Sermons

The beatitudes which open the Sermon on the Mount speak blessing to us today

Jesus' call to Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John required a response: "Follow me." And they did - immediately. We're not always so quick to answer the call. Things can hold us back. But Jesus calls to us today just as he did to those first disciples. Jesus calls us to leave our old life behind and embark upon a totally new life by following him.

The ancient liturgy of the church points us, like John the Baptizer, to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world

Weren't we just here? It may feel like we were just at the Jordan RIver during Advent, but we're back at the river's edge today as Jesus is baptized by John. Jesus was baptized not for his sake, but for ours - in order "to fulfill all righteousness," as he tells John. Through his life of service; through his power over sickness, death, demons, and the forces of nature; through his innocent suffering and death upon the cross; through his glorious resurrection, Jesus has fulfilled all righteousness. By his grace, we are now clothed with the robe of Christ's own righteousness as we today are baptized into his very death and resurrection.

The dramatic story of Epiphany shows all those who are around the Star, Jesus - including Christians today

On the eve of a new year, we remember that God makes us ready and guards us against spiritual complacency

The birth of Jesus is described as happening "in the fullness of time." Over against our usual understanding of the flow of time (days, months, years, etc.), the word used here for "the fullness of time" means the God-appointed time, the supreme moment, when something special happens. This is the coming of God's Son, Jesus, whose birth "in the fullness of time" would lead to his suffering, death, and resurrection - all for us and for our salvation.

The best gift of Christmas is the good news that God is bringing salvation to us

In Isaiah's prophecy of Emmanuel, we have a reminder that God loves His people and calls us to trust in Him.

In Advent, we look ahead in hope for the coming of the perfect leader, Jesus.