Sermons @ Shepherd

We can be held captive by so many things. Poverty, illness, politics that perpetuate the power of the few while masquerading as hope for the many, systemic racism that is so embedded in some of our systems that people can't see it, the sins of our past and the accompanying guilt we carry, and addictions in all the ways they manifest in the world hold us captive. And Christ comes to release us from...

When Christ says he is to let the oppressed go free and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, he is really talking about the forgiveness of sin. All oppression has its roots in sin. Christ is speaking about debts we occur by sins of commission (things that we do that shouldn't do) or omission (things that we don't do that we are supposed to do). We can not overstate the words of Jesus. In Chri...

The gospel is about abundance. Abundance of grace, love, forgiveness, possibilities when we realize who we are in Christ Jesus. The disciples at the wedding saw what he did and believed in him. Before he taught them anything. Before he showed them anything. Jesus reveals that in him there is more than enough of what is needed for everyone who shows up. As Christ is continually revealed to us I pra...

God often introduces the "new" in the humblest of ways. A simple baptism. This is how God introduces the good news. Maybe knowing how God introduces the "new" should encourage us to look in new places for it. Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

This passage deals with the "elephant in the room" as we approach the "new." That is new is frightening for many people. Many will cling for a return to the "good old days." There will be resistance to the "new," but if we remain faithful, that resistance will be revealed as weak and ineffectual. Luke 4:21- 30

There are principles of the "new" that have not changed from what came before. "Good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, the year of the Lord's favor." These promises are as valid today as there were when Jesus first spoke them. Luke 4:14- 21

This is Jesus' first miracle, his "Big Debut." This is Jesus' "coming out" party. Why did he perform his first miracle at a wedding? Could it have something to do with the wedding as a metaphor for Christ's ultimate return? John 2:1-11

Baptism is our calling to ministry. It's the ministry of the baptized that makes the church go forward. Just as Jesus' baptism was the launch to his ministry, remembering our baptism can be a launch of our own. Sometimes launches fail. Failure doesn't mean its not worth trying again. Failure only means that we have figured out another way for it not to work. If you didn't launch successfully, it i...

This sermon explores the visit of the Magi and Epiphany, a "fool's journey." May we all be so foolish as to believe the signs that God puts before us, where Christ might be revealed to us, and we might be a part of revealing Christ to others.

The incarnation points to God's plan of salvation. So what are we being"saved" from? Is salvation a get-out of hell-free ticket to be redeemed upon death, or is salvation here, now?

Emmanuel – God is with us – this is the ultimate promise of the Christmas story. It is the ultimate longing of the Advent season. It has been a difficult couple of years, and it is important that we remember that, through it all, God is with us. Matthew 1:20b-23  

Ever been in the dark, literally? You're scrambling to find the switch, the flashlight, anything to bring light into the darkness. That is what God does with the incarnation; Jesus brings light into a dark world; YOU can shine that light this Christmas and beyond.

"Do not be afraid" seems to be a popular phrase in the scripture. It was spoken by angels to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. Fear is often a daily struggle in the midst of a global pandemic. If we can live out our calling to be part of God's incarnation, we will know that God is with us in all times.

Preparing for Advent, the coming of Christ, is more than decorating trees and hanging lights. To prepare ourselves means it's time to clean house and invite Jesus into our lives. Yes, even we need saving!

The wisemen or magi from the East point to one aspect of the Messiah; that is, Jesus is Lord. When we claim Jesus as Lord of our lives, we become citizens of the Church of God. Matthew 2:1-10.

COVID, insurrections, climate change... there are so many things to worry about. God's command is to be happy anyways, to find the joy of the Lord, even in the midst of despair. 

The fact that the wise men come and pay homage to the infant Jesus is a sign of things to come. One day, all people, high and low, will recognize God in Jesus. They will see God. That is an  incredible promise. Matthew 2:1-2

We call Jesus Lord. We call him King. But what does that mean. This sermon will explore Jesus role as king and what is the nature of his kingdom. John 18: 33-37  

When the disciples bragged about the "beautiful stones" of the Temple, Jesus reminded them that those stones are fleeting. All that we seek to build without God's help and direction will ultimately fall. Mark 13:1- 8

The Jesus foretells the destruction of the Temple, he likens the coming tribulation as "birth pangs" - the pain that precedes the renaissance of something new. With COVID, political woes, and climate change heavy on out hearts, we have hope that these, too, are just the tough climb before we find that God makes all things new.

As we celebrate All Saints Sunday, we realize that our mortality is certain. Even Lazarus, whom Jesus resuscitated, died eventually. Like Lazarus, we have the ability to be un-bound in this life, to be set free from the shroud of death that limits us and holds us back. What things are you bound to that are dragging you down? Are you ready to be unbound?

Revelation 21 is what the entire book is really about – God making all things new. In the midst of the trials and tribulations of life, in the midst of all that we do that is contrary to God, God is still at work (sometimes "behind the scenes") making all things new. Thanks be to God!

The scripture and the sermon title say it all. To be a faithful Christian is to love our neighbor...no exceptions. It is that simple (but it is so difficult). Mark 12:28-34

"Living A Reformation Life" Today we look at the Reformation that began with Martin Luther and how living a "reformation life" begins with living out the teachings of Jesus. When we remember that God is one and that loving God and loving our neighbor is the fulfillment of all of the law, we are not far from the kingdom of God. Mark 12:28-34 

The scripture and the sermon title say it all. To be a faithful Christian is to love our neighbor...no exceptions. It is that simple (but it is so difficult). Mark 10:46-52