Year: 2000

Scripture: Psalm 39; Hebrews 11:8-10, 13-16. These first three sermons—last week, this week, and next week—sort of go together in my mind, all of them having to do with some introductory thoughts as we begin a new ministry together. Last week, I tried to describe something of the prayerful attitude I feel is important as … Read more

Scripture: Exodus 6:1-9, 1Peter 2:9-10. In these first few sermons I have been reflecting on some themes that I have been thinking about as I begin my ministry with you. Today I want to begin with a few comments about consensus. That may not sound like a very “spiritual” topic, but I’ll try to explain … Read more

Scripture: 1John 1:5-10, Matthew 9:10-13. I’m shifting gears today. I want to talk theology today. I want to talk about sin. The question, I guess, is why—why would I want to do that? Somewhere among the materials that SP assembled for me to introduce me to the Sojourners community, there is a survey which asks … Read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11 and 1John 4:16-21. Just because I voluntarily choose certain passages of scripture to be read on a Sunday morning does not mean that I am necessarily in love with them or even find them very easy to get along with. Actually there is one verse from the John reading that I will … Read more

Scripture: 1Peter 2:9-10; Mark 10:35-45. It’s just too obvious, isn’t it? Too obvious how far off the mark James and John are in the scripture for this morning, how completely clueless they seem to be as far as anything Jesus was about. First they come up to him and say “Teacher, we want you to … Read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:5-9; Ephesians 6:10-20. I don’t know how you feel about “racism” as a sermon topic. I suspect that even at Sojourners it may be somewhat of a questionable topic. I know I can come up with a few arguments that would question the wisdom or appropriateness of a sermon called simply “racism”. For … Read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-26; Ephesians 4:25-5:2. One of the several turning points I have had in my relationship to Jesus Christ came when I realized–really realized–that Jesus got angry. I think when I realized this, Jesus became more human to me, and therefore more real. But it was not just that. I think when I realized … Read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-4 and Matthew 16:21-26. I have three stories in my mind this morning. One of them is mine. By this time most of you know that I was raised Unitarian, which means that I was not raised as a Christian. In fact I heard quite a number of sermons during my growing up … Read more

Easter Sunday.  Scriptures: John 20:1-18; Romans 6:3-11. It is hard to see beyond death. It’s just plain hard for us humans to see past that point where this earthly, bodily life of ours comes to an end. I’m not talking right now about belief, what we to believe say about what happens to us after … Read more