The Rev. Nick Lannon

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on the occasion of Grace Church's Christmas pageant. Dr. Seuss' Grinch needed an enlarged heart to turn into a Who. We, on the other hand, get something so much better: a brand-new heart and a resurrected life.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Isaiah 61, in which the prophet predicts the coming of the Messiah. Six hundred years later, Jesus arrives and claims that the prophecy is fulfilled in him. He hasn't come to condemn the world, but to save it, and you.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on 2 Peter 3, in which the apostle tells the people to wait in righteousness, and Mark 1, in which John the Baptist announces the arrival of Jesus Christ. The Good News about waiting in repentance is that our repentance is always met--on the cross--with redemption.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Isaiah 64, in which the prophet calls out to God to remember his promise to his people. There is Good News: God does remember his promise, even when his people aren't faithful.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon for Christ the King Sunday on Ezekiel 34, in which God casts himself in the role of a shepherd, and Matthew 25, in which Jesus demands care for "the least of these." Jesus is both the holy king deserving of obedience and the wounded king, dying for disobedient sinners.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Matthew 25, in which Jesus tells a parable about servants who are entrusted with their master's money. Our Master's character is always to forgive, even when we bury our talent in the ground.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Matthew 25, in which Jesus tells a parable about wise and foolish bridesmaids. We have better news than the foolish bridesmaids, though: we have a bridegroom who has promised to forgive and save sinners.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Revelation 7, in which a heavenly host praises God, and Matthew 5, in which Jesus preaches the Beatitudes. The Good News is that even we, the sufferers and sinners, can be and are washed white by Jesus' blood.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Matthew 22, in which Jesus summarizes the law with the command to love God and to love neighbor. Such a high bar makes it impossible to pretend that we aren't sinners. But it is directly into that bad moment that Jesus comes to save.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Matthew 22, in which Jesus is asked a question about paying taxes to the emperor. Caesar may get a tiny metal coin, he says, but God, who is actually your owner, gets all of you. And this is wonderfully Good News: your owner is a redeemer and sin forgiver!

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Matthew 22, in which Jesus tells a frightening parable about a wedding feast and a man improperly dressed. To get into the kingdom of God, you must be clothed in the blood of Christ.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Matthew 21, in which Jesus tells a parable about some wicked tenants in a vineyard. There's bad news: Jesus' story puts us in the place of these murderous wretches. But incredibly, there is Good News: the very son that is rejected becomes the savior.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Matthew 21, in which Jesus tells a short parable about two sons asked to do chores. The only thing that can change a heart of disobedience is the finished work of Christ.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Matthew 20, in which Jesus tells the parable of the 11th hour workers. Humans think we want fair...but fair is bad news for sinners. The Good News is that God's fairness was laid on Christ on the cross, so that his mercy could be poured out on us.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Matthew 18, in which Jesus tells a parable about an unforgiving servant. Is our forgiveness temporary? Can it be revoked? No. On account of Jesus' perfect sacrifice for us, we are reconciled to God forever.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Matthew 18, Jesus' plan for discipline in the church. Is there any Good News here? Yes! The church disciplines itself because of the Gospel, to enable the preaching of the Gospel, and then proclaims that Gospel to people, both within and without. And Jesus' forgiveness is what makes it all possible.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Isaiah 51, in which the prophet tells the people seeking after righteousness that they should keep their eyes on God. This is in contrast to the world's advice ("you do you") and false religion's advice ("become a better you"). The Gospel is that Christ has raised the dead you to new life.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Genesis 45, in which Joseph forgives his brothers, and Matthew 15, in which Jesus talks about what makes a person unclean. The bad news is that the problem is our hearts. The Good News is that our true measure is not how good our hearts are, but how much we've been forgiven.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Genesis 37, in which Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers. Our two great mistakes are thinking that we're not desperate sinners, and that God is not that profound a savior. Both are untrue. God meets our great sin with, in Jesus Christ, even greater saving grace.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Isaiah 55, in which the prophet tells the people not to work for what they can get for free, and Matthew 14, in which Jesus miraculously feeds a hungry crowd. There are two potential paths to satisfaction: the world's and Jesus. Jesus satisfies, and only Jesus satisfies.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Genesis 29, in which Jacob loves Rachel more than Leah. Our God, though, does not choose like Jacob, choosing beauty over ugly. Our God chooses ugliness and sinners, showing the extent of his grace.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Matthew 13, in which Jesus teaches a parable about wheat and weeds. The Good News is that we don't have to be the saviors, creating a perfect world by pulling out all the weeds. The Good News is that we have a savior who is not us.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Matthew 13, in which Jesus tells (and interprets) the parable of the sower. If we look closely at this story, we will see that there is Good News for those of us worried about what kind of soil we've been sown on. There is Good News for sinners.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Genesis 22, in which God asks Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Like Abraham in this awful moment, we need a miraculous intervention from God. There is Good News: like Abraham, we get just such an intervention.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Romans 6, in which Paul wonders if Christians should keep on sinning to get more and more access to God's grace. Of course not, he says. And then, he does something incredible: to combat sin, he preaches even more Good News.