Category Archives: New Testament

New Testament

Do Not Judge—A Sermon from Luke 6:35-42

Posted on August 30, 2010 by stevepvc

I told somebody this past week that the sermon for today could really only last a few seconds. Don’t get your hopes up, it’s going to be longer than that, but it seems like I should be able to just … Continue reading →

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The Other Beatitudes—A Sermon from Luke 6:20-26

Posted on August 18, 2010 by stevepvc

Everybody knows the sermon on the mount.  Unfortunately, if I got up this morning and started reading, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who [yawn] mourn, for they will be…”, … Continue reading →

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Sermon on the Plain—Cedar Lane Edition

Posted on August 17, 2010 by stevepvc

This past Sunday’s sermon was our introductory foray into the sermon on the plain, an extremely distilled dose of Jesus’ vision of what his disciples are like. Part of the challenge of this past week’s sermon was to get in … Continue reading →

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Be Like Me

Posted on July 13, 2010 by stevepvc

One of the gutsier things that pops up repeatedly in Paul’s letters is his unapologetic claim that the churches he ministers should imitate him. I think a case could be made that this element carried more importance in Paul’s understanding … Continue reading →

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Discipleship on Whose Terms?

Posted on May 4, 2010 by stevepvc

Continuing my recent Bonhoeffer kick, Ive been digging back into his classic book Discipleship. Check out this section: Discipleship without Jesus Christ is choosing one’s own path.  It could be an ideal path or a martyr’s path, but it is … Continue reading →

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A Steward of God’s Grace to Whom?

Posted on April 15, 2010 by stevepvc

Yesterday, in the senior adult Bible class, we were hacking on Ephesians 3 a little bit.  Such a dense piece of scripture! The section describes Paul’s identity in some interesting ways, and one of those in particular caught my attention. … Continue reading →

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Matthew 26:36-38

Posted on April 5, 2010 by stevepvc

Translation Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” And taking Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sad … Continue reading →

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Matthew 26:26-35 Translation and Reflections

Posted on April 4, 2010 by stevepvc

Translation When they had eaten, Jesus took bread and, blessing it, broke it, and giving to the disciples, he said, “Take, eat. This is my body.” And taking the cup and giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink … Continue reading →

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The Least

Posted on March 31, 2010 by stevepvc

There are some passages that leave me with a haunting feeling every time  I come across them.  Today, I read this bit in Matthew 25.  I’m going to post it here without much comment, except to say that this is … Continue reading →

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Be Ready!

Posted on March 30, 2010 by stevepvc

“Be ready!” But first, let’s talk a little bit more about what that means. If you read the gospels with an eye alert to the sorts of things Jesus teaches about living wisely or ethically, the motif of readiness really … Continue reading →

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