Sermons from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Raleigh, NC

Sermon Reading - Matthew 7:7-9

Forgiveness feels imperfect and totally inadequate.

And yet it is choosing to close the loop on pain, even when the wrongs haven't been righted, so that you don't stay connected to the pain. So that you don't transmit the pain.

So that you don't become the pain.

Sermon Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

What abides in this world, and how do we keep that in perspective as we seek to be disciples of Jesus?

Sermon Reading: John 1:35-39

Using Rowan Williams’ book, _Being Disciples_, we’re encouraged to imagine how following Christ is more an act of being rather than believing.

Gospel: John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

When we are perplexed by others, may it lead us through curiosity into awe and wonder.

And when others are perplexed by us, may we be led by that Holy Spirit of Truth that feels like fire and wind and awe and wonder.

Ultimately, that’s where we come together – in awe and wonder – awe and wonder at the God who loves us enough to come alongside us through all that life throws our way…awe and wonder at this amazing Spirit that will not give up on us or let us go.

Awe and wonder and LOTS of dancing.

Gospel - Luke 24:44-53

When Jesus left, the temptation to follow other voices was probably difficult. In a vacuum any voice seems better than no voice. But Jesus encourages the disciples to stay and wait. We, too, should be wary of filling the empty places of our being with just anything that sounds inspirational. God has given us one another and the promise of the Spirit to get us through whatever comes.

Gospel - John 15: 9-17

When Jesus was leaving his friends, what he wanted them to know most of all was not that they should be good or watch out or do their best, but that they should savor his love. Yes, he would die, and yes, they would mess up, and yes, for a while, it would all fall apart. But STILL, he says, Abide. Right. Here. Abide in this love of shared food and good company with friends. Abide in the love of these amazing years together. Abide in the love!...

Beloved, when have you encountered God’s love? Today, Jesus calls us to abide right there. To savor those holy moments instead of blowing right past them into our calendars and to do lists and ordinary tasks and habits and all that life would shove our way.

Stop. He says. Savor. Dwell. Abide.

Gospel - John 15:1-8

What are you abiding in? Where are you standing? What are you being rooted in? Today Jesus calls us back to our roots.

Gospel - John 10:11-18

The rain always comes. There’s a stormy night, and the storm sticks to us. We soak it up like a sponge, and we just can’t carry the weight of it.

The rain always comes: We grieve. Or we feel out of control of our lives. Or we are dissatisfied and don’t know why. Or there is an accident or a diagnosis or too much change. And sometimes, we find ourselves flat on our backs, flailing, powerless to get up or even move.

And Jesus, our good shepherd, trudges out into the mud to flip us back onto our feet again. He wrings us out and makes plans to get us sheared – to lose some of that dead weight so we can live, free, and ready for what comes next. This is our Good Shepherd – in the mud with us, riding out every storm.

Gospel - Luke 24:36b-48

When Jesus resurrects us – when Easter comes home and gets real in our lives – may we be witnesses. May we be brave enough to share the Christ that we have seen.

And may our hearts overflow with gratitude and awe, so that, with the great preacher, Stevie Wonder, we can’t help but sing of our amazing God, “Isn’t she lovely?”

Gospel - John 20:19-31

Stop hiding in the shadow. Jesus is risen! God did it. People witnessed it. Spirit, enlighten us so that we may boldly proclaim it.