Sermons from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Raleigh, NC

Gospel - John 11:32-44

Jesus saunters into our tragedies, a little too slowly and calmly for our liking, and Jesus brings life. Right here, right now: In new babies that are born and baptized. In people that reach their rock bottom, and find their way back again. In families drowning in grief who find a way to keep on going. In people who, by all accounts, should just not be ok, but who, somehow, are. In the friends and families who support one another through the hardest times. In the ways we are so much more resilient than we give ourselves credit for. In the way that we can be broken and whole all at the same time. In the coming of a new day, and then another, and then another. And yes, in life that does not end, even after this human life does.

Gospel - John 8:31-36

On Reformation Sunday we’re reminded all a servant of something, not matter how free we feel. The freedom Jesus offers through God’s love is full of re-forming hope.

Gospel - Mark 10:35-45

Jesus says to them, “you’re playing the wrong game.” It’s not about the end game. That is all taken care of. In the end, whatever surprises come at us, we are held in God, who is pure grace and mercy and love. In the end, whatever it is, it will all be ok, somehow. In the end, life wins. Good wins. God wins.

The end game is all sorted out. Our game is now. So, let’s play. Let’s love like Jesus wants us to. And let’s meet Jesus out there serving: in those who are working hard, and those who are being served…on the edges of our society, not at the right and left hands of power. On the margins of our comfort zones, not in the security of the familiar.

This is the God who will save us…the God we meet where we least expect to.

Gospel - Mark 10:17-31

Jesus’ response in today’s Gospel sets the whole scene. God doesn’t play our quid pro quo games. God’s response is grace.

Gospel - Mark 10:2-16

Our call is not to follow a rule for the sake of the rule – Lord knows, Jesus never did that. Our call is not to avoid divorce at all costs – sometimes divorce is the faithful thing to do. Our call is to use the minds and hearts God has given us to discern the most faithful response to the relationships we have been given.

And, always, to consider how our decisions and actions, marriages and break-ups, friendships and choices will affect those in our spheres of influence who have the least power.

Gospel - Mark 9:38-50

It’s easy to hate somebody you don’t know.

It’s easy to believe that gay people shouldn’t get married…until you know gay people who are deeply in love.

It’s easy to say that black people don’t really get pulled over all the time…until you know a black person that really does get pulled over all the time.

It’s easy to say that she was asking for it…until you know someone who has been raped.

It’s easy to dismiss stories. To dismiss pain. To dismiss lives.

But when you love somebody. When you care about somebody, it changes how you see the world.

Gospel - Mark 9:30-37

Jesus upends our definition of greatness.

Gospel - Mark 8:27-38

And that, friends, is our calling. To be about what Jesus is about, whatever crazy mix of good and evil, calm and chaotic we encounter as we walk through this life. We get behind Jesus and live the truth as we do ordinary things. As we weather storms, not knowing how we will fare or how bad it will be in the end. As we do our best to help our neighbors who need it and as we try to share what we’ve been given with those around us. We follow Jesus, looking for the truth, telling the truth, and living the truth of God’s love.

Gospel - Luke 11:1-4

Prayer is often a difficult topic to wrap our minds around. Perhaps we need to listen more than speak.

Reading - Revelation 3:20

When we gather around this communion table and receive bread and wine the way Jesus told us to do, it’s that kind of a moment. It’s a kiss of love from the God who by all accounts is far too good for us. It’s the keys to a car that we aren’t sure we’re qualified to be driving. It’s the thing that shows us that we are more than we know.

Because even though these are ordinary things: the kiss, the car, the job, the mountain, the baby, the house, the solo, the business, the bread, the wine – we know that they are not really ordinary.

With this bread and wine, Jesus welcomes us. We are invited. There is a place for us. And we are wanted, by the God who knows everything about us...but sees that there is more than even we know. And in that welcome, in that wanting, Jesus draws a welcome out of us, showing us how to welcome others.