Wednesday, January 22, 2020

A bigger God than we can fathom



Epiphany 2 (January 19)
Pastor Rob reflects on how Jesus’ Mission is huge:  Take away the sins of the WORLD.  In spite of how BIG God is and how BIG God’s mission is, God still cares and relates to us personally.
Pastor Rob reflects on how God’s grandness but also God’s intimacy with us blesses us with great patience.  The sermon also discusses the work of the medical missionaries we support, the Swansons.  For they are indeed a witness to patience and the relationship with God that gives us patience.

Based on John 1:29-42; Isaiah 49:1-6 and Psalm 40.

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Baptism of Jesus 2020: All Righteousness

Baptism of Jesus (Jan 12, 2020)

“Why do you come to me?”  This is what John asks Jesus, as Jesus meets him in the waters of Baptism.  In our Baptism too, we might ask Jesus:  Why do you come to me?  The answer Jesus gives is, frankly, “churchy”:  “To fulfill all righteousness.”  Pastor Rob unpacks the huge significance of Jesus answer for our lives.  Jesus comes to us in our Baptisms to claim Lordship every aspect of our lives; but Jesus also comes to us in our Baptisms to save us, not partially, but totally.

Based on Matthew 3:13-17.

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

2020: A Year of Listening

Christmas 2 (January 5, 2020)

What is the difference in a good doctor and great doctor?  The good doctor knows her or his stuff; but the great doctor is also a good listener!   As we begin the new year, Pastor Rob invites us into a year of listening at St. Paul.  Listening is the foundation of all our relationships, including our relationship with God.  Pastor Rob reflects on the story of the Magi (or Wisemen) visiting Jesus through the lens of listening.  This story reveals how important it is to listen to God’s word and also listen to people unlike ourselves.

The visit of the magi to Jesus as a baby:  Matthew 2:1-13

Christmas Eve: Time

Christmas Eve 2019

Time does strange things.  Weeks can fly by; moments can seem to hold an eternity.  Christmas too is a time when time does strange things, and our minds are filled with past, present and future.  Pastor Rob reflects on Jesus Christ and the timelessness of his birth.  Based on Luke 2:1-20.