What does it mean to be blessed? Abraham listened to his wife Sarah and lay with her maid Hagar. When Hagar had a son, she became haughty towards Sarah. Sarah in turn “treated her harshly.” Hagar took her son and fled into the wilderness. This is the result of sin. This is what sin does,

How far can your kids stretch your patience before it breaks? Imagine your child standing there with a plastic bat tapping it against your head, dad, dad, dad, dad . . . How long until you lose patience? Our text today talks about God’s patience. Jesus warns us just how far God’s patience will last.

So, what about all the violence tyrannizing college campuses? Not everyone involved has the same philosophy but one philosophy is prominent in the violence, disruption, and destruction of property. The battle cry of, “My life is my own; I will rise up for my view of justice.” It even claims some moral principles: “Every life

In this parable Jesus teaches us that those who make use of his word grow strong in faith. Those who do not wither and die. 2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; We often speak about heroes of faith, but Jesus speaks here about the opposite, anti-heroes. He speaks

Only the rich can give True or false – Only the rich can give? The truth is that only those who have can give, and only those who have in abundance can give generously. What we often forget is just how rich we are. All our readings this morning reminds us of the wealth that

36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.”  Its Sunday. The people are gathered. Jesus is in their midst. He gives them his peace. He sends them out into the world. What am I describing? Am I describing our text or

Last week we heard how the women come to the tomb early in the darkness. They leave in the glorious light of his resurrection. They come bearing the accoutrements of death. They leave with the promises of life. Similarly in our text today the disciples begin hiding in fear but in the end, leave filled

Last year I was reading a book and came across a quote that surprised me.  It was a quote from a second century Roman general who referred to the Jewish nation and their “tribal god.” It’s not surprising that an ancient roman would view the Lord God in such a way. Yet, it was one

At Marah the Israelites found water but they could not drink it because it was bitter. The Lord showed Moses a particular tree. This wasn’t just any tree, but one in particular which God chose. Moses cut it down and when he put it in the water, the water became sweet. Today God has shown

The words of institution to the Lord’s Supper are filled with the sacrificial language of the Old Testament. Words like body, blood, given, shed, poured out, and remission, call to mind the offerings and sacrifices of the Old Testament. Jesus makes it clear that his supper is to be an offering. Not an offering from