The Mediator: A Parable

Spitting is a bad habit, yet Jesus spit in three of his mracles. In fact, Jesus may have even healed with a wet-Willy.   This sermon is part of a series called "The Bad Habits of Jesus." We are not looking at Jesus as sinful, but rather how Jesus often broke social norms and expectations because he lived in a different kingdom. The series is inspired by a book by my teacher Leonard Sweet of the same name.

29 Touko 201722min

This sermon is part of a series called "The Bad Habits of Jesus." We are not looking at Jesus as sinful, but rather how Jesus often broke social norms and expectations because he lived in a different kingdom. The series is inspired by a book by my teacher Leonard Sweet of the same name. This Sunday was Children's Sunday, where the kids helped lead the worship. I was intentionally a little more off-the-cuff to fit the service better. I take a look at the relationship that Jesus had with children.

25 Touko 201716min

This sermon starts as series called "The Bad Habits of Jesus." We are not looking at Jesus as sinful, but rather how Jesus often broke social norms and expectations because he lived in a different kingdom. The series is inspired by a book by my teacher Leonard Sweet of the same name. This Sunday was Mother's Day, so I took a look at the relationships that Jesus had with women. In fact, the Bible is exceptional in its time for the good treatment of women, but Jesus takes it to another level. Paul is a little harder to read, but I argue that he too is actually positvive toward women. This sermon is part an apprecation of women, part a justification for women in ministry, and part a call to treat others with respect--not based on what we think they have to offer, but becasue they are valuable treasures.

19 Touko 201721min

This is one of my favorite sermons that I have ever done. I was inspired by some great friends I graduated with and some great friends that helped me along the way to think through a theology of friendship. Why we need friends, why it is hard to have deep friendships, and how to create and cultivate them.

8 Touko 201724min

Today I talk about the story of Samson. But be warned, this is the Samson story you learned in Sunday School. It is the full, PG-13 story. Samson is not a great example for us, but his story has a lot to teach us.

24 Huhti 201726min

Here is my final sermon on the words of Jesus from the cross, yet it is also Easter Sunday, so I move into the Resurrection as well. It is finished, but it is not done. At the end of the sermon, my voice gave out from a cold I had been fighting, so the sermon ended more abruptly than I planned.

21 Huhti 201718min

I am not doing these sermon in the traditional order. Today I look at the phrase, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." I am saving "It is finished" for Easter. I take a look at the time of day, the darkness, the turn curtain, and this phrase. This comes from Psalm 31 and was an evening prayer that Jesus would have learned as a child. I then look at the responses of those present at his death.

11 Huhti 201724min

This sermon is on Jesus saying "I Thirst" from the cross. I must admit that I worried I would not have enough to say about this text. Instead, I had a lot to say. I will also say that I was very sick this particular Sunday. I wasn't even sure that I would be able to preach.

3 Huhti 201719min