RoboPreacher

Matthew 3:13-17 I will be preaching January 9 (The first Sunday after the Epiphany, The Baptism of Jesus). At first I wasn’t too interested in this story. Lately, though, I’ve been drawn in by interesting nuances; two, specifically: First , when Jesus comes to John to be baptized we hear that John would have prevented him. I find this hesitation of John to be understandable, and apparently Matthew does too. After all, a little before this reading, John says that he is unworthy to carry Jesus’ sandals . However, Jesus insists that this baptism is necessary to fulfill all righteousness. (Side note, I am unsure exactly what righteousness must mean . A few verses earlier Joseph is described as righteous because he is willing to dismiss Mary quietly . ) What is striking to me, though, is that John’s religious expectations influenced how he imaged God. You see, while John is lauding Jesus, John makes that point that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit and Fire. Not only will t...

Luke 2:1-14 Prayer: God, may the words of my lips and the meditations of all our hearts be part of the proclamation; “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among all those God favors.” Amen. “O’ holy night, O’ silent night,” This story, it just seems to capture the holiness, the silence, the stillness we associate Christmas with. What is about this story the invites us into those quite places? This story, for me, evokes memories of standing barefoot in my parent’s house, tiptoeing on cold feet to look out the backdoor. I don’t know why, but on Christmas Eve, in the bleak midwinter, the world seemed especially holy and still to me. It felt like things were just ripe for something holy to break through those dark blue Midwestern skies… When I hear this story, I get that same feeling. And, I suspect, I am not alone. What is it about this story? Why does it arrest our imagination so? Why does this story about a birth draw us into those still, quiet and h...

I wanna change too... Matthew 1:2-11 Prayer: Lord, may the meditations of all our hearts take no offense at thee. Amen. Intro: Did you all know there used to be a Ferris wheel where this church used to be? That’s pretty fun… I guess when they were building is some of the material must have been from the Middle East. I say that because earlier this week I was clearing my head, so I took a little walk around the basement. Guess what I found: John’s diary! It must have been in the mix of materials building the Ferris wheel. Here it is, though, you can see Johannes’s diary, it says it in Greek. Well, mostly Greek. Pretty wild, right? That is what I thought. ( Pause ) So, when I first found the diary I was elated. “I’ll publish this finding! I’ll be a celebrity! …Well, at least on the seminary campus.” So, I started to read the diary, so I could publish my first article about this amazing find. As I started to read it, though, I was struck by this dairy… You see, a lot of th...

In General; of preaching: This "In General; of preaching," is a series I hope to continue. In these posts I want to talk broadly about the craft, art of the sermon. Look for more. I appreciate any added questions or insights into this new pursuit. Of Function and Content: I remember growing up, and asserting myself more and more as an individual. As I did this I questioned many of the traditions, assumptions and worldviews my family and friends had given to me. I remember thinking about worshiping Jesus; there was this absurd claim about a god-man being born, and killed, and raised… Somehow that faith in me stuck. As I wrestled with faith, though, I encountered even more absurd claims! (Rev. Jay Carlson provides a wonderful Advent devotional about the absurd claims faith makes.) One night in the library I remember physically experiencing a sense of vertigo. This particular night I was thinking about how topsy-turvey many of the assumptions of worshiping Jesus are. F...

now we're screaming, sing the chorus again... Matthew 11:2-11: I will be preaching on this on Sunday December 12. This story is so interesting. You know, John who Luke says leaped in his mother's womb when he was near Jesus in the womb is questioning if Jesus is the one. It is kind of scandalous, we're so used to religious certainty, but here we are confronted with the human capacity to doubt. Its a great story. What is greater still is Jesus' answer: "Go & tell John what you hear and see; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, & the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me." What is so great about Jesus' answer is that just as John preaches past himself, so does Jesus! In other words, Jesus does not answer by saying, "Yes, I am the one." Instead, Jesus answers by preaching about the dominion of God. Jesus' answer isn'...

Luke 23:33-43: Prayer : God, may the words of my lips and the meditations of all our hearts be remembered as your dominion is realized. Amen. Intro: Today is Christ the King Sunday, the end of the liturgical year. Next Sunday we begin a new church year… Christ the king Sunday. Does it feel odd to you, too? Christ the king . Shouldn’t the reading be something a little more, I don’t know, kingly… Today we are struck with how incredibly counter-cultural worshiping Christ can be. Today as the stores are gearing up for Christmas; we are hearing about Christ crucified. As England’s economy is about to get a bump from a huge wedding of a potential king; we’re hearing about a king who is recognized on the cross. This is really powerful stuff. What does it all mean? What does it mean to confess someone who was crucified outside the city with criminals as lord? This cross, the instrument of Jesus’ death; what does it mean? What does it mean that to confess Jesus as a king w...