Let’s take a trip through time through four different time periods. There are four different witnesses who all come to the same conclusion. 1. Plato 375 BC Plato once wrote, “If a perfectly moral man entered this world, he would be humiliated and impaled.” This quote comes from Plato’s Republic, centuries before crucifixion became a…
I was re-reading a biography on Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the events leading up to World War II. Here is what I found most interesting. In the early 1930’s Germany was struggling. Their economy was bad. People were struggling. They thought their government had let them down. Their future appeared bleak. It was in this moment…
When you hear the words “RADICAL GRACE” you might think that is a cliché or a marketing ploy to get someone’s attention. But radical grace from Jesus is real. It is as real and available today as it was when Jesus walked the earth. Radical grace erases the past, smooths out the present and gives…
This past weekend, we began our annual sermon series on our mission statement at Community Lutheran Church. Our mission statement is in four parts. We are REAL PEOPLE, who follow an INCLUSIVE GOD, who gives RADICAL GRACE so that we can be on path of INSPIRED GROWTH. This past week, Pastor Brian preached on the…
Well, it is Holy Week. I am currently buried in the details of this week — worship planning, services, logistics, writing sermons, writing this article and the hundred other small things that have to happen between now and Easter Sunday. That is a lot of little things. I am not complaining at all, I love…
Last year, I preached about the word “Christ.” An untranslated word in our English translation Bibles. I wondered why this word “Christ” remained untranslated for centuries? I think I finally understand why. Christ means “anointed one.” The “chosen one”. The question is, “What was Jesus anointed or chosen to do?” In the Old Testament, there…
I’ve been reflecting on the importance of, if not the holy imperative of repentance. What caused this reflection on my part? Because of all the evil things I’ve read in the news recently. Not to diminish smaller sins, but the news I have been reading this past week contains people doing really bad and horrible…
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 You might read that and think, “This doesn’t apply to me. I am not a slave.” That word slave can trigger a lot of emotions for a…
Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart…
Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount… “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder (Exodus 20:13), and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, if you…
