This Sunday I’ll be preaching on Matthew 5:13-20, focusing on 17-20. This is the scripture reading that I polled you about earlier on in the week. I started this sermon without knowing where I was going to end up. It has not been an easy journey, but I’m happy with the destination. I feel the Spirit has been with me and I look forward to sharing what I’ve learned with you.
Sermon Question
These two verses are in next week’s lectionary reading from the Gospel of Matthew:
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:17-18, NRSV)
These verses have long puzzled me. I’ve long gotten hung up on them. Have you ever wondered what they meant? Would you like them addressed in a sermon? Let me know at john@revcollins.com.
Junia the (Female) Apostle
Today I’m beginning my research into Junia* the (female) apostle, referenced by Paul as “prominent among the apostles” in Romans 16:7. She’ll be featured in an upcoming sermon.
*For those of you named Julie, the NRSV has the intriguing footnote that “other ancient authorities read Julia.”
Sin from God’s Perspective
A tip of my hat to Malorie Unruh. Last Sunday, She sent Jenny and I a picture posted by a Facebook user named Makenzie Grace Tindall. It wasn’t big enough to use for a slide, but I recreated it in the slide below for my sermon tomorrow morning. I’ll be preaching on James 2:1-17.
Sermon on Luke 1:26-38
My sermon from this past Sunday (December 17, 2017) is below the fold. My text was Luke 1:26-38. The subject was the phrase spoken to Mary by the angel Gabriel: “Do not be afraid.”
Sermon on Jeremiah 32:1-15
This morning I (John) preached on Jeremiah 32:1-15. My sermon notes are pretty complete, so instead of making up a transcript, I’m just going to share the notes with you. Little things are missing, but everything essential is there.
Next Sunday’s Sermon
Hopefully, I won’t come to regret sharing this, but I’m really looking forward to this Sunday’s sermon. I plan to preach on Jeremiah 32:1-15. I believe this is one of the greatest passages on divine and human faithfulness found in the Old Testament, but it takes a little unpacking before one can understand the full scope of what is going on.
Sermon on Matthew 14:22-33
My sermon from this past Sunday (October 29, 2017) is below the fold. My text was Matthew 14:22-33. This is an extremely rare instance where my sermon notes almost form a complete manuscript, so I’m simply sharing them.
Sermon on Philippians 3:4-14
My sermon from this past Sunday (October 8, 2017) is below the fold. My text was Philippians 3:4-14. I didn’t have an official title for this sermon, but its come to be known as “The Dung Sermon.”
Sermon on Matthew 20:1-16
Below the fold is a manuscript version of my (John’s) sermon from Sunday, September 24, 2017, on Matthew 20:1-16. It’s a sermon about getting not what we deserve, but what we need.
Why We’re Here
Below the fold is an edited transcript of my sermon “Why We’re Here” from this past Sunday (September 10, 2017). My texts were Psalm 100, Exodus 8:1-7, Luke 4:16-22a, and Revelation 4:6b-11.
The Sermon on Shiphrah and Puah
Below the fold is a written version of my (John’s) sermon from Sunday, August 27, 2017 on Exodus 1:8-2:10.