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Sermon: Feast of the Epiphany 2013
Feast of the Epiphany
January 6, 2013
Text: Matthew 2:1-12
The word “Epiphany” is a Greek term that simply means uncovering or revelation or disclosure. An epiphany is when you finally get to see something that had previously been hidden. It usually referred to the appearing of a god in human form. There was a king with a bit of an ego problem back in the 1st century before Christ named Antiochus who called himself “Epiphanes” because he thought he was a god.
Take a moment and look below the tree at the Nativity Scene. I’m sure many of you had similar Nativity Scenes in your homes. We’ve got all the familiar characters. The Holy Family. The angels and the shepherds. And today, we add the Wise Men.
There are lots of popular misconceptions about these Wise Men. The Bible actually does not tell us very much about them, who they were and where they came from. All it says is that they were from the East. Many scholars believe they may have been from Babylon, which is roughly equivalent to modern day Iraq.
Sermon: Third Sunday after Epiphany 2013
Third Sunday after Epiphany
January 27, 2013
Text: Luke 4:16-30
Boris the Russian arrived at the Pearly Gates and was welcomed by St. Peter. Showing him around, St. Peter said, "You can go anywhere you want with one exception. You cannot go on the pink clouds!"
"Why not?" asked Boris.
"Because the pink clouds are reserved for people who have done something great.
"But I have done something great," said Boris. "I made a speech at the Kremlin against the Russian officials. Then I urged the people to revolt."
"Oh really? When did this happen?" asked St. Peter.
Boris said, "About two minutes ago."
What you say can sometimes land you in trouble. Today’s reading has Jesus getting chased out of town for preaching the gospel.
Sermon:Fourth Sunday after Epiphany 2013
Last Updated on Monday, 11 February 2013 20:48
The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
February 3, 2013
Text: Luke 4:31-44
So I looked at the dictionary: “Preach.” verb. 1. To deliver a sermon. 2. To give advice or urge a course of action, especially in a meddlesome or tedious way. So far the dictionary definition.
In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus says, “I have to preach the good news of the kingdom of God… because that is why I was sent (4:43).” That’s why the Father sent His eternal Son into the world. To preach. And I don’t imagine that it was “to give advice or to urge a course of action in a meddlesome or tedious way.” Although to some of his hearers, it may have come across that way.
During His earthly ministry, most people rejected Jesus in the end. Jesus often said things which people did not want to hear. Last week’s Gospel reading was a prime example. It’s like visiting the doctor. You might have to listen to the bad news or undergo some uncomfortable procedures, before you can get to the cure. Jesus did not come to stroke your pride or line your pockets, but to forgive your sins (which you must therefore acknowledge and confess).
Sermon: Thanksgiving Eve 2012
Thanksgiving Eve 2012
Text: Luke 17: 11-19; Philippians 4:4-8
A couple of years ago, I read that school administrators in Maryland were insisting that public schools in their state teach about the first Thanksgiving celebration without referring to the religious faith of the Pilgrims. That’s got to be quite a feat. I don’t expect the teachers to proselytize, but that’s a pretty significant omission when you consider that the Pilgrims were devoted Protestant Christians who came to these shores to avoid government bullying to begin with. No wonder then that surveys show that when asked whom the Pilgrims were giving thanks to, many schoolchildren answer, “the Native Americans.” Well, I’m certain the Pilgrims were grateful for the help they received from the local tribes-people, but let there be no mistake: the Pilgrims gathered primarily to give thanks to God.
In the story of the ten lepers, I’m sure all ten of them appreciated being healed. But only one of them returned to acknowledge Jesus as the source of his healing. Giving thanks doesn’t just mean being glad you’ve got a house, two cars and a healthy family. Anyone would be glad about that. Giving thanks means acknowledging God as the giver. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down form the Father of the heavenly lights (James 1:17).”
It’s easy to be thankful when times are good, but how can you be thankful in tough times? When the economy is not good. When things aren’t going your way.
In our epistle reading for tonight, Paul says “Don’t be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
“Don’t be anxious about anything.’ That’s easier said than done. There is a lot of anxiety in the world today. As a pastor, I feel that I need to say that for some people, there really is a medical cause to being anxious. Our bodies are affected by the Fall and are prone to illness and decay, and that includes chemical imbalances in the brain. That doesn’t mean that I’m saying that we can solve all our problems with popping pills. But I am saying that we are physical creatures as well as spiritual creatures and there is often a physical side to our suffering along with a spiritual side.
Sermon: Reformation Sunday, 2012
Last Updated on Thursday, 22 November 2012 14:20
Reformation Sunday
October 28, 2012
Text: Romans 3:19-28
Ever since the beginning of television, courtroom dramas and lawyer shows have been a staple of prime time viewing. One of the most popular shows of all time was Perry Mason, which some of you may remember. One of the greatest movies of all time was To Kill A Mockingbird, which was a story of coming of age in the South, but was also very much a court drama as well. Don’t forget the great films, Inherit the Wind, Miracle on 34th Street and others where judges and verdicts are the center of attention. If you stop to think, you might be surprised at how many of the most popular movies of all time involve a courtroom. We especially like these themes in movies and television because the idea of justice is very important to our society.
Let’s say you get arrested for a crime. They haul you before a judge. There are two lawyers standing before the judge. One of them is the defense attorney. His job is to be the advocate for the defendant, to speak in his defense. The other one is the prosecutor. His job is to convict and condemn the defendant and see that justice is down.
Both sides present evidence. The prosecutor presents evidence for the man’s guilt. And the defense presents evidence for the man’s innocence. After hearing all of the evidence, the judge’s job (or sometimes the jury, in our case) is to determine a verdict. Now everything comes to a point right here. Everything boils down to the verdict. Because if the judge pronounces you guilty, then you are condemned and sentenced. You will be fined, imprisoned or even executed.
But, if on the other hand, the judge decides to acquit you. If he decides in your favor and pronounces you not guilty, you don’t pay a fine, you don’t go to prison, you don’t have to die for your crimes.
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