RoboPreacher

how these memories haunt my mind A sermon from Nicodemus' encounter with Jesus They say time heals all wounds . But I’m not so sure. Yes, a little time can lend you some courage and perspective. But time can also hinder healing. Can’t it? Time can fester old wounds. Petrify them.   If we’re being honest, it’s our past sins that have the most bite . It’s not those recent things I’ve done and left undone that give me the most pause . No , it’s the unkind word spoken long ago that’s echoes loudest . It’s the former act of petty retribution that no longer seems so insignificant. It’s nursed grudges that prove hardest to forgive.   William Faulkner, a man who knew a thing or two about checkered histories, once said, “The past is never dead. It's not even past.” He understood what sins are most difficult to get over. On internship, my supervisory pastor opined that when she says “God loves you,” everyone thinks she talking about someone else . “When I say that,” she sa...

on giving in slowly A sermon from John 3 on the 2nd article of the Creed This, the Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed, is the longest . There’s plenty in here. More than enough for a single sermon. However, what I want to focus on is what’s not in this article of the Creed! Because what isn’t here is as surprising as it is promising … Any hunches? Notice anything that’s missing?   …There’s nothing in the Creed whatsoever about the content of Jesus’ sublime teaching s! AND neither is there any reference at all to his miraculous deeds! There’s nothing about the Sermon on the Mount, raising Lazarus, or any other of Jesus’ sermons or actions! All we have is a stripped -down account of the bare facts of Jesus’ existence! He was Conceived by the Holy Spirit. Born of the virgin Mary. Suffered under Pontius Pilate. Was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. Then , the Creed goes on to speak of Jesus’ continued exalted existence...

use it tonight The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 3rd chapter ! Poor Nicodemus.   So little to show for all his efforts that night he went to meet Jesus… But really, I think the reason we have sympathy for Nicodemus is because the truth is, we’re a lot more like Nicodemus than we care to admit… After all, Nicodemus was the kind of guy who, like you this morning, would show up to church on a crummy January day… And there’s more we have in common with old Nicodemus.   First, Nicodemus was a leader . In other words, he had managed to climb up the ladder a little. BUT, good Nicodemus didn’t let it go to his head. In fact, he comes across as altogether sincere . Humble even, as he meets Jesus. BecauseNicodemus lives by the very virtues we’ve been reared on! And secondly, we can’t help but admire Nicodemus for his work-ethic. Nicodemus shows up to meet Jesus by night . In other words, after the nine-to-five! Because Nicodemus isn’t afr...