A Famine Not of Bread

Click here to listen to this sermon.   14  A nd when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. 15  And immediately all the crowd, when they saw [Jesus], were greatly amazed and ran up to Him and greeted Him. 16  And He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17  And someone from the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought my son to You, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18  And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked Your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” 19  And He answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” 20  And they brought the boy to Him. And when the spirit saw Him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21  And Jesus asked his father, “How long ...

"The Transfiguration" by James Tissot Click here to listen to this sermon. After six days Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them, and His clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son; listen to Him.” And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, He charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead (Mark 9:2-9). Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus...

Click here to listen to this sermon. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Picture this scene. You pull up to the church. The lawn is littered with half-empty liquor bottles, beer cans, syringes, used needles, and various other items that you assume must be drug paraphernalia. You grab your child’s hand and pull him closer to you when you realize he’s reaching down to pick up one of those shiny objects. You try to direct his attention elsewhere. You don’t want to have to explain at this time what you see in front of the church, and you certainly don’t want him to get cut by broken glass or get poked by a dirty needle. A little further down the sidewalk, you find a pile of basketballs, soccer balls, baseballs, and softballs. You catch sight of the latest I-phones, I-pads, gaming systems, designer handbags, stock portfolio, big screen TVs, and the keys to a Cadillac Escalade just lying on the ground near the edge of the sidewalk. As you get near to t...

Click here to listen to this sermon. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea” (Mark 9:42). Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! There are certain things that you observe around you that let you know you’re in an election season. Campaign signs, mailers, televised debates, and endless commercials. And whether it’s a candidate or a proposition or school bond issue, one way they attempt to influence the voter is by making an appeal on behalf of the children. Candidates are pictured with children around them. Initiatives are promoted through children smiling and waving, perhaps even speaking words of their own scripted endorsement so that you, too, will support it. Either the person or the idea is presented as good because it is good for the children. And what kind of monster doesn’t want to do what is good for ...

"Transfiguration" by James I. Tissot Click here to listen to this sermon. “And after six days Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them, and His clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them” (Mark 9:2–3). Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! The word “epiphany” means a showing, a manifestation, or an appearance. Frequently the word represented the official visit of a prince or emperor. The root meaning came from “sunrise,” or “dawn,” and became associated with light. Consequently, the season of Epiphany is the time of the church year in which our readings, particularly the Gospel, focus on the revelation of Christ as true God. In each we get a small glimpse of the light of Christ’s glory. This is especially true this week with the Transfiguration of Our Lord. Fittingly, this last Sunday of Epiphany gives us the g...

Click here to listen to this sermon. [Jesus said:] “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched’” (Mark 9:42-48). Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! The last few weeks we’ve been reminded over and over how slow Jesus’ disciples are in getting the Good News of Jesus Christ. Jesus foretells His death and resurrection, and Peter ge...