6/28/15 – Jonathan Chute – “Barrier Free”
Sermon: Sermon
Soon after the calming of the storm Jesus crosses back across the Sea of Galilee. He spent some time among the gentiles and now returns to his own people. It is as though he wants to be clear that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. He heals people on both sides of the deepest cultural divide of his day. And in both communities, he makes the point that there are always people who have been left out. It is with them that he will share his gifts of healing and hope. The text for Jonathan’s sermon is Mark 5:21-43, and his title is “Barrier Free.”
Scripture: Scripture
6/21/15 – Doug Dickson – “Breaking Bad Barriers”
Sermon: Sermon
In this week’s gospel, Jesus takes the disciples on a journey away from home and comfort – a journey filled with frightening possibilities. On their way across the sea to a foreign land, a great storm threatens the disciples’ boat and these well-worn fishermen imagine that this night might be their last. Jesus, however, rests in the knowledge of God, secure enough that he falls asleep. When the disciples wake him in their terror, he calms the storm and wonders why they too didn’t trust God. Do you? The text for Doug’s sermon is Mark 4:35-41, and his title is “Breaking Bad Barriers.”
Scripture: Scripture
6/14/15 – Jonathan Chute – “Less Than Meets the Eye”
Sermon: Sermon
This week our gospel includes two of Jesus’ shortest parables. Both portray the kingdom of God as something quite a bit less than we might expect. In the first Jesus suggests that the kingdom grows up more or less on its own, without a lot of human help. Even the farmer who planted the seed does not understand what is going on under the ground. He’s not in charge of it. In the second, Jesus says that the kingdom of God is like a great… bush. Like many of us, those who heard him had other, somewhat grander expectations. The text for Jonathan’s sermon is Mark 4:26-34, and his title is “Less Than Meets the Eye.”
Scripture: Scripture
6/7/15 – Jonathan Chute – “Family Ties”
Sermon: Sermon
Our gospel for this Sunday describes an event early in Jesus’ ministry. He has been teaching and healing around Galilee, and large crowds are gathering around him. Some thought his actions were evil, or that he had gone out of his mind. His family hears these rumors and comes to take him home. But Jesus knows what he is doing. In the work of the kingdom a new kind of family is being born. The text for Jonathan’s sermon is Mark 3:20-21, and 31-35, and his title is “Family Ties.”
Scripture: Scripture
