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Rev. Douglas Bratt is a Minister of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church in North America. After serving Christian Reformed churches in Iowa, Michigan and Maryland, he retired in July, 2024. He enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, reading good literature, and watching televised sports in his free time.
Doug began writing sermon commentaries for the CEP website in 2006 and started writing weekly in 2012.
1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16)
Commentary
Epiphany 5A
In last week’s Epistolary Lesson commentary I suggested that preachers who feel called to proclaim 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 might consider entitling their message “Good News for Ordinary Christians.” This week I’d offer that preachers who proclaim 1 Corinthians 2 might consider entitling their message “Good News for Ordinary Gospel Proclaimers.” The faithful proclamation of the…
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Commentary
Epiphany 4A
If I were to preach on this Sunday’s Epistolary Lesson, I might entitle my message, “Good News For Ordinary People.” In this text, after all, Paul doesn’t primarily address the “100 Most Influential Christians.” He doesn’t even speak to that roster of preachers that seem to get invited to present at nearly every preaching conference….
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Commentary
Epiphany 3A
This Sunday’s Epistolary Lesson’s opening plea almost sounds like it might have been clipped out of a 2026 church newsletter, denominational communication or Christian magazine. In verse 10, after all, Paul writes: “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another…
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Commentary
Epiphany 2A
It can be tempting for some Christians to assume that ministers of the Word and sacrament, as well as missionaries are the only people God ever calls. When pastors share that assumption, it can easily get us into some binds. Among them is the question, “Where exactly is God calling me to do ministry?” At…
Acts 10:34-43
Commentary
Epiphany 1A
Few accusations carry more emotional wallop than that of favoritism. Some children hurt their parents by accusing them of favoring one child over another. How many employees haven’t at least quietly suspected their bosses were playing favorites with some of their workers? At least this Sunday’s Epistolary Lesson’s Peter has the courage to admit he’d…
Ephesians 1:3-14
Commentary
Christmas 2A
Is there a better way to begin anything, including a new year, than by talking about blessing? Paul might have seemed to think so. He, after all, begins this Sunday’s Epistolary Lesson with three references to the Greek combination of eu and logos that’s often translated as some form of the English word “blessed.” In…
Hebrews 2:10-18
Commentary
Christmas 1A
By this Sunday at least some of us will have finished our Christmas celebrations. We’ll have opened our gifts and boxed our ornaments, as well as put away our trees, lights and creches. Even some of Jesus’ friends who haven’t yet finished celebrating Jesus’ birth have turned our attention from the baby Jesus (back) toward…
Romans 1:1-7
Commentary
Advent 4A
When I read this Sunday’s Epistolary Lesson, I think of the English Standard Version’s translation of John 1:16: “From [Christ’s) fullness we have all received grace upon grace” (italics mine). Since Paul layers Romans 1 with grace upon grace in both obvious and subtle ways, it offers preachers an opportunity to explore how God’s grace…
James 5:7-10
Commentary
Advent 3A
Except in response to various crises, I don’t hear many Christians express impatience for Jesus’ return. Most of Jesus’ friends who I know (including, candidly, me) would just as soon Jesus wait a while to come again. After all, for many of us life on this side of the new creation can, at its best,…
Romans 15:4-13
Commentary
Advent 2A
My wife and I recently accepted our friends’ invitation to join them in their home for supper on Friday night. At first glance, little seems to be unusual about that. We have, after all, joined our friends for no fewer than 10 meals over the course of our 10-year friendship. We are very comfortable in…
About Doug Bratt