Text Sermons
If the Journey is True, Can the Destination Be False? (Mark 8: 11-21)
Years ago, in a small French village, a Roman Catholic priest finally gained appointment as bishop at the relatively late age of 65, and was installed in a palatial house adjacent to a small, dilapidated hospital. After observing events in and around the hospital for...
“Lovers of the Cross Are Few” – Deacon ordination charge to Phil Nelson, Jane Self and Kristy Wilson (Matthew 10: 38-39)
Thomas Hemerken, better known to the world as Thomas a’ Kempis, was born late in the 14th century. Born of poor parents, he entered the monastery in 1399 and worked there for an astounding seventy-two years. He was widely known as a preacher and spiritual advisor, but...
Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15: 21)
“And they compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.” I have listened to numerous Easter cantatas and watched many Easter dramas, but none have ever mentioned Alexander and Rufus....
“For They Were Afraid” (Mark 16: 1-8)
All of the ancient manuscripts of the Gospel of Mark end with these words: “Entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, ‘Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was...
Dealing With What You Can’t Change ( Mark 10: 32-34; Mark 14: 32-36)
Some years ago, a U.S. Naval officer was aboard a ship engaged in a training exercise involving battleships performing maneuvers during several days of heavy weather. On one particularly foggy night he was stationed on the bridge of the ship, as was the commanding...