Pentecost and the Future of the Methodist Movement Acts 2:1-21 There are weeks in the life of a preacher where a lot of things come together at once that seem like an intentional convergence that requires some comment. This was one of those weeks. Yesterday, for example, we had the convergence of three holidays—two that …
A sermon for the Second Sunday of the Easter Season I John 1:1-2:2; John 20:19-31 One of the things I loved to do as a kid was to help my grandpap do chores around the little farmette he and my nana had out there in rural western Pennsylvania. I loved driving the tractor to mow the …
John 20:1-18 In this series, we’ve been looking at six people who were part of the Passion of Jesus and their response to him. We began with Pontius Pilate, whose primary focus was on looking out for his own interests, even if it meant that Jesus would face an unjust execution. We looked at Barabbas, …
The cross-bearing life of the Christian isn’t a theory about which we have opinions, it is a way of life in which we learn by experience. Mark 15:21-24 Living as we do on the I-25 corridor between Denver and Colorado Springs, rarely does a week go by when we are not stuck in some kind …
Matthew 27:15-26 So, here we are, all rested and ready to worship this morning. Hopefully you had a good night’s sleep and pleasant dreams, but that also raises a question: Do you remember what you dreamed last night? Or how about any dreams you may have had in the past? Scientists tell us that all …
Mark 15:42-47 When we say the creeds, one of the key lines of Christian doctrine that we always recite is our belief that Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate and was crucified dead and buried.” It’s interesting to me that we have holy days to celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection, but we don’t often say much …
Joseph of Arimathea – The Secret Disciple Continue Reading »
The life of Barabbas raises the question: “What am I zealous for?” Matthew 27:15-26 If you were a pilgrim in Jerusalem during the Passover in the spring of 29AD, one of the questions that you might have heard on the lips of people as you walked around the marketplace or in the courts of the Temple …
First in a Lenten series looking at six characters from the Passion of Jesus John 18:28-38 In 1961, archaeologists were excavating the Roman theater that was built by Herod the Great in the seaside town of Caesarea Maritimia, on the Mediterranean coast of Israel. Herod built the theater in 30BC, along with the entire city …
Part VII of “The End of the World as We Know It: The Book of Revelation” Revelation 21-22 As most of you know, I served a wonderful seven years at Park City Community United Methodist Church in the ski resort town of Park City, Utah, before coming to Tri-Lakes. Park City is a place where …
Part VI of “The End of the World as We Know It: The Book of Revelation” Revelation 16; Matthew 3:1-10 When you join the United Methodist Church, you are asked a series of questions in the baptismal liturgy like, “Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and …
Part V of “The End of the World as We Know It: The Book of Revelation” Revelation 12-13 I was browsing the web this week looking at some books when I came across a web site titled “Books by the Foot.” For a bibliophile, that sounds like the way to buy books—by volume! When I …
Part IV of “The End of the World as We Know It:” The Book of Revelation People suddenly disappearing, infrastructure collapsing, wailing people wondering what happened to their loved ones and why they’ve been left behind, apocalyptic signs in the heavens, antichrists running amok. These are just a few of images from the popular “Left …
Part III of the series “The End of the World as We Know It: The Book of Revelation.” Revelation 4-7 Recently, Jennifer and I have been working on our estate plan—you know, the plan where you generate a legal document that decides where all your assets will go when you die. So, the last couple …
Part II of the series “The End of the World as We Know It: The Book of Revelation.” Revelation 2:1-3:22 Ephesus is one of the most amazing places in the world and is on my top ten of places I’ve enjoyed visiting. In terms of archaeological sites, Ephesus is a treasure trove of Greco-Roman culture, …
What the Spirit is Saying to the Churches Continue Reading »
Part I of the series “The End of the World as We Know It: The Book of Revelation” Well, it’s the beginning of a new year. If you’ve been paying attention over the last week or so to the myriad “year in review” shows and articles that always come out this time of year, it …