The New Commandment

An ancient parchment records the remark of a pagan man by the name of Minucius Felix. He said of the Christians of his day, "They love each other before they know each other." Another first-century pagan exclaimed with astonishment: "Behold how these Christians love one another." If there is one thing that epitomizes the nature of God and His relationship to us, His creation, it is that one word love. If there is one thing above all others that Christ would have us show to each other it is love. What is new about this commandment?

White Robes and Palm Branches

I have on my desk a picture of my granddaughter in the baptistery with her pastor. She is in a white robe, and so is he. The robes are a long-standing part of our tradition. They do not make anyone pure, but they might remind us of the purity that comes only as a grace gift. What is the symbolism of the white robes and palm branches in our text?

When Jesus Comes to Town

How remarkable is the wide range of human response to the triumphal entry of Jesus into the Holy City on Sunday of Passion Week. Some hailed Him as King; others plotted to assassinate Him. The reception of the Savior is still quite varied today-even in our churches.

Don’t Dwell on the Past

A few days after the Fort Hood massacre, another man took a pistol and went into an Orlando, Fla., engineering firm that had fired him in 2007. He shot several employees, killing one before surrendering to police. As he was led away in handcuffs, a reporter asked him, "Why?" He said, "Because they left me to rot." He could not forget or forgive.

A Uniform for God’s People

?December 27, 2009 First Sunday After Christmas Day Colossians 3:12-17 If God's people wore a uniform, what would it look like? In our text is a three-fold description of God's people. First, we are God's chosen people. We are selected from every race and tribe, every rank and culture, highborn and low, from factory and farm, from shop and from ships at sea. We are selected to make up His own people.

The King Has Come!

?December 20, 2009 Fourth Sunday of Advent Micah 5:2-5a Seven hundred years before the Spirit of God came over a certain young maiden named Mary so that she would become the mother of the Christ, that same Spirit of God gave prophetic insight to one of His spokesmen. Micah predicted the town of Bethlehem to be the place in which the coming ruler would be born.

A Faith that Cancels Fear

?December 13, 2009 Third Sunday in Advent Isaiah 12:2-6 A minister in Texas found his new ministry would require him to travel all over the state. Since he would be away from home often overnight, he bought a little companion dog for his wife. They named the puppy "Fear Not."

The Case for Generous Giving

June 28, 2009 ?Proper 8 (B) 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 ?Paul could command the Corinthian church with apostolic authority to be generous in giving. Three times in this text he declines to do so. He is not appealing to the Law's demand. Instead he appeals to a number of higher and better motives. Instead of "you must," he says "you ought." And he tells us why we ought. There are many good reasons to make us willing givers, five of them are in this brief passage.

Who Is This Jesus?

June 21, 2009 Proper 7 (B) Mark 4:35-41 At the close of a long day spent teaching from a boat at seaside, Jesus sent away the multitudes and bade His disciples shove off for the distant shore. A weary Jesus was soon fast asleep on the steersman's cushion in the rear of the little boat. Soon one of those great and sudden wind storms known to roil the waters of Galilee had the boat and the disciples in crisis mode. Waves were dashing in, threatening to swamp the frail and heavily loaded vessel. Jesus slept on until the disciples shook Him awake with "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" (v. 38).

The Power of the Kingdom

June 14, 2009 Proper 6 (B) Mark 4:26-34 ?In the summer of 1837, the American ship Morrison sailed into Yedo Bay, Japan. On board were three men hoping to be the first Christian missionaries to Japan. But the powerful Satsuma Clan opened fire on the western ship and drove it away. Not until 1859 and after a treaty with Japan were missionaries allowed to enter the country. That year seven missionaries representing four mission societies began their work. I wonder if any of them knew how God would bless their work so that now Japan sends many Christian missionaries to other lands including America.