Sermons with Reverend Killjoy

Sermon audio at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN. Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:1-11. This Deuteronomy reading is one of my very favorites, with its ritualized first fruits giving and its "A wandering Aramean was my ancestor" profession of faith. So it was easy to tie many of my favorite themes together before the congregation tucked into a whole lot of pie after worship. 

Sermon audio at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN. Scripture: Luke 23:33-43. Jesus on the cross is a great place to start talking about stewardship commitment Sunday, right? With a side of anti-fascist holy day history, what could be better? 

Sermon audio at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN. Scripture: Luke 20:27-38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17. A short sermon this week to talk about the difference between cleverness and wisdom, and knowing when to trust in God. 

Sermon audio at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN. Scripture: Luke 6:17-31. What is a saint? What does it mean to be a saint? How does one become a saint? Why is Jesus blessing and woe-ing people, and why are we loving our enemies? Lots of good questions today, and maybe a few answers too. 

Sermon audio at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN. Scripture: John 8:31-36. This week, with confirmation of four young people, one of whom was baptized earlier in our gathering, it was time to talk about Christian freedom, the freedom God offers us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. I tried to limit my advice-giving while offering our confirmands something to hold onto as they move into this new phase of their lives of discipleship. 

Sermon audio at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN. Scripture: Genesis 32:22-31, 2 Timothy 3:14--4:5. Jumping off of 2 Timothy's famous declaration that "all scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching" and other uses, we dug into the iconic story of Jacob wrestling with the angel and gaining his identity as Israel. I suggested wrestling with the Word of God through Bible study, and invited the congregation to join me in doing so. 

Sermon audio at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN. Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4. This sermon highlighted the previous day's installation of Rev. Yehiel Curry as Presiding Bishop of the ELCA. This lesson from Habakkuk always reminds me to lift up my head and watch for the vision that God has for us. 

Sermon audio at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN. Scripture: Amos 6:1a, 4-7, Psalm 146, 1 Timothy 6:6-19, Luke 16:19-31. Jesus talks about money, so we talk about money, part two. All four scriptures carry the same theme, that we should trust in God rather than in wealth. 

Sermon audio at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN. Scripture: Luke 6:1-13, Amos 8:4-7. Jesus talks about money, so we talk about money. You don't have to like it. 

Sermon audio at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-24. Today I told a cute story about when my son was young, then talked about the symbolism of the cross across history. Who has used it, and how? What does it mean to you to display a cross now?