Baptism

Jesus’ Baptism Is Important

  Old Testament   Isaiah 43:1-7 Psalm                   Psalm 29:1-11 New Testament  Acts 8:14-17 Gospel                  Luke 3:15-22   The story of Jesus’ baptism must be important.  It is one of few stories that are contained in all four gospels.  … [Read more…]

Be Still and Trust in the Lord

Due to a technical glitch, there is no audio or video of this sermon. Sunday, December 13, 2015  Advent Third Sunday of Advent Year C Old Testament Zephaniah 3:14–20 New Testament Philippians 4:4–7 Gospel Luke 3:7–18 John’s baptism is a break from how the Jews traditionally removed their sins.  Once a year, the Jews would … [Read more…]

Good-Evil Pressures and Decisions

Audio Link Sunday, July 12, 2015 2 Samuel 6:1–5, 12b–19 Mark 6:14–29   On the surface, the story of John the Baptist’s beheading can be seen as a tragic consequence of good versus evil.  We might even be naive enough to believe that this cannot happen today.  The pressures and decisions surrounding the event, cannot … [Read more…]

Baptism Changes Our Reality

Audio Link Sunday, June 7, 2015 | After Pentecost Genesis 3:8-15 Psalm 130: 1-8 2 Corinthians 4:13–5:1 Mark 3:20–35 Isn’t it nice that we are in a different gospel today? Oh don’t get me wrong, John is great stuff, but it is nice to have another perspective of the gospel too. Last time I was … [Read more…]

I Am the Vine: You are the Branches Made New in Baptism

Unfortunately the Video and Audio is not available for this particular sermon. Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 3rd, 2015 Acts 8:26-40 Psalm 22:25-31 1 John 4:7-21 John 15:1-8 Jesus says that He is the Vine and we hear that we are the branches. In baptismal language, we have been grafted into Jesus’s family as branches … [Read more…]

Into the Wilderness

Audio Version Sunday, February 22, 2015 First Sunday of Lent Genesis 9:8–17 Psalm 25:1–10 1 Peter 3:18–22 Mark 1:9–15 I read the gospel this week and it struck me very starkly about Jesus being driven into the wilderness. When I read this, I had a sense of relief. That may seem a little strange; so … [Read more…]

Transfiguration: Truth, Miracle, Belief, Spread the Good News

Transfiguration Sunday, 2015 2 Kings 2:1-12 Psalm 50:1-6 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Mark 9:2-9   Peter is scared at what he witness upon the mountain. He speaks but the others say nothing. I wish I could say with all certainty that I would not be scared, if I were in the disciples’ shoes. Well maybe I … [Read more…]

What about Christmas Anyway?

Audio Version Isaiah 9:2-7 Luke 2:1-20 When I first went to write this sermon, I wondered how I was to write a Christmas sermon, after Christmas Eve or Christmas day. Today, technically in the church year, is the first Sunday after Christmas but it is also the season of Christmas in the church year. I … [Read more…]

Old Self – New Self, Response in Baptism

Audio Link Jeremiah 20:7-13 Romans 6:1b-11 Matthew 10:24-39 So, you have been baptized into Christ Jesus, do you feel different?  Different than what, would be a good question.  Do you feel different than before you were baptized?  For those that were baptized as an infant, that would be something to hear wouldn’t?  Baptism is a … [Read more…]