Category: Theology
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The Gospel of Life: Believe
John 20: 24-31 – Let God Show Me “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A disciple, Thomas, states what it takes for him to believe. Jesus waits a week, then appears to Thomas even…
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The Appearing Gospel: Look Who Showed Up
John 20: 1-23 – Stay in Awe When was the last time you stood in awe or wonder of something? When was the last time something left you dazed and confused? In the Gospel of John chapter 20, individuals are still living in the shock and shadow of the death of Jesus. Early, on the…
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The Finishing Gospel: Death of the Saves Man
John 19:16-42 – Are We Living or Dying? Yesterday, I taught my second to last class on the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke). We discussed the crucifixion and the resurrection. What is interesting to me about John’s gospel is the things he notes about Jesus during the crucifixion. Jesus is deeply concerned for his mother.…
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The Gospel of Trial: God’s Verdict
John 18:28 – 19:16 – What Do You Stand for? Lately, I have been practicing withholding judgment against the inaction of individual’s. I’ve begun this practice because I’m recognizing that the inaction of others most often results from ignorance or lack of urgency, not from maliciousness or hatred. I don’t want to put someone on…
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Trading the 2nd Amendment for the 2nd Commandment
John 18:11, Matthew 26:52-54, Luke 22:49-51 Our Swords are Our Guns and It’s Time to Put Them Away I’m not writing specifically about the 2nd amendment. And my intention here is not to lobby for change in the political arena. I don’t like loud yelling, whistle blowing or things that divide people unless it is…
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The Cutting Gospel: Separating the Should and Should Not
John 18:1-27- Imagine the Divine Impulse Have you ever been disappointed in yourself after acting on impulse? Considering how frequently in the Gospels Peter acts on impulse, I imagine he was disappointed in himself often. But I am convinced that our impulsive action in ignorance does not disappoint God as much as it disappoints us.…
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The Gospel of Grow: Tangled Up in You
John 15: I Don’t Know if This Ends The first sermon I preached during my first job in ministry was from John 15. 8 months later, the last sermon I preached during my first job in ministry was from John 15. That was 7 years ago. And since then, I’ve learned a lot about why…
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The Gospel of Go: Home is Who you Come Back To
John 14: The Many Rooms We Come To 14:3 “ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” Jesus the carpenter’s son, tells his disciples…
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The Betrayal and Denial Gospel: When you “Can’t” Control Yourself
John 13:18-38: Shared Bread Psalm 41:9 Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned (lifted up their heel) against me. The thing about betrayal, the thing about denial that allows both of them to deal damage is intimacy. Truth be told, I give as much credence to ridicule or…
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The Cleansing Gospel: My Favorite
Sufficiency This currency of mine it will lift you like a house hung from a balloon or a wife off her feet by her husband This urgency of time let it pass you like the drive in a car to vacation like angst before returning home This destination is a comma in the adventure where…
The Reconstructed 