Brian's Sermons

Ruth 1:1-17 Who is a hero? We can think of many people who have been heroes in our lives. Usually athletes, freedom fighters, politicians, musicians, talented evangelists… But today’s hero was none of these. She wasn’t rich or famous. She wasn’t politically connected. She wasn’t even a leader. Our hero is a poor widow from an enemy nation. We read the beginning of the Book of Ruth, but here is a summary of what happens next. At the beginning of the book Ruth is living in her home nation, Moab. These were traditionally Israel’s enemies. Ruth’s husband died without giving her a child, and so she lives with her widowed mother-in-law. She could have simply given up. But she did not. There are probably some among us who have gone through significant struggles, much as Ruth did. She suffered loss. She moved far away from her people. She could have defined herself by her failures and her struggles. But she did not allow her past to dictate her future .   God crea...

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...