Sermon Index
March 16, 2008. Palm Sunday, Sunday of the Passion
Matthew Chapters 26 &27
After the long Bible readings today, do we need a sermon? Is there time to have a sermon or do we need hurry to finish church on time? Does the text speak for itself without the need of the pastor speaking? @@
Let me tell you why I think a sermon is necessary. The Bible is the Word of God. The purpose of a sermon is to make the Word of God become our words. That is to say, that the Bible becomes part of our life. The sermon is first of all, the words of the preacher. It is a confession of how the Word of God has changed the preacherfs life. Then it is an invitation for the listeners also to believe and make the Word of God their words: words of speech, words of confession, and words of expressed in deeds, too. @@
Todayfs Gospel lesson is very long, but it very precious. I see the love of God in the suffering and death of Jesus. I know that my faith wavers. At times I believe so strongly that I shout gHosanna, Banzai, Praise the Lord.h Then in my sin, I am like those who cry gCrucify Him, Crucify Him.h I know that I am a sinner and that it is I who should be whipped and beaten and nailed to a cross. So when I see Jesus suffering and dying for me, in my place, I feel relief, I feel Godfs love, I feel thankful that Jesus did that for me. @@
Those are my words in response to reading Godfs Word. I invite you to make my words your words. I invite you to believe that Jesus is your Savior, your Savior from sin and eternal death. I invite you to say Amen after me. And then, I invite you to confess your faith in the words of the Apostlesf Creed. @@
Amen.
Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church