Sermons

Last week I shared with you thatEugene Boring says,“The indicatives of biblical theologycontain an implicit imperative,the gift becomes an assignment.”As we come to the end of Eastertide,as we come to the end of Revelation,as we come to the end of this chapterof our discernment for the future process,the gift becomes the assignment.Some of what we […]

“For the Lamb at the center of the thronewill be their shepherd,and he will guide themto springs of the water of life.”That’s our tie inon this Fourth Sunday of Easter,Good Shepherdor as Raymond Brown likes to sayModel ShepherdSunday.That’s the endof the Revelation passage today,and we miss a lot!As I put in my Bible study notes

“Then I heard every creaturein heaven and on earthand under the earth and in the sea,and all that is in them, singing,‘To the one seated on the throneand to the Lambbe blessing and honor and glory and mightforever and ever!’”Alleluia! Christ is risen!Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! This short passage from Revelationthat Alex read todayis

Alleluia! Christ is risen!Chris is risen indeed! Alleluia! Grace to you and peacefrom him who is and who was and who is to come,and from the seven spiritswho are before his throne,and from Jesus Christ,the faithful witness,the firstborn of the dead,and the ruler of the kings of the earth.That’s how John begins his revelation,on which

Alleluia! Christ is risen!Chris is risen indeed! Alleluia! Early on the first day of the week,while it was still dark,Mary Magdalene came to the tomband saw that the stonehad been removed from the tomb.She’s heartbroken.She, her people, her friends,live under the heelof a global super power.They’ve been waiting for the Messiah,God’s chosen and anointed one.They’re

On Ash Wednesday,I said that by the end of Lentyou’d probably be tired of hearingthe lyrics from“Following” by the musical groupOrdinary Time.We’re almost done with it,though none of you has said anything.Week by week I’ve prayed“There’s a hook in this mealTo receive is to follow.”Almost every weekI’ve wanted to point to the altar.But it seemed

If you want to hear my sermonon the crucifixion,come to St. Alban’s on Fridayat noon or 6.As the hinge of The Sunday of the Passion:Palm Sundayswings us like a cabinet doorfrom Lent’s reflection on baptismand Jesus’ arrival in the empty tombinto the week of Passionwhere we walk the way of the CrossI think it’s good

By the fifth Sunday in Lent,the season is starting to drag on.If we’ve given ourselves overto the wisdom of the churchwe may be of two very strong feelings.Isn’t this over yet?And it’s almost Easter!The gospel passage on this Sunday —regardless of the year —is with us. Some years we hear the story being given awayas

The message of God’s graceisn’t just foolishness,like the message of the cross.It’s offensive to those of uswho consider ourselves righteous –righteous in any sphere.Jesus spends much of Chapter 14 of Luketalking about table fellowship.Chapter 15, where we start today,has Jesus showing full acceptance and loveof tax collectors and sinnersas he eats with them.The righteous –the

Who sinned:This man, or his parents?That’s not the question presented to Jesus today,but it’s in the same vein.Galileans and Jerusalemiteshave both suffered as Jesus is speaking.There’s an undercurrentthat the Galilean bumpkinsaren’t as good at following Godas their cousinswho have much quicker,easier access to the temple. But when Jesus is asked about them,he reminds the crowds