First United Church of Christ (Bremen, IN)

Genesis One bears a striking resemblance to the Enuma Elish. This is not likely a coincidence, given that the Enuma Elish is Babylonian. In other words, it is the Creation Myth of Israel's captors. But it isn't the similarities that are the most striking difference. It's the differences-- and what those differences say about God and the creation itself. 

Jeremiah is imprisoned for having prophesied about the impending invasion. When that invasion actually occurs, Jeremiah purchases land as a way of bearing witness to a future chapter in Israel's history and offering a striking example of what it means to live by faith. 

Jesus tells two parables in these verses. Here we focus on the first, the one in which a shepherd abandons ninety-nine sheep in the wilderness to track down the wayward one. While Jesus presents this as a standard shepherding move, it isn't. But the point here isn't to offer instruction on the finer points of shepherding. The point is to give us insight into the sort of God we're dealing with. A God in the salvation business.

A printable version of this sermon is available here.

In his letter to Philemon, Paul offers us an example of how the gospel informs a very specific situation. He's not heavy-handed though he recognizes he could simply issue an order and that Philemon should feel compelled to obey. Instead, he makes his case "on the basis of love." A printable version available here.

Psalm 119 is long. Really long. And, frankly, rather repetitive. It is a love song to the law. Despite its length, it doesn't get much into the specifics. It's not about particular laws, but the law as a whole-- "the way." What is a psalm like this trying to accomplish? Is it possible that the repetition serves a purpose? Spoiler alert: yes. A printable version: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K7L_5vJQJyQwJG3rNzmSDIOo3sGa-Ju3JU68gLel_ug/edit?usp=sharing

The ruler of the synagogue accuses Jesus of breaking Sabbath observance by healing a woman living the previous eighteen years bent over.  His response to the accusation is brief but devastating. But, sadly, the mentality that prompted the accusations lives on. 

Jesus says some pretty jarring things in these verses-- jarring things, in part, because they appear to contradict important themes of the faith. Jesus is aware that he's being rather jarring. Jesus wants us to understand that this kingdom he is bringing runs contrary to all our basic assumptions about how power operates. At a time when Christian nationalism is on the rise, it's an important reminder. 

We are inundated with commercials. Like it or not, their messages get drilled into our brains. Each in its own way wants us to adopt a consumer mentality-- to believe that security and pleasure are to be found in consumption. Do you know who doesn't have a consumer mindset? God. Here's a printable version of the sermon.

What is it we want from Jesus? When Jesus speaks what are we hoping to hear? The gospel reading comes at a point when lots of people want things from him. And he doesn't provide what they want. What he provides is, in the end, what we all need him to provide. Here's a printable version of this sermon.

Paul draws imagery from the Roman Triumph-- in which a conquering general first parades the captives and their weaponry into the city and putting them on public display before he himself enters. In Christ's triumphal entry, who are the captives? What are their weapons? And what does it mean for us to witness them being put on public display?  It turns out that this is a parade we don't want to miss. It is in bearing witness that we find hope in our own battles. A printable version of the sermon is found here.