Commentary posted on August 14, 2017

Proper 15A Sermon Commentary

 

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Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 Sermon Commentary

Proper 15A

Years ago F.F. Bruce published a book titled The Hard Sayings of Jesus.   That title prompted a friend of mine to comment, “Hard sayings?  I didn’t know there were any easy ones!” But, of course, it is true that some of what Jesus had to say was easier to puzzle out than some other things. …

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Psalm 133 Sermon Commentary

Proper 15A

This tiny, jewel-like Psalm is perfectly suited to our times.  Its wise words about the blessings of unity need to be heard and believed and practiced.  But even the best preacher will struggle with this little nugget, for two reasons.  First, our world is so divided that even the most eloquent sermon will sound like…

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Romans 11:1-2a, 25-32 Sermon Commentary

Proper 15A

If you have read my posts here on the Center for Excellence in Preaching website somewhat regularly over the years, then you know I am frequently a bit flummoxed at the text choices made by the folks who oversee the Revised Common Lectionary.  Sometimes, though, when they skip over a chunk of a passage, you…

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Genesis 45:1-15 Sermon Commentary

Proper 15A

God always makes the dreams God gives God’s adopted sons and daughters come true.  Sometimes, however, it takes so long for that to happen that it seems that the dream, if not the dreamers, dies. As Genesis 45 opens, God has partially fulfilled Joseph’s dreams by putting him in charge of both Egypt and his…

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