Sermons That Work
Sermons and Bible Studies
World Mission, Last Sunday after Epiphany (C) – 2025
[RCL] Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a] This sermon, marking World Mission Sunday, was written by the Rt. Rev. Anthony Poggo, secretary general of the Anglican Communion. On this World Mission Sunday, I would like to begin by looking at the word “mission.” One of the definitions given by the dictionary […]
The Power to Follow Jesus, Last Sunday in Epiphany (C) – 2022
[RCL] Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a] Luke, author of the Gospel that carries his name, is also a doctor and a historian. He puts a lot of emphasis on the details, the dates, and the events that connect Jesus with the history and with the people. In several accounts, interest […]
St. John Chrysostom’s Paschal Sermon, Great Vigil of Easter (B) – 2018
Are there any who are devout lovers of God? Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival! Are there any who are grateful servants? Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord! Are there any weary with fasting? Let them now receive their wages! If any have toiled from the first hour, let […]
The Readings Today Start Out…, Lent 2 (A) – 1996
The readings today start out with the beginning of the story of Abraham and Sarah. The story itself twists through more than 12 chapters of Genesis; and this being the book of Genesis—which means “origins”—it is introduced by a genealogy that links Abram and Sarai to Shem, a son of Noah. The significant thing about […]
Sermon for a World AIDS Day Interfaith Service: Remembering Wayne
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked…Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”[1] According to the way Christians tell their story, Jesus is crucified. His disciples, who love him so greatly […]
Since Therefore Christ…, Great Vigil of Easter (C) – 2004
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same intention . . . so as to live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God. As we gather here today in the empty tomb, it may occur to you that something fundamental […]
The New Gentiles, Christmas 2 – 2004
Where should we look to see the magi, the wise men, the Gentiles of today, the people perhaps different from us who are following the star to Jesus? May we consider this question with open hearts. In the name of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Today’s Gospel presents an epiphany. Epiphany comes from a […]
Principles of Christmas, Christmas 1 – 2001
This is the Sunday of Christmastide when we begin to consider what God has done in the birth of Jesus. In some homes by now the tree has been taken down, perhaps decorations put away. Stores are advertising year-end sales. Some people have already bought presents and cards for next year at significant savings. In […]
It Is Difficult to Pick Up…, Proper 17 (C) – 2001
This sermon is written as an alternative for use on Sunday, September 16, 2001. It may be used in conjunction with the Lessons for the Day or as a topical sermon with other readings. It is difficult to pick up shattered lives. While many people have been able to return to a mostly normal life […]
The Parable of the Sower, Proper 10 (A) – 1999
The “parable of the sower” is one of the special parables in the New Testament because Jesus interprets it for us himself. A sower went out to sow grain, presumably wheat, and the seeds were broadcast by hand. So, once the seeds were thrown, there was no controlling where they would land. The seed fell […]
A Seminarian Returning…, Proper 7 (A) – 1999
A seminarian, returning from his weekend duties one Sunday afternoon, gave a lift to a hitchhiker and received a theology lesson in return. The hitchhiker, an older man, asked about the seminarian’s clerical collar and interpreted the answer he got to mean that he was, “some kind of preacher.” The hitchhiker then commented that the […]
In This Text, Jesus…, Proper 6 (A) – 1999
In this text Jesus is filled with compassion and then he puts in a prayer request. For those of us who have years and years of life as serious Christians, this is the most normal of patterns. We are moved to compassion. Then we pray. At the first opportunity we call for prayers from our […]
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