As you heard the Scripture being read, I know what you were thinking: Does she know this is supposed to be a Thanksgiving homily???? Yes, I do, so bear with me for a few moments as we see why this extraordinary passage is so very appropriate for Thanksgiving. I’d like …
Judging by the Salvation Army bell ringers that have been outside of Market Basket for the past two weeks, we’ve officially entered the holiday season even as we’re still recovering from one of the most contentious political seasons many of us have ever experienced. And so we’ve gathered together this …
I imagine that as John was leading in the Scripture reading, some of you may have been thinking: “Did Laura forget what season we’re in? We’re headed toward Christmas, not Easter! November isn’t a time to focus on the crucifixion. We do that in the Spring during Lent as a …
I’ve mentioned before that I’ve been using the Revised Common Lectionary to guide us through various biblical books and themes in our weekly worship. One of the many benefits of doing this is that it’s helped me come to a better appreciation of days that have been set aside to …
In our passage this morning we have yet another of what at times seems to be endless instances of people, often religious leaders, who seem to be trying to set Jesus up. In Jesus’ day there were four major religious groups within Judaism—Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, and Essenes. The group challenging …
This morning’s passage is yet another reminder of our Lord’s mercy to those who want to see him—which is another way of saying that Jesus is merciful to those who see their sin, and want to be free from it. By the time we arrive at the events described in …
This morning is our final one considering 2 Timothy. Though the entire letter has been a final letter from Paul to his spiritual son, Timothy, in this closing chapter of this final letter we continue to see Paul sharing his heart with his beloved son. As he sits in prison, …
As we continue considering highlights in second Timothy, three themes continue to emerge as Paul addresses his spiritual son: 1) Confront wrong teaching; 2) Provide right teaching; 3) Stay the course of faith. The beginning of this third chapter highlights the ungodly and terrible times and behavior Timothy can expect …
In this second chapter of 2 Timothy, Paul continues to offer Timothy final words of encouragement—final because as we learned last week, Paul is in jail and his death is imminent. The chapter begins with him saying, “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ …
Though I touched upon some background information when covering I Timothy—that Paul sought to encourage Timothy to challenge wrong doctrine, teach right doctrine, and provided instructions on how to rule and care for the church in Ephesus—as we turn to 2 Timothy, probably written a few years after his first …
