Christ Lutheran Church Harrisburg

Expected Jesus vs. Real Jesus

The crowd had expectations about Jesus.  They knew what they wanted.  So do we.  But Jesus doesn't live into those expectations.  He offers something else.  Something better.  Pastor Matthew's sermon is based on the Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem in Luke 19.  

Jesus gives us a lens to see

The Narrative Lectionary gives us three stories about people who can and can't see Jesus for who he is.  Jesus gives us a lens to see him. He encounters us and transforms us.  The sermon is based on Luke 18:31-19:10.

Two Sides, Two Audiences, One Message

The Narrative Lectionary takes us to Luke 15:1-32 where we hear Jesus offer three parables.  But who is his audience?  Is it the tax collectors and sinners?  Is it the Pharisees and the scribes?  What if it's both?  He proclaims good news for both groups and for us.  

Love is not abstract

Will empathy bring about the downfall of civilization like some argue?  Or will it bring healing?  Keeping love of humanity in the abstract is in stark contrast with Jesus' telling of the parable of the Good Samaritan.  He shows that love is real, it is put into action, and it impacts real people.  Pastor Matthew's sermon is based on Luke 10:25-42.

Shining a Light

Transfiguration Sunday ends the season of Epiphany, where we get to see more fully who Jesus is and what he is about.  His glory shines bright on those that are around him.  And in so doing, we are called to shine his light to the world. Pastor Matthew's sermon is based on Luke 9:28-45.  

Jesus Sees Us

The Pharisee and his guests didn't want to see the woman who came in.  Just Jesus see her.  He hears her.  He reminds her that she is not alone.  He provides hope.  And he sends her out renewed and restored.  And he does that for us as well, especially when the world wants to erase people.  Jesus invites us to see and hear people, to know they are not alone.  To offer hope, and to send us out.  Pastor Matthew's Sermon is based on Luke 7:36-50.

Not what we expected

Jesus defies expectations.  And that's good news.  While so many are expecting Jesus to cozy up with those in power, to find him in place of wealth and might, we can always find him on the margins of society with the poor and outcast - healing, restoring life, bringing good news.  Pastor Matthew's sermon is based on Luke 7:18-35.  

Words are Powerful

Words can be helpful and healing, or they can cause harm.  A Tweet this past week made unfounded claims that will have a negative impact on people.  Speeches by leaders in the past have brought healing and new life.  In our Gospel reading, Jesus brings healing and new life through the word, in literal ways.  How has Jesus spoken into our lives and communities with healing, hope, and new life?  How is Jesus calling on us to use words to bring healing and new life around us?  The sermon is based on Luke 7:1-17.

Order vs. Humanity

Does humanity exist to serve law and order, or do these things exist to serve humanity?  Humanity has struggled with this forever.  Religious groups have been so concerned with upholding the law, that they are willing to kill in order to maintain a preferred order.  Jesus rejected the ends justify the means.  He extends grace, even when it upsets the established order.  The sermon is based on Luke 6:1-16.

Something stinks!

Jesus calls his first disciples, fishermen.  They stunk.  But it wasn't because of their odor.  It was the ways of the society around them that stunk on them.  He calls on them to fish for people.  That goes beyond inviting people to church.  We're called to cast a net of love on people.  The Gospel smells different - like the aroma of mercy.  The sermon is based on Luke 5:1-11.