9/30/12 – Jonathan Chute – “Outside, In”
Sermon – Outside, In
Mark 9: 38-41. In this week’s gospel the disciples report that they encountered a man who was healing others in Jesus’ name – even though he wasn’t one of them. They appear to be worried that he is doing God’s work without proper authorization. Jesus tells them that when people actually do good things for God, their actions will not be forgotten.
Scripture – Mark 9: 38-41
9/23/12 – Jonathan Chute – “The View from the Bottom”
Sermon – The View from the Bottom
Mark 9: 30-37. In this week’s gospel we see that the disciples are still having a hard time seeing the kingdom of God as Jesus pictures it. They are preoccupied arguing about which one of them is really the greatest. Jesus says to them that if they want to understand greatness in God’s terms, they should look to a child, small and weak, and they need look no further.
Scripture – Mark 9: 30-37
9/16/12 – Jonathan Chute – “Prophet and Loss”
Sermon – Prophet and Loss
Mark 8: 27-38. In today’s scripture, Jesus confirms Peter’s declaration that he is the Messiah, but admonishes them not to tell anyone else about it. Then, he shares his picture of God’s kingdom and says that the only way to save our life is to lose it. These are different words from anything the disciples have heard before.
Scripture – Mark 8: 27-38
9/9/12 – Jonathan Chute – “Friendly?”
Sermon – Friendly?
James 2: 1-13, Mark 7: 24-30. This week’s gospel tells the story of an unusual encounter between Jesus and a Gentile woman. She comes to him seeking healing for her daughter. Jesus speaks to her in uncharacteristicly dismissive language, but she persists, and Jesus decides to perform the healing requested.
Scripture – James 2: 1-13, Mark 7: 24-30
9/02/12 – Jonathan Chute – “From the Heart”
Sermon – From the Heart
Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23. When some of the Pharisees notice that Jesus’ disciples are eating without washing their hands, they ask Jesus why he allows this breach of manners. Jesus says that it’s not the hands that make us unclean, but the heart.
Scripture – Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23
