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“The Grace of Giving” (2 Corinthians 8:1-9, 13-15) Today let’s talk about giving. Yes, that’s right, giving--like we do when we put offerings into the offering plate. Usually that’s a subject we like to avoid. People become defensive or uncomfortable if the subject of giving comes up. They’ll make excuses for why they can’t give more. They instinctively reach for their wallets and hold on tight, so that no one can get in there. And they close their ears as well. People don’t like to have someone put pressure on them to put more in the plate, like this is...

“From Our Earthly Tent to Our Heavenly Home” (2 Corinthians 4:13-18; 5:1-10) As some of you know, my older brother Jim recently was put on hospice with an inoperable brain tumor. He doesn’t have long to live--any day now, it looks like. So I wanted to talk with him while there was still time. He had retired to North Carolina, so we had to do this by video chat, and at a time when he was awake and alert enough to do it. Well, we talked a couple of days ago, on Thursday. His family was there with him to...

“Power Made Perfect in Weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:1-10) The words that engage our attention this morning and that will bring comfort to our souls are these verses from our Epistle reading, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, where St. Paul writes: “But he [the Lord] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am...

Donald Trump, speaking to a religious crowd at Virginia's Liberty University on Monday, turned to scripture. "We're going to protect Christianity. I can say that. I don't have to be politically correct," he said. "Two Corinthians, 3:17, that's the whole ballgame ... is that the one you like?"

“Prophets without Honor” (Ezekiel 2:1-5; Mark 6:1-13; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10)“Prophets without Honor.” That’s what we see in our readings today, in the lessons from Ezekiel, Mark, and 2 Corinthians. “Prophets without Honor.” That’s what we see in our world today--that’s what we see in our nation today. And who are these prophets who do not receive the honor befitting the message that they bring? Well, guess what? It’s us, we in the church, who bring the word of God. So it behooves today to listen now, as we consider the trials--and the blessing--of being “Prophets without Honor.” Scene 1, 600...

“Amen” (The Lord’s Prayer; 2 Corinthians 1:18-22)Alleluia! Christ is risen! (He is risen indeed! Alleluia!) Yes, “Alleluia” of course is the word of the day for Easter Day. We’ve been saving it up all Lent, and now today we finally get to let it loose. And what a day to do so! Our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead on this day, winning the victory for us over death and the grave. If that doesn’t elicit an “Alleluia,” I don’t know what will. “Alleluia” is a Hebrew word originally, and it means “Praise ye the Lord.” And praise is...

“The Burden of Our Ministry and the Basis for Our Joy” (2 Corinthians 4:5-12)The theme for our conference this year is “The Joy of Ministry.” Ministry as a joy, rather than a burden. And tonight, in our opening service, we want to deal with both aspects of that equation, namely: “The Burden of Our Ministry and the Basis for Our Joy.” Oh, and let me say right at the outset, while this is a conference designed for pastors, and thus this sermon is geared especially toward those in the ministry, I trust what we say now will be applicable in...

“It’s a Gift!” (2 Corinthians 8:1-9, 13-15)There was a lot of talk this past week about how the federal government can force you to buy a product that maybe you don’t want to buy, and they do that by extracting money from you if you don’t comply. But what do we call that? Is it a “mandate”? Is it a “penalty”? Is it a “fine”? No, the Supreme Court ruled, it’s a “tax.” Well, whether you call it a mandate, a penalty, a fine, or a tax, it still is a matter of compulsion and coercion and force. That’s how...

“From Earthly Tent to Heavenly Home” (2 Corinthians 4:13 – 5:10)What happens to us Christians when we die? And what will happen to us after that? And how will all that be different from what we’re experiencing now? These are questions that St. Paul gets at in our text for today, where I’ve combined last week’s Epistle reading from 2 Corinthians chapter 4 and this week’s reading from chapter 5. Since this pertains to all of us, as well as to our loved ones who die in the Lord, it’s good that we listen to what God’s word has to...