Sermons

Think you've seen someone?  Look again.

Jesus never does the same thing the same way twice.  But that's because he (and God!) are full of surprises!

How do we catch people?  By going deep.

We are baptized just like Jesus was baptized. So, what does his baptism mean for him?

John the Baptist appears to be foolish - a madman in the wilderness - who in reality is as wise as they come.

How do we live when our faith seems ruined and we are subject to oppression?  Daniel shows us.

When we are in trouble, where do we turn?  Who is our refuge?  Who is on throne?

It's easier to talk about trust than to live it.  Elijah shows us the way.

Generosity begins when, as children, we learn to share.  But growing in generosity is a lifetime practice.

When you hear this story about Jesus, where does your attention go?  What do you see?  For there is more here than meets the eye.

Honesty is the best policy. Even with God.  God knows you and gets you and speaks your language.

Love - as shown us in Jesus - stands at the center of our life.  How does this affect us and what does it mean for our way of life?

The pace of life these days can knock us off our feet. How can we find solid ground?

The last meal that the disciples had with Jesus wasn't what they expected.  But it was just what they needed.

Why are we here?  What is our purpose?  These are questions Jesus thought about - and he had an answer.

What does it mean that Jesus is Messiah?  The answer will open your eyes!

Lots of people are trying to judge Jesus - but the jury is still out. So, what do you say?

In the face of diffculties and doubts, trust that God's Word is in you, planted in good soil.

When does the story of Jesus start? It starts with us.

When the people of Israel returned to Jerusalem and began rebuilding their beloved temple, we would expect there to be shouts of joy.  What we do not expect there to be cries of grief.  Yet both are precious to God.

Never pray without giving thanks.  It will take you out of your worries and root you in God.

Even when Israel is at its worst - when it ignores the knowledge of God, God's love continues. And so also with us.

Who we listen to is important.  Those who are old know this.  So does the Bible.

Of all the commandments of Moses, which one is the most important?  Rabbi Jesus gives us the answer that leads to life in the kingdom of God.

Jacob's whole life was a struggle - with mortals and with God.  But at last he came home at peace.

What does it mean to be a human being on the earth? What does it mean for God?

Jesus is a teacher extraordinaire. He has not only mastered the material. He has mastered life.

Good or bad, happy or sad, God takes us as we are.  So, we can be real with God.

There is power in weakness.  It is the power of God!

How do we become happy - truly, deeply happy?  Not in following our own path, but in seeking the path of God. 

What exactly happens in baptism?  What difference does it make?  It makes the difference between death and life.

Life not working out the way you expect? Then, learn to live by faith.

In the face of tragedy, it's easy to blame God.  But if we follow the example of the woman, we will look for ways to provide.

Isn't mindfulness doing nothing?  It turns out, there is a lot more going on than you think.

Do you multi-task when you eat?  Then maybe you are getting everything you can out of eating.  Here are some suggestions to enhance your everyday eating experience:

How do I stop my thoughts?  You can't.  But maybe you can do something even better.

How can you be more present to whatever you are doing?  Bring your attention to your breath.  It is always there.

Are you rushing through life not really ever arriving or finding what you are looking for?  Maybe it's time to slow down and become aware of what is right in front of you.

Who is the greatest?  Don't look up - look down - and become a child.

Jesus calls us to beyond the safe and secure lives that we have esdtablished to life in the kingdom of God!

How can begin to live the life to which Jesus calls us?  Look for opportunities to be generous!

Jesus is baptized by John "to fulfill all righteousness."  But what exactly is that righteousness?  And what does it have to do with us?

Later in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus laments that people do not know the things that make for peace.  Some soldiers from World War I and Jesus himself teach us how.

In order to introduce us to Jesus, Matthew gives us along genealogy.  If we look closely, in the midst of all these unpronouncable names, there is good news.

Jesus speaks with authority. But where does his authority come from? It comes from digging deeper.

Jesus says, "Don't worry!"  That's easy enough to say.  How do we do it?

What happens when we give without thought to expecation or reward?  Heavenly!

Is Jesus serious?  Why does he say such crazy things?  And what does he expect to do with these words?

We have been blessed by God, not merely for our own sakes, but for the sake of the world.

Now that God has shown us unbelievable mercy, what do we do?  Make love our aim in everything.

The story of Jesus and the Canaanite woman raises great questions - and also shows us great faith!

What is the easy yoke?  Listen to the questions of Jesus and find out.

When Paul meets Jesus, he drops his old life like a hot potato.  He has found true freedom and joy!

Paul has no outward reason to be joyful.  But his joy has nothing to do with his circumstances, because he continues serving Christ where he is.  And that gives him joy!

In the story of Jesus and his followers, significant things happen on the road.  What road are you taking?

If you want to know what the Christian faith is about, you need look no further than I John 4 - God is love!

To speak about love is easy.  To be loving is hard.  How do we do it?

How do deal with sin?  Don't ignore it but bring it right into your relationship with God!

How does the Gospel of John shape our faith?  The first letter of John gives us some clues.

Jesus came to give us abundant life. Is your life abundant? Maybe it's in the light you see it.

After being fed by Jesus, the crowds track him down - and they get a mouthful!

She is a woman with a long past and little future, but Jesus accepts her as she is and draws her closer to the water of life.

Jesus' first miracle is understated, hidden from all but the servants, but it still gives us an eye-full.

Isaiah invites the people of Israel who have been living in exile for generations to return home and take up their true calling.

When people think they know what's going on with God, Jeremiah makes them think again.

Amos, the prophet, has a tough word for us.  But sometimes that's just what we need.

Where do we find God?  Wherever God has promised to be!

Have you ever heard God's voice?  How did you know it was God?  Is there a way to seek God's guidance?  Let's see what we can learn from Samuel.

When God speaks to Moses out of a burning bush, he takes off his shoes, as he is told.  But Moses is not so crazy about the rest of the stuff God tells him to do.

Are you spiritual, but not religious?  Are you religious, but not spiritual?  Either way, you could use the gift of Christian community for the deepening of your faith.

Think wisdom leads to a good life?  Not so fast.  Ecclesiastes gives us a second opinion.

When we are in a tight spot, we may try to figure it out on our own.  But God is there, ready to help us.  All we need to do is trust God.

Jesus tells us, "Do not worry."  That's easy to say, but hard to do.  So, instead, we give thanks.

What is God really like?  And where is God exactly?  And how do we live in relationship with God?  This and more at the beginning of what we call the Lord's Prayer.

Knowing our expectations of others, especially outsiders, is more important than we realize.  Good boundaries may keep things in good order, but may also keep us from seeing God and following the Spirit.

Two disciples are headed down the wrong road after Easter morning.  But a stranger - present, but unseen - steers them right.

While Jesus attend many dinners and eats with many people, on the last night of his life, he also feeds his betrayer.

With the recurring themes of repentance and reversal, Jesus is letting us know that he has come to bring the joy of heaven to earth - and he is showing us how we can live in the same way.

We think of Samaritans as self-less and kind, models of compassion.  But, in Jesus' day, they were thought the most unlikely to show love.  How about you?

Miracles make Jesus look really cool.  But is that their only purpose?

Jesus returns to Nazareth as a hometown boy made good and gets a warm welcome.  But, when he opens his mouth, things turn pretty chilly.

You might that the Son of God would be born in the center of action and power.  But Jesus is born far from the limelight - not where he is expected, but where he is needed.

When the people of israel return home from exile, it's not what they expect.  But then, it seems, they are not what God expects.  What is the same is God's desire for them and God's love for them.

Enmeshed in the events of the day, the great prophets are more poetry than story and they are meant to be read.

With the end of the united kingdom, the figure of the prophet now steps to center stage in the story of Israel.  Meet...Elijah!

King David wants to build a house for God.  But - as often happens - God has something much better in mind.

It doesn't take long for the children of Israel to begin behaving badly.  When God is ready to put them in permanent time-out, Moses steps into the middle of the fight - and an amazing thing happens!

In a world of hurt, it is not merely God's forgiveness, but our forgiveness that brings healing and peace.

When we read the Bible, we often ask, "Is it true?" by which we usually mean, "Did this really happen?"  But the Bible is more interested in helping us understand who we are and how we are to live.  And we can discover this truth when we seek to live out what it teaches us.

When Jesus comes for baptism, it is not what anyone expects. But, while Jesus is all about fulfillment, this is not the last time he does the unexpected.

We tend to think that God only calls people of great faith, impressive skills and impeccable moral credentials. But - no - over and over again God calls people as they are. And so it is with us!

An earthquake surprises those at the tomb of Jesus. But it is Jesus' response that creates the more lasting effect on the disciples - and on us!

How do we move from knowing to doing? Jesus the Master Teacher tells us how.

Do you strive for food and drink and clothing? God has greater things in store for you.

What assures us that God has not forgotten us? An inner knowing! A mountain top experience? Or just the simple promise of Jesus?.

What tops Jesus' list of commandments? It's one from the heart - Make friends and seek reconciliation.

The Beatitudes of Jesus are not so much a set of instruction or a list of attitudes, but a promise that God is available to us...no matter what.

Jesus is tested in the wildnerness. We can learn from him as well.

If a newspaper had covered Jesus' birth, what would the headline be?

Santa needs to pick up some speed. How will he do it? A wise, old elf finds the radical solution.

In the wrap-up to Revelation, it is the White Rider who appears - as the conquered hero and king.

And you thought the Angels defeated the Dragon? It was the Saints.

As with the Exodus, disaster is piled on disaster, but then the mystery of God is revealed.

John begins his apocalyptic journey in the middle of an eternal worship service - but then things begin to change.

While Revelation finishes big, we hear John's main themes even from the beginning.

One simple word drives the story of redemption. One simple word ends it.