March 20, 2009 Genesis 47:1-26 1 Corinthians 9:16-27 Mark 6:47-56 “Slaves to Freedom” For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. – 1 Corinthians 9:19 (NRSV) Jesus said, “So if the Son makes you free, you will be [...]
March 19, 2009 Genesis 46:1-7, 28-34 1 Corinthians 9:1-15 Mark 6:30-46 “Sabbath Rest” The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no [...]
March 17, 2009 Genesis 45:1-15 1 Corinthians 7:32-40 Mark 6:1-13 “Irish Luck” And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. – Genesis 45: 5 What is often referred to, as the luck of the Irish is simply a willful [...]
March 16, 2009 Genesis 44:18-34 1 Corinthians 7:25-31 Mark 5:21-43 “Give Her Something To Eat” He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome [...]
March 14, 2009 Genesis 43:16-34 1 Corinthians 7:10-24 Mark 5:1-20 “The Gerasenes” Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood. – Mark 5:17 (NRSV) My fellow Gerasenes, this Jesus is too powerful to be allowed to stay in our fair city. He is dangerous and unruly and destructive. This morning he healed the [...]
March 13, 2009 Genesis 43:1-5 1 Corinthians 7:1-9 Mark 4:35-41 “ There Is No Substitute” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” – Mark 4:41 Why do we try so hard to domesticate Jesus? Why do we [...]
March 12, 2009 Genesis 42:29-38 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Mark 4:21-34 “Kudzu” He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it [...]
March 11, 2009 Genesis 42:18-28 1 Corinthians 5:9-6:8 Mark 4:1-20 “Parables” “And these are the ones sown on the good soil: they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.” –Mark 4:20 (NRSV) I think that it is a safe assumption that we all are somewhat familiar with [...]
March 10, 2009 Genesis 42:1-17 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 Mark 3:19b-35 “Family” A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.” And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here [...]
March 9, 2009 Genesis 41:46-57 1 Corinthians 4:8-21 Mark 3:7-19a “Accountability” For though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. I appeal to you, then, be imitators of me. 1 Corinthians 4:15-16 (NRSV) Accountability is the other [...]