In the sermon text for this Lord’s Day, Jesus tells an extended parable that describes the plot made by tenants of a man’s vineyard to get rid of their master’s son and take ownership of the land. Their treacherous plot ends up in the murder of the master’s beloved son and the master, as expected,…
The sermon will continue our journey through the Gospel of Luke entitled, From Bethlehem to Emmaus. The text is Luke 6:37-42, the third section of Luke’s brief account of Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount. The main point focuses on the Christian’s responsibility to deal with others mercifully. The larger context challenges the hearer to…
Luke records Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” in chapter six. Jesus introduced it by pronouncing hope-filled blessings on those who follow his teachings. He also pronounced cursings (woe) on those who reject him (6:20-26). In today’s sermon text, Jesus focuses on the core element of the ethical norms for his Kingdom. It is love. But…
In 2 Corinthians 8:1-6, we saw Paul gently call the church in Corinth to give sacrificially to a collection he planned to deliver to Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. Paul chiefly desired to see the collection strengthen the unity of the church (Jews with Gentiles) for the sake of the advance of the Gospel. In today’s…
The Corinthians could add the church to their lives. It was one interest of many. They could still fit into their society completely. The church and its mission was not the whole of life, not the center of life. The whole and center—that’s the kind of commitment Paul exemplified. That’s the kind of commitment Paul…
This sermon text introduces the final section of the extended discussion of Paul’s ministry that began in 2 Corinthians 2:14. These introductory verses make an appeal for mutual affection. Paul had demonstrated his dedication to the gospel ministry and his devoted love for the Corinthians. It was time for them to show similar love for…
In the sermon text for this Lord’s Day, Paul explains what it looks like when the love of Christ “controls” us and, thus, we live only for him (cf. 5:14-15). Paul’s worldview had undergone a radical transformation so that he no longer viewed Christ—or anything else—from a worldly outlook. Being united with Christ changed everything.…
Oh, how we long to see Jesus. Oh, the joy that will be ours just to be in his presence–joy when he silences our critics, joy when he sets the record straight. And yet, will we not like the seraphim and instinctively cover our face and tremble in the presence of such awesome greatness?
We are ever in danger. There is an evil one who, like a roaring lion, prowls about, seeking to devour us. He’s wily. He can even appear to be angel of light. He seeks to destroy the church through moral laxity or callous insensitivity. Failing to deal with sin will bring us to ruin. Failing…