November 12, 2017 - Week Two of a Three Week Series - "Stay Awake!"

This sermon, on Matthew 25:1-13, is the second of a three-part series on saintly living.  In our baptisms, God claims each of our lives and names us as one of God's "saints."  God calls each of us to live out our baptisms by reflecting Christ's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness.  

This sermon will be looking at how saints wait for God.   Jesus tells the story of the Ten Bridesmaids to teach his followers the importance of waiting for God's return.  Five Bridesmaids were wise and brought enough extra oil, in case their master was delayed.  Five were foolish and didn't give it much thought.  They and their lamps were not ready.  The wedding feast continued without their presence. 

The parable raises a question of faithful waiting.  How do saints wait for God?  How do we remain awake and focused with oil in our lamps to spare?  How do we keep ourselves alert?   

November 5, 2017 - Week One of a Three Week Series - "The Heart of a Saint"

This sermon, on Matthew 5:1-12, is the first of a three part series on saintly living.  In our baptisms, God claims each of our lives and names us as one of God's "saints."  God calls each of us to live out our baptisms by reflecting Christ's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness.  

This sermon will be looking at "The Heart of a Saint."  Jesus teaches the beatitudes, which outline what 'blessed' living is all about.  Through the grace of God, our hearts are connected to God's heart.  When our hearts beat in sync with God's, we are living the saintly life that God intended for us.  We empty ourselves and approach God with an empty spirit - seeking God to fill us up.  We mourn in a sure and certain hope that God is present in the midst of our losses.  We approach others with a meekness that reflects Christ's approach.  We are merciful in the way we deal with the failures of others.  We hunger and thirst for relationships to be right.  We endure the judgments and persecutions of others for the sake of one day even being in a right relationship with them - this means that we turn away from self-righteousness and vengeance.  We don't seek a 'pound of flesh' when we are wronged.   Wow, that's a lot - and we will find our hearts are not always able to keep up.  We will fail at being saints - our hearts will go out of rhythm.  It is at this point that we need to be reminded that we don't go through this life alone.  God's forgiveness, love, and strength are our gifts as well.  

October 29- A Reforming Faith

On the occasion of the 500th Anniversary of the start of the Lutheran Reformation, this sermon invites us beyond a “Pep Rally” approach to marking this day.  Instead of a time of celebrating “all things Lutheran” and giving Lutherans a proverbial pat on the back , this sermon (based on John 8:31-36) encourages all Christians to embrace a Reforming faith- one which is constantly shaped by the Spirit as we remain/abide/continue in the life of Christ.   It is in our communion with Christ alone -not our denominational identity- that allows for us to know the life Jesus offers for us.  Connected to Christ we find a freedom that is unparalleled.  

October 22, 2017 - Giving to God

This sermon looks at the way that we live our lives in broken and separated compartments.  Life in Christ involves an integrated way of living that puts the boxes aside.  The story of Matthew 22: 15-22 invites us into the freedom of the gospel.   We are freed by the God who can not be put into a box (or a tomb) to give generously across the various fragments of our lives.  We give to God to whom our very lives belong through lives that are relational and share God's love with others.

October 15, 2017 - Honor Your God; Honor Your Family

Based on Matthew 22: 1-14, this sermon explores themes of respect/honor and disrespect/shame.  Jesus tells a parable about a King and a wedding banquet.  The guests disrespect the king by first not responding to his invitation and later by killing the messenger.  The King resorts to a show of force in order to restore his honor.  Afterwards, he sends his servants into the city and invites everyone - good and bad to come to his party.  The King shows a great honor to all.  During the party, the King notices that one guest has disrespected (seemingly unknowingly) by not wearing a wedding gown (some scholars say that these were provided at the door).  

How do we honor/respect God?  In what ways do we dishonor/shame?  To answer these questions, we need to look at not only our devotion/worship/prayer life; we must also look at how we treat others.  How are we Christ to our neighbor in need?  

Christians are called to lives of respect/honor. 

October 8, 2017 - Listening in the Vineyard

Based on Matthew 21:33-46, this sermon invites us to listen to God above the noises and discouraging news of our time.  We listen in order to understand, 'get' God's will for us and for creation.   Listening to God, we trust in the relationship that God established with us.  Listening to God, we love our neighbor.  Listening to God, we bear fruit that befits the kingdom of grace that Jesus announces.  

October 1, 2017 - When Words Connect with Actions

Based on Matthew 21:23- 32, this sermon looks at the challenge of putting faith into action.  Using the context of the current controversy of NFL players kneeling during the national anthem, I invite us to feel our way into the Temple setting where Jesus' authority was being questioned by the religious establishment.  By what authority, right, power does Jesus do what he does?  What is the source of Jesus' faithful response to God?  These questions are asked of us - what is the power and source of our lives as Christians?  How might we engage our faith as we try to navigate confusing times?   How do we sit, stand, kneel in love?

September 24, 2017 - A Good Day's Work

Based on Matthew 20: 1-16, Pastor Walt preaches about the need for Christians to align their expectations with the Kingdom of God.  Christians are called to be servants, givers, and those who delight in God's goodness.  Welcome instead of grumbling is the proper response as the good news transforms the lives of others and incorporates them into the community.

September 10, 2017 - Rally Day Sermon

At the start of an exciting year of ministry at St. James, Pastor Walt preaches about the need for the Christian community to be a place of reconciliation and forgiveness.  Based on Matthew 18: 15-20 - which is the designated RCL Lectionary text for the day (Pastor admits that it wouldn't be his first choice for a Rally Day sermon), this sermon looks at Jesus call to work out differences and conflicts among disciples so that there might be mutual understanding and a healing of the brokenness.   Where this doesn't work, those who won't listen to the wisdom and counsel of the community need to leave.  That said, those who leave are to remain as persons for the church's mission, just like tax collectors and other outcasts.   Reconciliation, welcome, forgiveness - good things to have on our minds as we start a year of ministry.

This sermon is dedicated to the loving memory of The Rev. Dr. Murdoch MacPherson - Pastor Walt's mentor, friend, and colleague for 12 years in New Jersey.   

September 3, 2017 Sermon

This sermon, based on Matthew 16:21-28, holds up connections.  Just before these verses, Peter puts the pieces together related to Jesus' identity as the Son of the Living God.  However, he fails to connect that identity with suffering and crucifixion.  Jesus invites followers to get behind him - to move in the direction of service.  Jesus calls his disciples to go into the margins of society in order to serve and share fellowship with those who live on the outside.  

Through the Open Gate of Love - Fourth Sunday of Easter - May 7

This sermon, based on John 10:1-10, considers access or gateways to God.  Two conflicting images are presented – the way of the Pharisees and the way of Jesus.  Pharisees rigidly define and defend the gate and access points to God according to a narrow interpretation of the Law.  Only those who are pure are worthy to enter the holy places.  In contrast, Jesus redefines the Law in terms of Agape (Divine Love).  Love becomes the guiding principle that leads in an open and graceful way to abundant life with God and neighbor.   Images from Chaco National Cultural Park in New Mexico are used in this sermon. 

Third Sunday of Easter Sermon - April 30

This sermon, based on Luke 24:13-28, examines the despair of two of Jesus' disciples as they walked back home on Easter evening.  Their expectations of who God was and how God was going to deliver them were not met.  Disheartened, they meet a stranger.  The stranger turns out to be Jesus and hope is rekindled.  Dirty Boots and Unexpected Trails is about our journey as an Easter people and the company that we keep along the way.   

Easter Sermon 2017

Good Friday sermon 2017

In this sermon, I delve into the Gospel of John's account of the crucifixion.  Unlike the other gospels, in John, Jesus seems to be in control of the events surrounding his own death.  It is a story of God's triumph over death.  This is hope for us who die again and again when we isolate ourselves from loving others.