Pastor Scamman

In the midst of the season of Lent, comes Laetare, which means “joy.” On this day, even though our penitence continues, we take a moment to rejoice in the good gifts that our gracious Heavenly Father bestows on us. In the middle of the chapter on repentance, we steal a quick glance at the end of the…

A delegation of Pharisees traveled from headquarters in Jerusalem. They came out into the back-country of Galilee, found Jesus, and accused him, “Why are your disciples disregarding the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat” ( Mt 15:2 ). Now it’s probably not a bad idea…

In the Scriptures, whenever the Holy Spirit comes upon someone, it usually follows that the person opens his mouth and begins to prophesy. The Holy Spirit always testifies of Christ. So it’s no surprise that a man possessed by a demon, by an unholy spirit, would be mute, unable to speak. Satan hates…

The mother of James and John came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and asking something from Jesus ( Mt 20:20 ). The timing of this request couldn’t have been more inappropriate. Jesus had just finished predicting his death for the second time. “ The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests…

Our text this morning may be one of the most difficult encounters with Jesus in the Gospels. Nothing about the way Jesus treats with the Canaanite woman seems to match our understanding of whom Jesus is. We know that Jesus is full of compassion, love, and mercy. We know that he answers the cries of all…

The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you” ( Mt 12:38 ). That seems like a reasonable request. It sounds like they are saying, “Jesus, we want to believe. Show us a miracle and we will believe that you are the Messiah.” But look back a few verses in this chapter…

In the beginning of the Old Testament we find the temptation of the first man, Adam. In the beginning of the New Testament we find the temptation of the second Adam, Jesus. Adam and Jesus are the only two men in human history to be without sin. They are the only examples of what it means to be truly…

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster…

This Sunday is called Quinquagesima, meaning fifty days until Easter. Our theme is Sola Fide, by faith alone. The Scriptures often present the contrast between sight and faith. We tend to believe what we see, but the Gospel invites us to believe what we hear. In other words, Christians learn to see with…

This Sunday is called Sexagesima, which means sixty days until Easter. The theme for this Sunday is Sola Scriptura , the Word of God alone. Here is the chief treasure of the Christian. Here is the source of life, truth, and salvation. Everything begins with the Word of God. The spiritual life does not…