or her daughter being run over by a drunk driver? Can we trust a God who creates a world where millions suffer in poverty without daily water or food; while a comparative few worry if their lifestyle will have to suffer because of a downturn in their massive wealth? Can we trust a God who allows a world to be more concerned with a pet’s food preferences than its own children’s future? Can we trust you God when we lose our job, lose our sanity, or lose our life?
Lately, I have been responding to a lot of questions with, “The proof is in the pudding.” We can say we trust God; however, our actions will be the proof of our willingness to trust God. How we respond to the trials and events in our life displays our trust. It is not the events or trials in themselves; rather it is always our reaction to those events which reveals the focus of our trust.
Now listen to this, if we trust is not the question. We all trust in something, someone. To trust is to breath, to have being. Trust is the human experience. However, where we place our trust is up for grabs. Should trust be placed in ones ability, or wealth, or appearance, or spouse, or children? In what, or whom, do we trust? And just how is that trust moved from one place to another? Does trust move quickly in a shock and awe move, or does trust take some time to shake and bake? Both seem possible. Both are within our experience.
Our actions display the focus of our trust, even the level or intensity of our trust. Who or what we trust is a choice. We see Jesus on the cross and realize his trust in the Father calls out for our lives to follow. Can God be trusted?
Scripture: Mark 15:1-39
Sermon: “Trust, not Rust”
“Can God be trusted?” continues as my primary ministry question. Boil it all down, all the talk and all the speculation and we are left with this one simple question. Can we trust a God who feels distant? Can we trust a God who allows my neighbor’s cancer or her daughter being run over by a drunk driver? Can we trust a God who creates a world where millions suffer in poverty without daily water or food; while a comparative few worry if their lifestyle will have to suffer because of a downturn in their massive wealth? Can we trust a God who allows a world to be more concerned with a pet’s food preferences than its own children’s future? Can we trust you God when we lose our job, lose our sanity, or lose our life?
Lately, I have been responding to a lot of questions with, “The proof is in the pudding.” We can say we trust God; however, our actions will be the proof of our willingness to trust God. How we respond to the trials and events in our life displays our trust. It is not the events or trials in themselves; rather it is always our reaction to those events which reveals the focus of our trust.
Now listen to this, if we trust is not the question. We all trust in something, someone. To trust is to breath, to have being. Trust is the human experience. However, where we place our trust is up for grabs. Should trust be placed in ones ability, or wealth, or appearance, or spouse, or children? In what, or whom, do we trust? And just how is that trust moved from one place to another? Does trust move quickly in a shock and awe move, or does trust take some time to shake and bake? Both seem possible. Both are within our experience.
Our actions display the focus of our trust, even the level or intensity of our trust. Who or what we trust is a choice. We see Jesus on the cross and realize his trust in the Father calls out for our lives to follow. Can God be trusted?
Scripture: Mark 15:1-39
Sermon: “Trust, not Rust”
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Notes for Sunday March 15, 2009
Read: Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 Community Marks
Every town in Iowa seems to have a town sign. Many of them have a town slogan which goes along with the sign. Minburn, Iowa calls itself, “The Little Town with the Big Heart.” My home town of Dexter, Iowa has the slogan, “A One Horse Town.” (Dexter was named after a famous race horse from 150 years ago.) One of my favorites is the town of Stuart, Iowa which has on their sign the slogan, “1000 Good Eggs and a Few Stinkers.” Slogans mark the towns and people take pride in the marks of their particular place or family.
Our Christian heritage is no different. We have marks and slogans with which define us. These marks offer others a glimpse of our focus and mission. Beginning with Father Abraham, the Jewish people were marked by circumcision. Moses offered the marks of the Ten Commandments as a way of life which was strange and different from the prevailing culture. Jesus turned over the tables of the money changers in the temple as a witness to a new lifestyle mark of his life and those who would be his disciples. The Apostle Paul shared with the early Christian church in Corinth the marks of God’s wisdom which appeared as foolishness to many. He argued for the courage of the people to let go of the marks of the world and cling to the salvation of the cross.
Today we carry many marks on our bodies and our lives. We are defined by those marks. Or even more important, we define the world around us from within the context of these same marks. Married or single, childless or large family, working or retired, young or old, healthy or battling illness, we all have marks and live within the space these defining marks provide. Most important are our marks as disciples. These are radical love, justice, hospitality, grace, and peace. If you were a small town what would be your slogan, your mark for the world to see?
Scripture: John 2:13-22
Sermon: “Community Marks”
Every town in Iowa seems to have a town sign. Many of them have a town slogan which goes along with the sign. Minburn, Iowa calls itself, “The Little Town with the Big Heart.” My home town of Dexter, Iowa has the slogan, “A One Horse Town.” (Dexter was named after a famous race horse from 150 years ago.) One of my favorites is the town of Stuart, Iowa which has on their sign the slogan, “1000 Good Eggs and a Few Stinkers.” Slogans mark the towns and people take pride in the marks of their particular place or family.
Our Christian heritage is no different. We have marks and slogans with which define us. These marks offer others a glimpse of our focus and mission. Beginning with Father Abraham, the Jewish people were marked by circumcision. Moses offered the marks of the Ten Commandments as a way of life which was strange and different from the prevailing culture. Jesus turned over the tables of the money changers in the temple as a witness to a new lifestyle mark of his life and those who would be his disciples. The Apostle Paul shared with the early Christian church in Corinth the marks of God’s wisdom which appeared as foolishness to many. He argued for the courage of the people to let go of the marks of the world and cling to the salvation of the cross.
Today we carry many marks on our bodies and our lives. We are defined by those marks. Or even more important, we define the world around us from within the context of these same marks. Married or single, childless or large family, working or retired, young or old, healthy or battling illness, we all have marks and live within the space these defining marks provide. Most important are our marks as disciples. These are radical love, justice, hospitality, grace, and peace. If you were a small town what would be your slogan, your mark for the world to see?
Scripture: John 2:13-22
Sermon: “Community Marks”
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Notes for Sunday March 08, 2009
Read: Genesis 17:1-7, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 Following Calls
One of the best things about living here by the church for the past nine years has been the birds. As spring approaches the Cardinals begin calling to one another from the tops of all these beautiful pines. Cheryl and I have found there are at least three sets of Cardinals who live here year around. But it is at this particular time each year that they seem to become more vocal in their calling to one another. We enjoy hearing them calling back and forth from the church to the parsonages, then back to the church. It is like music from heaven to us.
When I was a child my father used to call the cows to follow as he would feed or water them. I remember that try as I might, they would only look at me. The cows did not know my voice as one to be trusted or one who would supply their needs. Dad used to laugh and tell me that as I became older they would recognize my voice and follow. He was right.
God has called to people from the beginning of time. I like to imagine it is much like our use of cell phones today. Some of us answer every call, while others look to see who it is before we answer, a few walk around with the phone turned off, life is all “voice mail” to these individuals. How is God calling you? Do you know God’s voice? How have you responded?
One day this week I was rushing from the parsonage to the church, with my mind going a hundred miles an hour, when I stopped in the middle of the parking lot. All of a sudden it occurred to me the birds were singing.
Scripture: Mark 8:31-38
Sermon: “Following Calls”
One of the best things about living here by the church for the past nine years has been the birds. As spring approaches the Cardinals begin calling to one another from the tops of all these beautiful pines. Cheryl and I have found there are at least three sets of Cardinals who live here year around. But it is at this particular time each year that they seem to become more vocal in their calling to one another. We enjoy hearing them calling back and forth from the church to the parsonages, then back to the church. It is like music from heaven to us.
When I was a child my father used to call the cows to follow as he would feed or water them. I remember that try as I might, they would only look at me. The cows did not know my voice as one to be trusted or one who would supply their needs. Dad used to laugh and tell me that as I became older they would recognize my voice and follow. He was right.
God has called to people from the beginning of time. I like to imagine it is much like our use of cell phones today. Some of us answer every call, while others look to see who it is before we answer, a few walk around with the phone turned off, life is all “voice mail” to these individuals. How is God calling you? Do you know God’s voice? How have you responded?
One day this week I was rushing from the parsonage to the church, with my mind going a hundred miles an hour, when I stopped in the middle of the parking lot. All of a sudden it occurred to me the birds were singing.
Scripture: Mark 8:31-38
Sermon: “Following Calls”
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Notes for Sunday March 01, 2009
Read: Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 Water Words
Water is life. Even more than the air we breathe, or soil we walk upon, water is the primary life supplier. We know there is life without air, such as anaerobic bacteria, however we cannot find life without water. We can find life without soil, such as the water-born protozoa, but water always is involved with life in one of its physical forms of vapor, liquid, or a solid. Water is the essential building block, the foundation of life.
The human body is 65% water. We must take in 80 oz. of water a day, about 2/3 of a gallon, just to maintain that percentage. As my body came into being it took on water. At death my body will dry out, lose its water, and once again become the same “wetness” as the rest of the world. So in an almost strange primordial metaphor, water can be understood to offer life. While we are physically alive our bodies contain significantly more water than the world around us. Without life, our bodies are similar in dryness to the surroundings.
So it is with our spiritual life. As we gain Jesus Christ we become alive in that spirit. The sacrament of baptism uses water at the metaphor to offer this hope. Through the application of water, the spiritual body becomes alive. Without the life of the spirit we remain separated from our own potential. We live spiritually on the same level with the world around us, experiencing no greater power, offering no greater sacrifice.
To hydrate our lives we look to the means of grace such as the sacraments, scripture, friendship, and prayer. Our ordinary lives become extraordinary with the addition of the water of the spirit. Our goal in these 40 days of Lent is to drink in the water of life and allow God to once again give spiritual life to our mortal bodies.
Scripture: Mark 1:9-15
Sermon: “Water Words”
Water is life. Even more than the air we breathe, or soil we walk upon, water is the primary life supplier. We know there is life without air, such as anaerobic bacteria, however we cannot find life without water. We can find life without soil, such as the water-born protozoa, but water always is involved with life in one of its physical forms of vapor, liquid, or a solid. Water is the essential building block, the foundation of life.
The human body is 65% water. We must take in 80 oz. of water a day, about 2/3 of a gallon, just to maintain that percentage. As my body came into being it took on water. At death my body will dry out, lose its water, and once again become the same “wetness” as the rest of the world. So in an almost strange primordial metaphor, water can be understood to offer life. While we are physically alive our bodies contain significantly more water than the world around us. Without life, our bodies are similar in dryness to the surroundings.
So it is with our spiritual life. As we gain Jesus Christ we become alive in that spirit. The sacrament of baptism uses water at the metaphor to offer this hope. Through the application of water, the spiritual body becomes alive. Without the life of the spirit we remain separated from our own potential. We live spiritually on the same level with the world around us, experiencing no greater power, offering no greater sacrifice.
To hydrate our lives we look to the means of grace such as the sacraments, scripture, friendship, and prayer. Our ordinary lives become extraordinary with the addition of the water of the spirit. Our goal in these 40 days of Lent is to drink in the water of life and allow God to once again give spiritual life to our mortal bodies.
Scripture: Mark 1:9-15
Sermon: “Water Words”
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Notes for Sunday February 22, 2009
Read: Mark 9 & 2 Corinthians 4 The Transfiguration
All our lives we watch things grow. Here in Iowa, we grow things in the midst of the most fertile soil in the world. Our culture is based on growing things. For instance, we have weddings in June because that is when the crops need the least attention through their growing season. Our lives economically depend upon growing. Agriculture is our base, it is our economic rock. We suffer when things do not grow, or are stunted in their growth.
We watch our families grow. The little ones become classmates, who grow into work-mates, who find life-mates, who offer the whole cycle over again.
Growth is a faith journey of maturity and transformation from what was into what will be. This change is ongoing and active. The final stages of growth always rightly produces fruit, or perhaps more profound, seed for another season.
Jesus experienced the transfiguration as a prelude to the fruitfulness that was to follow the growth of the disciples in the church. Even today our lives are changed, transfigured, into something beautiful as we witness the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Growth, change, transfiguration can be hard and painful. The lack of growth however, is a morbid and dying process which will never offer reproduction or find fulfillment. Trust in God. Cling to Jesus. Embrace the Spirit. There is the good news, especially in the midst of growing things.
Scripture: Mark 9:2-9
Sermon: “Change is All Around Us”
All our lives we watch things grow. Here in Iowa, we grow things in the midst of the most fertile soil in the world. Our culture is based on growing things. For instance, we have weddings in June because that is when the crops need the least attention through their growing season. Our lives economically depend upon growing. Agriculture is our base, it is our economic rock. We suffer when things do not grow, or are stunted in their growth.
We watch our families grow. The little ones become classmates, who grow into work-mates, who find life-mates, who offer the whole cycle over again.
Growth is a faith journey of maturity and transformation from what was into what will be. This change is ongoing and active. The final stages of growth always rightly produces fruit, or perhaps more profound, seed for another season.
Jesus experienced the transfiguration as a prelude to the fruitfulness that was to follow the growth of the disciples in the church. Even today our lives are changed, transfigured, into something beautiful as we witness the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Growth, change, transfiguration can be hard and painful. The lack of growth however, is a morbid and dying process which will never offer reproduction or find fulfillment. Trust in God. Cling to Jesus. Embrace the Spirit. There is the good news, especially in the midst of growing things.
Scripture: Mark 9:2-9
Sermon: “Change is All Around Us”
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Notes for Sunday February 15, 2009
Read: Mark 1 Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy
Everyone wants to be loved. Some want the giddy, walking on clouds feelings, new found love offers. Some want the attention toward ourselves which being loved may offer. Still others seek the simple touch and physical contact love offers. As we mature, we seek mature love; something we call “true love.”
True love is comfortable with ourselves and seeks to be in relationship in order to offer grace to the other. True love is outward love, offering the very best of self, and accepting the best of the other without placing requirements or demanding expectations. True love lives best within the rhythm of an ongoing committed relationship. My reading of scripture offers true love as built upon the foundation of sacrifice. That is also my personal experience. Show me sacrifice and I will show you true love.
Feelings are natural when love is experienced. However the feelings of true love may be deceiving to some because it is comfortableness, a security, a pleasure which is deeper than the initial flame of infatuation. The movies rarely come close to exposing true love. Most movies seem to be focused on the love of self; getting my pleasure at any cost to anyone else. Unfortunately these stories can be compelling and we may begin to believe in a world where my needs should come before anything or anyone else. Love suffers in that soil.
True love is for a life time and beyond. The apostle Paul says, “Love never ends.” We do not hold tomorrow within our grasp, but we do have today. And tomorrow will be a reflection of our action today. I say Jesus offers true love to the man with leprosy. Our task is to reflect that love. And everybody wants to be loved.
Scripture: Mark 1:40-45
Sermon: “True Love”
Everyone wants to be loved. Some want the giddy, walking on clouds feelings, new found love offers. Some want the attention toward ourselves which being loved may offer. Still others seek the simple touch and physical contact love offers. As we mature, we seek mature love; something we call “true love.”
True love is comfortable with ourselves and seeks to be in relationship in order to offer grace to the other. True love is outward love, offering the very best of self, and accepting the best of the other without placing requirements or demanding expectations. True love lives best within the rhythm of an ongoing committed relationship. My reading of scripture offers true love as built upon the foundation of sacrifice. That is also my personal experience. Show me sacrifice and I will show you true love.
Feelings are natural when love is experienced. However the feelings of true love may be deceiving to some because it is comfortableness, a security, a pleasure which is deeper than the initial flame of infatuation. The movies rarely come close to exposing true love. Most movies seem to be focused on the love of self; getting my pleasure at any cost to anyone else. Unfortunately these stories can be compelling and we may begin to believe in a world where my needs should come before anything or anyone else. Love suffers in that soil.
True love is for a life time and beyond. The apostle Paul says, “Love never ends.” We do not hold tomorrow within our grasp, but we do have today. And tomorrow will be a reflection of our action today. I say Jesus offers true love to the man with leprosy. Our task is to reflect that love. And everybody wants to be loved.
Scripture: Mark 1:40-45
Sermon: “True Love”
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Notes for Sunday January 25, 2009
Read: Mark 1:14-20
Jesus is sent into the wilderness and calls the disciples in this passage. Why is it that a wilderness experience leaves us focused and ready to gather others and move forward on the big project? While we are in the wilderness all we can think about is what we are missing. When we get out of the wilderness we realize we are now tougher, more prepared, and ready to take on that beast of a thing which has been dogging us for some time. What do you see Jesus doing in this passage?
Scripture: Mark 1:14-20
Sermon: A Failure of Nerve
Jesus is sent into the wilderness and calls the disciples in this passage. Why is it that a wilderness experience leaves us focused and ready to gather others and move forward on the big project? While we are in the wilderness all we can think about is what we are missing. When we get out of the wilderness we realize we are now tougher, more prepared, and ready to take on that beast of a thing which has been dogging us for some time. What do you see Jesus doing in this passage?
Scripture: Mark 1:14-20
Sermon: A Failure of Nerve
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Writings for Sunday January 11, 2009
Read: Mark 1 The Baptism of the Lord
We are overwhelmed with causes and positions which stand against something or someone. Everyone seems to have an axe to grind about some particular issue, be it political, financial, or moral. Some people have more than one hot button issue. They can go off about just about anything at anytime. I am struggling to not place an example here, because it could very well be your pet project to speak out against. We are busy to death being against stuff, and I am against being against stuff. And here is the catch: The more I try to be against something or someone, the more I end up acting and looking just like the person or cause I oppose.
John the Baptist was against the political and cultural system of his day. Look at the way he dressed and lived. He said Jesus was coming to change everything. But John seems to misunderstand how Jesus would go about this work. What do you oppose? What frightens you about change?
Jesus comes to stand with, not to oppose. He submits to John’s baptism (which he surely does not need.) He stands with the people who are struggling to get life together. Watch and see how Jesus does not oppose people but goes with them, stands with them. Even to the cross of death, he does not oppose those who would kill him. He submits to their behavior and foul ways, knowing that faith and love will win the day, if only he can be faithful to the Father. Strange are the ways of Jesus.
I think Jesus did not come to maintain the status quo and keep people comfortable and secure in their own ways. Jesus came to transform life into something radically different; a non-violent life which stands together with the lowly, lost, and the offender and offers peace. And he did this work by standing with, not in opposition.
We are overwhelmed with causes and positions which stand against something or someone. Everyone seems to have an axe to grind about some particular issue, be it political, financial, or moral. Some people have more than one hot button issue. They can go off about just about anything at anytime. I am struggling to not place an example here, because it could very well be your pet project to speak out against. We are busy to death being against stuff, and I am against being against stuff. And here is the catch: The more I try to be against something or someone, the more I end up acting and looking just like the person or cause I oppose.
John the Baptist was against the political and cultural system of his day. Look at the way he dressed and lived. He said Jesus was coming to change everything. But John seems to misunderstand how Jesus would go about this work. What do you oppose? What frightens you about change?
Jesus comes to stand with, not to oppose. He submits to John’s baptism (which he surely does not need.) He stands with the people who are struggling to get life together. Watch and see how Jesus does not oppose people but goes with them, stands with them. Even to the cross of death, he does not oppose those who would kill him. He submits to their behavior and foul ways, knowing that faith and love will win the day, if only he can be faithful to the Father. Strange are the ways of Jesus.
I think Jesus did not come to maintain the status quo and keep people comfortable and secure in their own ways. Jesus came to transform life into something radically different; a non-violent life which stands together with the lowly, lost, and the offender and offers peace. And he did this work by standing with, not in opposition.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Notes for Sunday January 04, 2009
Read: Ephesians 1
Christmas has been described as a “one size fits all” holiday. Today we make Christmas be whatever we need it to be at the moment. And frankly Christmas is quite athletic, in that it can do many things and change plans on the go to accommodate the needs of a particular situation.
The Apostle Paul seems to not have heard about our modern idea of Christmas and the many ways we can make it change to meet our needs. He had only one focus, one message. His letter to the church in Ephesus outlines that message.
1. We are destined for adoption as his children.
2. In Christ, we have obtained an inheritance.
3. Believers are marked with a seal of the promised Holy Spirit.
Try as we might to change the message of the season to meet our needs at the moment, isn’t this word from Paul the real message of the season? I think so. I like to think of it like a “magic marker.”
Worship Next Week
Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14
Sermon Title: “Magic Marker”
Christmas has been described as a “one size fits all” holiday. Today we make Christmas be whatever we need it to be at the moment. And frankly Christmas is quite athletic, in that it can do many things and change plans on the go to accommodate the needs of a particular situation.
The Apostle Paul seems to not have heard about our modern idea of Christmas and the many ways we can make it change to meet our needs. He had only one focus, one message. His letter to the church in Ephesus outlines that message.
1. We are destined for adoption as his children.
2. In Christ, we have obtained an inheritance.
3. Believers are marked with a seal of the promised Holy Spirit.
Try as we might to change the message of the season to meet our needs at the moment, isn’t this word from Paul the real message of the season? I think so. I like to think of it like a “magic marker.”
Worship Next Week
Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14
Sermon Title: “Magic Marker”
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Notes for Sunday December 28, 2008
Read: Luke 2
Has Christmas grown larger than Jesus? Is it possible for Christmas to grow beyond the savior’s birth? Were we to reinvent Christmas, would we cause the thing to look and act like it does today? How would we change Christmas? What parts or pieces would we keep and hold in high esteem in secure places? And what would be thrown out, to be trod upon underfoot, lost forever in the midst of a world hungry for more?
Wow, all I wanted to do was have a nice easy little sermon this week. A sermon we can rest our weary souls upon. I was looking for a sermon to cheer us as we have sought new life in the midst of the hustle of the season. I was looking for a sermon to offer grace in the midst of ungrateful grabbing. I titled the sermon, “Surviving Christmas.” Some years, and for some it is every year, mere survival is our goal through the season.
I want to take a surprising look at Christmas. December 28 will put us right in the midst of the Christmas season. Our anxiety and depression surrounding the season is almost always found leading into the season, not the season it’s self. We worry about a multitude of possible things which never happen. They concern us far more, take far too much of our energy and resources, than the real possibilities for life knocking on our doors.
Can we laugh at ourselves and those around us? Can we find new life by taking a fresh look, even a humorous look at the story following Jesus birth? I would keep joy and laughter in Christmas. I will try.
Worship Next Week
Scripture: Luke 2:22-40
Sermon Title: “Surviving Christmas”
Has Christmas grown larger than Jesus? Is it possible for Christmas to grow beyond the savior’s birth? Were we to reinvent Christmas, would we cause the thing to look and act like it does today? How would we change Christmas? What parts or pieces would we keep and hold in high esteem in secure places? And what would be thrown out, to be trod upon underfoot, lost forever in the midst of a world hungry for more?
Wow, all I wanted to do was have a nice easy little sermon this week. A sermon we can rest our weary souls upon. I was looking for a sermon to cheer us as we have sought new life in the midst of the hustle of the season. I was looking for a sermon to offer grace in the midst of ungrateful grabbing. I titled the sermon, “Surviving Christmas.” Some years, and for some it is every year, mere survival is our goal through the season.
I want to take a surprising look at Christmas. December 28 will put us right in the midst of the Christmas season. Our anxiety and depression surrounding the season is almost always found leading into the season, not the season it’s self. We worry about a multitude of possible things which never happen. They concern us far more, take far too much of our energy and resources, than the real possibilities for life knocking on our doors.
Can we laugh at ourselves and those around us? Can we find new life by taking a fresh look, even a humorous look at the story following Jesus birth? I would keep joy and laughter in Christmas. I will try.
Worship Next Week
Scripture: Luke 2:22-40
Sermon Title: “Surviving Christmas”
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Notes for Sunday December 21, 2008
Read: Luke 1
A person said to me the other day, “the devil is in the details.” It is a common way of sharing feelings of uncertainty and disorder in the world around us. Being a big picture guy, I often struggle with details. If you are like me you simply want to move forward and not hassle with the fine print. I get bogged down, feeling like I am just hacking my way through the rain-forest of life. Fine motor skills were never given high marks on my report card.
The other side of the same coin reflects those who not only enjoy, but encourage interaction with the details of life. These folks are wonderfully made to work within a project, moving with the moments of a season. They reflect the fullness of God in the handiwork of God’s glory. As much as I struggle with the details, these persons soar in the same environment and it is beautiful to watch.
God is surely in the midst of the details, not the devil. For I find that when I am willing to let go of my fear and need to control the details of the environment around me, I experience God. Over and over my experience of Christmas has been one of God’s in-breaking through or even over the top of the mountain of details to offer peace, grace, and hope.
I pray this is also your experience of Christmas. Not so much one of a baby in a manger, but of a risen Christ who calms the wind and waves. Not so much of a present colorfully wrapped under a green tree, but of a sense of belonging and hopeful anticipation for God’s reign on earth to reclaim all that is born of the darkness. After all, God is in all the details.
Here are my sermon points for next Sunday based on writing by B.W. Johnson, 1891:
"In the angel's message we have, (1) An assurance, Fear not. (2) A promise, Thou shalt bring forth a son. (3) A command, Thou shalt call his name Jesus. (4) A prophecy, He shall be great, the Son of the Highest, sit on David's throne, reign forever."
Worship Next Week
Scripture: Luke 1:26-38
Sermon Title: “God is in the Details”
A person said to me the other day, “the devil is in the details.” It is a common way of sharing feelings of uncertainty and disorder in the world around us. Being a big picture guy, I often struggle with details. If you are like me you simply want to move forward and not hassle with the fine print. I get bogged down, feeling like I am just hacking my way through the rain-forest of life. Fine motor skills were never given high marks on my report card.
The other side of the same coin reflects those who not only enjoy, but encourage interaction with the details of life. These folks are wonderfully made to work within a project, moving with the moments of a season. They reflect the fullness of God in the handiwork of God’s glory. As much as I struggle with the details, these persons soar in the same environment and it is beautiful to watch.
God is surely in the midst of the details, not the devil. For I find that when I am willing to let go of my fear and need to control the details of the environment around me, I experience God. Over and over my experience of Christmas has been one of God’s in-breaking through or even over the top of the mountain of details to offer peace, grace, and hope.
I pray this is also your experience of Christmas. Not so much one of a baby in a manger, but of a risen Christ who calms the wind and waves. Not so much of a present colorfully wrapped under a green tree, but of a sense of belonging and hopeful anticipation for God’s reign on earth to reclaim all that is born of the darkness. After all, God is in all the details.
Here are my sermon points for next Sunday based on writing by B.W. Johnson, 1891:
"In the angel's message we have, (1) An assurance, Fear not. (2) A promise, Thou shalt bring forth a son. (3) A command, Thou shalt call his name Jesus. (4) A prophecy, He shall be great, the Son of the Highest, sit on David's throne, reign forever."
Worship Next Week
Scripture: Luke 1:26-38
Sermon Title: “God is in the Details”
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