From Luther's Epistle Sermon for the Third Sunday after Easter (1 Peter 2:11–20): We have heard above that the two parts are to be together in a Christian and emphasized in Christan teaching. The first part is faith, that we are redeemed from sin through the blood of Christ and have forgiveness. The second part,…
Forgiveness: the end of regret
Today, I have had cause again to dwell on the nature and the destructive power of regret. Lives lived facing backwards, full of what-if and if-only, are at best deprived of freedom and sapped of the fullness of joy. For all of which the Gospel offers a simple alternative: forgiveness. God takes your sins to…
The Gospel for Those Broken by the Church — Free Download
New Reformation Press has made the classic Rod Rosenbladt lecture, The Gospel for Those Broken by the Church, available as a free download (it used to be for sale only). You can get both the audio (mp3) and the text (pdf) from here. Later this year, the lecture will also become available as a HD…
A Tale of Two Sinners
Homily on the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, 13 June 2010, at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Fareham (UK). Text: Luke 7:36—8:3
Knowing Jesus
This morning, the teacher of the Sunday school at my congregation reported the following conversation she had with one of the children, a 6-year-old boy: Teacher: Why do we read so many different stories about Jesus in Sunday school? Boy: So that we get to know Jesus. T: What do you mean? B: Not just…
A wonderful illustration
for anyone trying to understand (or explain) God's method of action in sending His Son to a rebellious people. This is a true story, told by Kenneth Bailey as part of his discussion of the (falsely) so-called Parable of the Wicked Tenants. (Why falsely, that's another post for another time. If you can't wait, read…
Preaching the Gospel without words
HT: Cyberbrethren Saying “Preach the gospel; if necessary use words” is like saying “Tell me your phone number; if necessary use digits.”
A Season of Receiving
I was planning to write a short post on why it is better to receive than to give at Christmas. However, a far more professional and prolific blogger beat me to it. Read it.
SimonPotamos 