by Shelly | Oct 7, 2021 | Sermons
God’s laws are intended for love The rich man who comes to ask Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life is a good man, sincere in his asking. Mark’s gospel is alone in saying that Jesus looked on him and loved him. Out of love, not as judgment, Jesus...
by Shelly | Sep 29, 2021 | Sermons
God’s laws are intended for love Today’s gospel combines a saying that makes many of us uncomfortable with a story we find comforting. Jesus’ saying on divorce is another of his rejections of human legislation in favor of the original intent of God’s law. Jesus’...
by Shelly | Sep 23, 2021 | Sermons
God’s work of love done differently Being open to new Someone who isn’t part of Jesus’ own circle is casting out demons in Jesus’ name, and the disciples want him stopped. They appeal to Jesus, as Joshua did to Moses about the elders who prophesied without...
by Shelly | Sep 10, 2021 | Sermons
Faith like a child Humility and service as the path to “greatness” Today we hear James warn against selfish ambition, while the disciples quarrel over which one of them is the greatest. Jesus tells them the way to be great is to serve. Then, to make it...
by Shelly | Sep 10, 2021 | Sermons
Take up your cross to follow Jesus Suffering to provide life Three weeks ago we heard Peter’s confession of faith as told in John’s gospel. This week we hear Mark’s version, when Peter says, “You are the Messiah.” In John, the stumbling block is Jesus’ invitation to...
by Shelly | Aug 25, 2021 | Sermons
Expanding the kingdom of God to each of us God shows no partiality James tells us to stop showing favoritism in the assembly, treating the rich visitor with more honor than the poor one. Jesus himself seems to show partiality in his first response to the...
