Isaiah 9:1-4 Sermon Commentary
Epiphany 3A
Illustration It may feel strange to be preaching Isaiah 9—a quintessentially Christmas text—a full month after the holiday has passed. Surely decorations are put away, the tree is in a woodchopper somewhere, making mulch for next spring and our lives have gone back to “normal,” whatever that means. But, rereading Isaiah 9 in late January…
1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Sermon Commentary
Epiphany 3A
This Sunday’s Epistolary Lesson’s opening plea almost sounds like it might have been clipped out of a 2026 church newsletter, denominational communication or Christian magazine. In verse 10, after all, Paul writes: “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another…
Matthew 4:12-23 Sermon Commentary
Epiphany 3A
This is a different version, or perhaps we could say a similar story, to the discipleship calling narrative we had in the Gospel of John last week. Some of the same players are here though, even if in lesser roles: John the Baptist looms in the background and Andrew and his brother Simon Peter are…
Psalm 27:1, 4-9 Sermon Commentary
Epiphany 3A
The Lectionary is known for chopping up psalms and other passages. Sometimes the reasons are painfully obvious: we need to brush past sentiments about wicked people and pleas for God to deal with them severely. Let’s keep the Jesus who says nice things but bracket out his calling down woes on Chorazin and such. In…
Psalm 40:1-11 Sermon Commentary
Epiphany 2A
Psalm 40 is certainly one of the more curious of the psalms. The first 11 verses (which is all the Lectionary is directing us to) comprise an upbeat song of thanksgiving and praise to God. The psalmist claims to have waited patiently for God to come through for him and then God did. He lifted…
1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Sermon Commentary
Epiphany 2A
It can be tempting for some Christians to assume that ministers of the Word and sacrament, as well as missionaries are the only people God ever calls. When pastors share that assumption, it can easily get us into some binds. Among them is the question, “Where exactly is God calling me to do ministry?” At…
John 1:29-42 Sermon Commentary
Epiphany 2A
A theme in the Gospel of John is that of testimony, or being a reliable witness. Throughout the whole text, Jesus is establishing himself as needing no other witness. Here at the beginning of the narrative, we see John pointing to this reality through his own witness, supported by the witness of the prophecy he…
Isaiah 49:1-7 Sermon Commentary
Epiphany 2A
Illustration “Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists in two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves.” Knowledge of God, of course, sounds noble enough but that knowledge of ourselves? Does it strike you as a little pop-psychology? Kind-of self-help-y and postmodern? Where does that quotation…
Isaiah 42:1-9 Sermon Commentary
Epiphany 1A
Illustration As a matter of visuals in the sanctuary or maybe as content for a children’s message, consider bringing in a bouquet of flowers in a vase, but bending one so that it sticks out at a strange angle. Perhaps consult with a florist in your congregation on methods they can use to support a…
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.