This next Sunday is "Rally Day" at Immanuel Lutheran Church, the kickoff of our Sunday School season which will run through the rest of the school year. Immanuel hosts a cookout in the Laurel city park after service. Members pull in these huge grills for hamburgers and hotdogs. As the small town newspapers used to … Continue reading Words of Life and Healing: The Passage
Take Care of Him
Hear the full audio of "Take Care of Him" A sermon on Luke 10:23-37 (The Good Samaritan) Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity, 10 September 2017 Upon the return of the 72 He sent, Jesus blesses His disciples for the spiritual care they received and delivered. Meanwhile, a Law-man shows up with a devilish desire to test … Continue reading Take Care of Him
Competent and Confident in Christ
Hear the full audio of "Confident and Competent in Christ" A sermon on 2 Corinthians 3:1-11 Twelfth Sunday after Trinity, 27 August 2017 The ministry of Moses was such that God's people couldn't stand to look Moses in the face as he spoke the Word of the Lord. The letter of the Law proclaimed condemnation … Continue reading Competent and Confident in Christ
The Fugitives’ Faith
When I do something for God, I want Him to approve and praise it. When I give something to God, I want him to love it and thank me. However, Scripture says He just doesn't--and won't--unless Jesus acts through those signs given us...Hear the full audio of "The Fugitive's Faith"A sermon on Genesis 4:1-15; Luke … Continue reading The Fugitives’ Faith
Hanging on His Words: The Sermon
Hear the full audio of "Hanging on His Words"A sermon on Luke 19:41-48Tenth Sunday after Trinity, 20 August 2017Jesus weeps over those robbed of His peace. He visits judgment on those who steal away heavenly treasures. Christ comes to fill the temple with His teaching. He speaks mercy to His people. Jesus restores the gift … Continue reading Hanging on His Words: The Sermon
Hanging on His Words: The Passage
Tuesday, I double check our travel itinerary for this week's spiritual jaunt together towards a sermon for the Tenth Sunday after Trinity and sigh. We're headed quite a long way, well outside my comfort zone into rather unfamiliar territory. Ignore my grumbling. We use a 1-Year lectionary--a well-worn churchly roadmap of readings, handed down by … Continue reading Hanging on His Words: The Passage
Hanging on His Words: The Journey
On the Isaiah 50:4 Blues Facebook page, I've invited you gracious readers and hearers to follow along and walk with me behind the scenes of a sermon throughout this week. Not that I have hundreds of people following the page. Hardly so. But here's three reasons why I've offered to do this goofy thing. First, the … Continue reading Hanging on His Words: The Journey
Think You’re Standing Strong?
Hear the full audio of "Think You're Standing Strong?"A sermon on 1 Corinthians 10:6-13Ninth Sunday after Trinity, 13 August 2017Is there such a thing as a strong Christian? Yes, but none so strong as to be able to escape and endure temptation on their own. None stand strong enough to rescue themselves from their slavery … Continue reading Think You’re Standing Strong?
God Breathes Life
Hear the full audio of "God Breathes Life"A sermon on Genesis 2:7-17Seventh Sunday after Trinity, 30 July 2017From the beginning, God gives us a glimpse of His personal interest and affection toward each person He brings forth into the world. The fallen world continually diminishes personhood into biological accident, evolutionary anomaly or random combination of … Continue reading God Breathes Life
First, Be Reconciled
Hear the full audio of "First, Be Reconciled"A sermon on Matthew 5:17-26Sixth Sunday after Trinity, 23 July 2017Christ does not envision his church as a place where people come to be fired up against their neighbors. Christ does not envision the Holy life of his Holy people as life marked by anger and accusations. Rather, … Continue reading First, Be Reconciled
Isaiah 50:4 Blues 