The “Rich Young Ruler” is a sermon interpretation of Mark 10: 17-31.  Wealth and generosity.   Money and abundant sharing.  Riches and giving it away.  The combination of these concepts are at the very heart of Jesus’ teaching.
The richest person in the world is the person who gives it away. Jesus teaches us to give away [...]

“Equal Partners” is a sermon interpretation of Mark 10: 2-16.
Sometimes and too often, the church gets into arguments about the issues of subordination and equality e.g. wives are to be subordinate to husband; women are to be subordinate to men.
In preparation for the sermon to today, I typed the words “Genesis 2:18” into my [...]

“How did it happen” is a sermon interpretation of Mark 9:38-50.
Jesus said, “Temptations, stumbling blocks, enticements are surely to come, but whoever causes one of these little ones to sin, it would be better that a giant millstone would be tied around their neck and they would be thrown into the heart of the sea.”
How [...]

“Whoever welcomes a child like this” is a story interpretation of Mark 9: 30-37.
Yesterday, I had a wedding and a funeral. I would like to share with you the story of the funeral. It was the funeral of Bill Grant who died at age 59 from pancreatic cancer. Bill was married to Mary for almost [...]

“Your mouth controls your personality” is a sermon interpretation of James 3: 1-12.  While the tongue may be small, it is very significant.
It is a small muscle but a mouthful of muscle. Just as a small rudder can guide a large ship. Would you all think of a large ship out in [...]

“Persistence Pays” is a sermon interpretation of Mark 7:24-37.  The persistence of the Greek woman pays off!  She has a sick kid and she will not give up until she gets help.  Any parent can relate to the determination of getting help for one’s child.  
It is that kind of persistence that is needed in [...]

“True Worship” contains some ideas and stories for a sermon on James 1:17-27.          
I would like to briefly share several stories that illustrate today what James meant when he said, “This is true worship or genuine liturgy; that is, to care for widows and orphans in their suffering and to remain [...]

“Rocky Road” is a sermon interpretation of John 6: 56-69.  There are rocks, stumbling blocks in the road of life that threaten us emotionally and spiritually. 
         
In Biblical times, people walked on dirt paths.   That is the way people traveled in those days and some still do today. [...]

Sermon notes for John 6:51-58.               
Usually in the church, when we think about and contemplate the meaning of the Last Supper, we think of Holy Thursday in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke.  It was the Passover Meal.  There was unleavened bread and wine at the Jewish Passover. [...]

“Be Angry”  reflections on Ephesians 4:25-26.
“Put away falsehood and speak the truth.” What an appropriate text for our day and time.
We are bombarded daily with conflicting reports, what is the truth about the stimulus package, whose taxes will increase, what is the truth about health care reform, about global [...]

Theme:  “The Bread of Life” is a sermon interpretation of John 6: 24-35.                 I recently visited our grocery store and discovered that the row of bread in our grocery store is seven shelves high and forty-five feet long. This forty-five foot row of bread is divided as follows and I believe that this [...]

“Favorite Story” is a sermon interpretation of John 6:1-21.  We all have those old favorite stories that we share with our old favorite family and friends.  When you get together with certain family members or friends, the conversation will get around to an old favorite story which begins with,  “Do you remember that time when….”  [...]

"Rest Area"  is a sermon interpretation of  Mark 6: 30-34, 53-56.  There are signs and areas along every major freeway for travelers to rest and stretch their legs.  Let these signs be a metaphor, a reminder that every individual needs a rest area, a time away from the stresses and hurried routines of our lives. [...]

"Speaking the truth is dangerous to your health" is a sermon interpretation of Mark 6: 14-29.  Speaking out against the popular, the powerful, the status quo, may result in  consequences to your job, social circle, health, family life and privacy.      
Some days are shockers. Bombshells. Pure Disasters. The morning of Sept [...]

“Home Town Unwelcome” is a sermon interpretation of Mark 6: 1-13.   Any preacher,  pastor or prophet would love to be welcomed to their hometown with a sign like the following photo, with his or her name of course.         
     
Its Friday night and Jesus was coming into his home town and home sanctuary.  [...]