The readings for the fourth Sunday of Easter are taken from Acts 2:42-47; 1 Peter 2:19-25; and John 10:1-10. Acts records the essence of the authentic Christian church: they continued steadfastly in the Apostles’ teaching, which produced connectedness, which was celebrated in the Lord’s Supper, where THE prayers were said (likely the Psalms plus intercessions and thanksgiving, … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Fourth Sunday of Easter
Author: brregan
Sunday Summary: Third Sunday of Easter
The readings for the third Sunday of Easter are taken from Acts 2:14a, 36-41; 1 Peter 1:17-25; and Luke 24:13-35. EasterTIDE is filled with lessons that take us from the reality of the accomplished saving work of Jesus to the realization of that saving work in each individual’s life. This lesson from Acts is a third witness of Peter. His telling … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Third Sunday of Easter
Sunday Summary: Second Sunday of Easter
The readings for the second Sunday of Easter are taken from Acts 5:29-42; 1 Peter 1:3-9; and John 20:19-31. Many words are repeated in all three lessons for today. Faith, belief, and trust (FBT) occur often and all translate the same Greek word: “pistis.” Note that FBT is the work of God, accomplished by His inspired … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Second Sunday of Easter
Sunday Summary: Easter!
The readings for Easter Sunday are taken from Acts 10:34-43; Colossians 3:1-4; and Matthew 28:1-10. Acts records Peter’s visit to the home of Cornelius. Peter provides a divine summary of the gospel, especially the Easter story, to Cornelius and his whole household who had been waiting and waiting to hear it. A week ago on Palm Sunday, … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Easter!
Sunday Summary: Palm Sunday
The readings for Palm Sunday are taken from Isaiah 50:4-9; Philippians 2:5-11; and John 12:12-43. The prophet Isaiah describes the Messiah in great detail. God is with and well-pleased with His incarnate Son who carried on His back and against His face all the rebellion of all people and the disastrous consequences of it all. The shame … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Palm Sunday
Sunday Summary: Fifth Sunday in Lent
The Fifth Sunday in Lent. Ezekiel 37.1-14; Romans 8.1-11; John 11.1-53. All three lessons for Judica Sunday (“Judge me, O God” as in “Deliver me”) record how God brings life where there was only death, especially where death ruled so that people had no hope, where people were certain that no life could ever be known … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Fifth Sunday in Lent
Sunday Summary: Fourth Sunday in Lent
The readings for the fourth Sunday in Lent are from Isaiah 42:14-21; Ephesians 5:8-14; and John 9:1-41. Last Sunday, the lessons flowed from the parable of water; today from the parable of light. There is no hope for seeing when it is dark, nor can darkness create light. All three lessons bear witness to the hopeless … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Fourth Sunday in Lent
Sunday Summary: Third Sunday in Lent
The readings for the third Sunday in Lent are taken from Exodus 17:1-7; Romans 5:1-8; and John 4:5-26 (27-30, 39-42). Common to these readings is: a) the contentiousness of the corruption of Adam in our human nature; b) the redeeming work of God that precedes us, surrounds us, and comes to us; c) the parable … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Third Sunday in Lent
Sunday Summary: Second Sunday in Lent
The readings for the second Sunday in Lent are taken from Genesis 12:1-9; Romans 4:1-8, 13-17; and John 3:1-17. Genesis records how God established a particular relationship with Abraham. This relationship is parabolic. God calling Abraham out of his country and people is parallel to God regenerating us from above, as Jesus tried to explain to Nicodemus. … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Second Sunday in Lent
Thoughts on the State of the Union address
Another State of the Union address from our president calls for another response from citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Our president shared some good news and good thoughts with us. I heard him say that we welcome everyone who loves our country and pursues legal immigration. I also heard him say many things that … Continue reading Thoughts on the State of the Union address