The Case for Commitment

October 28, 2018
Carmen gave me one rule about preaching: Never mention her in a sermon. Since I’ve already violated that rule, I might as well continue. Carmen and I got engaged in…

The School of Faith

September 2, 2018
This is an unusual Sunday for us, this Sunday in the midst of the Labor Day holiday, and so I hope I might have your permission to preach a somewhat…

The Tyranny of Evidence

July 22, 2017
Text: Romans 8:24b: “Now hope that is seen is not hope.  For who hopes for what is seen?” It breaks no news to tell you that we live in an age…

Sometimes an Earthquake

April 15, 2017
Text: Matthew 28:2: "And suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it." The…

Are You on The Bus?

March 19, 2017
Text: Psalm 42:5: Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation…

The Work of Trust

March 19, 2017
Text: Romans 4:5: “...to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.” Just so there is no confusion, I’ll say at the…

Resignation—and Resolve

August 23, 2015
Text: John 6:68: “Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go?’” The relationship between the disciples and Jesus as depicted in the Gospels is by no means an…

Critical Differences

September 14, 2014
Text: Romans 14:4: “Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall.” I know that Saint John’s has a…

The Faith of Doubt

April 7, 2013
Of the sixteen years that I’ve been a member here at St. John’s, I’ve served on the Stewardship committee probably a bit more than half. Every year that I prepared…