Whom to fear…

"Do not fear those that can kill the body, but cannot kill the soul."  Christ is instructing his disciples in the tenth chapter of the book of Matthew.  The disciples would face persecution for what they believed, taught and preached.  We are fortunate not to live under such a threat.  Christ knew what his first …

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few….

A crowd of people had gathered around Christ and he had compassion for them.  What was it he felt.....He was moved because they were like sheep without a shepherd.  Many of the first century Jews were lost, harassed, troubled and vulnerable.  Life was hard.  Few could read or write.  Those in leadership positions in the …

Let the one without sin throw the first stone….

"Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."  Christ's statement to the scribes and Pharisees that presented an anonymous female adulteress before him in the temple. The guilt and shame this woman must have felt, the anxiety she must have experienced.  She was probably well aware …

Abide in me.

  Christ is the true vine.  God the Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear even more fruit.  Abide in me and I will abide in you.  Those that abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. …

The work of the Holy Spirit….

  "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.  This is the spirit of truth."  This passage is from the 14th chapter of John.  Christ is speaking of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit …

I’ve always struggled with acceptance….

I’ve always struggled with acceptance.  I’m afraid I always will.  I think one of the greatest fears humans experience is the fear and painful sting of rejection.  It keeps many from stepping out of their comfort zone.  It paralyzes us with fear. Those that step into leadership positions, either by a calling or through their …

Eyes to see…

Two of Christ's followers were walking to Emmaus.  They were discussing all that had happened when Christ began walking with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.  Being blind to God's presence happened in biblical times and still does today.  Mary Magdalene didn't recognize him standing before her in the garden tomb and …

For this reason….

Ephesians 3:14-20   “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.  I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ …

I’ve got to do better.

As I sat through last night's Good Friday service that I was a part of it occurred to me that I've got to be better.  If my preaching truly did justice to the gospel the church I serve would be overflowing with people.  I've got to do better, we've got to do better. How did …

Who is Christ

"Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest!" the crowds shouted as Christ triumphantly entered the holy city of Jerusalem for the last time.  Save us, grant us blessing in the highest places.  The Jewish people were a conquered people, they carried the brutal weight of the Romans on their back.  They would be saved. The whole city shook …