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John 14:8-17 (25-27) Sermon Commentary
Though many of us return to Acts 2 for Pentecost, writing these gospel commentaries for the last number of years has made me appreciate the work of the Holy Spirit that much more. I mean, don’t get me wrong, flaming tongues are pretty cool to imagine—and a friend of mine once made a pretty rocking…
Acts 2:1-21/Genesis 11:1-9 Sermon Commentary
The people of the earth have just been through it. The whole of their lives drowned in a flood. Because of their wickedness. And because God is a Holy God, God is not afraid to punish wickedness. But now that God has set the people on dry ground, they are still a little shook. So…
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b Sermon Commentary
Let’s stipulate that the primary aim of preaching is not to condemn people or hurl about accusations and judgments. The primary aim of preaching is to proclaim the Good News that just is the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord. Even so, skipping over Psalm 104:35a as the Lectionary apparently would have us essentially do…
Romans 8:14-17 Sermon Commentary
No one should be surprised that the Revised Common Lectionary’s editors included Romans 8:14-17 in their “rotation” of Pentecost Sunday Epistolary Lessons. After all, on this Sunday on which the Church celebrates God’s gift of the Holy Spirit to all of God’s people, it speaks of the Spirit four times. In The Heidelberg Catechism Answer…
Sermon Commentary From Other Lectionary Cycles
Acts 2:1-21 Sermon Commentary
Pentecost
It was an annual holiday and so people knew what to expect. That’s how it goes with regularly occurring events. Yes, there can be minor variations but when it’s Christmastime, we all have our typical ways of celebrating the occasion and the same goes for Easter or Thanksgiving or even the Fourth of July. We…
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b Sermon Commentary
Pentecost
The singer Sting says he’ll be watching “every breath you take.” The pop group Berlin gave the original Top Gun movie its romantic lead theme music with its song “Take My Breath Away.” Taylor Swift has a whole album titled “Breathe” and its lead song says that after her love went away, she just cannot…
Acts 1:1-21 Sermon Commentary
Pentecost
It’s hard to remember a Pentecost Sunday on which the brokenness and division of the world into which God sent the Holy Spirit was on fuller display than 2023’s. So much pulls groups of people and nations apart that if people are to be united, something drastic must happen. Yet Luke begins his description of…
Sermon Commentary for Sunday
This Week's Commentary
Pentecost
The Pentecost C Sermon Commentaries include reflection and illustration ideas for John 14:8-17, (25-27) from the Lectionary Gospel; Acts 2:1-21 from the Old Testament Lectionary; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b from the Lectionary Psalms; and Romans 8:14-17 from the Lectionary Epistle.
Related Reformed confession: Lectionary Gospel: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 53 (Lord’s Day 20)