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John 17:20-26
Easter 7C
This section of Jesus’s lengthy prayer in John 17 is a good summary of the whole: it reveals the heart and intent behind the prayer, as well as what’s at stake. Given the fact that along with pastoring I’m currently working on a PhD in the History of Christianity, I consider myself someone a little…
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…
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21
Easter 7C
The Bible’s closing verses that make up this Sunday’s Epistolary Lesson offer a virtual embarrassment of theological riches. Preachers who wish to explore some of those themes might refer to earlier commentaries on the CEP website from 2o22 and 2016. But among the most prominent themes of these select verses from Revelation 22 is that…
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…
John 14:23-29
Easter 6C
“I do not give to you as the world gives.” – Jesus Our lectionary passage this week is Jesus’s response to a disciples’ question. Jesus has been talking about the coming Holy Spirit and how he will reveal himself to his disciples even though he is no longer with them. And one of them basically…
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…
John 13:31-35
Easter 5C
How confusing this all must have been for the disciples. During the supper that they’ve just shared, Jesus has taken on the role of a servant and washed their feet—an act he tells them should be part of what they do for one another (verses 1-17). Then Jesus starts to speak of belonging to him…
Revelation 21:1-6
Easter 5C
When I was in seminary, we studied the appropriate “ologies,” including the theology of the last things. We discussed theories of the when’s and how’s of Christ’s return, as well as the Last Judgment. Yet my professors, fellow students and I spent almost no time talking about the new earth and heaven. Such neglect is,…
John 10:22-30
Easter 4C
After two weeks of post-resurrection Easter encounters, the lectionary always brings us back to pre-Easter events and to Jesus’s teachings about the new life he envisioned for his beloved. We start here at the Festival of Lights/Dedication or as it is more well-known today, Hannukah. It is a gift to return to these texts during…
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…
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