Preachrblog

  Luke 19:28–40 “The Messiah Comes to Save” A blessed Advent season to you.   Advent means “coming”, and of course Christmas is coming – and for many it’s been here since November 1 st , especially in our ants-in-the-pants American culture. But the Church is more patient and orderly.   We take our time approach the celebration of Christ’s birth.   And so, the season of Advent.   A mournful longing that takes us back to join the Old Testament people of God who prayed and waited and watched for the fulfilling of God’s messianic promise.   And much like Lent strikes a sober and even somber note of repentance which prepares us for the seriousness of Holy Week and the joy of Easter – Advent makes us liturgically ready for Christmas joy and celebration. Advent also carries forward the reminder that yes, Christ has come, and yes, Christ is coming again!   Once he came in humility as the Babe of Bethlehem.   But his Second Advent is at hand – he w...

“Christ the King” John 18:33-37 This Sunday, the Last Sunday in the Church Year, is observed by some, especially in the last 50-60 years, as “Christ the King Sunday”.   And while you see we haven’t called it that on our bulletin, the idea of Christ as King is clear in the cover art – There he is, seated on his throne, with angels attending him, and the caption is from our Gospel reading, “The Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” Even if we don’t formally call it “Christ the King Sunday”, there is good reason on this day at the end of the church year, to not only focus on the end of this world and Christ’s second coming – but to remember that Christ is our king.   For he reigns in glory in heaven now – and when he returns it will be as triumphant and glorious as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.   So a bit of a topical sermon this morning – as we consider Christ the King. The alternate Gospel reading for Christ the King Sunday will serve as my te...

Mark 13:1-13 Don’t be led astray.   Endure to the end. For the ancient Jews, like Jesus’ disciples, they had few experiences of awe as stunning as coming to the temple.   This temple in Jerusalem was built 500 years ago in the time of Ezra, had been renovated and expanded by the famous builder-king Herod the Great, yes the same one who tried to have Jesus killed as in infant.   Most of the work Herod did was completed in just 3 years, but ongoing construction continued for about 80 years.   It wasn’t completed until 67AD, just three years before the Romans destroyed the temple in 70AD. But for simple Galilean fishermen and their friends, it was an impressive sight.   Huge white stones were featured, which would have dwarfed temple goers.   Some of these stones were 45 feet high and weighed 500-600 tons. Herod’s construction was magnificent and it far exceeded even the specifications God gave for first temple that was built during the glory days of...

  “Reformation Truth” A blessed and joyous Reformation Day to you.   This special Sunday is observed, particularly in Lutheran churches, because of the historical significance of October 31 st , 1517.   An Augustinian monk named Martin Luther posted 95 theses, or statements for debate on the castle church door in Wittenburg Germany. And while it seems that something 500 years ago is far off and might be well forgotten, we give thanks to God not so much for a man named Luther, but what the Lord of the Church accomplished through him and the other reformers. Oh sure there are many ways to look at the Reformation.   You could see it as a great story of standing up for what you believe in against powerful institutions.   Or a tale about the courage of one’s convictions.   Or the triumph of the individual over the giant faceless bureaucracy.   But that’s not really why we still set aside a whole Sunday for this. You see Reformation Day is all about ...