Brian's Sermons

The Third Word: “Dear woman, here is your son.” (John 19:25-27) We have been looking at Jesus’ seven words from the cross. His first word was a word of forgiveness. He told his followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them, and even while he is being tortured to death, his heart is for those who caused his suffering. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The second word was a word of salvation. He told the criminal on the cross “Truly, today you will be with me in paradise.” He opens the door to heaven to those who will in faith accept him. Today we come to Jesus’ third word. While Jesus suffers on the cross, he is not the only one who suffers. He recognizes that there are others who are suffering along with him. What will happen to those who he leaves behind? What will happen to his disciples? Will they be able to carry on his work, or will they end up as he has? What will happen to his mother? In Jesus’ time, a woman was given her worth...

Upside-Down (Advent #1) Luke 1:46-55 46  And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47  and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48  for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49  for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.   50  His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51  He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52  He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53  He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54  He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55  to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.” Christmas is all about a world turned upside-down. We enter a scene already in progre...

Luke 1:48b-55 Last week we started in on Mary’s song.  Remember that a song in the Bible is never just a song; it’s going to be much more than that.  Mary’s song is the summary of the entire Book of Luke/Acts as well as a summary of salvation history.  It’s all about what God is doing, rooted fully in God’s purpose.  Mary’s song started with rejoicing in her inmost being; everything she is celebrates what God has done for her.  All generations will call her blessed for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name! (Luke 1:49).  Notice that the activity in this passage is never human activity; it’s all about God. His mercy extends to those who fear him,  from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;  he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones  but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things  but ha...

Luke 1:46-55 In college, I had a great friend who always asked great questions. One of the best questions he would ask came out of mundane, even trivial answers.   An example would be a greeting: he’d start with “how’s your day going?”   I’d give the obligatory, “good,” and he’d ask, “What’s good about it?”   Not in a dismissive way, but in a “I really want to know” way.   Then I’d get the chance to tell him what was good about my day. This is exactly what we find in Mary’s song.   Two weeks ago, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, telling her that God had a special mission for her.   Last week, Mary hurried to the home of her relative, Elizabeth, who didn’t need any explanation, but immediately, inspired by the Holy Spirit, knew that Mary was blessed among women for her obedience.   And this week we finally get a full response to what’s going on. She starts with a word of praise, but like the situation with my friend, she doesn’t stop there. ...

Luke 1:39-45 Have you ever had an experience where something incredible happened to you, but you couldn’t share it with anyone because you knew nobody would ever believe it?   Not in the “he’s always crying wolf” scenario, where maybe you’ve got a reputation for always telling outlandish stories, but in the “this could never happen to anyone” category.   And you’ve just got to tell someone, but you know that nobody would believe it.   Last week we took a look at Mary, who had an amazing encounter with an angel, who told her that God was going to fulfill his promises to the patriarch Jacob… through her.   That she was going to be the mother of the Son of God. Really, who would believe that story?   From a nobody from Nazareth… and an unmarried young woman at that.   But Mary knew someone who would believe her, so she hurried to the home of her relative, Elizabeth.   And before she can utter a word, Elizabeth knows .   There is a reason why ...