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Mark 9:30-37 Sermon Commentary
Proper 20B
Verses 30-37 in Mark 9 provide us a very clear picture of a human response to fear and confusion: changing the subject instead of taking the risk to look foolish. Who likes to look dumb? Worse yet, it was just last week when we heard Peter speak up and “question” Jesus, and where did that…
Psalm 54 Sermon Commentary
Proper 20B
In TV shows and movies—often as part of a comedic scene but sometimes in a more serious vein too—we have all seen the musical and visual effect that signals someone is having a flashback of a memory or is getting ready to recount something from his or her past. As you can see in the…
Proverbs 31:10-31 Sermon Commentary
Proper 20B
What are we to make of this conclusion to Proverbs? In the past some women saw it as a kind of blueprint for life and so were honored if they could be seen as fitting this profile of the “wife of noble character.” Not surprisingly, more recent times have witnessed other reactions. Some now more-or-less…
James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a Sermon Commentary
Proper 20B
My friend whom I’ll call Wayne is struggling to submit to God (4:7) right now. In fact, that struggle has produced a fairly deep crisis of faith in him. Yet to Wayne’s credit, he’s honest enough to share that struggle with me as well as seek my help in becoming more submissive to God. Wayne…
Commentary posted on September 13, 2021
Proper 20B Sermon Commentary
The Proper 20B Sermon Starters include commentary and illustration ideas for Mark 9:30-37 from the Lectionary Gospel; Proverbs 31:10-31 from the Old Testament Lectionary; Psalm 54 from the Lectionary Psalms; and James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a from the Lectionary Epistle.
Related Reformed confession: Lectionary Psalm: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 114 (Lord’s Day 44)