2002

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29 The scripture reading for today helped me to become a Christian, and over the years I have thought of it often and preached on it often.  It’s because of what the father of the child who is possessed by a demon says when Jesus tells him that all things are possible for … Read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-15 I’m thinking today about this congregation.  I’m exercising the luxury of doing that since it’s the day of our congregational meeting, and it seems appropriate to think of the congregation on such a day.  But I’m also thinking it is a luxury and one that I don’t want to exercise very often, … Read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48 Those of you who have been listening to me preach for a while know that it’s not uncommon for me to commit myself to preaching on a subject without knowing ahead of time what I intend to say about that subject.  This morning is one of those occasions.   Knowing that Martin … Read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:39—12:2 In days gone by, people used to buy their seats in church, or at least rent them.  I don’t know, maybe there are a few places that still have this practice; I doubt it.  But in the old days, the bad old days, the people of means in a congregation would pay … Read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 8:11-22; Matthew 6:25-34 Why?   That’s what a friend asked me when I told him that “healing” was going to be our theme at Sojourners during Lent this year.  It took me a little bit by surprise.   I didn’t say it out loud, but what I thought was: What do you mean, … Read more

Scripture: Isaiah 56:1-8; Matthew 6:5-12 This is a sermon about prayer. This is not a sermon about whether prayer is a good thing.  I try not to be too predictable in what I say, mostly so as not to bore myself.  I try not to say just what ministers are supposed to say, and I … Read more

Scriptures: Psalm 137; Luke 9:57-62 I’m guessing that many of us are here today because we have been exiled from what presents itself as being the household of God.  Let me put that a little more plainly.  I’m guessing that many of us are here today—at Sojourners, that is—because we have been turned off or … Read more

At the beginning of the service the center table will include (as it usually does not) an open Bible. At the time for the sermon, that table will be cleared of everything except the Bible, the table will be turned and placed in the position approximately where the podium would usually be, and someone will … Read more

Sermon for Palm SundayScripture: Luke 19:28-44 There are just two places I know of in the gospels where Jesus is said to have wept.  One was when he arrived at the side of his dead friend, Lazarus.  The other was when he wept over the city of Jerusalem, just after having entered it—the passage we … Read more

Scripture: Galatians 6 I’ve been reading a book recently.  It’s a book that’s not yet published, and I’ve been asked to read the manuscript and make comments on it in order to give the authors some feedback before they make their final revisions and the book goes to print.   The book is about multiracial … Read more