On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him. But he knew their thoughts, and he said […]
The Lord of All Laws Lives by Love Instead
On a Sabbath, while he was going through the grainfields, his disciples plucked and ate some heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands. But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?” And Jesus answered them, “Have you not read what David did when […]
Jesus the Freedom Saver
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things […]
Mark 3 – The Law that Takes Away Freedom
When the pharisees accused Jesus of breaking the law, it’s important to note that He was breaking their man-made laws, not the laws of Moses.
Picking your party According to William Barclay
I’m reading William Barclay’s commentary on the letters to the Corinthians and his commentary on chapter 3 is amazing for 2019. “This identification with some party is the acceptance of slavery by those who should be kings. In fact they are masters of all things, because they belong to Christ and Christ belongs to God. […]
Now that We’re Enrolled Our Appearance will Start to Change
What shall we say then? Are we to remain in sin so that grace may increase? Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him […]
Righteousness, Being Right With God, For Free
Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts […]
Ephesians 5:1-21 Ways to Show Our New Thinking
Sermon on Ephesians 5:1-21 from Westminster Church in Evansville, Indiana. Here are the notes I used.
We Can’t Reach Something We Are Afraid to Touch
[13] He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. [14] And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. [15] And as […]
Galatians 5 – Freedom, from St. Matthews UCC
This is my third installment from St. Matthew’s UCC. If you can’t find #1, don’t worry, it’s because I only recorded part 2 and 3, unfortunately.