A Sermon In Light of Sandy

A Sermon In Light of Sandy - Calvary ~ St. George's Sermon Podcast

When Our Sentamentalism Comes to an End

When Our Sentamentalism Comes to an End - Calvary ~ St. George's Sermon Podcast

Have A Hot Pocket!

I'm home for a few weeks recovering from tendinitis, so I thought I would post a few good sermons I listened to while hiking the CDT. I plan to return to the trail when my ankle heals but for new it's time to be patient and let it heal.

Below is a sermon I really enjoyed. I'd love to hear your comments.

Have A Hot Pocket - Calvary ~ St. George's Sermon Podcast

Bible Gateway passage: Luke 10:38-42 - English Standard Version

The Good News When You Can’t Hold Fast

Most of there sermons on my blog are podcasts, so as a change of pace, here is a video. It's from a conference in 2016, and I found it both thoughtful and passionate in the presentation of the gospel. It's almost 42 minutes long, but I think it's worth it! This is the sixty third and final post while I hike, so enjoy and feel free to check out the FAVORITES page where you'll find the podcasts I listen to on a regular basis.

The Good News When You Can't Hold Fast | Daniel Emery Price from ChristHoldFast on Vimeo.

Below is a link to my hiking blog. I begin hiking the Continental Divide Trail on Monday, May 8, 2017. Check out the blog and subscribe. You never know when I might throw in a good sermon or a theological reflection.

CDT Thru-Hike 2017

A blog of my 2017 thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail.

Turn Down For What? by RJ Grunewald

This is a blog post that includes some quotes from one of my favorite writers: Robert Capon. Grunewald reminds us to drink deeply in the pure, undiluted message of grace alone.

Turn Down For What?

BY RJ GRUNEWALD Crunk rap artist Lil Jon and DJ Snake have a top 10 single dedicated to the hook, "Turn down for what." Since I was a bit out of touch with the language, I embarrassingly asked some teenagers what it meant.

Below is a link to my hiking blog. Check it out and subscribe. You never know when I might throw in a good sermon or a theological reflection.

Loren's Hiking Blog

Until We Meet Again

Thank you to everyone who is following this blog. It has been a blessing for me to share and I appreciate the positive feedback. I also love to hike! Below is a link to my hiking blog.

Loren's Hiking Blog

If you are enjoying the blog and want to continue listening while I hike, I have created a page with some of my FAVORITE PODCASTS. The links will take you to the podcast feeds starting with the newest podcast. Most of these podcasts can also be found on iTunes by searching for the podcast title. You will NOT agree with everything you hear, and neither do I, but these podcasters care deeply about the Bible and the good news of the Gospel. They have helped me to seriously think about what I believe and I hope the same for you. Enjoy!

Here is this week's sermon! This sermon is based on Jesus' first miracle and there is plenty of talk about wine as a symbol God's abundant grace. For anyone who can't imagine wine as a positive symbol, you might want to skip this sermon, otherwise it is a smart, contemporary and passionate sermon that reminds us of what it means to be the bride of Christ. For the rest of you, feel free to pour yourself a glass and enjoy the sermon.

A Date With Destiny - Zac G. Koons - The Mockingpulpit

podcast

Things Done and Left Undone

I was reminded of this passage as I listened to this teaching. I hope you are not too busy to listen...

Things Done and Left Undone - David Zahl - The Mockingpulpit

podcast

The Way of Exchange

This sermon is one of three messages preached by Malcolm Guite on Good Friday at St. Edward's Church in Cambridge, England. He is a poet, Anglican priest, and professor at Cambridge University. I find his sermons Biblical in content and artful in delivery. I hope you enjoy this sermon as we continue to reflect on the significance of Easter! I love how it begins with the story about doubting Thomas and Jesus' famous Words: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

The Way of Exchange

This is the first of my three Good Friday Talks on following the way of the cross, which draw on my sonnets sequence 'Stations' which can be found here: http://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/good-friday-the-stations-of-the-cross/

Three Questions for Sermon Listening

How do you know you are hearing a biblical sermon? I like this writers suggestion on how to be discerning sermon listener. What do you think?Sermon

 

Three Questions to Ask Before Listening to Any Sermon

It's easy to become a passive sermon consumer. As a young Christian, I started to sense this tendency in my own listening, so one Sunday I brought a notebook to church and devised a simple little practice to get my discernment juices flowing before listening to sermons.

But Is It Enough

Happy Easter Sunday! Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed! This is a good Easter sermon that takes us all the way back to garden of Eden. I especially enjoy the references to Jesus being God's YES! Enjoy!

Easter Sunday "But Is It Enough?" - Calvary ~ St. George's Sermon Podcast

In this sermon the Rev Jacob Smith asks and answers the question "Is the resurrection of Jesus Enough?"

Fighting For The Faith

This is an example of a sermon review done on a podcast called Fighting For The Faith. I encourage you to check it out and see if it doesn't help you think about what you are listening to when you hear a sermon. When you click the link, it make take a few seconds to load since this sermon review is in the middle of a two hour podcast. Enjoy!

Hillsong's "Naked Cowboy" Twists Acts 16 - Fighting for the Faith

00:09:22 Katie Souza Thousandfold Con 00:24:33 Steve & Wendy Backlund Making Your Promise Your Identity 00:46:39 Ed Young No Word of God for Memorial Day 01:03:51 Jurgen Matthesius The Power Of A Vision Builder 01:18:27 Sermon Review: Jesus Doesn't Change by Diego Simila

The Treasure In The Field

Here is a great sermon on one of Jesus's shortest parables. I enjoy this interpretation...let me know what you think!

The Treasure In The Field - Sermons

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Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 13:44 - English Standard Version

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure - "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

7 Easy Steps-Bragging On Social Media

No need to thank me...I'm happy to help.

7 Easy Steps To Looking Humble While Bragging On Social Media | The Babylon Bee

When someone is as awesome as you, every once in a while you just need to let the world know about it, right? But-let's be honest-boasting about oneself is sort of frowned upon in most Christian circles. Here's where we can help. Courtesy of your friends at The Babylon Bee, here are 7 easy steps to ...

The Man In The Ditch

This is a great sermon! It takes a very familiar parable of Jesus and interprets it through the lens of LAW and GOSPEL, and suggests that the central figure of the parable is not US, but JESUS! Can you tell I'm EXCITED to share it with you? It might be worth listening to more than once.

Let's Talk About the Man in the Ditch - Jacob Smith - The Mockingpulpit

podcast

Bible Gateway passage: Luke 10:25-37 - New International Version

The Parable of the Good Samaritan - On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"

Donall and Conall meet Richard Dawkins

It's time for a video from Lutheran Satire. Enjoy!

Scandalons of Faith

It's time for another good sermon. (This sermon didn't have a title, so I made one up!) I encourage you to read the text before listening to the sermon. This sermon touches on the themes of forgiveness, faith, and works. What do you think of Cwirla's exegesis of the text and his conclusions?

Luke 17:1-10 / 6 October 2013 - Holy Trinity Lutheran Church " Sermons

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Bible Gateway passage: Luke 17:1-10 - English Standard Version

Temptations to Sin - And he said to his disciples, "Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.

The Daily Fix: Little Faith is Real Faith

Warning, this video might make your head explode!

Mercy

This is a great sermon on the theme of Mercy and addresses a tragic current event in 2016. I hope you take time to listen!

Mercy - Luke 6:36-42 - Hope Lutheran Church, Aurora CO, Podcast

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Bible Gateway passage: Luke 6:36-42 - English Standard Version

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judging Others - "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.

YOUR Testimony

Since your testimony is about YOU and not about Jesus, here is something to help!

Tips For Spicing Up Your Testimony | The Babylon Bee

If you're like the majority of American Christians, your testimony's just plain boring. You were raised in a Christian home, accepted Christ at a young age, were made alive with Christ by the saving power of God, blah blah blah. What you need is a few extra details-"alternative facts," if you will-to spice up your ...

Signs and Faith

A great sermon on seeking signs... If you are reading this, it's a sign you are supposed to listen. Go ahead and click it...you know you want to!

Signs and Faith - John 4:46-54 - Hope Lutheran Church, Aurora CO, Podcast

Bible Gateway passage: John 4:46-54 - English Standard Version

Jesus Heals an Official's Son - So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.

The Doctrine of Inerrancy

Last week I posted a video by Michael Horton and he is back! This is a lecture on the inerrancy of the Bible. I think it is an excellent introduction to the topic. Want to know why you can trust the Bible? It's just one click away! (You can thank me later.)

Stewardship Sunday

This is another great sermon on the theme of Christian stewardship. It is based on the parable of the unjust manager. This is traditionally a difficult parable to interpret and Pastor Wolfmueller's message is one of the best sermons I have heard on the parable. Enjoy!

Stewardship Sunday - Luke 16:19 - Hope Lutheran Church, Aurora CO, Podcast

Bible Gateway passage: Luke 16:1-13 - English Standard Version

The Parable of the Dishonest Manager - He also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you?

Moralistic & Therapeutic Deism

Here is a great video about the gospel and a different message that is being substituted for the gospel. This teaching will help you be more discerning in what you listen to and read! I'd love to hear your comments. The video was published in 2015, and just in case you didn't notice...that is the biggest pulpit I have ever seen! Wow!

The Widow’s Mite

Here is an interesting sermon on the topic of giving. Feel free to comment!

The Widow's Mite | a sermon on Mark 12:38-44 - saint benedict's table

Jamie Howison wonders if the conventional reading of the story of the "widow's mite" is getting us at the force of what Jesus was talking about

Bible Gateway passage: Mark 12:38-44 - English Standard Version

Beware of the Scribes - And in his teaching he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers.

We Refused to Practice Cunning

Here is a fascinating teaching that critiques both the methods and message of preaching that is common in many evangelical churches. It's almost an hour long, but definitely worth it. When you click on the link, you'll have the option of listening to audio or watching the video!

General Session 2

Grace Community Church's mission is to glorify God and extend His kingdom by living and proclaiming His truth in the world.

Bible Gateway passage: 2 Corinthians 4:1-5 - English Standard Version

The Light of the Gospel - Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.

The Feast of Michaelmas

This speaker is sometimes hard to understand and will require some concentration but this sermon blows my mind every time I listen to it. It begins with a poem and ends with a song. The audio isn't great, especially for the song, but the sermon is definitely worth the effort. I suggest listening to the poem again after the message.

Michaelmas | a sermon by Malcolm Guite - saint benedict's table Bible Gateway passage: Genesis 28:10-17, John 1:47-51 - English Standard Version

Two Words: Law and Gospel

This is a follow up on the previous sermon. These quotes focus on two words: law and gospel. Lutheran theologians read the entire Bible through the lens of these two words. I think it is a very helpful way of hearing God's Word. A word that kills and makes alive!

10 Thoughts on Law and Gospel

BY BRANDON HANSON Try not to let your head explode. Here's a little "devotional" for you; some thoughts on Law and Gospel from Gerhard Forde. Drink deep, drink full. These are rich streams of thought. 1. The Gospel does not tell me what to do to be saved.

For a more in-depth study of Law and Gospel, continue reading here!

The Trouble About Only

This is a fascinating sermon to consider regarding the sufficiency of Jesus to save us. The reason I consider "only" so important in our understanding of the Gospel is that the message of salvation "by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone," is what puts to death our old nature and raises up a new person. (If you didn't read this post, I recommend you read it before listening to this sermon.) Either my will is necessary for salvation or it's the very thing that most needs to be saved. And by saved I mean KILLED! Put to death, so a new person can be raised from the dead who believes and therefore bears the fruit of repentance and faith. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation.

Can you see it? Can you see that the death of Jesus Christ is your death? He has died in your place! He has done it. He is God happening to you. It is all over, finished, between you and God! He died in your place that death which you must die; he has done it in such a way as to save you. He has borne the whole thing! The fact that there is nothing left for you to do is the death of self and new birth of the new creature. He died to make a new creature of you...to raise you up to trust God alone. Gerhard O Forde

The Trouble about "Only" - Rm 3:21-28 - Hope Lutheran Church, Aurora CO, Podcast Bible Gateway passage: Romans 3:21-28 - English Standard Version

The Radical Gospel

The Radical Gospel

BY GERHARD FORDE The radical gospel of justification by faith alone simply does not fit, cannot be accepted by, and will not work with an anthropology which sees the human being as a continuously existing subject possessing ''free choice of will''...

On Trusting in Ourselves & Contempt

One of my favorite parables is the The Pharisee and the Tax Collector. I enjoy listening to sermons on this parable and I found another good one. (The first sermon on this blog was also on this same text and can be found HERE!)

On Trusting in Ourselves & Contempt (Luke 18:9-14) - Saint Matthias Anglican Church - Oakdale, CA

Bible Gateway passage: Luke 18:9-14 - English Standard Version

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector - He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

To The Troubled In Conscience

To The Troubled In Conscience

BY ED ELLINGSTON This is a word to those with a troubled conscience. Those tormented by their failure to conquer that secret sin, or those who have screwed up so horrifically and publicly that they are in danger of losing all hope.

Clarifying “Righteousness”

Our pastor is preaching a series of sermons on the Sermon on the Mount and this is the third sermon in the series. I'm excited to share this sermon with you. Enjoy!

1-22-17 Clarifying "Righteousness" (Matthew 5:17-20) - Saint Matthias Anglican Church - Oakdale, CA

Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 5:17-20 - English Standard Version

Christ Came to Fulfill the Law - "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Laugh Out Loud!

For those of you who enjoy a bit satire...happy Wednesday!

Confirmed: Earliest Manuscripts Of Jeremiah Just Had Chapter 29 Verse 11 | The Babylon Bee

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL-Newly discovered manuscripts of the prophet Jeremiah's writings have confirmed that the prophet's original words were likely confined to just the eleventh verse of Chapter 29 found in modern Bible translations, with all other parts of the book being forgeries, Bible experts announced Wednesday.

Clarifying the Beatitudes

Below is a link to a great sermon about the Beatitudes. Unlike the other sermons on my blog, we didn't find it online, we heard it preached live and in person on a Sunday morning! (And it sounded pretty good because I just finished tweaking the sound system.) The church is Saint Matthias Anglican Church in Oakdale, California and the pastor is John Roberts. If you enjoy the sermon and want to visit, let me know and we'll save you a seat right next to us! You can find more sermons on the church website.  

Sermon Cloud 1/15/17 Clarifying the Beatitudes (Matthew 4:23-5:16) Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 4:23-5:16 - English Standard Version

Book Recommendation

Are there any avid readers following my blog? If you like what you are listening to and want a good book to read about the central massage of the Bible, I recommend this book. I found it to be interesting, thoughtful, and well written. Used copies are available for less than $3.00! Happy reading!

Law and Gospel: A Theology for Sinners (and Saints)

The Steadfast Love of the Lord Never Ceases

This is a wonderful sermon on the unpopular subjects of suffering and lamenting. The lexionary text is Lamentations 3:19-26, but Jamie Howison gives us a broader look at the entire book.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases? | Jeremiah's stubborn hope - saint benedict's table Bible Gateway passage: Lamentations 3:19-26 - English Standard Version

Blood On The Floor

I've been thinking a lot about forgiveness lately. Maybe it's because I need it more than I'd like to admit or that I struggle with giving it as freely as I have received it, but I also see so many hurting relationships around me that desperately cry out for forgiveness. I am reminded of this quote:

 In order for forgiveness to really happen, something has to die. Whether it's your expectations of a person, or your idea about who you are. There has to be a death for forgiveness to happen...where forgiveness is easy, and love is easy, there's not enough blood on the floor to make sense of that. -Brené Brown

In Christianity the blood on the floor is Jesus' blood, and after we receive His forgiveness for our sin, He says take up your cross and follow me. Apparently forgiving others is going to cost us something too. But any dying we do in forgiving others, serves to crucifies our flesh and reminds us we are already dead and Jesus is our life. The act of forgiving others is no less God's gift to us than the forgiveness He shows to us. Both are drawing us closer to Him and to each other.

Below is a link to a video interview with Brene' Brown that includes the above quote as part of her personal testimony. I think it's worth the time to listen to.

Brene' Brown Returns to Church (and Finds Jesus Weeping)

Government

Here is a good sermon appropriate for the season. It was preached in the fall of 2008 by William Cwirla. Below the audio player is a link to the Biblical text and a manuscript of the sermon.




Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

Laying Down The Law

Below is a blog post about the purpose of the law. It will give you an interesting perspective on those new year's resolutions you made and what can actually change your life...the Gospel! This isn't a one-off. Grunewald has a great blog and some other resources. Here is a link with some recommended reading from his blog. Happy New Years!

What We Want the Law to Do That It Can't Do