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Matthew 16:13-20 Sermon Commentary
Proper 16A
Comments, Questions, and Observations We continue in the borderlands of the north this week, but this time we’re a little more firmly located in Israel in the district of Caesarea-Philippi. Both Matthew and Mark (8.27-30) highlight the location of this famous conversation, whereas Luke (9.18-20) helps us understand its heavenly prompt. In all three synoptics,…
Psalm 138 Sermon Commentary
Proper 16A
Years ago I read a wonderful novel by Indian writer Arundhati Roy and one of the things I liked about the book was its great title: The God of Small Things. That title can be an apt summary for something you run across often in the psalms, including in Psalm 138. Israel praised their God…
Exodus 1:8-2:10 Sermon Commentary
Proper 16A
Comments, Questions and Observations: On Pharaoh Over time, we’ll see Pharaoh’s heart become hardened, which means that, at some point and in some way, his heart was tender and open. How does a person like that come to the conclusion that having infants murdered and people enslaved and oppressed is a good idea? That seems…
Romans 12:1-8 Sermon Commentary
Proper 16A
The Spirit’s work doesn’t just change Jesus’ followers’ view of God. It also transforms the way God’s dearly beloved people think of our neighbor. The Spirit transforms Christians from those who seek only our own interests into people who the Spirit equips to also seek the well-being of the people around us. Quite simply, the…
Commentary posted on August 27, 2023
Proper 16A Sermon Commentary
The Proper 16A Sermon Commentaries include reflection and illustration ideas for Matthew 16:13-20 from the Lectionary Gospel; Exodus 1:8-2:10 from the Old Testament Lectionary; Psalm 138 from the Lectionary Psalms; and Romans 12:1-8 from the Lectionary Epistle.
Related Reformed confession: Lectionary Gospel: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 84 (Lord’s Day 31)