Sermons

Jesus’ words would have shocked and confused his followers, who, like us, tended to believe that material prosperity and social power were signs of God’s favor. Was Jesus saying, “blessed are the losers” instead of “blessed are the winners”? And the answer is, yes, in a sense. “God does not esteem the powerful and mighty, or grant them special favors,” Jesus insisted. “God blesses the powerless, the suffering, and those who want justice and righteousness in the world more tha

This is the Gospel way: inclusion not exclusion, connection and caring, not separation and judgment. God has no interest in reinforcing the walls humans create to separate ourselves or make ourselves feel superior. Acts 8:26-40; Genesis 4:1-16 Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70NGVMRHQCk

But you cannot make the sovereign creator of the whole universe and savior of humanity through Jesus Christ take these gifts back by threatening God with a hair dryer or hanging a certificate on your wall. In baptism God makes a promise to you with the hope you will acknowledge it with gratitude and service. But if you do not, that does not undo God’s promise, because it is not a conditional promise; it is a gift. Matthew 3:13-17; 2 Kings 5:1-19 Link: https://www.youtube.com

Even though God gives us the ability to have wisdom, if we want to become wise, we still have to seek wisdom. Matthew 2:1-12 ; Proverbs 2:1-15 Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Felip6057-E

John 1:1-14 Rev. Dottie LaPenta Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvMgDXQ6TLs

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAwDCM7ZrkM

Joseph teaches us that we never truly know what a critical part we play in the unfolding story of God’s redeeming love in the world. More people play almost invisible parts, like Joseph, than play famously miraculous parts like Mary. Psalm 36:5-9; Matt. 1:18-25 Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXvyppLyX-8

Truth be told, most Christians probably want a moderate Messiah for Christmas– someone personally comforting but not practically challenging. But that is not who Jesus was and is. Isaiah 35:1-10; Matt. 11:2-19 Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmSzDb8a9rw

If we want to find peace on earth, we must reject all perspectives and practices which support and justify destructiveness. Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-13 Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFma55zCOcY

So, even if things look bleak because of human sinfulness, that does not mean we alone control how the story ends. God began this story, and only God can decide if and how it will end. Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44 Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DJbxL0gKZE