“The Legend of the Little Drummer Boy” Texts: Matthew 2; Mark 12:41-44 Not a traditional sermon, this fictional retelling of The Legend of the Little Drummer Boy (written by Pastor Jon in 2003) helps us imagine how the character of the Little Drummer Boy might have interacted with real biblical characters. While the story is…
“Jumping for Joy” Texts: Luke 1:26-55 True joy is found, not in circumstances and surroundings, but in a deep and abiding knowledge of God and our role in His Kingdom. Pastor Jon looks at Mary, Elizabeth, and John the Baptist (as an infant) to see what we can learn about this deep joy which is…
“Messiah Brings Shalom” Texts: Luke 3:1-18; Malachi 3:1-4 In our world of dischord and war, it seems odd to speak of the “Peace of Christ.” When we hear the message of John the Baptist, it sounds less like a message of peace and good news, but one of judgment. And yet, true shalom is only…
“When All Hell Breaks Loose, Help Is On the Way” Texts: Luke 21:25-36; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; James 5:13-16 The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the new liturgical year. The Advent celebration is not simply about marking time until Christmas, but an opportunity for us to boldly proclaim the message of hope. This…
“Complete Surrender to Christ the King” Texts: Hebrews 12:1-2; John 18:28-40 Eric Liddell, also known as The Flying Scotsman, helps us understand what it means to orient our lives around the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ dialogue with Pontius Pilate reminds us that His Kingdom is not one of swords or spears, but a spiritual Kingdom…
“The Marathon of Faith” Texts: Hebrews 11-12:2; Psalm 73:24-28; Mark 13:1-8 The author of Hebrews exhorts his readers to hold fast and to follow hard after Christ as we run this great marathon of faith. Christianity is not something that we can take up when it is convenient, but an all-consuming obsession that leaves time…
“The Requirements of the New Covenant” Texts: Hebrews 10:11-24; Ruth 3:1-4:17; Mark 12:35-44 Hebrews chapter 10 provides some snapshots of ways in which the New Covenant has different requirements than the Old Covenant. While the Old Covenant was structured on lists and laws, the New Covenant is based upon the Law of Love. We give…
“The Old and New Covenants” Texts: Genesis 15; Hebrews 9:1-15; Mark 12:28-34 By looking more closely at the covenant traditions of the ancient culture, Pastor Jon highlights more ways in which the author of Hebrews demonstrates that the New Covenant is greater than and fulfills the Old Covenant. We learn that when Jesus gives His…
“Salvation Full and Free” Texts: Genesis 14; Hebrews 7; Mark 10:46-52 The author of Hebrews spends a great deal of energy comparing Jesus to the Old Testament character of Melchizedek. Not only is Jesus similar to Melchizedek, but Melchizeded is greater than Levi and the Levitical priests. The logical argument provided by Hebrews helped the…
“Finding Jesus Through Suffering” Texts: Mark 10:35-38; Hebrews 1:9-10; Isaiah 53:3-12; Genesis 3:17-19Job 38:1-7, 34-41; Romans 8:17; Matthew 25:35-40 The Problem of Evil asks “How can evil co-exist in a universe with an all-good, all-powerful God?” Pastor Jon Twitchell looks at this difficult problem, drawing from the doctrine of free will, the tarnishing of creation…