Sermons with Reverend Killjoy

Sermon audio at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, Revised Common Lectionary Year A. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12. My friend and former professor Mary Solberg's book, "A Church Undone," helps us to remain wary of allowing ideology to replace our faith in the Jesus of the Bible with faith in power and violence. 

This is only the first part, with an additional few minutes of conclusion to be added as a later episode because this website is being dumb and I'm in a hurry. 

Sermon audio at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN for the Third Sunday after Epiphany, Revised Common Lectionary Year A. Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23. In which we talk explicitly about the human rights abuses currently being perpetrated in Minnesota by federal agents. Did you know that in the Gospel of Matthew, Herod's arrest of John the Baptist is the impetus for Jesus to begin his public ministry? Or that he does so using the same words John had used? "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." I'm here to tell you, it's coming near right now in Minnesota. 

Sermon audio at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN for the Second Sunday after Epiphany, Revised Common Lectionary Year A. Scripture: John 1:29-42. Considering the current ongoing federal occupation of the Twin Cities, I think I kept is pretty straight by talking about theology of the cross and about how we project our beliefs and our biases onto Jesus. 

Sermon audio at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN for the Second Sunday of Christmas, Revised Common Lectionary Year A. Scripture: John 1:1-18. This one gets a little rambly but has some things to say about paradox and ambiguity. 

Sermon audio at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN. Scripture: Luke 2:1-20. You've heard this one before. The story, at least. What new thing can God do with this Christmas story? What new thing can God do with us? 

Sermon audio at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN. Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25. This sermon includes my 2025 Pop Culture Year in Review around talking about Joseph who is almost the star of Matthew's version of this story. 

Sermon audio at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN. Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11, Luke 1:46b-55. From Isaiah to Mary to John the Baptist, we have so many expectations of who Jesus is and what he means for us. How do we live out the values we share with Jesus? 

Sermon audio at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN. Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10. Who is Jesse, and what are all these tree metaphors about? In this season of Advent, what are we really waiting for? 

Trying something new: here is a clip of my sermon from Thanksgiving Eve. What will happen? Will I ever do this again? 

Sermon audio at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN. Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-5, Matthew 24:36-44. Welcome to a new church year and a new opportunity to make fun of "the rapture" while keeping hope alive for this world God loves.