Sermons from 2017 (Page 2)
The Economics of Dirt
This is the first of 6 sermons on Jesus’ Kingdom Parables in the book of Matthew. This is odd for a few reasons. The first is the subject matter. Jesus tells these parables to communicate about an alternative way the world should work called the Kingdom of Heaven (the other Gospels refer to it as Kingdom of God). The Kingdom of God is a reverse world that stands in…
Sister Wives
Sermon from July 23, 2017. The Scripture passage is Genesis29:15-28. It’s the story of Jacob trying to marry Rachel only to be given her older sister Leah. In some ways, it’s a beautiful love story about Jacob working 14 years for the woman he loves. But what about Leah? And what does any of it have to do with us?
Until Ephraim Comes
The Rev. Dr. Gene Wilder delivers the sermon on July 16, 2017. The sermon arises from a little used passage of Scripture: Genesis 41:50-52. Dr. Wilder has many talents, some of which he exhibits in this excellent sermon. You will want to listen all the way to the end!
Which Side Are You On?
Sermon from July 2, 2017. The text is Genesis 25:19-34. It’s a couple of stories about Jacob and Esau (shouldn’t it be Esau & Jacob?) who fight like cats and dogs. Primarily, the sermon focuses on Jacob taking Esau’s birthright. It’s a weird family story, but for us it’s the living expression of the “us or them” climate in…
Promises Kept and Broken
This sermon is based on Genesis 22:1-14 which is read before the sermon. Additionally, Genesis 18:1-15 was read earlier in the service to remind us of how special Isaac was to Abraham and Sarah. This sermon takes the Gen. 22 passage very seriously, and when you do, you can’t help but wonder about all of the people in the story. Abraham is willing to kill his own…
In the Beginning
Sermon on June 11, 2017. The Scripture passage is from Genesis 1:1-2:4a, an account of creation. Because this is audio, you’re missing out on the children’s artistic contributions to worship on this Sunday during the Scripture reading. They made posters the previous Wednesday depicting each of the days of creation and during the reading, they held up their…
Who Do You Think You Are?
Sermon from 6/4/17, Pentecost. The sermon is on Numbers 11:24-30, with some reference to Acts 2:1-21 since it is Pentecost The Numbers passage is such a good story. It foreshadows Christian Pentecost, and Moses puts some people in their place. The overarching theme running throughout the two passages in Numbers and Acts is the Spirit upon ALL flesh. Moses’ dream becomes a…
Ascend
Sermon from 5/28/17. The Scripture is Acts 1:6-14 but it also touches on I Peter 5:6-11 Jesus ascends into heaven, and then…? The disciples are left to their own devices. This whole new movement, church, Kingdom thing is left in their hands. What are they going to do with it? What are we going to do with it, now that it’s been handed to us? We are destined for…
Account for Hope
Sermon from 5/21/17 It’s based somewhat on I Peter 3:13-22 which is read before the sermon. But the sermon is mostly about Acts 17:22-31, which was read earlier in the service. In Acts, Paul goes to Athens (a city known for its wisdom, philosophy, and theology), and finds an altar “to an unknown god.” Paul then preaches that he can tell them about this Unknown God.…
Death Cannot Stop True Love
Sermon from May 14, 2017 based on the end of Acts 7, when Stephen is stoned to death. Admittedly, it’s a strange passage for Mother’s Day. But maybe it works? You decide. At any rate, it’s about what our mothers (biological and otherwise) give to us, which is far more than the greeting care sentimentality. Mothers are strong, brave, giving, and wise.…