Sermons from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Raleigh, NC

Reading - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Based off Rowan Williams' book, Being Christian, Pastor Tim discusses the different tosses and turns of reading scriptures.

Reading - Romans 6:3-4

To be baptized – to become a child of God – does not mean that we are separate. It doesn’t mean that we are special – at least no more special than any of God’s creatures. Instead, it means that we are dropped into the deep end of humanity and holiness, which are all mixed together, aren’t they? The sin and the grace, the trouble and the joy, the chaos and the peace. There we are, with God, in the middle of the mess.

Gospel - Luke 1:46-55

Mary couldn’t see all that, even with the eyes of faith. She didn’t know how it would all work out. And yet, she had hope. She decided to trust God and take the next right step forward. She went to her friend for support. She sang the song of her heart.

We too, can hope. We, too, can trust God in the face of the biggest conundrums and challenges life throws our way. We too, can go to our friends and loved ones and church community for support, and we can find the songs of our hearts and begin to sing.

We too, can take the next right step forward, trusting that God is present among unplanned pregnancies and poverty, among confusion and chaos, among ordinary human relationships of love and devotion, among daily life. God is with us as we wash the dishes and plan dinner, as we mindlessly commute and mow the lawn, as we wonder what in the world God has in store for us next.

Christmas is here, even in ordinary August.

Gospel - Mark 10:41-45

In the fourth and final Sunday of the Seasons of Creation sermon series, we hear why we can’t stay on the mountain. Rather, we’re called down, into humanity to serve one another.

Gospel - Mark 16:14-18

Wherever we are on the mountainous challenges we face, we can learn from what we see and realize that we are also looking into the very face of God!

Gospel - Mark 15:33-39

The sky can remind us of the nature of God, if we’ll pay attention. And more often than not, God is holding up the sky for a humanity that just can’t seem to get it right…

Gospel - John 1:1-14

The planet Earth can remind us that the Godly thing to do is to go where the dirt is.

Sermon Reading - Galatians 5:16-23

In the end, there’s grit, and then there’s true grit. There’s the grit that wins by domination and violence. The grit that gains power by pushing people around. The grit that’s tough, but in the end lonely from causing so much pain.

And then, there’s true grit….the truly difficult stuff that is more powerful in the end. For we know that when life gets hard, kindness can be far more difficult than strife. We know that sometimes love is far more difficult than quarrels and factions and envy. We know that sometimes being faithful – to a spouse or God or a cause you believe in – can be the hardest thing in the world.

The fruits of the Spirit are anything but easy, but they are, in fact, our true grit. These are the things that will get us through this chaotic but stunningly beautiful world in one piece.

Sermon Reading - 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

Compassion without justice just becomes pity. And that does no one any lasting good. Justice without compassion just becomes ruthless. And that does no one any lasting good. The church, when it’s at its best, reminds the world that compassion and justice have to hold hands, by God.

Sermon Reading - 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, 4:6

Our holy God dives in to human life, in all its messy glory, and tells us “this is the way to live.” And “this is where you will find me.” Outside the city, on the margins. With the criminals. And the dying. In the places of exclusion and despair and guilt and shame. Wherever life is the worst. Entering into it in love and service. Turning it all around.