Category Archives: Sermons

Jesus said: “I Am the Door” (John 10:1-10)

When Eddie came to Jesus, he thought that having fun was a thing of the past. From now on it would be Bible reading, prayer, and boring church services until he died and went to heaven. Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Encouragement, Faith, Sermons, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Good Shepherd 2 (John 10:11-18)

Being mistaken for my brother was one thing. Being confused with the dog was another. (It’s true that we both had big feet and voracious appetites, and as I got older and let my hair and beard grow, I started to look like him. But still…) Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Encouragement, Faith, Sermons, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Good Shepherd, Part 1 (John 10)

Now, when did Jesus tell them? Where can you find that in the Bible? He told a woman in Samaria that he was the Messiah. But when did he tell these Judean leaders that he was their messiah? Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Faith, Sermons, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Light of the World, John 8:12 (video)

The Christian life was never about God making you more successful or more comfortable or healthier where you are. It is about taking you where you can be what you were made to be. Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Faith, Sermons, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Come, Eat, Believe and Live (John 6)

The first people who heard Jesus speak those words didn’t understand them either. Yet what is at stake here is life, a kind of life we don’t automatically possess but that will fulfill us as human beings… Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Encouragement, Faith, Sermons, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jesus: The Bread of Life (1) – John 6

It was a magical, Hogwarts School of Theology kind of teaching, but you can see where the idea came from. The rabbis believed that eating the manna would make people deathless, and in Isaiah, what does God do at the Great Banquet? He takes away death forever. Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Church, Faith, Sermons, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman – John 4 (a Sermon)

Relations between Jews and Samaritans were so bad at the time Jesus met the woman at the well, a Jew would insult another Jew by calling him a “Samaritan.” When some angry men called Jesus a devil-possessed Samaritan, it was the meanest thing they could think of to say. Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Encouragement, Faith, Sermons, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reason to Rejoice: Jesus, Genesis 1, and John 1

While we were talking, some noise and commotion caught our attention, and we looked up to see about 20 Senegalese men pointing at us and shouting the same word over and over. Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Encouragement, Faith, Sermons, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Interactive Story (Luke 5:27-29)

Life is absurd for everyone who refuses to merge his or her story into God’s story. If your storyline is not woven into his story, then all the suffering and loss – and even the happiness and success – are meaningless. Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Encouragement, Faith, Sermons, Theology, Wide Angle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When Christ Appears (“When” Is the Wrong Question)

I no longer debate such things, but back then, I did. I was armed to the teeth with prooftexts, like some kind of eschatological Rambo, ready to blow holes in your rapture and millennial theories, while you ran for cover. Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Faith, Sermons, Theology, Wide Angle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment