A message from the series “Sermons during Easter.” The Sunday school answer it correct. If it’s not about Jesus, it’s not Good News, of great joy, for all the people. The Good News of Jesus Christ is news of abundant, resurrection life, dwelling in the house of our risen Lord for ever. Jesus is the Gate, the only legitimate way or means of shepherding all the people God entrusts into our care.

A message from the series “Sermons during Holy Week.” On the first day of the new week, on Easter Day, the Good Shepherd is alive again. And he calls each of us by name. He knows us, loves, us, and calls us, just like he called Mary Magdalen, to turn to him and believe. He is not dead. He is alive! Alleluia!

A message from the series “Sermons during Holy Week.” It is finished. It is completed. It is perfected. Without us, in spite of us, but in the most extraordinary miracle, for us. The gift of God, for the people of God. Jesus Christ has made peace with his enemies, through his own blood shed on the cross. The reign of sin is over. This Friday is, indeed, very good.

A message from the series “Sermons during Holy Week.” Palm Sunday is a liturgical whirlwind that draws us in to the drama of Holy Week as participants, not mere spectators. We are not play-acting in Holy Week. We are gazing into the depths of the mystery that God, in Christ, has come, not to further entrench the paradigm of death that is already in place; but rather, to utterly undo it.

A message from the series “Sermons during Lent.” The grave is not the end. It still wields terrible power in the this world, but its power is no longer ultimate. Death itself is survivable, because of Jesus Christ.

A message from the series “Sermons during Lent.” Jesus’ invitation is that we would bring our blindness, our neediness, our hardness of heart to him, that we would confess so that we may receive the very gift of sight that the blind man received. Those whose lives have been healed by Jesus are forever connected with Jesus. And this is the invitation to us today. Come again to his table with your need. Come again into his presence with your hurt. Come again and lay your blindness, your need at his feet. And he will restore you. He will heal you. He will give you sight.

A message from the series “Sermons during Lent.” As complicated, dangerous, painful, and surprising as it may be, new birth is the only way. There’s no alternative that will truly lead to the fullness of life that God wants for us. Believe in Him; believe in His great love for the whole world, and for you.

A message from the series “Sermons during Epiphany.” The pattern of the Transfiguration, the juxtaposition of glory and darkness, is the central pattern of the Christian life. We may experience the glory of God, but those experiences do not excuse us from the darkest valleys. But, the same God who was is glorified on the mountain has chosen to be Immanuel, God-with-us, in the dazzling glory and the overwhelming darkness. Jesus comes to us, touches us, and says, “Arise! Do not be afraid.”

A message from the series “Sermons during Epiphany.” “You are the salt of the earth,” Jesus tells his disciples. Like salt is to food, so are the disciples to the world: the flavor, the surprise, the blessing which makes everything else “pop”. This is a word of creation; Jesus speaks, and makes it so. And we stay salty by being close to Jesus.

A message from the series “Sermons during Epiphany.” The Church is called to be of one mind and purpose. Follow Jesus; turn towards the Kingdom; proclaim the Cross. Identifying ourselves, or grouping ourselves, around anyone or anything else will tear the fabric of our communion, and thus compromise our mission and purpose.