I preached this message- or a version of it- this morning at a church nearby. “What Now?” A Sermon for the First Sunday after Christmas, December 30, 2007 First Presbyterian Church, London, Kentucky Michael Spencer, preacher Scripture: Matthew 2:12-19, John 1:1-18 As our students were preparing to leave school the Friday before Christmas, we hadContinue reading ““What Now?” A Sermon for the First Sunday After Christmas”
Category Archives: Sermons and Devotions
No Big Thing
I want to start this post with a quote from a typical ambitious evangelical church that wants to grow. Get big. Add lots of people. Become “mega.” Get the crowds and their kids in the doors. But I’ve decided not to insult you. If you don’t know the vast majority of American Christianity is aboutContinue reading “No Big Thing”
The Mood of Advent: We All Need A Savior
Update: This piece isn’t universally appreciated 🙂 Remember that Advent isn’t the season of Joy. It’s the season of waiting. I have several friends who are doing Advent in their Baptist churches for the first time, and they have lots of questions about candles and logistics. I wish there were more questions about Advent itself.Continue reading “The Mood of Advent: We All Need A Savior”
Henry’s Boys
In a church in Georgetown, Kentucky this week, there is going to be a funeral for one of my fellow teachers at the ministry where I serve. His name was Henry. Henry came to our school from a career in ministry, public school administration and teaching. After retirement he lost his wife, and a greatContinue reading “Henry’s Boys”
Be A Sign
Denise and I were traveling to an unfamiliar church last night, and even with perfectly good directions and plenty of time, we got lost. So I stopped at McDonald’s and asked for help. Asking for directions at McDonald’s for a large downtown “First Baptist” church probably wasn’t a great idea anyway. One guy didn’t speakContinue reading “Be A Sign”
Talking to Young People about the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church
The Sunday morning student worship gathering at our ministry has been going through the Apostles’ Creed. (We have completed the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer.) It’s my turn this Sunday, and my talk is about “I believe in the holy catholic church.” Considering that my audience is about 250 6th-12th graders, about half ofContinue reading “Talking to Young People about the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church”
What Do You Do When God Answers Your Prayer?
What do you do when God answers your prayers? I am a fairly consistent reader and user of the Book of Psalms in my devotional life and worship leadership. Along the way, I’ve noticed that many of the Psalms are prayer or report episodes of prayer in the Psalms. In many of these Psalms, theContinue reading “What Do You Do When God Answers Your Prayer?”
What’s In A Name?
Here in Kentucky, most of the Baptist Churches of a certain age have a particular approach to their names. Most choose to go the geographic route, so we have Three Forks of the Elkhorn, Muddy Gap, First Baptist Every-town-you-can-think-of, a couple of thousand “creeks” of various kinds and so on. After that, Bible names comeContinue reading “What’s In A Name?”
Great Lectionary Preaching
I’m absolutely enthused over two sermon podcasts I’ve been listening to for several weeks. Both are examples of Anglican/Episcopal Churches that are standing for historic orthodoxy, but also embodying the Gospel in relevant, lively, ground-level Christian communities. I want to recommend these podcasts for all my listeners. Both are simple outstanding, and both are lectionaryContinue reading “Great Lectionary Preaching”
What Belongs to All of Us (1)
These posts will celebrate the Bible’s descriptions of what belongs to ALL Christians. Christian unity cannot be found in continually debating our differences, but in acknowledging what we all possess through union with Jesus Christ. Galatians. 3:23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would beContinue reading “What Belongs to All of Us (1)”
The Internet Monk Archives 