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Mark 1:29-39 Sermon Commentary
Epiphany 5B
Usually we are far too casual about God’s kingdom. “Your kingdom come, your will be done” we say each time we intone the Lord’s Prayer, but when we finish our prayer and open our eyes, we do not see any such kingdom. It is difficult for us to conceive of a kingdom that is not…
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c Sermon Commentary
Epiphany 5B
Psalm 147 is a favorite of the Revised Common Lectionary. It seems to crop up at least once in each liturgical year and this is now the second time it has occurred in the still-new Year B cycle. This was the psalm—albeit with a slightly different configuration of verses—just one month ago on January 3. …
1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Sermon Commentary
Epiphany 5B
It’s perhaps somewhat ironic that in Epiphany’s season that focuses on light, the RCL appoints epistolary lessons whose mysteries leave at least some of its readers in the dark. It doesn’t help that the RCL often drops its proclaimers into the middle of chapters that discuss of complex issues. This Sunday’s Epistolary Lesson is no…
Isaiah 40:21-31 Sermon Commentary
Epiphany 5B
Sample sermon: “What Can You Reasonably Expect from God?” I once preached this sermon, focusing particularly on the beloved verse 31. I received a phone call the other day from a modern-day daughter of Job, whom I will call Mary. At one time Mary had been a pastor’s wife with 2 young children and a…
Commentary posted on February 1, 2021
Epiphany 5B Sermon Commentary
The Epiphany 5B Sermon Starters include commentary and illustration ideas for Mark 1:29-39 from the Lectionary Gospel; Isaiah 40:21-31 from the Old Testament Lectionary; Psalm 147:1-11, 20c from the Lectionary Psalms; and 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 from the Lectionary Epistle.
Related Reformed confession: OT Lectionary: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 96 (Lord’s Day 35)