Category: Gospel Of Mark

Broken Relationships and Healing

10/5/2015

A sermon from the 19th Sunday after Pentecost. The audio was recorded at the Praise and Worship of Bethany Lutheran Church on October 4, 2015.

Mark 10:1-16 (NRSV)

He left that place and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan. And crowds again gathered around him; and, as was his custom, he again taught them.

2 Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” 5 But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. 6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

10 Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11 He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."

13 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

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Sometimes there's God, So Quickly

10/5/2015

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A sermon from the 17th Sunday after Pentecost. The audio was recorded at the Praise and Worship of Bethany Lutheran Church on September 20, 2015.

Mark 9:30-37 (NRSV)

They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; 31for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” 32But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.

33 Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” 34But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. 35He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” 36Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 37“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."

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The Healing of Openness

9/9/2015

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A sermon from the 15th Sunday after Pentecost. The audio was recorded at the Praise and Worship of Bethany Lutheran Church on September 6, 2015.

Mark 7:24-37 (NRSV)

Jesus set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice,25 but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. 26 Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 28 But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” 30 So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32 They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. 34 Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36 Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37 They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

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Are You Blowing Bubbles?

9/8/2015

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A sermon from the 14th Sunday after Pentecost. The audio was recorded at the Praise and Worship of Bethany Lutheran Church on August 30, 2015.

This recording is from the Bethany Youth's Summer Ministry Celebration Service. A portion of the sermon is delivered by one of our high school students. She reflects on her time in Detroit at the 2015 ELCA National Youth Gathering. The title of the sermon - "Are You Blowing Bubbles?" - comes from her reflection.

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 (NRSV)

Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around [Jesus], 2 they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. 3 (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; 4 and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) 5 So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” 6 He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written,
‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
7 in vain do they worship me,
teaching human precepts as doctrines.’
8 You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”
14 Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.”
21 For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, 22 adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

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Raised to New Life by Our Living God

4/7/2015

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An Easter Sermon. The audio was recorded at the Praise and Worship service of Bethany Lutheran Church.

Mark 16:1-8 (NRSV)

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Raised to New Life by Our Living God

A Note:
The manuscript for my sermon changed dramatically on Saturday afternoon. By the time Sunday morning arrived I was in a very different place than where I started. What follows are my notes for the week in manuscript form. They contain the bones of the sermon that was preached on Sunday. I post them here as more of a guide to the sermon that an actual manuscript.

Christ is Risen!
Christ is Risen indeed, Hallelujah!

These words ring out across the world today. Used as a greeting in some cultures, these words of God’s victory over death are a symbol of ultimate hope for us who trust in the power of God.

We journey this morning to the empty to with the women on the early morning of the first day of the week.

The fear of the women captures our own fear and trembling at the hope that God can really bring life out of death. The world spins with news that is so contrary to the hope we proclaim at Easter. It seems that all too often, death has the final word. Death is a constant companion. It’s easy to say “He has risen indeed, Alleluia!” It’s much more difficult to live as if that reality is alive in our midst.

Mark weaves his story together well. At the empty tomb the women are told that Jesus has been raised. This word from the young man matters. We’ve encountered it before in Mark’s story of Jesus.

Hegero - “to be raised” - is an important word. Its not just here at the tomb that we hear about folks being raised. We’ve witnessed Jesus raising people to new life throughout his ministry.

So we take the young man’s advice and go back to Galilee to encounter these raisings again. Back to Galilee where Jesus kicks off his ministry, fresh out of the wilderness, to the tune of “The kingdom of God has drawn near. Turn around and trust in the good news!”

The kingdom of God draws near through Jesus bringing life out of death. That’s the power of our God. To bring life out of death. I have attached links to previous reflections on each of these stories.

Mark 1:29-31 - Jesus raises Simon’s mother-in-law, giving her new life to serve.

Mark 2:1-12 - A man who cannot walk is brought to Jesus by friends. Jesus raises the man to new life. He is no longer defined by “sin” leveled at him by the religious leaders. He can actually get up and walk and participate in the life of the community.

Mark 3:1-6 - A man with a withered hand is in the synagogue when Jesus is present. Jesus raises this man to new life.

Mark 5:35-43 - Jesus raises Jarius’ daughter, giving her new life.

Mark 9:20-29 - Jesus raises a young boy, giving him new life.

Mark 10:46-52 - Jesus empowers the crowd to help in raising Bartimaeus to new life.

This is the story that Mark tells. Jesus brings life out of death. I am not talking always of physical death. You and I know what it feels like to be as good as dead to the world. We have life, but are not fully alive. Something holds us back. Something keeps us in a tomb of sorts. A job that overworks us and steals time away from the life of the family. Dwindling retirement accounts. Bullying at school. Brokenness relationships in our families or friends. We know these things that make us feel as good as dead.

The call to return to Galilee leads us to consider how the ministry of Jesus, that began in Galilee, shapes our lives as followers. We encounter how Jesus raises others to new life, hear the good news at the tomb, and return to the Galilee’s of our life to see where God is already at work.

We are called back to Galilee. Back to where our lives unfold. Where our little worlds matter. To family, friends, happiness, brokenness, hope, despair, longing, dreaming, contentment….
Do we dare dream that the resurrection is a possible reality for us?

Quotes from Scott Hoezee - Center for Excellence in Preaching 2015

“Galilee” is the place where most of us live. Most of us live not in the citadels of power or in the glare of the bright lights of history. No, we live in the Galilees of the world, on the margins, in those places where the powers-that-be do not visit and that they do not know much about more often than not.”

“Once we have been to the cross—toward which Mark drives us all throughout his gospel—and once we’ve seen the victory of God at the empty tomb, we go back to Galilee and all it stands for to realize anew that just such a place is what Jesus redeemed.”

“The victory of Easter that the angel proclaims in Mark 16 directs us back to Galilee to realize that that cosmic victory is always finally a very local reality.”

God is at work in our midst. That is the good news of Easter. We have a God who brings life out of death and God’s power is at work right in our own backyard. The word at the tomb this morning, the call from the young man, is “Go back to Fredericksburg (or wherever you life unfolds)…He is waiting for you!”

Today we proclaim the victory of God in Jesus Christ. Today we remember that God has the power to rolled away the stones of the tombs in our lives. The tombs that hold us trapped by the feeling of being as good as dead.

Today we proclaim the great victory of God in Jesus Christ.

 Jesus raises our crippled imaginations to see the power of God at work.
Jesus resurrects our atrophied trust in the power of God in our lives.
Jesus rekindles our hope that God is indeed with us in this world.

We are raised to new life by our living God.

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We Wish to See Jesus

3/24/2015

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A sermon from the 5th Sunday of Lent.

The audio was recorded at the Bethany Lutheran Church Praise and Worship service on March 22, 2015.

John 12:20-33 (NRSV)

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

27 “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.

A Note

The manuscript for my sermon changed dramatically over the week. By the time Sunday morning arrived I was in a very different place than where I started. What follows are my notes for the week in manuscript form. They contain the bones of the sermon that was preached on Sunday. I post them here as more of a guide to the sermon that an actual manuscript.

I invite you to listen to the recording. The "wondering questions" are recorded near the end of this guide.

I am thankful for Pastor Carmen Retzlaff and her wisdom which helped me to remember how to wonder!

We Wish to See Jesus

John likes to play with metaphors. One of the metaphors that John weaves through the Gospel is one of sight. The question is - how do we see Jesus? The signs in John’s Gospel are one way of seeing Jesus. The water to wine, the abundance of bread, the healing of the lame man, the restoring of sight to a man born blind, the raising of Lazarus are all signs that point to the power of Jesus. But they are not the exclusive way to see Jesus.

A metaphor that has been a part of John’s story since the beginning is darkness and light. John writes,

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”

I often focus so much on the Word that I forget that John likes to play with the image of light and darkness. That’s a powerful statement to describe Jesus, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome (understand) it.”

The darkness, the fallenness of the world (sin), does not understand the light that is Jesus Christ. The good news does not register on their screens. This is the metaphor that John plays with throughout the story. The interplay between the darkness of the world, and the light that is Jesus.

Nicodemus went to Jesus under the cover of darkness, trying to understand what Jesus is all about. That was the conversation we heard last week when we encountered the famous John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” - and the often overshadowed 3:17 - “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

But the world, the fallen system, does not understand this. The world loves darkness - did you catch that last week? It gets lost after the power of John 3:16, but Jesus says it;

“And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God (3:19-21).”

We return to this imagery today. After the appearance of the Greeks. After the thundering voice of God. Jesus returns to this metaphor of light and darkness. And it has to do with those Greeks.

I love these Greeks. I love them because they are so random. They have come with a vague request- “We wish to see Jesus.” And this becomes the catalyst moment.

After all the signs that point to Jesus, and Jesus delaying - “My hour has not yet come” - Jesus recognizes the moment. And after words about him being lifted up, Jesus returns to the metaphor of light and darkness;

The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light (12:34-36).”

Jesus will be tried under the cover of darkness, the powers of the fallen system not recognizing God’s presence in their midst. They love the darkness and cannot see the light of Christ.

In darkness of that early morning, the first day of the week, the light will break forth as good news for all the world. But we’re not there yet.

Perhaps you come, looking for a little light today. The world seems dark and dim.

We wish to see Jesus. That’s what draws us here. The power of God, Jesus lifted up for the whole world, drawing us into relationships that shine that light for the world to see.

On Saturday we hosted a "Godlyplay" workshop led by Pastor Carmen Retzlaff of one of our sister communities of faith, New Life Lutheran Church in Dripping Springs. Pastor Carmen led us in a conversation about another way of encountering the Bible, our story of faith. Another way of seeing. Jesus. Another way of witnessing to the light. See thought us how to ask "wondering questions." Questions that are not about getting the right answer. Not about squeezing the Bible to get it to tell us the truth.

Wondering questions invite us into the story. These questions give us new eyes to see, new ears to hear, and new ways to encounter God.

I want to try some today.

I wonder when you had the request of the Greeks - “We wish to see Jesus?”
I wonder - what is the darkness in your life that tries to block out the light of Christ?
I wonder how the light of Christ shines in your life?
I wonder how you are the light of Christ for someone else?

Children of Light - we are the ones who point to the light of Christ in our world. We can help those who come to us and say - we wish to see Jesus.

Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel.

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Keep Awake!

12/1/2014

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A sermon from the first Sunday of Advent.

The audio was recorded at our Praise and Worship Service on November 30, 2014.

Mark 13:24-37 (NRSV)

But in those days, after that suffering,
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake — for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly.

And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."

Keep Awake!

But in those days, after that suffering,
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

These words from Mark are terrifying
   if you think about them long enough.
Suffering, sun darkening, the moon’s light failing, the stars falling,
   the world ending.
   All is done.
These words from Mark shatter the comfortable allusion of the holiday season
   the food hangover from too much turkey
   the festive tone of the Christmas carols
   the warm glow of lights on main street
   the slow dance of evergreens into living rooms
   the joy of the celebrated, silent, complacent manger scene.
Mark breaks into our time with terrifying words that speak of a darker time.
   A time of need.
   A time of voice crying out for God to act.
Mark could have used the words from Isaiah,
   “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down…”
   Oh God, that you would rip the heavens open and be with us.
Strange words, they seem, from our pulpit.
   From our lips.
Strange words, but oddly familiar
   if you say them in a different way.
These words are familiar to us
   more familiar than we realize.
I hear them often,
    at the bedside in the hospital…
       “God of healing, be with us now…”
   at the dinner table….
       “Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest…”
   at the start of this Advent, the season of waiting…
       “Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come….”
We know these words.
Mark knows these words
   this prayer.
Mark sets the tone of the Gospel with these words…
   at the river Jordan, with the Baptizer,
   Jesus comes up from the water,
   the heavens are ripped open,
   the Spirit, like a dove, descending,
   “You are my Son, the Beloved….”
Mark brings the Gospel to climax with these words…
   Jesus on the cross,
   “My God, my God….why have you forsaken me?”
   a loud cry,
   a final breath,
   and the curtain of the temple was ripped in two….
       from top to bottom.
            “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down…”
Mark knows these words.
       Mark tells this story.
           We know these words.
                This is our story.
                    This is Jesus’ story.
                        This is Immanuel.
                             God with us.
                                And there’s no putting God back.
God has come into the world to do something new.
   To heal.
   To teach.
   To confront.
   To lead.
   To love.
This is Mark’s story.
   This is our story.
Mark shapes a Gospel
   a proclamation of good news,
   to tell the world of the realized prayer of Isaiah…
       “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down…”
Mark crafts a story to breath hope into a hopeless moment.  Mark’s community suffers.
The followers of Jesus
   three decades from the resurrection
   question how to follow
   question whether it was all true
   as the world spins into chaos around them.
Mark writes to inspire hope.
Mark’s world saw the sun loosing its light,
   saw the moon fading,
   saw the stars falling,
   felt the earth shaking,
   wondering,
       could this be the end?
In 61, an earthquake shook Laodicia,
   their world had ended.
In 62, a volcano covered Pompeii,
   the sun had failed,
   the moon had no light,
   the heavens shook,
   life was snuffed out.
In 66, the revolution was coming,
   tiny Israel,
       the might of Rome,
   a tired people,
       a world power,
   a hope for peace,
       a peace that was no peace at all.
Mark knew these stories.
In Mark’s day was the call to rise up,
   a call for a return to their roots,
       the glory days….
   a Jewish nation,
   a political coup,
   Destined from God.
To this violent act,
   Jesus says no!
   Mark says no!
This is not how God’s kingdom works.
This is not what God’s kingdom looks like.
Remember the cross,
   new life out of death,
   but not an uprising.
To those dark times Mark speaks,
   remembers the words of Jesus,
       “Keep watch!”
       “Be Alert”
       “Keep awake!”
Words of warning,
   words of hope,
   to those in the midst of chaos.
       “Keep watch!”
       “Be alert!”
       “Keep awake!”
Words that Mark will use again,
   in the garden,
   Jesus praying,
   sleeping disciples….
       “Keep watch!”
       “Be alert!”
       “Keep awake!”
The hour has not come.
   But the hour will come.
       “Keep watch!”
       “Be alert!”
       “Keep awake!”
Not a threat,
   a promise.
God is coming.
There is hope on the horizon,
   the powers will not have the last word.
       “Keep watch!”
       “Be alert!”
       “Keep awake!”
To us who feel the chaos building,
   wars, and rumors of wars,
   the fires in Ferguson,
   the toxicity of politics,
   the warming of the world…
Mark’s story gives hope.
Jesus is the answer to Isaiah’s prayer…
    “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down…”
Jesus is the one who has come down.  This is our confession:
   Christ has died,
   Christ is Risen,
   Christ will come again.
So while the darkness rages,
   and the world seems to come apart at the seams,
   we remember the words of Jesus…
       “Keep watch!”
       “Be alert!”
       “Keep awake!”

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Sermons

Welcome! This blog contains recordings and manuscripts of sermons that I have preached. I understand preaching to be an event, not just words on paper. The recording captures the event of preaching, God's living Word present in Gods living community. The manuscript represents the preparation leading up to the event of preaching.

This photo was taken in Augustana Chapel at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

Broken Relationships and Healing

Sometimes there's God, So Quickly

The Healing of Openness

Are You Blowing Bubbles?

Raised to New Life by Our Living God

Raised to New Life by Our Living God

We Wish to See Jesus

A Note

We Wish to See Jesus

Keep Awake!

Keep Awake!

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