Below is a sermon manuscript from November 24, 2024. Watch the sermon here. Esther 7 Introduction I confess that I get second-hand embarrassment and can’t stand situations that are ripe with it whether it’s a situation happening around me or even a TV show or book. I need to leave the room. This is true even … Continue reading Awkward Dinner
Sleepless in Susa
Below is a sermon manuscript from November 10, 2024. Watch the sermon here. Esther 6 Introduction There is a movie starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks called Sleepless in Seattle. A widower’s son calls into a radio program to help his father, who is struggling with losing his wife. This romantic comedy is like many others. … Continue reading Sleepless in Susa
Wisdom and Folly
Below is a sermon manuscript from November 3, 2024. Watch the sermon here. Esther 5 Introduction Have you ever done something very foolish and you thought it was a great idea at the time? Maybe you even put thought into it, and others agreed with your plans, but it was really dumb. I’ve had many of … Continue reading Wisdom and Folly
For Such a Time
Below is a sermon manuscript from October 27, 2024. Watch the sermon here. Esther 4 Introduction In 1520, Martin Luther, the reformer, wrote a work called The Babylonian Captivity of the Church. In this work he compared the situation of the people of God within the Roman Catholic Church of his day to Israel exiled in Babylon. … Continue reading For Such a Time
Kingdom in Chaos
Introduction Last weekend, we went to a Pastor and wives retreat. During the weekend, the speaker and his wife shared some terrific wisdom about cultivating a godly marriage. With some of the discussion, I was a little overwhelmed. When we discussed with our tables, another couple with young kids said, “I don’t know about you, … Continue reading Kingdom in Chaos
Politically Engaged, Not Politically Enraged
“True Christians must do X." "No, true Christians must do Y." "All faithful and uncompromised Christians must do Z.” Have you heard these sentiments or something similar? It’s easy for me to be unproductive in responding to what I see. So, to force myself to slow down, I want to examine a few factors in … Continue reading Politically Engaged, Not Politically Enraged
Parties and Providence
Below is a sermon manuscript from October 6, 2024. Watch the sermon here. Introduction It’s been raining in State College for the past few days, weeks, years. It seems like it’s been forever. But when I went on a field trip with our youngest this past Thursday, something happened. It was foggy that morning, but as … Continue reading Parties and Providence
Forging Friendship
Below is a sermon manuscript from September 29, 2024. Watch the sermon here. Introduction There was a great illustration of friendship in the Lord of the Rings when Sam and others come alongside Frodo and tell him they must make the journey collectively. They say this, ‘You can trust us to stick to you through thick … Continue reading Forging Friendship
Words With Friends
Below is a sermon manuscript from September 22, 2024. Watch the sermon here. Introduction My wife is a master at using her words well. She knows what to say to comfort me and what to say to challenge me. If I were to share some ideas or a phrase of a sermon before I preach, she … Continue reading Words With Friends
The Difficulty of Friendship
Sermon passage: Genesis 3:8-13 Below is a sermon manuscript from September 15, 2024. Watch the sermon here. Introduction When my daughter was very young, she was playing on the playground, and another little girl came up to her. She was smiling at my daughter, watching her play, and said, “Do you want to be my friend.” … Continue reading The Difficulty of Friendship
Boonstra Babble 