The Rest of the Sermon

The Rest of the Sermon

  • A Christian Nation

    This past Sunday, thousands gathered on the National Mall to “rededicate America to God.” I was away that week, but I cannot let it pass without saying something. A nation cannot be Christian. Only people can. And the version of… Continue reading

  • Four Things the Early Church Did

    The early church in Acts 2 had no building fund, no social media strategy, no political action committee, and no marketing plan. And somehow it changed the world. What were they doing that we’re not? And why is the American… Continue reading

  • Walking Away

    On the day of resurrection, two disciples walked the wrong way — and Jesus walked with them, listening before explaining, welcomed as guest before revealing himself as host. A blunt reflection on the Emmaus road, the loneliness epidemic, and the… Continue reading

  • Life Has the Final Word

    Mary Magdalene didn’t go to the tomb expecting good news. She went because she loved someone who was dead and she didn’t know what else to do. John is very deliberate about telling us it’s still dark when she arrives.… Continue reading

  • A Beautiful Day in God’s Neighborhood

    On Transfiguration Sunday, the Church tells one of its strangest stories. In Gospel of Matthew 17:1–9, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain. His face shines. His clothes blaze white. Moses and Elijah appear. A cloud overshadows them. A voice… Continue reading

  • Choosing to Forgive

    Something in Your Shoe…Besides Your Foot Last Sunday, we looked at Matthew 18:21–35, where Peter asks Jesus how many times he has to forgive someone. Peter, likely feeling pious, suggests seven times. Jesus counters with “seventy-seven times” (or “seventy times… Continue reading

  • Look for the Helpers?

    Or Decide Who Deserves Help First? We like the phrase “look for the helpers.”It feels safe. Reassuring. Not overtly political. The quote , which was popularized by Fred Rogers, gets shared every time something terrible happens. Hurricanes. Shootings. Fires. Mass violence. It’s… Continue reading

  • What Do You Do With the Mad You Feel?

    Anger is everywhere right now. It lives in our headlines, our social media feeds, and our family group texts. It shows up in traffic, at the grocery store, and at school board meetings. It’s become so normal that we hardly… Continue reading

  • It’s You I Like

    One of the quiet assumptions of American culture is that worth must be earned. We may not say it out loud, but we live like it’s true. You matter if you produce something. You matter if you succeed. You matter… Continue reading

  • Who Is My Neighbor—Really?

    “Won’t you be my neighbor?” For many of us, that phrase immediately brings to mind cardigans, puppets, and a gentle voice reminding us that kindness matters. It sounds warm. Safe. Non-threatening. But when Jesus talks about neighbors, the question is… Continue reading