Sermons

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit which we celebrate at Pentecost can be something of a divine disruption that pushes us in new directions that we would never choose for ourselves, prods us forward when we don't feel like moving, breathing new life into the ordered predictability of our life. We pray, "Come, Holy Spirit!"

What our our priorities in an increasingly consumer-driven culture? What are God's priorities? In his "High Priestly Prayer," Jesus reveals the answer.

Jesus is preparing his disciples for the day of his departure - when he will withdraw his physical presence from them. In preparing them for his departure, he is also preparing them for the coming gift of the Holy Spirit. It is through the work of the Spirit that we are enabled in faith to do as Jesus says: to love him and keep his commandments. We love because he first loved us, and through the love of Jesus we are always being prepared to share the love of Jesus with those around us, until Jesus shall come again.

Jesus builds us up to be his people in the world

The abundant life is not about materials goods and material possessions. It is about life in Jesus, and through him, fellowship with the Father who sent Jesus. In describing himself as both Shepherd and Door for the sheep, Jesus makes known to us that the full and abundant life comes to us through what he has done in laying down his life for the sheep.

Walking by faith is what believers are called to do. Unlike Thomas and the first disciples, we have not seen the risen Savior. Thomas' refusal to believe that Jesus had truly risen from the dead was transformed into living faith, but only after he had actually seen Jesus. In contrast to seeing, Jesus calls blessed those who have not seen and yet believe - and that is you and me. Thanks be to God!

Easter is our story as people who Jesus has rescued from death. He has transformed death from a destination to a layover for those who believe in him.

In an upper room in Jerusalem, Jesus instituted what we call the Lord's Supper and washed the feet of his disciples on the night in which he was betrayed. It is tempting for us to just remain in that upper room, removed from the noise and hubbub of the world. But Jesus did not stay there, and neither can we. We follow Jesus out of that upper room, down the stairs, out into the darkness and all that is before him. What Jesus began in that upper room so many centuries ago continues with us until the day He comes again.

Mountains figure into what Palm Sunday - also called Passion Sunday - is all about. Jesus descends the Mount of Olives riding on a donkey and enters into Jerusalem amid shouts of "Hosanna!" and waving of palm branches. Jesus comes down one mountain - the Mount of Olives - only to climb another, Mount Calvary. There Jesus took upon himself the crushing burden of our sins and gave his life for each one of us.