Commentary posted on April 20, 2015

Easter 4B Sermon Commentary

 

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John 10:11-18 Sermon Commentary

Easter 4B

Comments and Observations: Today we don’t have shepherds in the wider society. Today we have managers. But shepherds and managers are not the same. Whenever Jesus uses the pastoral image of a shepherd for himself, the point is nearly always the same: as the good shepherd of his sheep, he will risk his life and…

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Psalm 23 Sermon Commentary

Easter 4B

Comments and Observations Psalm 23 is so familiar, so ingrained in historic American culture that those who preach and teach may feel intimidated by it.  After all, it’s the psalm that characters as diverse as Katherine Hepburn in Rooster Cogburn and the hip-hop artist Coolio in “Gangsta’s Paradise” utilize.  Pastors and others have also probably…

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1 John 3:16-24 Sermon Commentary

Easter 4B

Comments and Observations Rarely is taking a test a joyful experience, but the author of I John has woven four tests into his letter/sermon designed to bring his readers joy.  “We write this to make our (yours and mine?) joy complete.”  (I John 1:4) The way to complete joy, he says, is to be sure…

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Acts 4:5-12 Sermon Commentary

Easter 4B

Comments and Observations If only the Common Lectionary had gone on just one more verse! Stopping shy of verse 13 deprives us from seeing one of the great passages of the Bible. Because it is there that the ruling authorities—who are seeking to hush up the apostles—find themselves powerfully impressed that the people doing all…

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