Bible Study

Sermon Mark 8:34-38 The Costs of Discipleship By Dr. Philip W. McLarty In his book, The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer makes it clear: While God’s grace is always bestowed freely, it is never bestowed cheaply. Bonhoeffer says specifically, “Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of our church …Cheap grace means grace as a doctrine, … Continue reading “Mark 8:34-38 The Costs of Discipleship (McLarty) – Bible study”

Sermon Mark 8:31-38 Are We Ashamed of Jesus? By The Rev. Dr. James D. Kegel I do not like wearing my clerical collar much anymorethe dog collar, the turned around collar, on a black shirt. Unless they have a funeral service or many hospital visits, most of my colleagues do not wear one either. Recently … Continue reading “Mark 8:31-38 Are We Ashamed of Jesus? (Kegel) – Bible study”

Sermon Mark 9:2-9 Manifestation and Mission By The Rev. Charles Hoffacker Today I invite us to consider the relation between Gods manifestation and our mission. In the name of the God who makes himself known: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Often enough it seems that when God is manifest, someone is entrusted with a … Continue reading “Mark 9:2-9 Manifestation and Mission (Hoffacker) – Bible study”

Sermon Mark 9:2-9 WOW!!! By The Rev. Dr. David E. Leininger It starts off ordinary enough. Jesus and his three closest friends – Peter, James, and John – go up on a high mountain. Nothing unusual. Jesus often went off from the crowds to pray and rest. All very ordinary. But from here on, ordinary … Continue reading “Mark 9:2-9 WOW!!! (Leininger) – Bible study”

Sermon 2 Kings 2:1-12 & Mark 9:2-9 Growin’ Up By Dr. Jeffrey K. London How do we know when someone has grown up? How do we know when we ourselves have grown up? I remember being 15 years old and wanting desperately to be 16 so that I could drive. The young want to grow … Continue reading “Mark 9:2-9 and 2 Kings 2, Growin’ Up (London) – Bible study”

Sermon Mark 9:2-9 Turning Points By Dr. Philip W. McLarty This morning I’d like for us to think about turning points those pivotal moments in which we change course and take a different direction, for better or for worse. My interest is spawned by the story of the Transfiguration. As we’ll see, it proved to … Continue reading “Mark 9:2-9 Turning Points (McLarty) – Bible study”

Sermon Mark 9:14-29 I Want to Do It Myself By The Rev. James T. Batchelor I remember growing up in the church and hearing the account in today’s Gospel. The thing that really impressed me as a child in fact, it frightened me was that Jesus got very frustrated with the disciples. He was frustrated … Continue reading “Mark 9:14-29 I Want to Do It Myself (Batchelor) – Bible study”

Sermon Mark 9:14-29 Sincerely Wrong By The Rev. James T. Batchelor Sometime next month, as we approach Halloween, one of the television networks will probably show a rerun of a Peanuts’ special entitled, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. For those of you who aren’t big fans of the Peanuts specials, this particular special focuses … Continue reading “Mark 9:14-29 Sincerely Wrong (Batchelor) – Bible study”

Sermon Mark 9:30-37 The Kid from Capernaum By The Rev. Charles Hoffacker The modern organizational leader and that child Jesus picks up: What do they have in common? Let’s consider this question, in the name of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Lately I have been reading a book entitled Deep Change. The author … Continue reading “Mark 9:30-37 The Kid from Capernaum (Hoffacker) – Bible study”

Sermon Mark 9:30-37 Play and Contemplation By The Rev. Charles Hoffacker In today’s gospel, Jesus places a child in the midst of his disciples as an example. And by happy coincidence, here in our gathering today Jesus also places a child, Lauren Elizabeth Swarts,to be for us an example. In the gospel, the disciples have … Continue reading “Mark 9:30-37 Play and Contemplation (Hoffacker) – Bible study”