In this sermon, based on John 3:14-21, I hold up the life of Jesus (God's grace, forgiveness, and inclusion) as essential for our healing as a child of God. Sadly, Exclusive Christianity has misused this famous and popular portion of John's gospel to justify exclusion and judgment. Only those who can recite human formulas of faith (i.e. "I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior") are deemed "saved" in their "human-centric" version of salvation. A careful look at this gospel story reveals God's desire for healing of all creation. Judgement is found on those who do not seek the light but rather dwell in the darkness. Throughout John's gospel, light is equated with the life of Jesus. Jesus' life is one that is filled with love, grace and acceptance. We are invited to participate in this life as a path of healing and hope.
March 4, 2018 - "Jesus Walks with us in a Construction Zone"
In this sermon, based on John 2:13-22, I look at our need for renewal and re-construction. Unlike the other gospels, John tells the story of Jesus' cleansing of the Temple at the beginning of Jesus' ministry. Instead of a holy exchange at the Temple, Jesus offers his whole life as the connecting point. Through God's love, grace, and forgiveness we are linked to God. As followers, we are in need of focusing on Jesus' life and love.
February 25, 2018 - "Jesus Walks With The Shamed and Invites Us to Follow"
Have you ever experienced public shame or humiliation? Have you been isolated? Maybe you know someone who is experiencing ridicule and exclusion - have you reached out to them?
In this sermon, which is based on Mark 8:31-38, I look at issues of shame and honor. The cross stands as both a symbol of God's ultimate love shown for all of creation and as an invitation to follow behind Jesus' way of living. This way of life includes reaching out to those who are shamed and isolated. It is a risky invitation that might bring shame upon us. God, however, will honor such a path for it aligns with Jesus' love, compassion, forgiveness, and grace.
February 18, 2018 - "Jesus Walks With Us in the Wilderness"
If we imagine the wilderness as a place that offers both challenges, struggle, and shapes us in lasting ways - where is your wilderness? Where is life hard for you? Where do you seek clarity, security, and need healing?
In this sermon, based on Mark 1: 9- 15, I explore the 40 days in the wilderness prior to the start of Jesus ministry. There Jesus is faced with tests, hardship, and receives God's care. On the First Sunday in Lent, I seek God's care in our wilderness wandering.
February 14, 2018 - Ash Wednesday - "Remember You Were Created in Love"
It doesn't take much for us to look around and see a world that is broken. Whether we hear the news of national tragedies, political divisions, and international conflicts or reflect on our personal hurts, struggles, and pain - we are a broken people. At the start of the Lenten season, the mark of the cross is made on our foreheads. It is a sign of brokenness and our need of God.
This sermon, which I preached on Ash Wednesday, is based on Matthew 6:1-6;16-21.
In our baptisms, we are connected with the healing love of Christ. It is good for us to remember that it is God's love that created us and brings us hope. We set out on the Lenten walk in the sure and certain hope that Jesus walks with us...
February 4, 2018 - "So That I May Proclaim The Message There Also"
Do you find yourself ill or have a loved one who is battling sickness? How do we read and understand the stories in the Bible that talk about healing? Do miracles still happen today and what do we do when they don't?
In this sermon, based on Mark 1: 29-34, I explore the relationship between healing and the good news of Jesus.
Jesus heals a variety of ailments as a sign of the present kingdom of God and to demonstrate in a life-changing way the desire of God to restore a broken creation.
We are invited to head in the same direction of compassion and hospitality as we find ourselves and our community is broken and in need of healing. What is more, in our sickness and broken lives we are invited to trust in God's presence to bring about the kind of healing and restoration that passes all understanding.
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January 28, 2018 - "Astonished by His Teaching"
In this sermon, based on Mark 1: 21-28, I look at boundaries. When Jesus enters the synagogue in Capernaum, he enters a place where the boundaries between inside/outside, clean/unclean, holy/ungodly were fixed and thick. In his gospel, Mark portrays the scribes and Pharisees as advocating for these thick, narrow, and unmovable boundaries. In contrast, Jesus announces God's kingdom with boundaries that expand outward with love, grace, and forgiveness.
As followers of Jesus, this good news invites us to expand our hearts, minds, and ministry to reflect God's radical hospitality.
January 14, 2018 - "Let’s See"
This sermon, based on John 1:43-51, taps into the restlessness that we experience as we yearn for God’s presence and action in our lives. We desire healing, wholeness, and restoration for our lives, our church, and our world. In the story of Jesus, we can find a path in the direction of fulfilling our hearts desires. “Come and see” is an invitation for us to discover, explore, rest, dream, and hope in God’s life for our life.
December 10, 2017 - ADVENT TWO - The Beginning of Good News in Us
In this sermon, based on Mark 1:1-8, I address the bad news cycle in which we seem to find ourselves. Not only is the content of the news not good but the way that we receive our news in this highly partisan and polarized context leaves a lot to be desired. John the Baptist provides helpful hints for faithful people to navigate this turmoil. With a yearning for God to act, humility, and repentance - we can move in the direction of having the good news of Jesus Christ make a beginning in us.
December 3, 2017 - ADVENT ONE- At the Top of the List
This sermon, preached on the first Sunday of Advent, is based on Mark 13: 24-37. At the start of a new church year, we find ourselves in various places. A lot of things are going on in our world and in our lives that are challenging, upsetting, and turbulent. We react to this news in a variety of ways: fear, anxiety, confusion, anger, resilience, defiance, and resignation. This sermon explores the faithful responses of Advent. Amid the messiness of life itself, there is the promise of new life. That is the message of the fig tree. That is a message of Advent.
November 26, 2017 - In Divided Times, Honoring the One who Slips Through the Cracks
In this sermon, based on Matthew 25: 31-46, the assigned gospel for Christ the King Sunday, I explore a classic apocalyptic parable - the Judgment of the Nations. Instead of pounding on the pulpit, in the fashion of hell fire preachers, I spent some time in holy wondering about the confusion that both the sheep and the goats have after the judgment. Both groups don't seem to recall when it was that they saw the Lord in need. Jesus directs their attention, and our own to the "least of these." God, in Jesus, chooses to be in solidarity with the world's struggling and suffering people. We are invited not only to recognize Jesus among the least but also invited to reach out to them.
One of the illustrations that is used in this sermon is Le Chambon. This village in Southern France provided sanctuary to refugees (including between 3,000-3,500 Jews) during the Nazi occupation and World War II. When the villagers afterwards were asked why they did what they did - they were perplexed by the question. Isn't this what Christians did? To read more about this amazing story: click here for info from US Holocaust Museum, for info from Wikipedia.
Who are the ones who are "the least of these" in our culture? How might we, in a divided time, come together as Christians to share kindness, grace, love, and God's radical hospitality with them?
November 19, 2017 - Week Three of a Three Week Series - "Give"
This sermon, on Matthew 25:14-30, is the third 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 our image of God. In the parable of the talents, two out of three respond in a trustworthy way - they respond in courageous living, which aligns with the overall gospel that Jesus preaches about God's graceful kingdom. One, however, cowers in fear (following instead the judgemental faith of the Pharisees). At the end, this results in inaction and a lack of discipleship. Misery continues for this sad fellow.
The parable raises a question of stewardship. How do care for the gifts that God has entrusted to them? Do we ground our response in the liberating gospel of Jesus Christ?
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.