Commentary posted on January 1, 2018

Epiphany 1B Sermon Commentary

 

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Mark 1:4-11 Sermon Commentary

Epiphany 1B

Fans of Peter Jackson’s films in The Lord of the Rings trilogy will recall the opening sequence in the final film, The Return of the King.  As the movie opens, we are taken back hundreds of years from the main action of the trilogy to the time when Smeagol finds the Ring of power, murdering…

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Psalm 29 Sermon Commentary

Epiphany 1B

The Revised Common Lectionary chooses this Psalm for this first Sunday after the Epiphany of Christ in all three years of its reading cycle.  Clearly the Lectionary sees Psalm 29 as a parallel to the baptism of Jesus, because in both the voice of God rings out over the waters.  Psalm 29 shows us an…

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Acts 19:1-7 Sermon Commentary

Epiphany 1B

Some of us have had the experience of being challenged as to whether we have really received the baptism of the Holy Spirit or not.  Speaking in tongues is not something I have ever experienced, and while I have no reason to doubt the authenticity of those who have received that gift, its lack in…

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Genesis 1:1-5 Sermon Commentary

Epiphany 1B

Questions about the “beginning” (1) of the universe, earth and people intrigue at least some of us.  So God’s people sometimes turn to passages like Genesis 1:1-5 for answers to those questions.  Yet wise people also ask whether Genesis is even interested in those increasingly divisive issues. To honestly answer questions about creation’s beginnings, God’s…

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