Sermon Commentary for Sunday

This Week's Commentary

Proper 11C

The Proper 11C Sermon Commentaries include reflection and illustration ideas for Luke 10:38-42 from the Lectionary Gospel; Amos 8:1-12 from the Old Testament Lectionary; Psalm 15 from the Lectionary Psalms; and Colossians 1:15-28 from the Lectionary Epistle.

Related Reformed confession: Lectionary Epistle: Heidelberg Catechism: Q&A 30 (Lord’s Day 11)

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Luke 10.38-42 Sermon Commentary

As soon as I read this week’s text, I remembered the last person who was described as sitting at the feet of Jesus: the Gerasene man after the demons were exorcised (Luke 8.26-37). If there is a place to be that is good, it is at God’s feet. At his feet, we are people who…

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Genesis 18:1-10 Sermon Commentary

Divine Revelation Genesis 18:1-10 is a duplicate telling of the same information—a technique quite familiar to the reader of Genesis.  Note, for example, the double telling of creation.  Biblical criticism accounts for this through the naming of various narrative voices in Hebrew Scripture.  Leaving that intensive evaluative technique aside for the moment, what we read…

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Psalm 15 Sermon Commentary

It’s quite the list. Is blameless (so commits no sin presumably) Does what is righteous Speaks the truth and so never lies Never slanders a neighbor or utters any kind of slur against anyone Despises the vile but honors the good Keeps promises no matter what it costs Gives interest-free money to the poor and…

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Colossians 1:15-28 Sermon Commentary

My maternal grandfather had to drop out of school after completing the sixth grade in order to help his widowed mother provide for his ten siblings. Yet while his formal education was limited, my Grandpa Steenbergen remained a lifelong learner. His almost insatiable appetite for learning made him a voracious reader. One of the books…

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Sermon Commentary From Other Lectionary Cycles

Luke 10:38-42 Sermon Commentary

Proper 11C

Few things are easier than taking a portion of Scripture, isolating it from its original context, and then using this now rarified, out-of-context pericope to serve as some universal statement. This brief lection from Luke 10:38-42 is a classic example. How many times hasn’t this gospel snippet been used to prove that hearing the word…

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Luke 10:38-42 Sermon Commentary

Proper 11C

Few things are easier than taking a portion of Scripture, isolating it from its original context, and then using this now rarified, out-of-context pericope to serve as some universal statement.  (Think counted-cross-stitch wall hangings or Precious Moments figurines!)  This brief lection from Luke 10:38-42 is a classic example.  How many times hasn’t this gospel snippet…

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Psalm 15 Sermon Commentary

Proper 11C

Psalm 15 opens with a question that will trouble a lot of people in many congregations. It’s a question put to God. Now, questioning God is not a problem for most Christians these days. In fact, it’s much in vogue. Folks like David Dark speak eloquently about the necessity of asking questions if our faith…

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