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Acts 2:14, 36-41
Easter 3A
Illustration I was, it may surprise some of you to learn, a theatre geek in high school. Of course I loved to be on stage performing for an audience (I know, right? Shocker.) But I also helped with costumes, did some stage managing and student directing. But my favorite part wasn’t the flush of pride,…
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Easter 2A
Commentary: Note: although this Lectionary text takes only a portion of Peter’s sermon, this commentary reaches to both sides a bit to make some general comments on the content of the sermon as well as the kind of people/the nature of the church it intends to birth. Qualities of a Spirit-Filled Sermon What does a…
Acts 10:34-43
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…
Acts 2:1-21/Genesis 11:1-9
Pentecost
The people of the earth have just been through it. The whole of their lives drowned in a flood. Because of their wickedness. And because God is a Holy God, God is not afraid to punish wickedness. But now that God has set the people on dry ground, they are still a little shook. So…
Acts 16:16-34
Easter 7C
Seeing Double A unique aspect of Luke’s writing—both in the Gospel as well as the book of Acts—is the way he pairs stories. Placing two characters back-to-back we are meant to wonder what makes them different. Usually, it’s all kinds of social, economic, political, religious demographic factors intended to demonstrate that, ordinarily, these two people…
Acts 16:9-15
Easter 6C
Commentary: Not What I Had in Mind I wonder what it was that drew Paul and his companions toward Mysia, Bithynia, etc. Importing modern church planting strategy, one imagines they did market research, they had developed relationships with potential leaders interested in helping them develop a new ministry. Perhaps as they walked the 2-3 weeks…
Acts 11:1-18
Easter 5C
Illustration/Worship Idea: To start the sermon this week, consider making a big announcement that, effective immediately, all of people’s beloved traditions and favorite programs are canceled. Worship, Music, small groups, Sunday school, service projects. Every church has their own canon of beloved things. Name them and announce you are canceling them. That’s not how we…
Acts 9:36-43
Easter 4C
Last week we heard the story of Saul’s conversion. Then, in the next part of the story (which the Lectionary omits) Saul travels to Jerusalem, with a stop in Damascus where, according to verse 20, “At once he began to preach…” Before moving on to Peter in this morning’s text, let’s spare a thought for…
Acts 9:1-20
Easter 3C
The reliable Jewish world of the 1st century is showing unfamiliar cracks. It has always had a tenuous relationship with Rome and there were always pipsqueaks on a soapbox teaching this or that quirky take on the Torah. But the seismic activity rippling out from the teaching and death of Jesus has got the establishment…
Acts 5:27-32
Easter 2C
Note:Reviewing old sermon notes, I realized I last preached this text for my congregation in Washington DC in 2019. Thereis a lot of contextualization having to do with Christians working as civil servants for the United States federal government. I am going to leave that in place since, six years later, it sadly seems all…
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