Jesus

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-22 I would understand if you thought that the stated topic for the sermon this morning, “Jesus”, is a bit too broad. It is, of course. But I make no apologies for that, because I specifically don’t want to focus today on one particular gospel story or one saying or teaching of Jesus. … Read more

The Sower

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 One thing leads to another. I ended the sermon last week by offering some reflections on a few different interpretations of the parable of the Good Samaritan. I thought afterwards: maybe it would be good to look at some other parables for another Sunday or two during Lent. The question then … Read more

Good and Evil

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30 I seem to have developed a tendency recently to choose topics for sermons that are impossible, that is, way too much to talk about in one sermon. Two weeks ago it was “Jesus”, just “Jesus”. Today it’s “Good and Evil”, an equally impossible, I suppose I should say equally ridiculous, topic to … Read more

Sentences of Death

Scripture: Matthew 26:59-75 This is a sermon I have been wanting to give and have been on the verge of giving for many years. It is also a sermon I have not given in the past because I didn’t feel I was quite prepared to give it or quite ready to give it, and I … Read more

Telling a New Story

Scripture: Matthew 27:62-28:10 You may find this to be a somewhat unusual sermon for Easter. I’m not apologizing for that, you understand. Every year I warn myself against what I perceive to be some of the usual Easter messages whether based on the symbolism of flowers in springtime or the literal belief in Jesus’ resurrection … Read more

Doubt

Scripture: John 20:19-31 I had decided earlier this week that I was not going to preach about doubt today. Many people will, no doubt, be preaching about doubt today. As many of you are aware, there is something called the lectionary, a set of recommended readings for each Sunday of the church year that many … Read more

Journey

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35 I had my doubts about preaching a sermon on doubt last week. I have my doubts about preaching a sermon about journeying this morning…for some of the same reasons. The idea that faith is a journey is certainly not a new idea at Sojourners. If “faith journey” is not a phrase that … Read more

Reunion

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32 The last two sermons have been dealing with themes that I consider fairly familiar ones at Sojourners. Two weeks ago I was talking about doubt, which I think is a comfortable topic and a common experience among us at Sojourners, not for everyone necessarily but for a good portion of us. And … Read more

Holy Paradox

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11 Sometimes the scriptures speak to you sort of sideways. A case in point is the scripture you heard a few moments ago that describes Jesus’ ascension into heaven. This scripture is the lectionary scripture not for this Sunday but for last Thursday, which was Ascension Day, and which some portions of the … Read more

Pentecost 2009

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21 I’m going to guess that not too many of you were thinking, as you walked into the building this morning, that today is Pentecost. We don’t pay a lot of attention to the liturgical calendar at Sojourners other than Christmas and Palm Sunday and Easter, although there have been some years when … Read more