gospel on New Beginnings

Keywords

Scripture

John 3:1-17

Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.” – Jo...

lectionary

Pentecost

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Genesis 11:1-9, Genesis 1:28

Summary of the Text Ancient Context What’s the historical context? The Tower of Babel The story of the Tower of Babel comes after many chapters relating the story of Noah, the flood, and the ...

lectionary

First Sunday in Lent

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Genesis 9:8-17, Genesis 1:31, Genesis 6:6-8, Genesis 8:21-22, Genesis 17:4-7, Romans 5:6-8, Genesis 8:22, Revelation 2:4, John 13:35, Romans 5:17

Lent 2021: A 40-day Heart Restoration Destruction No More Bonus Content: Video prep session with Scott Bullock on Genesis 9:8-17 . Password: fHUk*p2* AIM Commentary Ancient Lens What can we ...

lectionary

Third Sunday in Lent

Author

Keywords

Scripture

John 4:5-42

AIM Commentary Ancient Lens What can we learn from the historical context? The Samaritan Woman in a Male-Defined World In the ancient world, your place as a woman was defined by your connection...

scripture guide

Scripture Guide, Genesis 9:8-17

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Genesis 9:8-17, Genesis 1:31, Genesis 6:6-8, Genesis 8:21-22, Genesis 17:4-7, Romans 4:null, Romans 5:6-8, Genesis 8:22, Revelation 2:4, John 13:35, Romans 5:17

Ancient Lens What can we learn from the historical context? How did we get here? When relationships disintegrate and fall apart it is a fair question to ask. The question may come on the brink of...

scripture guide

Scripture Guide 2 Corinthians 5:6-17

Author

Keywords

Scripture

2 Corinthians 5:6-17, Job 2:9, Proverbs 29:25

Eyes of Faith Verse 17 summarizes the Apostle Paul’s argument in this passage: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Throughou...

liturgy

Inspired by Jonah 3:1-5; 10

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Jonah 3:1-5, Jonah 3:10

Father, we thank you that you are a God who provides second chances. You called us to go and we ran. We ran as far from your presence as possible. You pursued us in our abandonment of your call. Like ...

liturgy

Leader: As Jesus healed the afflicted

Keywords

Scripture

1 John 1:9, John 10:10, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 2:24, Ephesians 1:7

Leader: As Jesus healed the afflicted and restored those who have died, he also forgives our sins and gives us new life. Friends, believe the good news of the gospel. People: In Jesus Christ we are f...

lectionary

Third Sunday after Pentecost

Author

Keywords

Scripture

2 Corinthians 5:6-17, 2 Corinthians 5:6-17, Job 2:9, Proverbs 29:25, Colossians 1:12, 2 Corinthians 5:6-17

Preaching Commentary a brief introduction I would like to start with a rather big question. How do we know that we are, in fact, Christians? We find some direction from Jesus on this subject in Mat...

lectionary

Christmas: Nativity of the Lord

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Luke 2:1-20, Luke 2:23, 2 Corinthians 12:9

Preaching Commentary Rediscovering the Wonder of Jesus’ Birth It is said that familiarity breeds contempt, but sometimes familiarity breeds something far less intense, but equally as destructive—co...

lectionary

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Author

C. Hassell Bullock

Keywords

Scripture

2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Philippians 2:null, Philippians 2:7-8, John 1:11, John 14:2-3

Preaching Commentary Inexpressible Things This chapter of Paul’s Corinthian correspondence is rich indeed, revealing so much about Paul and his relationship to the Corinthian church, a church which...

lectionary

Easter: Resurrection of the Lord

Author

Stuart R. Strachan, Jr.

Keywords

Scripture

Colossians 3:1-4

Introduction Easter stands out from every other day. It’s time to celebrate and to reflect: how will you “preach the resurrection” and proclaim the new life we have in Jesus Christ? How do we invite ...

scripture guide

Scripture Guide, Genesis 11:1-9

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Genesis 11:1-9, Genesis 1:28

Ancient Context What’s the historical context? The Tower of Babel The story of the Tower of Babel comes after many chapters relating the story of Noah, the flood, and the covenant with Noah and...

lectionary

Second Sunday after the Epiphany

Author

Stuart R. Strachan, Jr.

Keywords

Scripture

John 1:29-42, Revelation 17:14, Isaiah 52:13-15, Isaiah 53:, Ephesians 6:12

Preaching Commentary Summary of the Text Our lectionary text can be fairly easily broken into two major sections, with verses 29-34 concerned with John the Baptist testifying to Jesus’ ministry and...

liturgy

Prepare Your Way in Us

Author

Steve Garnaas Holmes

Keywords

Scripture

Isaiah 40:3-4, Matthew 3:11, Acts 2:3-4, Psalm 51:10, Ezekiel 36:26-27

Leader: Eternal God, Timeless One, come into this time. All: Loving Christ, you who are coming, enter in with your grace. Holy Spirit, Flame of Life, baptize us in your mystery. Burn in us ...

lectionary

Transfiguration Sunday

Author

Allen Thompson

Keywords

Scripture

2 Corinthians 4:3-6, 2 Corinthians 3:, 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, Mark 9:5-6, Jeremiah 31:33-34, Exodus 34:29-35

AIM Commentary Ancient Lens What’s the historical context? Mixed Loyalties Diving straight into 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 without giving a nod to 2 Corinthians 3:1-4:2 gives a strange impression, bec...

lectionary

14th Sunday after Pentecost

Author

Bud Thoreen

Keywords

Scripture

James 1:17-27, Psalm 1:null

Preaching Commentary Summary of the Text James, the brother of Jesus, the leader of the earliest Christian church in Jerusalem, writes this letter to scattered Jewish believers who are going throug...

liturgy

Merciful God, you have moved and

Author

Laura B. Murray

Keywords

Merciful God, you have moved and changed our lives in amazing ways, yet we have kept these stories to ourselves. We confess the times we have kept these stories to ourselves out of fear of rejection a...

scripture guide

Scripture Guide, John 4:5-42

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

John 4:5-42

Ancient Lens What can we learn from the historical context? The Samaritan Woman in a Male-Defined World In the ancient world, your place as a woman was defined by your connection to a man: Father...

lectionary

Third Sunday of Easter

Author

Jeff Volkmer

Keywords

Scripture

Luke 24:36b-48, Luke 24:36-48, Luke 24:1-12, Luke 24:13-15, Luke 24:36-48, Luke 24:47-48, John 20:19-29, John 14:27, Luke 24:37, Luke 24:39-43, Romans 5:12, Romans 5:17, Colossians 1:null, Luke 24:44-49, Luke 24:46-47, Luke 24:48-49, John 16:7

Preaching Commentary Context Post-Resurrection Appearances The four Gospel writers vary in which and how many of Jesus’ thirteen post-resurrection appearances they choose to record. Luke reserves ...

liturgy

Gospel of Peace Proclaimed

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Ephesians 6:10, Joshua 1:9, Deuteronomy 31:6, Philippians 4:13, Psalm 23:4

Pastor: Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might, with feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Go out into the world with joy and hope, standing firm in ...

scripture guide

Scripture Guide, Matthew 4:12-23

Author

Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle, Illinois

Keywords

Scripture

Matthew 4:12-23, Romans 5:12-21, Matthew 3:2-3, Isaiah 42:1-4, Hebrews 12:2, Genesis 1:3, Ephesians 2:1-10, Romans 8:3, Psalm 68:18, Ephesians 4:8

Preaching Angle: John Arrested, Jesus Preaches the Kingdom The major event in redemptive history which immediately precedes this passage is Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. I can’t imagine a 40 d...

scripture guide

Scripture Guide, Colossians 3:1-4

Author

Stuart R. Strachan, Jr.

Keywords

Scripture

Colossians 3:1-4

Ancient lens? What can we learn from the historical context? Context and Tone Paul was writing from prison to a Christian community that he didn’t establish. Rather, it was his co-laborer, Epaphr...

liturgy

Adapted from Luke 4:18-19

Keywords

Scripture

Luke 4:18-19

Jesus says to us, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight...

liturgy

Holy Spirit, Fill Our Hearts

Author

Keywords

Scripture

Acts 2:1-4, Isaiah 44:3 , John 14:15-17, John 4:26, Acts 2:38-39

Pastor: God promised: "I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring, and My blessing on your descendants." Isaiah 4...

lectionary

Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Author