I have a confession: sometimes as a preacher, there in the middle of a sermon, I am brought to tears. Sometimes these are tears of sadness at the overwhelming mess that we’ve gotten ourselves into. Other times they are tears of joy and thanksgiving at the awesome beauty and love of Jesus Christ. I recall an instance when I was a bit younger and had preached a sermon in which I had wept. Afterwards a friend of mine approached me and encouraged me not to be ashamed, reminding me that the prophet … [Read more...]
Healing
A World Transfigured in Christ
“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty,” (2 Peter 1:16). If you were to arrive at this church very early in the morning or in some great cathedral somewhere in Europe do you know what you would see? Dark and colourless windows. But if you were to stick around for a bit and patiently wait for the sun to come up you would suddenly be struck with awe and wonder at the … [Read more...]
A Sermon on Divine Mercy, Sinning Boldly, and Loving Much
“Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love,” (Luke 7:47). In this mornings gospel reading we meet a sinful woman who encounters the mercy of Jesus and is transformed. Friends, let me tell you right from the start that your past does not determine who you are today. What determines who you are today is the mercy of Jesus Christ which makes us new. As we heard, Jesus is invited to the home of a Pharisee for a meal. And as he’s … [Read more...]