The Word at Shalom: Recent Episodes
Pastor David Fleener at Shalom Lutheran Church in Alexandria, MN
When Elijah happens upon a destitute foreign widow during a famine, he makes an audacious (and possibly offensive) request that she feed him before she feeds herself and her son. Yet, something within her moves her to do so, trusting his promise that the oil and flour will last. Why does she take such a leap of faith? How can we trust God when all we might see is scarcity? And how can we as church together take such leaps for the good of our neighbors? Pastor David preaches “A Leap of Faith” based on 1 Kings 17:8-16.
When Jesus learns of his friend Lazarus’s illness, he waits two more days before going. We live in a similar in-between time as we wait for the final resurrection and for God’s peace to reign on earth. How do we sustain hope when God seems absent? What does it mean to live faithfully and well in such a time? Pastor David preaches “When God Is Delayed” based on John 11:32-44.
As Jesus continued to Jerusalem, anxiety among his disciples continued to mount. Jesus kept talking about betrayal and death, which the disciples didn’t want to hear about. So, James and John decide to refocus Jesus back on glory, asking for the prime positions in his new administration. The problem is that they don’t know what they’re asking for. So, who has those places and what do they mean? What kind of strange glory is the goal of the Christian life, and how does that differ from the glory and power of the world? Pastor David preaches “Be Careful What You Wish For” based on Mark 10:35-45.
When we hear Jesus tell the rich young man to sell everything he owns, give the money to the poor, and follow him, we may feel deeply uncomfortable. After all, how many things do we own? But for Jesus, things are more than things; they can be objects of faith and trust. How does Jesus break our faith in things? And how does he redirect our faith? Pastor David preaches “A Healthy Unfaith” based on Mark 10:17-31When we hear Jesus tell the rich young man to sell everything he owns, give the money to the poor, and follow him, we may feel deeply uncomfortable. After all, how many things do we own? But for Jesus, things are more than things; they can be objects of faith and trust. How does Jesus break our faith in things? And how does he redirect our faith? Pastor David preaches “A Healthy Unfaith” based on Mark 10:17-31
It can be difficult to love a fellow human being. With the decline of “middle-rung” relationships that are found in friendships, churches, and social clubs, people are lonelier than ever, turning to ersatz forms of relationship in A.I., 24-hour news, and social media. But the difficulty in relationship is not a new thing. How does Jesus model wholeness in relationships? What do his words about divorce mean in a world where so many of us have experienced broken relationships or abuse? And how can we live into the kind of relationships he desires for us? For Shalom in Relationships Sunday, Pastor David preaches “Breaking the Stone” based on Mark 10:2-16
Sometimes we can feel underequipped for our lives, longing for a golden age when things seemed easier. However, such nostalgia can be poisonous. What did Moses do when the Israelites began to be nostalgic for Egypt? How does God equip us for the future? And how can we see God's blessings in front of us? Pastor David preaches "Well-Equipped" based on Numbers 11 and Mark 9:38-50.
Since time immemorial, the church has been anxious about its children. When we see a lot of children and youth in worship, we assume that not only are those families strong, but the church is strong, too. However, by embracing a child, Jesus has something else in mind than the anxieties and ambitions of us contemporary Christians. How do we embrace children, youth, and the most vulnerable as Jesus did without making it about us? Pastor David preaches “What Are Children For?” based on Mark 9:30-37 and James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a.
In the United States, we prize our right to speak freely. However, just because we can say what we want doesn’t mean there aren’t consequences for our speech. And no one knows that better than James. What does James warn us about careless speech? And how does Jesus show us a better way? Pastor David preaches “Free Speech” based on James 3:1-12 and Mark 8:27-38.
It is very, very easy to judge others. In casting judgment, we can feel safe. We can keep the spotlight off ourselves and our shortcomings. However, being a judge often leaves us feeling empty and disconnected. How does Jesus overcome the prejudices of his time? How does Jesus’s brother, James, encourage the Christian community to let go of their false judgments? And how can we find genuine shalom in doing so? Pastor David preaches “Judge of the World” based on James 2:1-17 and Mark 7:24-37.
Few things are more devastating than the death of hope. We can find ourselves lost when a marriage dies, a loved one succumbs to addiction, or when our preferred candidate for public office loses. Yet, God’s people have suffered through hopeless times before, including Daniel. What new thing is revealed to Daniel that gives us lasting hope? How can we see false hopes for what they are without succumbing to despair? Pastor David preaches “A Lasting Hope” based on Daniel 12:1-13.
Fear is a fascinating emotion. It kept our ancestors alive back in the days of saber-toothed tigers. And we teach our children to have a healthy fear of things like electricity and fire. However, our culture seems trapped in cycles of fear, from the upcoming election to the threat of violence at home. What have God’s people done in the past when they’ve been afraid? And how do God’s promises drive out fear? Pastor David preaches “Fear Not” based on Daniel 7:1-18.
The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace is a long-time favorite of Sunday school classes. But this story is more than one of simple bravery. Rather, a radically different orientation to the world, especially secular authority, begins here. So, what is this new orientation? And how can Christians find strength for their faith in an age of complacency? Pastor David preaches (with apologies to President Kennedy for borrowing his book title) “A Profile in Courage”, based on Daniel 3:1-29.
In our culture, we have an unfortunate tendency to over-spiritualize our faith, minimizing the importance of the physical world. For instance, how many times have we heard (or said) that heaven is the final destination for our disembodied souls without any reference to resurrection? However, Jesus is deeply concerned not just for our souls, but for our bodies as well. How does Jesus show this concern for our flesh and blood? How does communion nourish us as God’s new creation? Pastor David preaches “For Flesh and Blood” based on Luther’s Small Catechism, the Sacrament of the Altar, parts 3 & 4. This is the final sermon in a five-week series on the sacraments.
Every week at Shalom, we come to the Lord’s table to receive communion. Too often, however, our senses can be dulled to this gift. We can see communion as simply a rote part of the church service. What makes communion so special? Pastor David preaches “Practicing Medicine” based on Luther’s Small Catechism, The Sacrament of the Altar, 1 & 2.
Tolerance is one of the character traits we try to instill in our children. We teach them to respect (or at least be indifferent to) differences among their peers. However, tolerance is thin gruel for a community’s sustenance. What happens when mere tolerance fails, as it appears to be in our society-at-large? How can members of a community live together as sinners under God’s grace? Pastor David preaches, “Beyond Tolerance” based on Luther’s Small Catechism, Confession & Forgiveness. This is the third in a five-week series on the sacraments.
The striking thing about baptism is how ordinary it often seems. You have a usual cast of characters: the pastor, a smiling (or screaming) baby, proud parents and sponsors. The pastor splashes a little water on the child, invokes the name of the Triune God, and presents the child to an adoring congregation. However, behind appearances lies the most profound gift and promise of God. What is this gift and promise? How do we know that God will do what God says he will do? Pastor David begins a new sermon series on the Sacraments (plus Confession and Forgiveness), with a sermon titled “Bathtime!” based on Luther’s Small Catechism, The Sacrament of Holy Baptism, sections 1 & 2.
The Lebanon cedar has been a symbol of power and majesty for centuries. Prized for its strength, resistance to insects, and fragrance, it was a potent symbol of David’s royal house. So it is quite surprising that instead of drawing on the image of the cedar, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a mustard plant! Why would Jesus pick such an unglamorous shrub to symbolize God’s royal reign? What is the freeing truth in such a comparison? Pastor David preaches “The Greatest of All Weeds” based on Ezekiel 17:22-24 and Mark 4:26-34.
When Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night, he is looking for wisdom from an extraordinary rabbi. What he gets instead shakes his understanding, not just of who Jesus is, but of who God is. How is Jesus different from an extraordinary moral teacher? What does he reveal about God and what God is up to in our world? And how are we invited to be part of it? For Trinity Sunday, Pastor David preaches “Beyond Morality” based on John 3:1-17
The disciples were bereft. Jesus was about to be arrested, condemned to death, and crucified. Even though he promised to prepare a place for them in his Father's house, they must have wondered if they would ever see him again. How does Jesus comfort them in their grief? What does the arrival of the Holy Spirit mean, not just for grieving hearts, but for the world? And how can we take courage for the Christian life from this story? For the Day of Pentecost, Pastor David preaches "For You" based on John 15:26-27; 4b-15.
We all know that human relationships can be difficult. It can especially be difficult to move on after betrayal. Yet, that is precisely what the early church does. How do they do this? How do they remain united in the truth of the gospel? And how can we remain united when relationships in the church go wrong? Pastor David preaches “Overcoming Alienation” based on Acts 1:15-17; 21-26 and John 17:6-19.
In the age of the individual sovereign self, Jesus’s words, “You are my friends if you do what I command you,” can be off-putting. After all, what right does anyone have to impose anything on us, especially in the context of friendship? But friendship with Jesus is of a different sort altogether. What makes friendship with Jesus so different than that of the world? How has the idea of friendship been co-opted by our culture? And how do we find wholeness in friendship with Jesus? Pastor David preaches “True Friendship” based on John 15:9-17.
No book has been as misunderstood as the Bible. And our gospel reading for this Sunday is no exception. When Jesus likens his disciples to branches on a vine, we often take that as a threat: “Be fruitful or else!” However, Jesus is not threatening, but truth-telling. What truth is Jesus telling about us, himself, and his Father? And how can we avoid misunderstanding not just this text but every text? Pastor David preaches “Don’t Take This the Wrong Way…” based on Acts 8:26-40 and John 15:1-8.
The image of the Good Shepherd is one of the most beloved in scripture. We may conjure a sweet, bucolic image when we think of it. But the shepherding image was often used as propaganda to legitimate a particular king or conqueror, portraying that person as a benefactor and protector of the people. How is Jesus a different kind of shepherd than any human leader? In an age of propaganda, how can we trust Jesus to be our Good Shepherd? Pastor David preaches “The Shepherd Who Dies” based on John 10:11-18.
In terror, the disciples barricaded themselves behind locked doors. They had reason for their fear. Not only were they still in danger from the authorities, but a few of them had reported an empty tomb with folded-up graveclothes. Was Jesus back? And if he was, what did that mean for them? Would Jesus accuse them of having betrayed and abandoned him? Yet, when Jesus appears to them, he doesn’t give a word of judgment, but one of peace. How does this word of peace reach us today? How does Jesus break through our fears? Pastor David preaches “Breaking through Fear” based on John 20:19-31.
Mark’s Gospel has a strange ending, with an empty tomb, a man in white, and terrified women. There is no appearance of the risen Jesus. None of the women say anything to anyone. On the surface, this is a deeply unsatisfying ending to Jesus’s story. But what if Mark’s Gospel has no ending? What if, instead of ending the story of Jesus, Mark shows us a new beginning? Pastor David preaches “The Beginning” based on Mark 16:1-8.
When Jesus enters Jerusalem, he doesn’t do it like a typical king would. He doesn’t ride on a horse. He doesn’t bring an army. And most notably in Mark’s Gospel, no one comes out from the city to meet him. Rather, he comes with his own rag-tag group of followers. How does Jesus’ ironic procession undercut the various idols we give allegiance to? How does the kingdom of Jesus differ from all human kingdoms? And how does Jesus’ procession confront us today? Pastor David preaches “Which Lord?” based on Mark 11:1-11 and 14:1-15:47.
The request of some Greeks to see Jesus is more than just a mere request; it functions as a signal that the time has come for Jesus to enter his glory. But what kind of strange glory awaits Jesus? What can he possibly mean when he says, “Whoever hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life?” And how can an itinerant preacher and healer from a no-account town in Galilee possibly draw all people to himself? Pastor David preaches “Strange Glory” based on John 12:20-33.
The story of Moses fashioning a bronze serpent on a pole is a strange one. It’s also ironic, considering we just heard God forbid such a thing in the Ten Commandments! But there’s a huge insight in this story—and in Jesus’s comparison of himself to the serpent in John’s Gospel: the triumph of faith over unfaith. So, how does this story show the power of faith? How is this faith different from the “name-it-and-claim-it”, prosperity gospel kind of faith? How is this faith good news for hurting human beings, at odds with God and neighbor? Pastor David preaches, “Have No Faith in Unfaith!” based on Numbers 21:4-9 and John 3:14-21.
Organizations and institutions begin with such high hopes. The sense of purpose is clear, and morale is high. Over time, however, the mission drifts. The people of Israel fall into idolatry. The Temple becomes a marketplace. Congregational and denominational purpose fits into a business model. What does this do to our relationships with God and our neighbors? How does God respond when we fall away from our purpose? What does it mean to be faithful in the religious marketplace? Pastor David preaches “Back to Basics” based on Exodus 20:1-21 and John 2:13-22.
Since the beginning of civilization, people have sacrificed for something bigger than themselves. Sometimes that sacrifice isn’t voluntary but compelled by the powers that be. Roman soldiers, for example, could impress civilians into service. In addition, soldiers themselves were asked to sacrifice themselves for the greater glory of Rome. So, when Jesus says that we must deny ourselves and carry our cross to follow him, what makes him different from imperial systems of compulsion? As people called to be reconciled with God and our neighbors, what do we need to leave behind to live a full life in Christ? Pastor David preaches “Saying No” based on Genesis 9:8-17 and Mark 8:31-9:1. This is the third in a seven-part series for Lent, “Reconciling Hearts”.
After the flood, Noah and his family may have wondered, “What’s to prevent God from doing this again?” After all, God had permitted chaos to overwhelm creation once. In response, God gives the sign of the rainbow. How is the rainbow a symbol, not just of reconciliation between God and humanity, but also of a radical reorientation within Godself? How does Jesus live out this reorientation in his own life and ministry? And how does remembrance of this story build resilience when chaos threatens to overwhelm our own lives? Pastor David preaches “Remembrance, Reconciliation, Resilience” based on Genesis 9:8-17 and Mark 1:9-15. This is the second in a seven-part series for Lent, “Reconciling Hearts”.
It’s easy to blame Peter for his inept response to the Transfiguration. But from his perspective, it must have seemed like the end had finally come. Finally, the promised party without end was here! However, Jesus has another path to follow. How does the church act like Peter when it gets a taste of glory? And what does Jesus remind us to do instead? Pastor David preaches “Party Time?” based on Mark 9:1-10.
Contemporary Christians might take offense at the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law. After all, as soon as Jesus heals her from a fever, she starts making them dinner! However, she understands something about Jesus and his mission that eludes her son-in-law and the other disciples. What does she understand? And how does Jesus invite us to serve as she did? Pastor David preaches “Unfevered Service” based on Mark 1:29-39.
Our age suffers from a crisis of authority. Traditional institutions—the branches of American government, the university, and the church, among others—no longer have the authority they once did. So many authorities are challenged that it seems like we’re left only with the plywood authority of the sovereign self. But when Jesus speaks and heals, we see another authority at work. What is this authority? How is it distinct from every other authority we know? And how can Christians hope in this authority when all other authorities fail? Pastor David preaches “By What Authority?” based on Mark 1:21-28.
In our anxious, cynical age, it can be tough to believe any kind of good news. Our attention is so saturated with the bad that we can scarcely notice the good. Yet, on the heels of bad news, Jesus proclaims the good news of the Kingdom’s arrival. What might that have meant for people of Jesus’s time, and what might that mean for us? What makes Jesus’s good news compelling? Pastor David preaches “What Good News?” based on Mark 1:14-20.
“Who am I?” is not just a question for young people determining their path in life. We ask it throughout our lives. We wonder if we are the kind of person who gets married to a particular person, has children, works at a particular job, or worships in a particular congregation. We also may wonder if there is more to us than what we do. How does Jesus see us for who we really are, and how do we see each other for who they really are? Pastor David preaches, “Who Am I?” based on 1 Samuel 3:1-20, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, and John 1:43-51.
In a world where evil spirits seem to be running amok in the forms of war, disease, and hate, we might echo the words of the Ephesians to Paul: “We have not heard there is a Holy Spirit”. Who or what is the Spirit? What difference does the Spirit make in our lives and world? And what difference does it make that Jesus receives the Spirit in his baptism? Pastor David preaches, “Who Is the Spirit?” based on Genesis 1:1-5, Acts 19:1-7, and Mark 1:4-11.
Pastor David preaches "Savior, Messiah, and Lord" based on Isaiah 9:2-7 and Luke 2:1-20.
In Mary's time, things were difficult for the denizens of Palestine. The Romans had brought order and a modicum of peace, but it was enforced at the point of a sword. And the Romans were only the latest in a long line of empires. From the time of the Assyrians in the late 8th century, the inhabitants of Israel and Judah had suffered under foreign subjugation. God's ancient promise to King David of an eternal kingdom may have rung empty. However, God showed God's faithfulness in a surprising way, not just to the long-dead David, but to God's people of every time and place. How does God keep promises of life and shalom, even in our contemporary world that sees so little of either? On December 24, Pastor David preaches two sermons. The first for the fourth Sunday of Advent (9:30 a.m.) is "Impossible!" based on 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 and Luke 1:26-38.
Mark begins his Gospel with a stunning proclamation. The good news of forgiveness and salvation is found in a Galilean Jewish craftsman named Jesus. Yet, in our age of fake news, we can easily dismiss such a proclamation as mere propaganda. What makes Mark's claim about Jesus different from the claims of every other would-be messiah throughout history? What can the claim of "good news" even mean in a fake news era? Pastor David preaches "No More Fake News!" based on Mark 1:1-8.
It seems clear that the early church expected Jesus to return in their lifetime. After all, Jesus says in our reading from Mark, “Truly, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” However, Jesus’s return did not happen as they had expected. Yet, this disappointment didn’t lead to the death of the church, but rather to its thriving. How might we understand Jesus’s words some 2,000 years later? And how can we respond well when our hopes and expectations are unfulfilled? For the First Sunday of Advent, Pastor David preaches “A New Hope and Expectation” based on Mark 12:26-34.
It is ironic that Revelation heralds the return of the Prince of Peace with such violent language. Christ returns on a white horse, to “judge and wage war”. We may be turned off by such language, seeing it as polar opposite to the Christ revealed on the cross. However, John, Revelation’s visionary, may be subtly undercutting such martial imagery while still using its comforting aspects for a people who needed a warrior Messiah. How might John be doing this? What hope did the first hearers receive from these visions? How can we, some 1,900 years removed, also find strength here? For Christ the King Sunday, Pastor David preaches, “Warrior Christ?” based on Revelation 19:11-16; 22:1-5. This will conclude our sermon series on Revelation.
For the first-century church, there were pressures on every side. There was opposition from local authorities and other religious groups. There was internal turmoil. And there was the constant temptation to forsake the values of God's kingdom for the more tangible, immediate rewards of the Roman Empire. So how does John, the author, encourage these churches to remain faithful? How can the 21st century church remain faithful to Christ, even though all of us are enmeshed with the ways of domination and injustice? What is God's invitation to us, and how does it differ from that of "empire"? Pastor David preaches "Party's Over?" based on Revelation 18:1-5, 9-13; 19:6-10.
The 12th chapter of Revelation, with its visions of a woman, child, dragon, and heavenly warfare, can be confusing, if not offensive. We might wonder what any of this has to do with us, or less charitably, we might wonder if John was on something! However, this chapter has much more to do with the church in its everyday struggles than we might think. How does John offer comfort and strength to the church of his day? How can we likewise find strength for whatever evil we may face? Pastor David preaches “A Different Kind of Fight” based on Revelation 12:1-17. This is the fourth of a six-part series on the book of Revelation.
With the world the way it is, it can be easy to lose hope in God's goodness. We can be tempted to believe that life is nothing more than a historical accident with only the grave awaiting us. However, in the middle of Revelation, we receive a grand vision of the church triumphant. So, what is this vision? How might it have given hope to suffering Christians under Rome's power in the first century? And how might it give hope to Christians today? For All Saints Sunday, Pastor David preaches "Lamb Hope" based on Revelation 7:9-17.
There's something special about an old, familiar song. Memories emerge. The heart is stirred. There may be pangs of sadness or fondness. This is especially true for old hymns, since many of us first heard them as children. However, the heavenly throne room in Revelation is filled not with old familiar tunes, but with the strains of a new song, sung in celebration of God's fulfilled promise of redemption. So, how does God bring this promise to fulfillment? Pastor David preaches "Anyone Up for a New Song?" based on Revelation 5:1-14.
As a newly born community, the church at Corinth struggled with what it meant to follow Christ. Some apparently thought that with displays of spiritual power, as Paul had initially done on their first meeting, the church would accumulate prestige and people. However, Paul cautions against relying on prominent gifts alone. What does Paul tell the church at Corinth about spiritual gifts? And what can the church today learn from Paul? What kind of gifts truly build up the church? Pastor David preaches "Simple Gifts" based on 1 Corinthians 12:4-13 and Mark 12:28-34.
For a good Roman, religion was a practical matter. Sacrifices would be offered to the gods in exchange for health, wealth, long life, protection, or victory in battle. The system was so pragmatic that sacrifices would sometimes be withheld if it appeared that the gods weren't holding up their end of the bargain. However, from very early in Genesis, that narrative is turned upside down. We don't give so that God may give. We can give because God has given. What would it look like to see giving as a joyful privilege rather than an economic exchange? How can we put our "shoulds" aside when it comes to financial giving? And how can our financial giving, among other forms of giving, help us live fuller lives? Pastor David preaches "The Divine Economy" based on Genesis 14:17-20 and Luke 7:36-8:3. This is the second of a four sermon series on generosity.
Many Americans have an unhealthy relationship with time. We're told that if we're not working or otherwise doing something productive at all hours, then there's something wrong with us. Despite Americans working more hours than much of the world, somehow the refrain, "No one wants to work anymore," keeps resurfacing. However, Scripture shows us a healthier way to live as an embodied being in a world marked by time. How does God's command to rest in Deuteronomy 5 and Jesus's reminder that "We must work [the Father's] works...while it is day," help us reset our relationship to time? And how can we live generously with the time we have? Pastor David preaches "Make Hay but Take a Day" based on Deuteronomy 5:12-15 and John 9:1-5. This is the first of a four-week series on living generously.
It is common to harbor illusions about the church. Though we might expect Christians to live with abundant grace, mercy, and love, the truth is we can be just as selfish, deceptive, and unforgiving as anyone else. This is nothing new, but has been part of our sin problem since the Garden. So, how does the Elder of 3 John address this problem in the church of Diotrephes? What does it mean to walk in the truth? And how does one walk in the truth when there are lies and propaganda everywhere you turn? Pastor David preaches "Living Truthfully" based on 3 John 1-15.
In the early church, different ideas about Jesus abounded. Many teachers, influenced by Plato, could not stomach the idea of Jesus's full humanity. They said that he, being God, only appeared to be human, and that the goal of the church was to shed itself of its base human nature. The elder of John's Second Letter warns against welcoming such teachers, calling them "the deceiver and antichrist". What makes such teaching so dangerous for the church? Why is it important to affirm Jesus's humanity? And in a digital age, why is a flesh-and-blood Messiah necessary at all? Pastor David preaches "The Fleshly Community", based on 2 John 1-13.
Trust can be hard to come by these days. Trust in institutions has been on a downward trend for over 50 years. Firearm sales reached a peak in 2020 and have remained high. Americans continue to silo themselves into different tribes based on ideology. With such a lack of trust on earth, how can we possibly trust God in heaven? Yet in these last two petitions of the Lord's Prayer, Jesus invites us to do precisely that. What does it mean to trust God when the world falls apart? How can the church be an example of trust to a skeptical world? And how does the Spirit make that possible? Pastor David preaches "It Is Well with My Soul?" based on the Sixth and Seventh Petitions of the Lord's Prayer.
Every system in existence, whether a code of law or rules for a sport, can be hacked or gamed in some way. For example, someone with a good lawyer can find ways around laws that otherwise apply to everyone else. However, no such gaming is possible with God. So, what makes our relationship with God different from every other relationship we have? What's the difference between receiving God's radical grace in Christ and "gaming the system"? And how does our daily bread fit into all of this? Pastor David preaches "You Can't Game God" based on the Fourth Petition of the Lord's Prayer in Luther's Small Catechism.
Psychologists have long noted that human attention is captured by negative events. We dwell on bad things that happened to us; we ruminate about the news; we even "doomscroll" on social media. We also do the same with our relationship to God, thinking more readily of the times God didn't answer our prayer like we would have hoped. We look at the world and we see scant signs of God's kingdom or will among us. However, what would happen if, led by the Spirit, we looked closer? Where might we find God's kingdom and will among us today? Or in our own lives? And how can we be more resilient when bad things do happen? In the second of a five-part series on the Lord's Prayer, Pastor David preaches "Radical Openness" based on the Second and Third Petitions of the Lord's Prayer.
At first glance, it may seem that the church is not so distinct from other voluntary organizations. We gather regularly, we raise money, and we do service in the wider community. However, something makes the church different from anything else--something that has helped it weather bad leadership, scandals, and poor decisions. How does Paul's list of greetings at the end of his letter to the Roman church shed light on this something? What makes the church the church? And how might we be the church today with our various backgrounds and worldviews? Pastor David preaches "Weird People" based on Romans 16:1-16, 25-27.
Paul's exhortation to submit to civic authority in Romans 13:1-7 is one of the most notorious passages in the Bible. Too often, it has been wielded against those opposed to or suffering under a particular regime. However, Paul's exhortation has another end in mind. Why does Paul write these words to a church that is beginning to attract unwanted attention from the Roman regime? What kind of love is it that Paul exhorts the church to have for their neighbors? And as we celebrate Independence Day, what can such words possibly mean for us contemporary Americans? Pastor David preaches "The Well-Equipped Citizen" based on Romans 13:1-14.
The idea of conformation (as distinct from confirmation) turns most Americans off. After all, we're encouraged to be individuals, marching to the beat of our own drummer. But Paul encourages conformation to Christ, which is truly transformative. What does this conformation look like? How does it transform us? And does such transformation help us truly live free in community? Pastor David preaches "Holy Conformation" based on Romans 12:1-21.
Even though an active persecution was a few years off, the church at Rome was no stranger to suffering. Some Jewish members of the church may have been expelled by the emperor Claudius some 15 years prior to Paul's letter. The hybrid reality of the church--Jew and gentile--may have led to conflicts both within and without. The church was not particularly large or influential. And there were the normal difficulties that came with being human. How does the Spirit, according to Paul, help them in their suffering? Does the Spirit just take it away? Or does God choose another way? For Pentecost, Pastor David preaches "Groans and Grace" based on Romans 8:14-39.
Paul was emphatic. In Christ, the old life once lived by Christians had come to an end in their baptism. However, some appeared to have difficulty believing it. After all, if Christ had died to forgive sinners, why not continue to do whatever one wants? Paul rejects this categorically, but why? What does radical freedom mean to the Christian? How might longing for one's old life get in the way of living out one's radical freedom in Christ? And what does this mean for the church? Pastor David preaches "The End of Nostalgia" based on Romans 5:19-6:14.
The church at Rome was suffering. A small community, they had endured internal strife and the deportation of their Jewish members. With the accession of Nero, they may have been anxious about what was to come. To address their suffering, Paul writes of hope. But he doesn't tell them to be hopeful. Instead, Paul links hope itself to suffering. How does Paul do this? What does it mean to have hope in God when everything seems to fall apart? And how can today's church maintain hope in our challenging times? Pastor David preaches "True Hope" based on Romans 3:28-30; 5:1-11.
The word "pride" has a long association with self-centeredness. Since Augustine in the 4th century, pride has been described as the chief sin. (And that's still true if you've ever lived in the upper Midwest for any length of time!) However, there is a good kind of pride, too, one in which we are not proud of ourselves or what we can accomplish, but what God in Christ has already accomplished. What does this good pride look like? How does it compare with the "Roman pride" contemporary to Paul? And, since we are celebrating seven young people who will affirm their baptism, what does it mean for them to take pride in a crucified and risen Christ? Pastor David preaches "Good Pride" based on Romans 1:1-17. This begins a three-month series on Paul's Letter to the Romans.
We may often wonder why a good God lets bad things happen. People suffer all the time for senseless reasons. However, even the apostles experienced senseless suffering. How do Paul and Barnabas deal with the senseless suffering they endure at Lystra? How can they strengthen the other disciples after suffering so much? Where do they find the strength to continue? And how can their example strengthen us in our own sufferings? Pastor David preaches "God in Suffering" based on Acts 13:1-3; 14:8-23.
Peter was confused. God's word clearly stated that there were clean and unclean animals. Likewise, there were Israelites and gentiles. Israel was set apart from the gentiles to be God's holy people. So when Peter had a vision, followed by Cornelius's summons, his way of understanding the world was turned upside down. What did Peter do in response to the Spirit's prompting? How do we sometimes get stuck in our own worldviews which divide people into insiders and outsiders? What is the challenge and comfort in this text for the contemporary church? Pastor David preaches "The Bible Clearly Says...." based on Acts 10:1-17, 34-48.
It must have been a surreal moment for the (now eleven) disciples. The last time they saw Jesus, he had been arrested as an enemy of the Temple apparatus and the state. Now he appears to them again, not as a defeated messianic candidate, but as King and Lord of all. So, what does Jesus do with his authority? How are the disciples to live, knowing who their rightful Lord is? And what does this mean for the western church today, often so fearful of decline? Pastor David preaches “Jesus Meant It” based on Matthew 28:16-20 (often called The Great Commission).
Jesus had been executed a few days before as a rival king. Pilate even stationed a few men at the tomb to prevent any funny business from happening. But the kingdom of heaven still showed up. What happens when heaven's kingdom comes in contact with earthly kingdoms? What kind of power does Jesus have? And where do we see his reign today? Pastor David preaches "The King's Triumph" based on Matthew 28:1-10.
What makes Jesus' table so special? Pastor David preaches "The King's Table" based on Matthew 26:17-30.
Matthew tells us that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was "in turmoil" or "shaken". This isn't the first time Jerusalem has trembled at Jesus's arrival. Back in chapter 2, King Herod "and all Jerusalem with him" were frightened at the news of his birth. What about Jesus shakes hearts, minds, and even our very ways of being? How does Jesus shake up our institutions, even those as central as the Temple once was? And what are we called to instead? Pastor David preaches "All Shook Up" (with apologies to Elvis!) based on Matthew 21:1-17.
Jesus ends his parables of the kingdom with a final description of the last judgment. The sheep are separated from the goats based on works of mercy toward "the least of these". But how does this square with the notion that we are saved by God's grace alone? If our works do matter, as Jesus says they do, then how do we know we have done enough? And what does that mean for our life together, here and now? Pastor David preaches "Living our Best Life" based on Matthew 25:31-46.
In the Parable of the Bridesmaids, the wise bridesmaids refuse to share their extra supplies of oil with the foolish bridesmaids, who are ultimately shut out of the wedding feast when the groom arrives. This seems to clash with the Parable of the Workers, where the landowner gives the same to all workers regardless of when they arrive. What might Jesus be saying to us in this parable? Why don't the wise bridesmaids share their oil? And 2000 years after his first advent, what does it mean to be prepared for his return? Pastor David preaches "Be Prepared" based on Matthew 25:1-13.
Jesus's parable of the wedding feast is beyond strange. There are guests who refuse to come despite the king's pleading, violent reactions by invited guests and king alike, a general invitation to all willing to come whether "evil or good", and strangest of all, a man thrown out for wearing the wrong clothing! What does Jesus tell us about God and us with this story? Does God have a dress code? What is the wedding robe and what does it mean to wear one? Pastor David preaches "God's Dress Code" based on Matthew 22:1-14 (with a little help from Galatians 3:27-29).
After following Jesus for a while, Peter had to know. Was this going to turn out well for him and the other disciples or not? After all, they had left family businesses and families to follow. They had taken a huge leap of faith to follow Jesus. Peter's question is filled with anxiety. "We have left everything and followed you. What will we have?" Jesus responds with a story. But this story is outrageous. What does the parable of the workers in the vineyard tell us about God's nature? What is fairness to God? What will Peter--and us contemporary disciples--ultimately have? Pastor David preaches, "That's the Thing I Don't Like About Jesus" (cribbed from a John Ylvisaker song!) based on Matthew 20:1-16.
Many people in the upper Midwest are raised with a form of "Minnesota nice", taught to be nice to people, not brag about oneself, and not make waves. They're taught to just let things go when someone upsets them. But is "letting it go" the same as forgiveness? What is real forgiveness? How does Jesus's community differ from a "Minnesota nice" community? Pastor David preaches "Real Forgiveness" based on Matthew 18:15-35.
When the disciples asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom?", Jesus knew that they were asking this question from an imperial, hierarchical point of view. This point of view undergirds every human institution. But Jesus' way is different. How does Jesus define greatness? And what does that mean for us contemporary disciples? For Ash Wednesday, Pastor David preaches "The Important Thing" based on Matthew 18:1-14
Peter was shocked. First, Jesus had told him that his ministry would lead to his arrest and execution. Then, when Peter objected, Jesus called him "Satan" for setting his mind on human things instead of divine things. We've heard about the devil's logic before, especially concerning the temptations of Jesus. How does that logic show up in the concern of a friend who deeply cares for Jesus? What is a divine way to view the life and ministry of Jesus? And how does the Transfiguration provide assurance to us contemporary disciples who often, like Peter, would rather avoid the cross? Pastor David preaches "God's-Eye View" based on Matthew 16:21-17:9.
Jesus' words at the end of the Sermon on the Mount may sound frightening, but they get to a very important insight. Much of what we build our lives upon is shifting sand, destined to wash out to sea. What makes Jesus and his gospel different? How does he build our lives? How does he shelter us in the storms of life? Pastor David preaches "Shalom in the Storm" based on Matthew 7:21-29.
We are often burdened by anxieties, usually centered around money or other people. We worry about our loved ones. We worry about whether we have enough to pay for food, medicine, a home, education, retirement, or healthcare. Yet, Jesus would have us not worry about these things. How can Jesus say this, considering that his age had similar (and in many cases, more dangerous) worries than our own? What does it mean to seek God's kingdom first? How can we put away our fears? Pastor David preaches "A Better Way" based on Matthew 6:7-34.
In his first major public address, Jesus begins in an unexpected way. Instead of outlining problems or prescribing solutions, he declares certain people to be blessed in heaven’s kingdom. But these aren’t the people we’d expect. What kind of people is Jesus looking for in his beloved community? And what kind of influence is that community to have in the world? Pastor David preaches “The Constitution of a New Community”, based on Matthew 5:1-20.
Sometimes we think of temptations as primarily moral. We are tempted to indulge in a particular vice or fail to practice a particular virtue. We eat too much. We struggle with addictions to substances or behaviors. We fail to exercise or be invested in our communities. But the temptations of Christ are far more than merely moral ones. Christ is also tempted by the same temptations Israel faced (and failed) long ago. How does he resist these temptations? And how can God's people resist them today? Pastor David preaches "Beyond Survival, Spectacle, and Supremacy" based on Matthew 4:1-17.
While we might expect Jesus' family to be a paragon of virtue, Matthew's genealogy shows quite the opposite. Jesus' ancestors include heroes of faith, but also include outsiders (including five unusual, extraordinary women), thieves, liars, and even Gentiles. What does such a rogues' gallery say about how God works? Pastor David preaches, "Skeletons in Jesus' Closet", based on Matthew 1:1-17.
Pastor David ponders John's Christmas story in a sermon titled, "Look at the Map", based on John 1:1-14.
Pastor David ponders the difference between the peace of Christ and the peace of Caesar in a sermon titled, “Peace of the World, Peace of the Christ”, based on Luke 2:1-20.
Often, we think little of our dreams. Those who take their dreams seriously are sometimes thought to be naive or detached from reality. However, Scripture knows of several dreamers who carried out God's will in the world. Joseph, the adoptive father of Jesus, is one of these dreamers. What happens in Joseph's dreams? How does he respond? And how can the church learn from Joseph's example? Pastor David preaches "Dreamland" based on Isaiah 7:10-16 and Matthew 1:18-25.
Pastor David preaches on the angel's song in Luke 2:8-14. This is the third of a four-part series, "Songs of Hope in Luke's Gospel".
Pastor David preaches on Luke 1:39-55, which includes the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth and the Magnificat.
Esther lived a life of luxury. She had been made queen by King Ahasuerus and enjoyed the protection and comforts of the palace. However, there was a price for this luxury. She was insulated and isolated from her own Jewish people. In fact, to become queen in the first place, she hid her identity as a Jew. So when her uncle Mordecai comes with terrible news of a plot to kill all Jews, Esther weighs her options. Does she join in solidarity with her people at great risk to herself? Or does she keep her head down? What do Esther's choices have to do with Advent, God's actions in our world, and the church's call today? Pastor David preaches "Solidarity" based on Esther 4:1-17.
Pastor David preaches a brief sermon on Zechariah's song, Luke 1:59-79. This is the first in a four-week series, "Songs of Hope in Luke's Gospel".
The prophet Habakkuk's complaint is an ancient and yet timely one. In violent times, why does it seem like God isn't listening? As we begin another Advent season in a violent world, we may have the same question. How do we live in and relate to a world where violence runs amok? How do we relate to God in such a world? Pastor David preaches "Confronting God" based on Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4; 3:17-19.
In an age of megachurches and celebrity pastors, it can be easy for small congregations to feel dismissed and without a sense of purpose. However, as Micah shows, great things can indeed come from small places. What is the purpose of the small congregation now? And how can we stay focused on our mission? Pastor David preaches "What's the Church For?" based on Micah 1:1-5; 5:2-5a; 6:6-8.
The great general Naaman was insulted. He had journeyed far to be cured of his skin disease, yet, the prophet Elisha wouldn't even come out to greet him. Elisha simply told him, through a messenger, to wash in the Jordan to be healed. The miracle wasn't happening according to his expectations. We can be similarly tempted when God doesn't act according to our expectations. How does God often act in our world? And how can we see it? Pastor David preaches "Mundane Miracles" based on 2 Kings 5:1-19a.
At the beginning of his reign, Solomon inherited a kingdom plagued by insurrection. He knows reformation is needed, but doesn't have the personal resources to do it. How does Solomon address his lack of ability to care for his people's needs? And what lesson is there for the church today? Pastor David preaches "Know Your Unknowns" based on 1 Kings 3:3-28
Long after Joshua's charge to the Israelites at Shechem, God made good on the promise to make God's people prosper. The tribes were united. King David was at the height of his powers. Yet, David was soon to throw not only himself, but the people into trouble and turmoil. Where did David go wrong? What warning is there to the church today? And where is God's grace in terrible situations? Pastor David preaches, "Actions Matter", based on 2 Samuel 11 and 12 and Matthew 5:27-30. Content warning: The reading and sermon acknowledge the reality of sexual assault.
Stories are powerful. They shape how we see reality. The stories we tell ourselves can make or break our relationships with our congregation, community, or families. So, what does healthy storytelling look like? How did Joshua retell Israel's story so that they would remember who and whose they were? Pastor David preaches, "Our Story", based on Joshua 24:1-26.
According to Freedom House, a U.S.-funded research and advocacy organization for democracy and human rights, democratic institutions have declined around the world for the past 16 years. In their place, authoritarian regimes have sprung up, from both the right and the left. For many, the world is a more frightening place than it was just a few years ago. However, this is far from humanity's first tangle with authoritarianism. Back in Exodus, God gave the fledgling nation of Israel, who just escaped the tyrant Pharaoh, 10 Commandments to avoid falling back into tyranny. How do the 10 Commandments preserve human freedom? And when we inevitably fail, how does God pick up the pieces? Pastor David preaches, "How to Avoid Tyranny in 10 Steps", based on Exodus 19:1-7, 20:1-17.
Poor Joseph. He was sold into slavery in Egypt, where despite his great success at managing Potiphar's household, ended up in prison, the victim of assault and a false accusation. The text tells us that God was loyal to Joseph. But what kind of loyalty is this that permits an innocent man to be punished? What does it mean for Joseph to be the next in line as the instrument of God's blessings? Pastor David preaches "#Blessed, Part 2" based on Genesis 39:1-23.
Several years ago, "#blessed" became popular on social media. However, instead of an humble acknowledgement of unearned blessings, it became a symbol of power and privilege. What is the difference between blessing and privilege? What does it mean for God to bless Abraham? And how does God bless us? Pastor David preaches, "#Blessed", based on Genesis 12:1-9.
Most people 30 and over can tell you where they were when they heard about 9/11, just as older generations could tell you the same about the JFK assassination or Pearl Harbor. Such moments are chaotic, shattering the known world overnight. However, chaos has reared its ugly head from the beginning of creation. In the Flood story, God responds to the proliferation of chaotic human evil by unleashing the forces of chaos on the world. There is mercy, though, in the midst of terrible judgment. And more importantly, God appears to change God's orientation to human beings entirely. How does God "change"? And what hope and peace can we find when the forces of chaos threaten to overwhelm us? Pastor David preaches "Chaos and Covenant" based on Genesis 6:5-22; 8:6-12; 9:8-17
Frank Sinatra sang, "Love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage....you can't have one without the other." However, for most of recorded history this wasn't so. Marriage was used to forge alliances between families, create new business opportunities, and fulfill social obligations. This was as true among the ancient Hebrews as it was among other peoples. However, there is a type of love in Boaz and Ruth's marriage that is far more powerful and permanent than fleeting romantic love. What is this love? And how does this love mirror the love that Christ has for his church? Pastor David preaches "Love and Marriage" based on Ruth 4:1-22.
Ecclesiastes can seem like a downer of a book, declaring that everything we are and do is "thin vapor". But there are important lessons to take from this minority report of the wisdom books. Pastor David preaches "The Gift of Insignificance" based on Ecclesiastes 1:1-11; 3:1-17.
Most days, God doesn't speak from mountaintops or burning bushes. Most days, God doesn't part the sea or turn water into wine. Instead, it seems many of us are struggling just to keep our heads above water each day. So where is God's word for us on those days? How do we live in trust and hope amid the fears of ordinary life? Pastor David preaches "Quotidian Wisdom", based on Proverbs 8:1-11, 22-36. This is the second of a four-week series on the Wisdom Literature of the Bible.
When we say that someone is living the good life, we usually mean that person has every material thing they could possibly want. But the Book of Proverbs has another image of the good life that doesn't depend on material things. What does that kind of life look like? How can we live more fully integrated, whole lives? Pastor David preaches "The Good Life", based on Proverbs 1:1-7; 3:1-8, the first of a four week series on the Bible's Wisdom Literature.
As we bring our four-week series on the Ten Commandments to a close, we spend a whole week on Commandments Nine and Ten, which forbid us from desiring to take what belongs to our neighbor. But why should God be so concerned about our thoughts, covetous though they may be? If our actions are right, then what do our thoughts matter? Come explore how our thoughts impact our relationships, as Pastor David preaches, "Hearts of Shalom", based on Exodus 20:17.
The apostle Paul is clear. It is impossible to be justified in God's sight by doing the works of the law (Rom. 3:28). Even if we were to follow the law, we would come to the horrible truth that Paul understood: that sin uses God's good law for its own purposes (Rom. 5:8-12). Paul came to the understanding, then, that Jesus died to liberate us from the curse of the law, which we could never fulfill (Gal. 3:13-14). So, if Christ has liberated us from the curse of the law, what is its purpose now? Why bother with the law at all? Why not just preach grace? Pastor David preaches "For the Neighbor" based on Exodus 20:12-16.
In the Roman Empire, Christians were sometimes persecuted for being atheists. They refused to honor the traditional gods or take part in their ceremonies, to their own social detriment. How can Christians recover a robust, healthy atheism when it comes to all other gods but the one God? And how is the First Commandment liberating in that regard? Pastor David preaches "The Christian Atheist", based on Exodus 20:1-11. This is the second in a four-week series on the Ten Commandments.
Freedom was a new experience for the Israelites. After 400 years of enslavement, it was difficult to conceive life any other way. However, on the mountain, God gives the people a vision of how a free people lives. Why does God choose Israel as God's "special possession" and charge them with a new way of life? What does this mean for us today, we who are grafted into Israel through Jesus Christ? Pastor David preaches "Chosen" based on Exodus 19:1-6; 20:1-2. This is the first in a four-week series on the Ten Commandments.
In a time when misinformation and disinformation is everywhere, it's easy to become cynical. It's easy to lose faith, not just in leaders or institutions, but also in God. However, the Pentecost story shows us that cynicism is nothing new. Even when presented with a dramatic sign of the Holy Spirit's presence, some dismissed it out of hand. How does Peter address the crowd's cynicism? And what can we learn from the events of Pentecost today? Pastor David preaches, "Leaving Cynicism", based on Acts 2:1-24.
The church at Philippi had been faithful, seeing to Paul's needs while he was imprisoned. However, a dispute had arisen between two leading ladies of the church, leading to a potential rupture. How does Paul address the dispute? And what takeaway is there for how Christians can address conflict today? Pastor David preaches "Attitude Adjustment" based on Philippians 2:1-13.
The American Dream declares that if you work hard and make the right choices, you can find happiness through material comfort and upward social mobility. However, for many, the dream has become a nightmare. What would an alternate vision of success, rooted in the gospel, look like? Pastor David preaches, "The Gospel Dream", based on 2 Corinthians 9:1-9. This is the fourth sermon in our four-week Celebrate Generosity series.
After the golden calf incident, the relationship between God and people was broken. However, God did not abandon God's people, but renewed a covenant with them. A once "stiff-necked" people (Exodus 32:9) is transformed into a "wise-hearted" people (36:1-2, translated "skillful" in NRSV). How does this transformation occur? What does it mean to be wise-hearted? And how can we live into God's call to be a wise-hearted people today? Pastor David preaches "The Wise-Hearted Community" based on Exodus 36:1-7 (with references to Exodus 32 and 35). This is the third sermon of our four-week Celebrate Generosity series.
The church at Corinth was deeply divided. Some identified themselves by certain church leaders over Christ. Others used the Lord's Supper as an excuse to get drunk. Still others were entranced by flashy spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues, ignoring the humbler but more important gifts of faith, hope, and love. How does Paul encourage the Corinthians to look beyond their own desires to the needs of others? Pastor David preaches, "Looking Outward", based on 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 and Matthew 6:19-21. This sermon is the second in a four-week series for our Celebrating Generosity Campaign. This week's worship theme is "Giving Is Systematic".
As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, Moses gathered them for a final pep talk (our modern-day, 34-chapter book of Deuteronomy). In order to enjoy God's generosity to the fullest, they had to get their priorities straight. Among a lot of important priorities, love of God was to be kept first. How did Moses tell the Israelites to remember? And how can we remember the Lord above all others? Pastor David preaches, "Getting Priorities Straight", based on Deuteronomy 6:1-9. This sermon is the first of a four-week series titled "Celebrating Generosity".
Mary Magdalene could only imagine the worst. Jesus' body was missing, which must have meant that someone had stolen it. She was shattered by grief. After Jesus had been so cruelly killed, why would someone do this? However, her grief soon turns to surprise. How does Mary recognize the risen Lord? And how might we recognize the risen Lord among us today? Pastor David preaches, "By Name", based on John 20:1-18.
It appeared that the powers of the world had crushed Jesus. He was dead on a Roman cross. But in his death new life would spring forth for the world. How does John poetically describe this new life in the events that happen after Jesus' death? And what does that new life mean in a world filled with death and pain? Pastor David preaches, "Behold the Lamb", based on John 19:31-42.
Jesus hung on a Roman cross outside the city walls. He seemed to be yet another failed messiah, crushed under the twin wheels of religion and the state. Even at this end point, Jesus loves those who belong to him, and forms a new community at the foot of the cross. What is this new community, formed in death's shadow, like? Pastor David preaches "A New Community" based on John 19:23-30.
Jesus performed signs to point to the life he gives the world. In a bitter twist, Pilate fixed a sign to the cross to humiliate the religious leaders as well as Jesus. Yet Pilate's sign becomes an ironic pointer to new life as well. How does this happen? And how might we be signmakers who point to this new life, perhaps in unintentional ways? Pastor David preaches "Signmakers" based on John 12:12-19 and John 19:16b-22.
The irony in John's Gospel reaches its height in chapter 19. Jesus is tortured and humiliated, dressed up in a purple robe and crown of thorns to mock his kingship. The Lord of Life appears to be subject to powers of sin and death. However, in his humiliation, Jesus shows us what real power looks like. How does Jesus do this? What does it mean to trust in a condemned and crucified Savior? Pastor David preaches "Exposing the Powers", based on John 19:1-16a.
Was Jesus a revolutionary? That was the question behind Pilate's question, "Are you the King of the Jews?" However, Jesus responds that his kingdom reaches farther and is rooted deeper than Pilate can possibly imagine. Jesus is indeed a revolutionary--but not in the way Pilate suspects. Pastor David preaches, "Revolution", based on John 18:28-40.
Cornering a wild animal is very dangerous. Seeking to escape, the animal can lash out. Peter is much like a cornered animal in this text, first resorting to violence and then utterly denying his Lord. But can we blame him? Is Peter not like us? And what does Jesus do for us when we are cornered? Pastor David preaches, "Break Out!", based on John 18:1-27.
The story of Jesus washing his disciples' feet might strike us as a tender story of loving service (which it certainly is). But it is far more than that. While betrayal and denial are operative in the room, Jesus puts his own safety second to his love for his disciples. What kind of gritty courage does it take to love someone who might reject you? Why would Jesus love like this? And what does this mean for how Jesus loves us and how we are called to love? Pastor David preaches, "The Courage to Love", based on John 13:1-17.
When Lazarus dies, Jesus inexplicably tarries. Why doesn't he come quickly when his dear friend is so ill? Such a question is not just on Mary and Martha's heart; it is perhaps the perpetual human question. What does it mean for Jesus to delay healing for Lazarus? Why does he weep even though he already knows what he will do? And what good news does this passage have for us in our most painful moments? This first Sunday of Lent, Pastor David preaches, "The Question", based on John 11:1-44.
After healing the man born blind, Jesus tells the religious leaders that he is the Good Shepherd of the sheep. This might mean a couple things: first, that Jesus protects his people, but also that Jesus leads his people out into a wider world full of danger. What does it mean to trust Jesus in a world where danger and death are very real? And why can't Christians just stay huddled away from the world? Pastor David preaches, "Keeping the Wolf from the Door" for Ash Wednesday, based on John 10:1-18.
This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday, when Jesus reveals his glory on the mountaintop. However, John's Gospel has no mountaintop. There is no traditional transfiguration story in his Gospel. But there is transfiguration. What happens when the light of the world changes the way an entire community "sees" someone? And why do some refuse to perceive someone in a new light? Come hear more in Pastor David's sermon, "True Sight", based on John 9:1-41.
There was a problem with Jesus. He was from Galilee and everyone knew it. He didn't check the boxes for a proper messiah. But Jesus cares little for our expectations and asks us to consider one question: Where do we find life? And how can we find it when we are so concerned with our own expectations? Pastor David preaches, "Throw Out Your Checklist", based on John 7:37-52.
Consumption is part of our American way of life. Sometimes it's framed as a patriotic duty (especially around Black Friday). But we consume much more than food or consumer goods. We also consume news, books, art, movies, and Tik Tok videos, just to name a few things. But what we ingest has a direct effect on all aspects of our health. When Jesus tells us to consume him, is that really any more shocking than what our culture asks us to consume? And what are the consequences of consuming Jesus as opposed to everything else? Pastor David preaches, "You Are What You Eat", based on John 6:35-59.
The word "power" often has a negative connotation. We might think of the powers that be or someone's lust for power. Politicians or ultrarich CEOs might come to mind. But power itself is just about the ability to do something. And two men in this week's gospel find themselves utterly powerless: a royal official and a paralyzed man. How does Jesus respond to their (and our) powerlessness? What new power does Jesus give? Pastor David Fleener preaches, "The Power to Be", based on John 4:43-5:18.
Pastor David Fleener preaches on the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman in John 4:1-42.
Pastor David Fleener's sermon for the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany, "What's Your Temple?", based on John 2:13-25.
Pastor David Fleener's sermonette for the Third Sunday of Advent, "Words Create Worlds", based on Isaiah 55:1-13.
Pastor David Fleener's sermon for the Second Sunday of Advent, "Embracing the Absurd", based on Ezekiel 37:1-14.
Pastor David Fleener's sermon for the First Sunday of Advent, "A Strange Shalom", based on Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14.
Pastor David's sermon for Christ the King Sunday, "A Fool's Hope", based on Isaiah 9:1-7.
Pastor David Fleener's sermon for All Saints Sunday, "You Are Not Alone", based on 1 Kings 19:1-18
Pastor David Fleener's sermon for Reformation Day, "God's Building Project", based on 1 Kings 5:1-5; 8:1-13 (Solomon's Temple).
Pastor David Fleener's sermon for October 24 based on 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and Psalm 51:10-14.
Pastor David Fleener's sermon at St. Augustine's House in Oxford, Michigan, based on Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 and John 6:56-69.
Pastor David Fleener's fifth sermon in a five-week series on Leviticus, based on 25:1-18 and Luke 4:16-21.
Pastor David's fourth sermon on Leviticus in a five-week series, based on 19:1-2, 9-18 and Mark 12:28-34.
Pastor David Fleener's third sermon in a series on Leviticus, based on 16:1-10, 20-22, 29-31, and Matthew 27:15-23.
Pastor David Fleener's second sermon in a series on Leviticus, based on 8:1-9, 30-36; 9:22-24, and John 20:19-22.
Pastor David Fleener's first sermon in his five-week series on Leviticus, based on 1:1-17 and Luke 2:21-24.
Pastor David Fleener's second sermon in a three-part series on Sabbath, based on Genesis 2:1-3 and John 15:9-15.
Pastor David Fleener preaches the first of three sermons on the Sabbath, based on Deuteronomy 5:12-15
Pr. David Fleener's sermon, "Dealing with Distraction", based on Galatians 3:1-9, 23-29.
Pastor David Fleener's sermonette for Lenten Evening Prayer, March 10, 2021, based on Exodus 20:1-17.
Pastor David Fleener's sermonette for Evening Prayer, first week of Lent, based on Genesis 9:8-17.
Pastor David Fleener's sermon for Vi Dilly's funeral service, based on Isaiah 46:3-4 and Matthew 11:28-30.
Pastor David Fleener's sermon for the 2nd Sunday of Christmas, "God's Business', based on Luke 2:41-52
Pastor David Fleener's sermon for the second Sunday of Advent, "Strands of Hope", based on Isaiah 61:1-11 and Luke 4:16-21.
Pastor David Fleener's sermon, "Life Among Lions", based on Daniel 6:6-27, for the first Sunday of Advent.
Pastor David Fleener's sermon for Christ the King, "All Pyramids Crumble", based on Jeremiah 36 and 31.
Pastor David Fleener's sermon, "Shamed", based on Genesis 2:4b-7, 15-17, 3:1-8 (Narrative Lectionary).
Pastor David's sermon, "The 'F' Word", based on Petitions 4 & 5 of the Lord's Prayer and Luke 6:20-36.
Pastor David's sermon, "God’s Good and Gracious Will", based on Introduction and Petitions 1-3 of the Lord's Prayer.
Pastor David's sermon for August 9, based on Article III of the Apostles' Creed and John 20:19-23.
Pastor David's sermon, "Gratitude", based on Article I of the Apostles Creed and Matthew 6:30-34
Pastor David Fleener's sermon, "Semper Fidelis", based on Acts 18:1-11 (Narrative Lectionary)
Pastor David Fleener's sermon, "Prayer Interrupted", based on Acts 3:1-10 (Narrative Lectionary).
Pastor David Fleener's sermon, "The Story Begins (Again)", based on Acts 1:1-14 (Narrative Lectionary).
Pastor David Fleener's sermon, "Unanswered", based on Mark 15:16-39 (Narrative Lectionary).
Pastor David Fleener's sermon, "The Cup", based on Mark 14:22-42 (Narrative Lectionary)
Pastor David Fleener's sermon for Palm Sunday, based on Mark 14:3-9 (Narrative Lectionary).
Pastor David Fleener's sermon, "When the World Crumbles", based on Mark 13:1-8, 24-37 (Narrative Lectionary).
Pastor David Fleener's sermon, "Caught", based on Mark 12:1-17, for Lent 3 (Narrative Lectionary).
Pastor David Fleener's sermon, "Audacity", based on Mark 10:32-52, for Lent 2 (Narrative Lectionary).
Pastor David Fleener's sermon, "Possession", based on Mark 10:17-31 (Narrative Lectionary).
Pastor David Fleener's sermon, "Losers", based on Mark 8:27-9:8 (Narrative Lectionary).
Pastor David Fleener's sermon, "Family Traditions", based on Mark 7:1-23 (Narrative Lectionary).