GoodShepherdDSM Sermon Podcast: Recent Episodes
GoodShepherdDSM
The hard sayings of Jesus are hard. This week is one of those hard sayings. Instead of seeing today's lesson as a lesson in giving things up for Jesus, what if we took a hard look at what is holding us back from following Jesus?
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 | Philemon 1-21 | Luke 14:25-33
Today's Gospel lesson is an easy one to just say we understand what Jesus is talking about. But if we look harder, we see it is much more than just Jesus telling us about good table manners.
Proverbs 25:6-7 | Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 | Luke 14:1, 7-14
When we hear Jesus in today's Gospel account, we might get the feeling of wanting to duck and run for cover. We can think the fire Jesus wants to light in the world is a fire of condemnation. But that fire is one that heats us, and it is in the waters of baptism that we are quenched and strengthened.
Jeremiah 23:23-29 | Hebrews 11:29-12:2 | Luke 12:49-56
In today's Gospel Jesus tells a parable about a successful farmer who tears down his barns just to be able to store more of his abundant harvest. He doesn't care about anyone but himself in the parable. It seems that in his rush to store up things for himself he forgot about what really gives us life and meaning in this world.
Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23 | Psalm 49:1-12 | Colossians 3:1-11 | Luke 12:13-21
This week’s Gospel reading is full of potential landmines. When I call these famous words of Jesus “landmines,” I’m not saying Jesus intentionally embedded suffering or danger into his disciples’ lives. Ask, Seek, Knock has been used too many times in damaging ways. I think there is a different way of looking at this.
Genesis 18:20-32 | Psalm 138 | Colossians 2:6-19 | Luke 11:1-13
Jesus sends out the 72 disciples in today's Gospel lesson. He tells them to bring peace with them and offer it to every house they visit. This is our way in the world, bringing peace to wherever we go. But it isn't our peace we bring, it is Christ's peace. Peace be with you.
Isaiah 66:10-14 | Galatians 6:[1-6] 7-16 | Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
July 3rd, 2022
Too often the very good things in life get in the way of truly following Jesus. We often think that we have to choose between Jesus and the other good things in life.
1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21 | Psalm 16 | Galatians 5:1, 13-25 | Luke 9:51-62
June 26th, 2022
The man in today's Gospel lesson did not wear physical chains (not anymore at least). Those physical chains were replaced by other chains - exclusion - mental illness - demon possession. Jesus broke those chains and set this man free to be who God created him to be.
Isaiah 65:1-9 | Galatians 3:23-29 | Luke 8:26-39
There are so many things in this life that are unbearable. One of those things is our ideas about God. Sometimes we cling to our ideas so much that instead of worshipping God, we end up worshipping ourselves.
Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 | Psalm 8 | Romans 5:1-5 | John 16:12-15
How often do we say that if we would be satisfied with life if we just had this or that? We come by it naturally. In today's Gospel lesson, Jesus didn't give Phillip satisfaction. Instead, Jesus promised that we would never be alone as we go through this life. And not only alone, but also leaves us with peace.
Acts 2:1-21 | Romans 8:14-17 | John 14:8-17 [25-27]
If in the end, everything isn't good, then it isn't the end. Thank God for that! This world is full of things that shouldn't be and Revelation shows us that in the end that everything will be made right and good. Amen!
Acts 16:16-34 | Psalm 97 | Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 | John 17:20-26
John the Revelator tells of Jesus healing a man paralyzed for 38 years. The man does not profess faith in Jesus either before or after his encounter with Jesus. For those that like a formulaic approach to miracles and healing (do this to get that) it is both frustrating and freeing all in the same breath. Jesus comes to us in our belief and unbelief and asks us all the same question: Do you want to be made well?
Acts 16:9-15 | Psalm 67 | Revelation 22:5 | John 5:1-9
Revelation is a book that makes a lot of us nervous. We tend to avoid it as Lutherans. Today's second lesson focuses us in on a picture of true and complete worship when we bring our total selves into the throne room of God, where God encounters us.
Acts 9:36-43 | Psalm 23 | Revelation 7:9-17 | John 10:22-30
Too often we fail to recognize the resurrection in our own lives. Todays' Gospel reading helps us to see that Jesus comes to us in our daily lives.
Acts 9:1-20 | Revelation 5:11-14 | John 21:1-19
Jesus comes back for his disciples. He comes back again so that Thomas can experience what all the rest did. He comes back to all of us. And He will keep coming back.
Acts 5:27-32 | Revelation 1:4-8 | John 20:19-31
The women at the tomb went to care for the body of their friend Jesus. What they found was an empty tomb. They were asked a question by angels - why do you look for the living among the dead? We too are like the women; we look for life where there is no life. Thankfully, Jesus is with us even now.
Acts 10:34-43 | 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 | Luke 24:1-12
Palm/Passion Sunday is the start of Holy Week. Jesus' procession into Jerusalem was one of two processions that day. The other procession that day was of Pontious Pilate with the full force of the Roman army. These processions offer us two choices. And then there is also Jesus on the cross - and we have two choices there also.
Isaiah 50:4-9a | Psalm 31:9-16 | Philippians 2:5-11 | Luke 22:14--23:56