The Politics of Jesus

Christopher L. Elwood
Professor of Historical Theology

Psalm 27
Mark 15:6-20

Originally preached on April 7, 2006

We continue our summer series of most-downloaded sermons with the question: is there politics in this story? The familiar story of Jesus’ passion is surprising in its relevance. As together we seek ways to embody God’s call for justice, we may find we cannot do without the politics of Jesus. Listen to the sermon.

Psalm 133

Patricia Kathleen Tull
A. B. Rhodes Professor of Old Testament

Romans 12:9-21; Psalm 133
Originally preached on April 21, 2006

Psalm 133 describes "kindred dwelling together" as good and pleasant--a surprising description given the large number of stories of sibling conflict in Scripture and the difficulty most people experience living with others in our own families, churches, and societies. The Psalm sets in sharp relief the story of Jacob's stealing of his father's only blessing from his brother Esau. What happened between Jacob and Esau in subsequent years offers important perspective on both the difficulty and the urgency of seeking the blessing of kinship. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF.

Homily

Amy Plantinga Pauw
Henry P. Mobley Professor of Doctrinal Theology

Psalm 105:1-6
Matthew 20:1-16
Originally preached on September 16, 2005

We continue our summer series of popular sermons with the parable in Matthew 20:1-16 that overturns our first come first served world. This is good news for the survivors of hurricane Katrina and for all of us.

Listen to the homily.
Read the homily in PDF.

The Case for Seeing

Christopher L. Elwood
Professor of Historical Theology

John 20:19-31
Originally preached on April 1, 2005

We continue our summer series of most popular sermons…
The old hymn tells us that "We walk by faith and not by sight..." And so, in most traditional interpretations of the story of so-called doubting Thomas, we are encouraged not to imitate the disciple who insists on seeing and touching the resurrected Jesus. But a closer reading suggests that visual experience is closely related to a biblical account of faith. The demand to see a real and tangible redemption just might be the touchstone of faith rather than its denial.

Listen to the sermon.

Final Exam

Robert Howard
Adjunct Professor of Homiletics

Matthew 25:31-46
Originally preached on November 18, 2005

Jesus Christ gives us his own version of a "final exam" in the final judgment image of the sorting of the sheep and the goats. What seems to be important for Jesus are the ordinary human actions of feeding, clothing, visiting, and caring for the outsiders with whom Christ identifies. Whenever we do care for them we will find the Christ for whom we long.

Listen to the sermon.

Read the sermon in PDF.

On Getting to Know Jesus Better

Dean K. Thompson

President and Professor of Ministry

Psalm 23
John 6:47-69
Originally preached on September 9, 2005

This sermon, preached at a communion service, focuses on the hope of a personal encounter with Jesus Christ in our daily lives of discipleship and obedience to his call. It was influenced by novelist Marilynne Robinson’s description of John Calvin’s notion of communion, which is “the idea of experience as encounter.” This sermon was also influenced by LPTS professor Susan Garrett’s Bangor Theological Seminary Lectures of 2005. Garrett declares that the churches of mainline Protestantism “must show people to a personal God, to Jesus Christ living and moving in our midst.”

Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF.

“Angelification”

Susan R. Garrett
Professor of New Testament

Ezekiel 1:26-28
Daniel 12:1-2
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Originally preached on November 4, 2005

Jesus shows forth the glory of God. We reflect that glory when we allow ourselves to be remade in the image of Jesus' self-giving love. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF format.

The Good Pastor

While Chapel services are on hiatus during the summer we present our most downloaded sermons from the archive. We begin with our most-downloaded address.

Dean K. Thompson
President and Professor of Ministry

July 2004
216th General Assembly in Richmond, VA

An address presented to alums and guests. Listen to the address. Read the address in pdf.

Whom Do You Serve?

Adam Fischer
Student Body President

May 11, 2007
Genesis 11:1-9
Romans 12:1-8.

God calls all of us to live in a diverse world. While our community may reflect some signs of living into this call, it is important that we continue to work toward God's call for even greater diversity. This call toward diversity may lead us into tension and discomfort as we learn new ways to live with one another. Listen to the sermon.

Living with Diversity: A Lesson From Peter

David C. Hester
Dean of the Seminary
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Harrison Ray Anderson Professor of Ministry

May 4, 2007
Acts 11: 1-18
John 13: 1-35

How are we to live into the diversity that we want in our community? Dean Hester addresses this emotionally charged issue as we move from the easy beginning of good intentions to the hard road of loving the "inconvenient differences" among us. Listen to the sermon.