Philippians 2:1-13 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who became obedient to death. Paul reminds the church at Philippi and the church at 1200 S Carbon what it is we are to be about. You’d think we wouldn’t forget – we’re supposed to worship weekly, and pray more often than that, but sometimes we do forget. Paul…
Philippians 1:1-18a Paul in prison, thankful for the Philippians’ partnership in the gospel. This the start of Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi. It shows an interesting side of Paul. Paul writes to them out of the beginning of the history of the Church. These letters are going to end up being foundational to the character of the Church, and I think…
Acts 17:16-31 Sermon at Athens: What you worship as unknown, I proclaim to you. Paul is safely in Athens while fleeing from Thessalonica. Paul is here in safety, awaiting the arrival of Silas and Timothy. Paul is in the synagogue and in the marketplace, preaching, evangelizing, arguing, and debating. He isn’t completely successful –Acts tells us they called him a babbler. So, they…
Acts 16:16-34 Paul and Silas in prison at Philippi, jailor and his family are baptized Paul is on the road here. He has moved from being Saul to being Paul, and from persecuting followers of the Way to being a follower of the Way. Along with Timothy, he is traveling and evangelizing, when the come to Philippi, where a family is converted…
Acts 9:1-19a Paul and Ananias, each called into Christ’s service Saul is in a rage. Those Christians really tick him off. Blasphemous, heretical, unholy, spreading lies, and Saul is going to get them and get them good. Saul collects his letters and his authority and heads towards Damascus to look for followers of the Way. Then he has a ‘come to Jesus’…
John 20:19-31 Jesus gives Spirit, appears to Thomas. It’s still Easter. John makes sure we know that as we start this passage. It is a good reminder for an Easter people, who gather on the first day of the week to celebrate resurrection. It is still Easter when Jesus appears to the disciples in the upper room. Thomas wasn’t there. He doesn’t…
John 19:16b-22 Sign above the cross proclaims the crucified king. John 12:12-27 Triumphal Entry Jesus comes in and goes out of Jerusalem in today’s two lessons. They happen about a week apart, and they show a dramatic shift in the attitudes of the people of Jerusalem about Jesus. What stays the same is the title that Jesus is given. As he comes…
John 19:1-16a Jesus is condemned, they have no king but Caesar. Pilate does odd things to start this passage. Jesus is brought out with no grounds for a charge, but after being whipped and dressed in a purple robe, crowned by thorns. That doesn’t feel right for how we should dismiss someone who has no charges against them, who is innocent. Pilate…
John 18:28-40 My kingdom is not from this world. Last week, Jesus was brought before the Jewish leaders for accusation and trial. This week the Jewish leaders have brought him to the Roman authorities. The leaders won’t go in to the palace, as that would make them ritually unclean. They have no such concerns about Jesus. Pilate isn’t particularly interested in taking…
John 18:12-27 Jesus’ trial before Annas, Peter’s denial. There is a contrast between Peter and Jesus here, or between disciples and the Messiah. Both are questioned about who they are and what they have been doing. Jesus essentially answers the charges by telling the chief priest to listen to what is being said about him. Jesus has been in ministry in public,…