Commentary posted on August 31, 2015

Proper 18B Sermon Commentary

 

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Mark 7:24-37 Sermon Commentary

Proper 18B

Comments and Observations: Kalos panta pepoieken “He has done everything well.” That’s the bottom line reaction of the crowds that were still thronging around Jesus here in Mark 7, but it seems a bit over the top when you think about it.  After all, we’re by no means sure how well-known Jesus’ exorcism of the…

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Psalm 125 Sermon Commentary

Proper 18B

Comments, Observations, and Questions to Consider “Appearances can be deceiving.”  Those who preach and teach Psalm 125 will certainly find numerous examples of that old adage that fit our hearers’ own particular contexts.  A neighbor who’s going bankrupt may live “high on the hog” right until he files for Chapter 11.  A friend who has…

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James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17 Sermon Commentary

Proper 18B

Comments and Observations In this age of growing income inequality, when the gap between the 1% and the 99% seems to widen daily, these words of James 2 are a hot button text.  We’ll have to be careful how we push the button.  If we blunt the message of this text because we don’t want…

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Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 Sermon Commentary

Proper 18B

Comments and Observations: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” “The early bird catches the worm.” “A penny saved is a penny earned.” “God helps those who help themselves.” Sound familiar?   They should as these are among the better known modern-day proverbs that have a lot of currency throughout North America.   I am…

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