... radio. It was the voice of David Johnston from his monitoring station on the North flank of Mount St. Helens. It was May 18, 1980. What Johnston had witnessed, as he called in his warning, was the largest landslide in recorded history. A magnitude 5.1 earthquake ... to know that it is neither biblical nor ancient,” says Borg, “but was first proclaimed by a British evangelist named John Nelson Darby” in the first half of the 19th century. Darby concocted his vision of the rapture by his interpretation of ...
... out, your will power or the power of temptation? We all know what it is to be tempted, don’t we? It’s like something witty author John Ortberg wrote in his book, The Me I Want to Be. He wrote about a time when he and his wife went fly-fishing. This was their ... 42-44). So this is where we begin our Lenten pilgrimage--with Christ being tempted, or tested, in the wilderness. Hebrews 2:18 explains why it was necessary for Christ to face this test: “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able ...
... chapter 3 of the Genesis story, where God expelled them from the Garden. The Revised Standard Version says: “He drove them out.” John Steinbeck picked up that image in the title of his book, East of Eden. Instead of being a resident in the Garden, in ... thing he said to Nicodemus: “Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18:3) The image is that of becoming a child in relation to our Father God. And notice, too, that Matthew ties the word ...
... clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:18-20 ESV) He is saying that all around us there are evidences of God. There is no place for doubt and doubters have ... the land. Some of us, like Zechariah when the angel told him that his barren wife Elizabeth would bear a son who would be John the Baptist, are just happy to bumble our way through life uncertain and unhappy. Moreover, given the choice like these two disciples we ...
... the story of Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah.[2] It is dangerous and foolish to drift into spiritual stagnation and complacency. John Wesley knew this danger. That is why he directed the small bands and classes to ask each other when they met, “How ... All of us are being transformed into the same image [of Christ] from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18). We are invited to embrace this transformation. We are called to cooperate with God in these changes that move us through different ...
... and said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did ... few years back. It was about Coach Cleveland Stroud of the Rockdale County, GA Blue Collar Bulldogs. Stroud was coach for 18 years before his basketball team made it to the state championship. Stroud recalls that “it was the perfect night” when they ...
... this is the most tragic thing that can happen to a human being--to lose his or her identity. Our lesson for the day is from 1 John 3: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The ... 3,000 and $5,000 was $453,500.00. “This had been the case throughout the duration of the auction. A used automobile valued between $18,000 and $22,000 was sold for $79,500. A set of green tumblers valued at $500 sold for $38,000. A necklace valued ...
... do homework in heaven, unless your teacher is there too.” Is she saying that some teachers might not make the cut? Surely not. But a little guy named John spoke for many of us when he said, “Maybe I’ll die someday, but I hope I don’t die on my birthday because it’s no fun to ... sermon-easter/. 3. http://www.heckertresources.com/Heckert_Worship_Resources/Sermons/Entries/2011/4/24_Becoming_Easter_People_-_John_20_1-18.html. 4. George W. Knight, Hilarious Clean Jokes, Anecdotes, and One-Liners (Kindle ...
... still do. If we could just get all of the human aspects of religion out of the way and help people see Jesus, their lives would be changed. "We would see Jesus," Greek seekers said (John 12:21 KJV). So would people today. Some people are attracted to Jesus because of what they hear about him or see in him. Multitudes of seekers make for chaos. So do multitudes of users. ... knelt down and prayed together. 1. Henri Nouwen, Out of Solitude (Notre Dame: Ave Marie Press, 1974), p. 22. 2. Ibid. 3. Ibid., p. 18.
... . All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun . . . .” (17-18). (1) What a sad, miserable man. He had everything that life in his time could offer. And he counted it all vanity. Solomon had ... wanted to warn everybody else what a dumb move it was. “Be very careful, then, how you live . . .” It is said that John Morley once traveled from England to Canada to address the graduating class of a university. He began his speech by saying, “I have ...
... very devout Christians say, “No.” They say the day of miracles is past. You may know that both Martin Luther and John Calvin, the two great leaders of the Protestant Reformation, were in this camp. But many other Christians believe this as well. ... and the Opinion Polls (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1993), p. 130. 2. PreachingToday.com. Source: “It Wasn’t All Bad,” The Week (1-18-08), p. 4. Cited by Keith Krell, https://bible.org/seriespage/12-tale-two-heads-romans-512-21. 3. Doc’s Daily Chuckles, ...
... said, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Luke 18:17) We don’t know everything Christ meant by that, but it reminds us how precious the children of our church are, and the ... author has made a list of some things you don’t know until you have kids. For example, without kids you wouldn’t know: Who John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt is. You wouldn’t know how to change a diaper in the dark, in a parked car, on a standing child, and ...
... scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool’” (Isaiah 1:16-18). What an amazing piece of scripture! And yet all that Isaiah prophesied has been made possible because of the death of Jesus Christ ... in the sight of God. This is why Christ came into the world. He came into the world to take away our sins. We all love John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal ...
... and actually realizing “your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Today’s lectionary gospel reading underscores our “between the times” status. In chapter 17 of John’s gospel, our Lord offered the beautiful and powerful prayer for the unity of his followers. In verse 21 the master got to the heart of the issue when he prayed ... Africa’s Conqueror of Apartheid as Fighter, Prisoner, President and Symbol, The New York Times, Friday, December 6, 2013, Section A, pp. 1, 16-18.
... final day comes, will God recognize you? That is really all that matters. 1. “Front Lines” by Howard K. Smith, Modern Maturity, May/ June 1997, pp. 18, 20. 2. Andrew Kirtzman, Betrayal: The Life and Lies of Bernie Madoff (New York: Harper, 2010). Cited by Max Lucado, Unshakable Hope (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018). 3. John Ortberg, http://mppc.org/sites/default/files/transcripts/061203_jortberg.pdf. 4. Dominican Albert Nolan, Jesus Before Christianity, (Orbis 1978). Cited by Anne Bathurst Gilson, http ...
... would announce that Elvis had left the building, so the faithful would finally go home.) Today’s gospel lesson is part of Jesus’ long good-bye to his disciples in John that begins in 13:33 “Little children, I am with you only a little longer,” and doesn’t end until his prayer for the disciples in chapter 17 and subsequent arrest in chapter 18. One gets the feeling that the disciples didn’t want their champion to depart. But Jesus could do more than just promise he’d be back: he could promise ...
... Witness to Jesus’ Rejection at Nazareth at the beginning of his career (4:14-30) Minor Text The Lord Speaks to Moses from a Burning Bush Elijah confronts Ahab (I Kings 18) The Death of the Prophet Uriah (Jeremiah 26:20-23) The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53) Psalms 7, 35, 37, 79, 119 The Lord’s Prophecy and Jesus’ Messianic Sign (Isaiah 61) ... rejected God! Jesus’ comment declares Nazareth a disappointment. *See The Historical Jesus in Context, Amy Jill Levine, Dale C Allison, Jr, John Dominic Crossan.
... the world. And when you don’t take part in the real world, the world becomes a “scary place” to be. John Dill was pastor of a church in Camden, Arkansas when a tornado hit the area and did serious damage to the property ... the beginning of many years of preparation –mental, emotional, spiritual—for the mission he knew he would begin to carry out in God’s name 18 years later. Jesus came to the Temple to lay a foundation, to learn, to observe. But he wouldn’t remain within that foundation, but he ...
... You stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus,” said Peter and John. All you have to do is stretch out your hand, and God’s hand of healing will make you whole, healed, revealed, and ... Lord’s Prophet (1 Kings 13:4-6) Elijah and the Dry Land of Ahab / Elijah’s Power Over Water (I Kings 17:1-16 and I Kings 18) Psalm 1: In Streams of Water Leaves Don’t Wither Psalm 73: The Lord Holds Me By My Right Hand and Saves Psalm 74: The Sovereignty of ...
“When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."” (John 8:7) “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18) Props: Colored Vases / Plants (one withered and one healthy) / volunteers I need a volunteer today! [Choose someone.] Super! –Come on up! Now, you’ll see everyone that I have two very beautiful ...
... Behalf (2 Samuel 12) Gehazi’s Greed (2 Kings 5) King Hezekiah’s Offer of Monetary Retribution to the King of Assyria (2 Kings 18) Advice on Storing Up Treasure in Heaven from Father to Son (Tobit 4) Love Your Neighbor with the Entirety of Your Means (Sirach ... God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it ...
Mark 13:1-31, Mark 13:32-37, Matthew 24:1-35, Matthew 24:36-51
Sermon
Lori Wagner
... ; every one will be thrown down.” As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are ... with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18) “The end of all things is near. Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.” (1 Peter 4:7) The metaphor of the ...
... the God Who Performs Miracles Psalm 91: The Lord Will Guard You Psalm 111: Fear (Respect) of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom Elihu’s Sermon to Job (33) The Raising of Lazarus (John 11) Hebrews (4) The Story Circulated by the Guards After the Resurrection (Matthew 28:11-15) The Lament Over Babylon (Revelation 18) The Ghost of Samuel In those days, the Philistines gathered their forces to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men will accompany me in the ...
Genesis 17:1-27, Genesis 18:1-15, Genesis 18:16-33, Matthew 28:16-20
Sermon
Lori Wagner
... with them. (Psalm 126) I will see you again, and you will rejoice. And no one will take away your joy!” (Jesus according to John 16:22) And there are SO many more….. an almost uncountable number of times the word joy appears in the scriptures. We are a people ... O’Shea. Based on the Story Lectionary Major Text Sarah Laughed but Became the Mother of Her People (Genesis 17 and 18) Matthew’s Witness about the Commissioning of Jesus’ Disciples (Matthew 28:16-20) Minor Text Psalm 23: God Will be with You ...
... living waters of holy and abundant grace, who quenches the thirst of our despair and makes water to spring from the deserts (Is 41:18; 43: 19, Ps 107:35; 46:4), this Lord is with us. Hallelujah! From out of the desert of their despair, and their ... Leads Me Beside Still Waters and Restores My Soul Ezekiel’s Vision of the Flowing Water of God (47) Jesus at Jacob’s Well (John 4) The Lord Provides Water from a Rock The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place ...