Senior Pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Highland
The sermon was preached to eleven confirmation students and their congregational “overhearers.” The Holy Spirit does not come to solve our problems but to create them. The tag line of a short video clip created by David Lose is used at the outset of the Homily.
Calling forth poetry from his youth, the preacher invites the hearer to experience a pre-Pentecost journey into the world of “God’s big helper!” (The theme of the day’s children’s sermon.)
Acts 2:39: “For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” With these words, the preacher’s grandchild Blair becomes a part of the Body of Christ in Baptism.
Is believing Thomas given an encouragement from the Easter Jesus or is doubting Thomas chastised for his unbelief? The listener is invited to see doubt not as an end choice but a powerful motivator for a new day. Reference is made to the 2008 movie “Doubt” and its opening sermon.
Using the 23rd Psalm on this 4th Sunday in Lent we hear that God’s goodness and mercy pursues us all the days of our life, and we will dwell with God, like a child at home. (Issac Watts, “My Shepherd will Supply My Need”)
Using the Romans passage (4:17) and the story of Nicodemus, the preacher invites the hearer into that relationship with God who gives life to the dead. The other sermon that Pastor Diehm references in this message can be found HERE.
What are the first things Jesus does after the voice speaks which drives the disciples to their knees? Those things become the very pattern of the Gospel that we Christians live.
In celebration of Lucy Bramer-Kuntz’s baptism into the family of God, this homily ponders how God is made manifest in Christ in the world and church into which she is baptized.
The beatitudes of Jesus demand a hearing in the context of today. For us that means living into a new presidency. For those who have ears to hear, let them hear.
Jesus, the lamb of God invites disciples to “come and see” and for us disciples, on the eve of Martin Luther King day and five days before the inauguration of President Trump are better for it!