The Rev. Nick Lannon

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Isaiah 42, in which God presents his Messiah to the world, and Matthew 3, in which Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan River. Here, God is staking his reputation on Jesus, which is incredibly Good News for us: Jesus pleases God, and gives that pleasure to us as a free gift.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Ephesians 1, in which Paul greets that church as though it's full of perfect disciples of Christ. But there's another truth: they're pretty profound sinners, too. Paul calls them to live a life worthy of their calling by reminding them of the Good News: their new (and true) identity in Christ.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Isaiah 61-62, in which the prophet promises that God will be at work in the world today. Christmas has come and the savior Jesus has arrived...so now what? Well, God will keep his grace coming!

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a Christmas sermon, focusing on Isaiah 9. The great wars of life, between men and women, people and animals, the way things are and the way they ought to be, and even the war between you and God...these wars are all won at Christmas, when savior is born to us.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Isaiah 49, in which God promises never to forget his people. He takes that promise so seriously that, many years later at a place called The Skull, he'll forget--for a moment--his beloved son...all so he can remember you.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Isaiah 35, in which the prophet describes a holy road, upon which God's redeemed people are going home. But how will they get there? The Messiah, Jesus Christ, will come and bring them.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Isaiah 11, in which the Messiah is described both as a root emerging from the stump of Jesse and as the root of Jesse. This shows the Good News that Jesus is both God and man, both righteous enough to bear the sin of the world and eligible to stand in our place.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Isaiah 2, in which the people of God are described as streaming up the mountain of the Lord, excited to receive his law. How did a sinful nation reach this point? It is by the announcement of the Good News, that their sins, which are like scarlet, will be made white as snow.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon for Christ the King Sunday, on Colossians 1 and Luke 23, which present Jesus as two very different kinds of kings: one who wears a golden crown as Lord of Heaven and Earth, and one who wears a thorny crown as redeemer of the world.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Luke 21:5-19, in which Jesus tells his followers not to prepare their defense in advance because he himself will be their defense. In Christ, there is no need for self-defense. The Good News is that he is our defender.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Job, in which a sufferer's three friends attempt to figure out why he's suffering. The Good News of Jesus Christ, however, enables us to instead ask "who." Who is suffering with us? Who suffered for us? Our risen redeemer did just that.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Luke 19, in which Jesus calls Zacchaeus out of a tree and demands to be in a relationship with him. This is Good News for us sinners...Jesus came to seek out and to save the lost. He came to save us.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Jeremiah 14, in which the sinful Israelites call out to God for help, and Luke 18, in which a tax collector cries out to God for mercy. The very God whose holiness reveals our sin is the only one holy enough to save us. The Good News is that, in Christ, he has.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Genesis 32, in which Jacob wrestles with God. Jacob, who has been wrestling with people his whole life, trying to get a blessing, finally realizes that only God can give what he's wanted all along.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Luke 16:19-31, in which Jesus tells a parable about a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus, who end up in hell and heaven, respectively. What is the Good News for those of us who aren't sure our stewardship makes us righteous? It's that our righteousness is secured in the accomplishments of Christ. Faith in him is credited to us as righteousness.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Lamentations 3, in which God's mercies are said to be "new every morning." This is very Good News for those of us who are enmeshed in the world's expectation, that "if we're not growing, we're dying." Jesus meets us in that tomb, and he is a resurrection expert.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on 1 Timothy 6, in which Paul charges Timothy (and us) to pursue righteousness, and to keep God's commandments "without spot or blame." How are we to live in light of this radical call to holiness? We are to remember our sin, our need for a savior, and the Good News that that savior, Jesus, has come and completed his work.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Luke 16, in which Jesus tells an odd parable about a dishonest manager. When we are generous, we are generous with what is God's. In the same way, Jesus is generous with his master's possession, giving us God's own goodness, which alone can save us.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Luke 15, in which Jesus tells a story about a lost sheep and a lost coin. There is much joy in heaven, he says, over a sinner who repents. But...does that make the Good News dependent on your repentance? Does it make the Good News less good? No...in fact, even repentance is a good work that God accomplishes in you, not something you have to create in yours...

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Deuteronomy 30, in which Moses asks the people to make a choice: follow God and prosper, turn away and die. Is there Good News for those of us who continually make bad choices? Or who can't follow through on our good intentions? Yes, it's the finished work of Jesus Christ.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Luke 14, in which Jesus observes guests at a dinner party scrambling for honorable seats. Those who seek to exalt themselves will be humbled, he cautions. Here, he's talking about us. Those who seek to humble themselves, however, will be exalted. Here, he's talking about himself.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Jeremiah 1, in which the prophet, who protests about his weakness, is called into God's service. We servants of God are not like fantasy heroes, who have a great mission to accomplish. No, we are given Christ's great accomplishment to proclaim.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Jeremiah 23, in which the prophet compares prophets who tell their own dreams to preachers who proclaim the word of God. The news is bad and good: bad, in that God has spoken, and we are found wanting. Good, in that Christ has come to save sinners.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Hebrews 11, in which God's faithful promise-keeping is illustrated through a description of the city promised to Abraham and his descendants and the fact that Sarah's barren womb is able to give Abraham descendants at all. Faith is of utmost importance, but it is God's faith that matters, not yours.

The Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Hosea 1, in which the prophet is told to marry Gomer, a "woman of whoredom." God is illustrating what it's like for him to be in relationship with us, his sinful people. But there is Good News: God will rescue us, at great cost, and remain faithful even when we are not.