The Word at Shalom

August 11, 2024, Pentecost 12: "A Profile in Courage"

The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace is a long-time favorite of Sunday school classes. But this story is more than one of simple bravery. Rather, a radically different orientation to the world, especially secular authority, begins here. So, what is this new orientation? And how can Christians find strength for their faith in an age of complacency? Pastor David preaches (with apologies to President Kennedy for borrowing his book title) “A Profile in Courage”, based on Daniel 3:1-29. 

July 28, 2024, Pentecost 10, Sacraments 5: "For Flesh and Blood"

In our culture, we have an unfortunate tendency to over-spiritualize our faith, minimizing the importance of the physical world. For instance, how many times have we heard (or said) that heaven is the final destination for our disembodied souls without any reference to resurrection? However, Jesus is deeply concerned not just for our souls, but for our bodies as well. How does Jesus show this concern for our flesh and blood? How does communion nourish us as God’s new creation? Pastor David preaches “For Flesh and Blood” based on Luther’s Small Catechism, the Sacrament of the Altar, parts 3 & 4. This is the final sermon in a five-week series on the sacraments.  

July 21, 2024, Pentecost 9, Sacraments 4: "Practicing Medicine"

Every week at Shalom, we come to the Lord’s table to receive communion. Too often, however, our senses can be dulled to this gift. We can see communion as simply a rote part of the church service. What makes communion so special? Pastor David preaches “Practicing Medicine” based on Luther’s Small Catechism, The Sacrament of the Altar, 1 & 2.  

July 14, 2024, Pentecost 8, Sacraments 3: "Beyond Tolerance"

Tolerance is one of the character traits we try to instill in our children. We teach them to respect (or at least be indifferent to) differences among their peers. However, tolerance is thin gruel for a community’s sustenance. What happens when mere tolerance fails, as it appears to be in our society-at-large? How can members of a community live together as sinners under God’s grace? Pastor David preaches, “Beyond Tolerance” based on Luther’s Small Catechism, Confession & Forgiveness. This is the third in a five-week series on the sacraments. 

June 30, 2024, Pentecost 6B, Sacraments 1: "Bathtime!"

The striking thing about baptism is how ordinary it often seems. You have a usual cast of characters: the pastor, a smiling (or screaming) baby, proud parents and sponsors. The pastor splashes a little water on the child, invokes the name of the Triune God, and presents the child to an adoring congregation. However, behind appearances lies the most profound gift and promise of God. What is this gift and promise? How do we know that God will do what God says he will do? Pastor David begins a new sermon series on the Sacraments (plus Confession and Forgiveness), with a sermon titled “Bathtime!” based on Luther’s Small Catechism, The Sacrament of Holy Baptism, sections 1 & 2.  

June 16, 2024, Pentecost 4B: "The Greatest of All Weeds"

The Lebanon cedar has been a symbol of power and majesty for centuries. Prized for its strength, resistance to insects, and fragrance, it was a potent symbol of David’s royal house. So it is quite surprising that instead of drawing on the image of the cedar, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a mustard plant! Why would Jesus pick such an unglamorous shrub to symbolize God’s royal reign? What is the freeing truth in such a comparison? Pastor David preaches “The Greatest of All Weeds” based on Ezekiel 17:22-24 and Mark 4:26-34. 

May 26, 2024, Trinity Sunday: "Beyond Morality"

When Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night, he is looking for wisdom from an extraordinary rabbi. What he gets instead shakes his understanding, not just of who Jesus is, but of who God is. How is Jesus different from an extraordinary moral teacher? What does he reveal about God and what God is up to in our world? And how are we invited to be part of it? For Trinity Sunday, Pastor David preaches “Beyond Morality” based on John 3:1-17

May 19, 2024: Pentecost

The disciples were bereft. Jesus was about to be arrested, condemned to death, and crucified. Even though he promised to prepare a place for them in his Father's house, they must have wondered if they would ever see him again. How does Jesus comfort them in their grief? What does the arrival of the Holy Spirit mean, not just for grieving hearts, but for the world? And how can we take courage for the Christian life from this story? For the Day of Pentecost, Pastor David preaches "For You" based on John 15:26-27; 4b-15. 

 

May 12, 2024, Easter 7B: "Overcoming Alienation"

We all know that human relationships can be difficult. It can especially be difficult to move on after betrayal. Yet, that is precisely what the early church does. How do they do this? How do they remain united in the truth of the gospel? And how can we remain united when relationships in the church go wrong? Pastor David preaches “Overcoming Alienation” based on Acts 1:15-17; 21-26 and John 17:6-19.  

May 5, 2024, Easter 6B: "True Friendship"

In the age of the individual sovereign self, Jesus’s words, “You are my friends if you do what I command you,” can be off-putting. After all, what right does anyone have to impose anything on us, especially in the context of friendship? But friendship with Jesus is of a different sort altogether. What makes friendship with Jesus so different than that of the world? How has the idea of friendship been co-opted by our culture? And how do we find wholeness in friendship with Jesus? Pastor David preaches “True Friendship” based on John 15:9-17.