Third Sunday after the Epiphany Luke 4:14-21

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

Psalm 19

1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

Luke 4:14-21

lectionary:

Season of epiphany, Year c

Author

Mark Brewer

Keywords (11)

Scripture (4)

Date Added

Dec 29, 2021

Preaching Commentary

A Tough Way to Start Ministry

In this captivating passage Jesus’ new followers discovered early on this was not going to be a ‘pleasure cruise.’ Jesus’ inaugural ‘sermon event’ back home in Nazareth turns into an angry crowd seeking to throw him over a cliff. Beginning new chapters in life can be stressful. I can remember one of the first sermons I gave as a collegian driving to a little church in Colby, Kansas. I must have gone on too long because afterwards a farmer greeted me at the door and said ‘Nice sermon son. By the way, when you’re done pumping, just let go of the handle.” In today’s lectionary Luke puts his own stamp on this event that both Matthew and Mark record. Jesus has already…

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Lectionary Cycles

Author

Mark Brewer

Rev. Dr. Mark A. Brewer is a seasoned and highly respected Presbyterian pastor with a deep legacy of leadership in the church. As a third-generation Presbyterian clergy, Mark’s ministry has spanned multiple decades and diverse contexts. Throughout his career, he has served as the senior pastor of four churches, with significant contributions to each congregation. Mark began his pastoral journey at Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church in Denver, where he served from 1980 to 1992, and later moved on to lead Ward Presbyterian Church in Detroit from 1992 to 1994. His next call was to Colorado Community Church in Englewood, Colorado, where he was part of a pioneering multi-campus, multi-racial ministry from 1993 to 2001. From 2001 to 2013, he served as senior pastor of Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, where he led the congregation through growth and renewal. For two of these congregations, Mark served as the founding pastor, establishing the foundation for thriving communities of faith.

In addition to his pastoral leadership, Mark also served as president of The Ministry Lab Network from 2013 to 2016, where he introduced innovative approaches to training ministry leaders in the practical aspects of pastoral life and leadership. His commitment to equipping pastors and church leaders has been a hallmark of his ministry.

Mark holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from Colorado State University, as well as both a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. He has taught as an adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary and is the author of two books: A Walk into the City and Spiritual Intelligence.

Mark’s family life is equally rich, as he has been married to his wife, Carolyn, since 1978. Carolyn is an Occupational Therapist, and together, they have raised three married children and have seven grandchildren. Mark’s greatest joy in life, aside from his family, is his role as a board member of The Pastor’s Workshop, a position he began in late 2021.