Preachrblog

In general, I think that the person unfamiliar with the Bible might be surprised to find out some of what is in it.  There are all manner of stories of abuse and deceit, betrayals and conspiracies, family dysfunction and plot lines that would be rated R if they were in a modern movie.  Many times, these things are even perpetrated by believers!  And so we can see that the Scriptures do not paint some lily-white, idyllic version of reality, but because they are entirely trustworthy and true, you can find even some of the darkest deeds of human nature in those pages.  You can find some of the most sinister and malevolent characters.  The Bible doesn’t sugar coat a thing. One of those bad guys is Herod.  Herod the Great, here, the one in charge during the days of Christ’s nativity.  This Herod was called great because of his many building projects and worldly accomplishments.  But he was also great – at being bad.  His paranoia and lust for...

Week 3 -   Bathsheba and Mary – Mothers of the Son of David We’ve looked at Eve and Sarah, mothers of promise, as well as Rahab and Ruth, mothers from the nations.   Tonight we consider two women who share a common distinction, but otherwise might at first seem very different – Bathsheba and Mary.   But as we look closer, we’ll see that they maybe aren’t that different at all.   Nor are we, who are also in Christ, the Son of David. Bathsheba:   2 Samuel 11:1-5; 26-27 Bathsheba’s tale is a sordid story of adultery, unplanned pregnancy, conspiracy and murder, followed by a cover-up.   We didn’t hear all of the gory details this evening, but even Scripture doesn’t spell out every last detail – but leaves some to our imagination. One debate that continues to run is what was Bathsheba’s culpability in the whole affair?   How much of a victim was she?   How much of a seductress?   Did she act out of fear before a powerful man, or ...

The Mothers of Jesus – Midweek Advent Series 2019 “Mothers from the Nations” We’re continuing our series on the “Mothers of Jesus” which began last week with the “Mothers of Promise”, Eve and Sarah, who shared a common thread.  They both received promises about their offspring and looked to God in faith for fulfillment.  Through these women, God would move forward his plan of salvation,that would culminate with the birth of his own son in Bethlehem. Today we are focusing on two other mothers from Jesus’ family tree, Rahab and Ruth.  Let’s call them, “Mothers from the nations”, since both of these women had their origins outside of 12 tribes of Israel.  Rahab was a Canaanite, a resident of Jericho.  And Ruth was from Moab, one of the neighboring nations. We know the central place the Israelites, and especially the tribe of Judah had in salvation history.  We know who they grew from a large family to small nation during their time of bondage in Egypt....

Matthew 3:1-12 "Vipers and Fruit, Sandals and Fire" Our annual Advent visit with John the Baptist comes almost like that odd relative that we see at the holiday family gathering.  We know and love him, but we aren’t always sure what to make of him and his odd ways.  Strange clothing, strange diet, strange living arrangement – but all of that seems designed to get your attention.  What’s really notable about John is his message.  He’s the voice, after all, of one crying in the wilderness ‘Prepare the way of the Lord…’ And at the heart of John’s message is a call to repentance.  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. Repent.  It’s a hard word.  An unpopular word, perhaps even in the church. Did you know that Advent, as a season, is meant to be a penitential time, a season of repentance?  Sorrow for sin, and renewal of faith – that’s how the church prepares for its major celebrations.  Advent is, in this way, of a similar to...

The Mothers of Jesus – Midweek Advent Series 2019 “Mothers of Promise” This Advent for our midweek series, we will be looking in on 6 women from the Old Testament who share an important distinction.  Each of them is a mother in the long line of the Messianic lineage.  Through each of them, and the children they bore, God carried forward his plan of salvation and ultimately brought forth Jesus Christ the Savior of the world. We will see various aspects of sin and grace in each of these women – and hopefully also draw connections with ourselves.  And through it all give thanks to the Lord who never forgets his promises, but always works to fulfill them – whether through the rise and fall of nations – by the mighty deeds of famous and powerful men – or through the humble and common vocation of motherhood. Each week, we will consider two women under a common theme, and tonight we look at Eve and Sarah – both “mothers of promise”.  For each of these women received ...

“The Prophet fulfills Prophecy” Matthew 21:1-11 Once again the church year begins anew with the season of Advent, which simply means “coming”.  Of course, Christ is the one that is coming.  We anticipate the celebration of his birth – Christmas is coming.  We anticipate his second coming in glory on the Last Day.  And today, a Gospel reading about Jesus coming in another way – coming into the city of Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, to the great adulation of the crowds.  They greet him with Hosannas and the moniker “Son of David”.  But this coming is humble and for not for purposes of conquering, but of dying.  He comes as Messiah, yes, but what does that mean? One of the blessings of the Advent season is that it sinks us a little deeper into the Old Testament.  We focus a little bit more, it seems, on the longing of the ancient people of God for their salvation to appear.  Their many years of waiting in faith for the promises of God to...