Sermons From Good Shepherd Lutheran Church In Raleigh, Nc

Gospel - Luke 1:46-55 Mary couldn’t see all that, even with the eyes of faith. She didn’t know how it would all work out. And yet, she had hope. She decided to trust God and take the next right step forward. She went to her friend for support. She sang the song of her heart. We too, can hope. We, too, can trust God in the face of the biggest conundrums and challenges life throws our way. We too, can go to our friends and loved ones and church community for support, and we can find the songs of our hearts and begin to sing. We too, can take the next right step forward, trusting that God is present among unplanned pregnancies and poverty, among confusion and chaos, among ordinary human relationships of love and devotion, among daily life. God is with us as we wash the dishes and plan dinner, as we mindlessly commute and mow the lawn, as we wonder what in the world God has in store for us next. Christmas is here, even in ordinary August.

Gospel - Mark 10:41-45 In the fourth and final Sunday of the Seasons of Creation sermon series, we hear why we can’t stay on the mountain. Rather, we’re called down, into humanity to serve one another.

Gospel - Mark 16:14-18 Wherever we are on the mountainous challenges we face, we can learn from what we see and realize that we are also looking into the very face of God!

Gospel - Mark 15:33-39 The sky can remind us of the nature of God, if we’ll pay attention. And more often than not, God is holding up the sky for a humanity that just can’t seem to get it right…

Gospel - John 1:1-14 The planet Earth can remind us that the Godly thing to do is to go where the dirt is.

Sermon Reading - Galatians 5:16-23 In the end, there’s grit, and then there’s true grit. There’s the grit that wins by domination and violence. The grit that gains power by pushing people around. The grit that’s tough, but in the end lonely from causing so much pain. And then, there’s true grit….the truly difficult stuff that is more powerful in the end. For we know that when life gets hard, kindness can be far more difficult than strife. We know that sometimes love is far more difficult than quarrels and factions and envy. We know that sometimes being faithful – to a spouse or God or a cause you believe in – can be the hardest thing in the world. The fruits of the Spirit are anything but easy, but they are, in fact, our true grit. These are the things that will get us through this chaotic but stunningly beautiful world in one piece.

Sermon Reading - 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 Compassion without justice just becomes pity. And that does no one any lasting good. Justice without compassion just becomes ruthless. And that does no one any lasting good. The church, when it’s at its best, reminds the world that compassion and justice have to hold hands, by God.

Sermon Reading - 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, 4:6 Our holy God dives in to human life, in all its messy glory, and tells us “this is the way to live.” And “this is where you will find me.” Outside the city, on the margins. With the criminals. And the dying. In the places of exclusion and despair and guilt and shame. Wherever life is the worst. Entering into it in love and service. Turning it all around.

Sermon Reading - Matthew 7:7-9 Forgiveness feels imperfect and totally inadequate. And yet it is choosing to close the loop on pain, even when the wrongs haven't been righted, so that you don't stay connected to the pain. So that you don't transmit the pain. So that you don't become the pain.

Sermon Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 What abides in this world, and how do we keep that in perspective as we seek to be disciples of Jesus?

Sermon Reading: John 1:35-39 Using Rowan Williams’ book, _Being Disciples_, we’re encouraged to imagine how following Christ is more an act of being rather than believing.

Gospel: John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 When we are perplexed by others, may it lead us through curiosity into awe and wonder. And when others are perplexed by us, may we be led by that Holy Spirit of Truth that feels like fire and wind and awe and wonder. Ultimately, that’s where we come together – in awe and wonder – awe and wonder at the God who loves us enough to come alongside us through all that life throws our way…awe and wonder at this amazing Spirit that will not give up on us or let us go. Awe and wonder and LOTS of dancing.

Gospel - Luke 24:44-53 When Jesus left, the temptation to follow other voices was probably difficult. In a vacuum any voice seems better than no voice. But Jesus encourages the disciples to stay and wait. We, too, should be wary of filling the empty places of our being with just anything that sounds inspirational. God has given us one another and the promise of the Spirit to get us through whatever comes.

Gospel - John 15: 9-17 When Jesus was leaving his friends, what he wanted them to know most of all was not that they should be good or watch out or do their best, but that they should savor his love. Yes, he would die, and yes, they would mess up, and yes, for a while, it would all fall apart. But STILL, he says, Abide. Right. Here. Abide in this love of shared food and good company with friends. Abide in the love of these amazing years together. Abide in the love!... Beloved, when have you encountered God’s love? Today, Jesus calls us to abide right there. To savor those holy moments instead of blowing right past them into our calendars and to do lists and ordinary tasks and habits and all that life would shove our way. Stop. He says. Savor. Dwell. Abide.

Gospel - John 15:1-8 What are you abiding in? Where are you standing? What are you being rooted in? Today Jesus calls us back to our roots.

Gospel - John 10:11-18 The rain always comes. There’s a stormy night, and the storm sticks to us. We soak it up like a sponge, and we just can’t carry the weight of it. The rain always comes: We grieve. Or we feel out of control of our lives. Or we are dissatisfied and don’t know why. Or there is an accident or a diagnosis or too much change. And sometimes, we find ourselves flat on our backs, flailing, powerless to get up or even move. And Jesus, our good shepherd, trudges out into the mud to flip us back onto our feet again. He wrings us out and makes plans to get us sheared – to lose some of that dead weight so we can live, free, and ready for what comes next. This is our Good Shepherd – in the mud with us, riding out every storm.

Gospel - Luke 24:36b-48 When Jesus resurrects us – when Easter comes home and gets real in our lives – may we be witnesses. May we be brave enough to share the Christ that we have seen. And may our hearts overflow with gratitude and awe, so that, with the great preacher, Stevie Wonder, we can’t help but sing of our amazing God, “Isn’t she lovely?”

Gospel - John 20:19-31 Stop hiding in the shadow. Jesus is risen! God did it. People witnessed it. Spirit, enlighten us so that we may boldly proclaim it.

Gospel - Mark 16:1-8 Resurrection didn’t just happen, it happens. And it happens for you.

Gospel - Mark 11:1-11