John 17:20-26 Sermon Commentary
Easter 7C
This section of Jesus’s lengthy prayer in John 17 is a good summary of the whole: it reveals the heart and intent behind the prayer, as well as what’s at stake. Given the fact that along with pastoring I’m currently working on a PhD in the History of Christianity, I consider myself someone a little…
Acts 16:16-34 Sermon Commentary
Easter 7C
Seeing Double A unique aspect of Luke’s writing—both in the Gospel as well as the book of Acts—is the way he pairs stories. Placing two characters back-to-back we are meant to wonder what makes them different. Usually, it’s all kinds of social, economic, political, religious demographic factors intended to demonstrate that, ordinarily, these two people…
Psalm 97 Sermon Commentary
Easter 7C
Very near the center of Psalm 97 in verse 7 we find a curious turn of phrase. It actually looks almost like some fractured syntax. First we are told that all those who worship images are put to shame. Well and good. But then comes a line without a verb and that seems almost to…
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 Sermon Commentary
Easter 7C
The Bible’s closing verses that make up this Sunday’s Epistolary Lesson offer a virtual embarrassment of theological riches. Preachers who wish to explore some of those themes might refer to earlier commentaries on the CEP website from 2o22 and 2016. But among the most prominent themes of these select verses from Revelation 22 is that…
Acts 16:9-15 Sermon Commentary
Easter 6C
Commentary: Not What I Had in Mind I wonder what it was that drew Paul and his companions toward Mysia, Bithynia, etc. Importing modern church planting strategy, one imagines they did market research, they had developed relationships with potential leaders interested in helping them develop a new ministry. Perhaps as they walked the 2-3 weeks…
Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5 Sermon Commentary
Easter 6C
At this time of the year in the northern hemisphere light plays an increasingly significant role in creation. The length of our days is expanding, and the length of our nights is shrinking. With that expansion and shrinkage comes a lift in the spirits of the many people for whom darkness can be emotionally difficult….
Psalm 67 Sermon Commentary
Easter 6C
You don’t see it in Bible translations much anymore these days other than in a footnote. But when I was a child, I recall seeing the word Selah pretty often in the Book of Psalms in the Bible version we used at Ada Christian Reformed Church. I don’t recall if I ever asked my parents…
John 14:23-29 Sermon Commentary
Easter 6C
“I do not give to you as the world gives.” – Jesus Our lectionary passage this week is Jesus’s response to a disciples’ question. Jesus has been talking about the coming Holy Spirit and how he will reveal himself to his disciples even though he is no longer with them. And one of them basically…
Acts 11:1-18 Sermon Commentary
Easter 5C
Illustration/Worship Idea: To start the sermon this week, consider making a big announcement that, effective immediately, all of people’s beloved traditions and favorite programs are canceled. Worship, Music, small groups, Sunday school, service projects. Every church has their own canon of beloved things. Name them and announce you are canceling them. That’s not how we…
Sermon Commentary Library
Our weekly sermon commentaries are Lectionary-based, which across its three-year cycle, encompass a vast array of biblical texts. Filter the Sermon Commentary Library to search Scripture texts by book and chapter to find commentary, illustrations, and reflections to spark ideas.
Looking for something else? View our Heidelberg Catechism sermon resources and our Reformed Connections to the RCL section that traces Lectionary texts to specific parts of the Heidelberg Catechism and the Belgic Confession.