Rev. Paul Leonard: Recent Episodes
Rev. Paul Leonard
Rev. Leonard (M.Div. Fuller Seminary) is the pastor at St Johns on Morgan Hill in Williams township, PA . His messages are timely, scriptural, and focus on issues of faith. While the podcast focuses primarily on sermons that explain scripture verse by verse things likess special music, etc. will be included time to time.
In today's passage, Peter finally gets what 8 chapters of Mark have been building towards the recognition of Jesus as the Christ. However, the same issue that we have been looking at this entire series remains. Peter's definition of Messiah is still very different than Jesus'. This passage represents a pivot point in the gospel, so we this is the first of two messages looking at this section.
Mark ch 8, parallels much of the material from the 1st half of Mark Ch 6 & 7.
Using the story so far we look at the specific point Jesus was making with feeding the 4000, as well as how aggressive the debates with the Pharisees and scribes were becoming.
This episode looks at two miracles of Jesus. The healing of a gentile woman's daughter and the healing of a deaf/ mute.
As we launch our new "Wednesday Praise Nights" we are exploring the basics of the faith. Today we begin looking at the Heidelberg Catachism
Many of us live lives that are characterized by only accepting half of the Gospel, only the outline. Rev. Paul in a special message for Back to Church Sunday extorts his listeners to accept the full gospel of Christ.
We take a look at an incident of very purposeful rejection of the oral traditions of the scribes by Jesus
We look at the story of Jesus feeding the 5000.
In Mark's Gospel Jesus uses this miracle to establish a very poignant connection between him and Moses and Isaiah's/ Ezekiel's prophecies.
*Note: this is a re-upload after an error the first time
We look at the story of how Jesus sent out the disciples, and how that required an attitude of complete innovation, and a strong dependence on Grace
John was the prophet who prepared the way of the Lord, and that in today's story means he quite literally faced his own death. This sermon explores what it means that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Prophets and how we all in some ways play the same roll as John the Baptist did.
Jesus could find any respect in his hometown. This sermon follows the text a bit more loosely than our series has so far, focusing on the 10th commandment (9th in some traditions) "Thou shall not covet"
Today's sermon explores two different miracles of Jesus that the Gospel of Mark wraps together. We explore why Jesus' healing of the woman with the 12 year hemorrhage and the raising of the synagogue leader's daughter are wrapped together in Mark.
Mark uses 4 agricultural parables to describe the kingdom of God back to back. But in the Gospel of Mark the key phrase the "kingdom of God" makes the meaning a bit nuanced from normal.
We look at what is a very long story of a demon being cast out in the Gospel of Mark. Mark takes a long time to develop the details, and we look at what some of those details mean; also focus on Jesus' transformative deliverance.
We look at the Story of Jesus quieting the storm. This will be a limited availability sermon.
In today's episode Jesus selects the Twelve Disciples. We take a look at the 13 men Jesus selected to start his church and carry out his mission
Jesus is accused by the Pharisees and scribes of healing with black magic, at the same time his Mother and family fail to understand him. Jesus uses the moment to teach who his true family are.
Jesus has now built a reputation; people are coming to him only because of his reputation and not his message. Eager to preach the kingdom, Jesus makes a choice to heal a man even though it would hindering his preaching
We often hear the words "Jesus, Son of God" and just assume we know what they mean. In fact, a great many people think they are sure themselves but wouldn't agree with others. So as we begin to read the Gospel of Mark we get to first things first... letting Mark define his gospel.
Many people focus on the sayings of Jesus, but according to Mark Jesus had a very distinct message that he preached. Jesus preached that the kingdom had come.
That set him apart from John the Baptist who said it was coming, and others who said it was a place.
Jesus preached the Kingdom had come because HE was the kingdom.
Jesus now shifts his ministry to building up the kingdom by calling the first disciples. This brings conflict with evil as a Demon confronts him. But Jesus shows his authority by casting it out and amazing the crowd.
Jesus makes a bold claim in todays text, then he goes even further by making the bold action of healing on the Sabbath. In the 5 conflicts of Mark Ch 2 this action becomes the last straw for Jesus' opponents
Today we look at the popular story where Jesus heals the man lowered through the roof. Jesus when challenged asked his opponents if it is easier to say God forgives sins, or to tell someone to be healed. In today's times, we often say the first a lot! And hardly anyone claims the later. And that is what Jesus is getting at.
In Mark Ch2, Jesus gets in 5 conflicts with the Pharisees as he is ministering in Galilee. In calling Levi and eating with sinners Jesus also should be challenging us! The action is more radical than we assume if we really dig into the text.
Paul gives a unique view on Christian marriage that challenges our cultural assumptions
Paul finally drops the bomb on his big and main problem with the church in Corinth.
What's going on there isn't pretty; the attitude of the people doing it shows up in places that may look just fine.
Paul pleads with the church as a Father; also says he will not submit to human judgement.
This is an important build up to the conflict of ch 5.
The fourth sermon in the 1st Corinthians series.
Focus: Most of the church is childish and Paul must make clear that someone needs to grow up!
This is the first sermon in our new series on 1st Corinthians.
Paul's introduction calls the church to focus on unity in Christ to overcome its divisions based on human leadership
2nd sermon in the Corinthian series
Paul makes an appeal to the "foolishness of the cross" to end the debates over who is wise and powerful in the struggling Corinthian church
There's an aspect of faith that has to be public. And we are often quite concerned about our own public reputation. And while sometimes people think religion is all about God being ashamed of us... quite often it's actually the other way around.
Have you ever been ashamed of your faith? In today's message we get at the fact that people didn't like Jesus! And to be his disciple, we are going to have to accept that challenge.
In this scriptural exposition of 2 Corinthians, Rev. Paul approaches the wide theme of church conflict found throughout both letters of 1st and 2nd Corinthians. With 80% of US churches in some stage of plateau or decline, its sadly very likely many Christians are all to familiar with such things.
But the issue isn't impossible, and the solution isn't even to be found in some new program or technique. It's not about music, politics, style, or superficial things, but about being faithful to the reason why the church exist in the first place! [As explained in the first 4 sermons in the series (only 1 and 4 were recorded)] The congregation in Corinth was struggling with multiple issues, so this sermon treats the main faucets of the conflict.
But the key problem was, it was stuck. Does your Church or Christian walk seem stuck? Moving forward is actually quite easy as Rev. Leonard explains. It just takes being dissatisfied enough to actually leave Egypt!
Rev. Leonard's primary thesis is the solution the Apostle Paul advocated was not dwelling on the existing conflict, but on moving forward with the church's true calling. The wisdom being to fold, as old conflict grow smaller in the rear view mirror, and a more broadly mature church of tomorrow can address issues that elude its maturity today.
In the first part, Rev. Paul looks at the Apostle's solution, sending Titus, and delves into the key instructions he gives Titus in Titus 3:7-10. Titus is instructed to remind the people to grow in good works, and to avoid being divisive. Often, churches are divided, but how exactly do we diagnose it?
Second, the Church's commision is "as you go Make Disciples" (Matt), but sometimes the "going" part gets tough. This is a timely message for anyone who is eager to see their church move forward, is wondering why old problems linger, and wonders what attitudes we can take to do something about it. With examples from life, this message shows why this is vital.
It's been a long time since Rev. Leonard has clocked in a message over 20 minutes; this message is so relevant to today, to the majority of churches, that it is worth going into the issue at length.
I apologize, but due to repainting the sanctuary, my mind was off and I failed to record parts 2 and 3. Today's message is, "What?" is the church? and the answer is its the body of Christ. That should not just unite us, but we can't be the body of Christ if we are not
Jonah is called by God, and goes right in the other direction. This is the Sunday School story for adults!
Jonah even in the lowest part of his life is playing a prophetic role. What does it mean to be a prophet in the bad times?
Jesus tells Peter that he is going to build his church on the Rock. That is, the confession Jesus is Lord. As we explore what it means to be a church, the key of what sets us apart is the corner stone.
In this message we explore Jesus' invitation to pray and to have faith the father hears us.
In the climactic ending to the sermon on the mount, Jesus warns his followers of 4 unique challenges they will meet upon the way. This is both a searching and harrowing message.
Today we look at Jesus' declaration, "You shall not judge!" in context. It's both a humbling and a challenging message, as Jesus isn't particularly kindly to either us judging others or us rejecting wise criticism.
In our Reformation day 2019 sermon, we look at the time Elijah gets really really down... and even ask the Lord to take his life!
In this investigation of Matthew 6:19-24 we face a hard truth most of us rather wouldn't admit! Not only can you not take it with you, thinking you can is bad for you. The Christian hope has and never will be "of the world" but it is a hope secure BEYOND this life.
Jesus' teaching on prayer often is looked at as something said verbatim. We just repeat the words. While that's OK, this message looks at how we can expand the prayer into a rubric for 3-dimensional or even 4 dimensional spiritual expression.
Jesus says not to go parading off how religious we are by praying. Rather, we are to work in the secret presence of God that's not always showy.
Jesus points out that if even a wicked judge will give just to be left alone, won't God who purses justice and to help do much more when we ask?
In Matthew 6:1-4 Jesus tells his disciples to avoid showcasing generosity and virtue to be approved off by men. It's much more important that they live a life concerned with God.
Jesus list 4 different reactions to the Gospel in this 1st lesson in a series exploring the parables of Jesus.
In the climax of Jesus' first section of the Sermon of the Mt. Jesus sums up the entire law in the startling command to love our Enemies. This sermon explores just how hard that is!
In this 2nd Episode on the Sermon on the Mt., Jesus explains how his followers from the very get go must be distinct and won't exactly be thanked for it.
Jesus in his sermon on the Mountain makes it very clear that he doesn't tolerate anger in the Kingdom of Heaven. In fact, he wants disciples to do more than just "not" get Angry.
Jesus' continues his Sermon on the Mt. by preaching the shocking message that the law still stands. This sermon sets up the contrast between legalism and fulfillment in the Kingdom that Jesus' teaching uses thematically.
We're beginning a new series of looking in-depth at Jesus' own sermon on what it means to follow him. In this lesson we look at "the Beatitudes" which are 8 easy to remember summaries of his teaching. We normally think of the term "blessed" religiously when we think of "blessed are the poor in spirit," however delving into a study of the language of the Gospel, the word is better rendered "Happy." Or maybe, it could even be read "envy?" What does Jesus mean when he says "envy them that mourn?!"
I'm heavily indebted to R.T. France's commentary on this one, and wish to thank the author for the inspiration.
We conclude our look at 1st Samuel by going to the tragic end. What can we learn from Saul's untimely death?
When Samuel anoints David, God tells Samuel that he does judge by the externals of humanity, but rather looks to the heart
Saul loses the kingship of Israel; however, the question is why? Rev. Leonard looks to the "heart" of the matter
Israel sins in asking Samuel to appoint a king over them, which Samuel only does reluctantly. Today's lesson is about submitting to the Lord's control even those things we think are good (like a King to protect us). God may have other or better plans for our lives; we won't know if we don't ask or listen.
We look at the story of how Saul is anointed king. Saul seems to have everything going for him on the outside; that just makes him the kind of king the people want... not the kind of king they need.
Pentecost is the day we celebrate the founding of the church, and it's normally looked at from the perspective of missions. In this lesson, Rev. Leonard looks at the equally important perspective of what the coming of the Holy Spirit means for believers.
In this chapter the story of 1 Samuel hits its low point as the people of Israel is defeated and the ark of the covenant is stolen. This message deals with getting right with God, and the problems we encourage when we pick a God sized fight without getting God sized help.
Having a purpose in life is a rare treasure; Jesus says to not store up treasures here on earth. Today Rev. Leonard takes a look at how the bible deals two ways with our search for meaning, and explores the approach of Ecclesiastes 3
{I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts.For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity.All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth?}