The Lord’s Prayer

Sermon Illustration #3—THE KINGDOM OF GOD MAKES AN IMPACT: Church Buys Porno Theatre

Leave a Comment / Moral Authority, PCUSA, Sermon Illustrations, The Lord's Prayer, The Missional Church / By /

Topic: The Now and the Not-Yet of the Kingdom of GodScripture: Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heavenSource: Kent Richardson, “A History of First Presbyterian Church, Concord, California,” revised by David Stearns, FPCC website (scroll down to “Service”). Fourteen years before my arrival as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Concord (California), the congregation had been dealing with a vexing problem. Situated just one block from Concord’s central square, the church had a rear property line in common with the Showcase Theatre. The art deco building faced the city square, and in its heyday was […]

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The Bible—Episode Four: Miracles and Ministry

Leave a Comment / "The Bible" on History Channel, Lent, Sermon on the Mount, Teaching, The Lord's Prayer, Women in Ministry / By /

Continuing in our evaluation of the five-part series The Bible on History Channel, Episode Four weaves story threads artfully if not completely accurately. The span of time shortens now, from hundreds of years to just two or three, the period of Jesus’ public ministry. There are some great scenes that could be used as clips for a Sunday school class, but as usual, I have some quibbles about details.  Today I will explore the “ministry and miracles” (M & M) part, which appeared in the first half of the episode. In my next post, I will analyze the depiction of

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Can God Be Glorified in the PCUSA?

4 Comments / 2012th General Assembly (Pittsburgh), The Lord's Prayer, Theological Reflection / By /

Last Sunday I preached a sermon on the last (Protestant) line of the The Lord’s Prayer: For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. What is “sticking” this week, as I transition to Pittsburgh and await the PCUSA General Assembly opening this afternoon, is the acclamation that God is in charge, God is able, and God deserves the credit. I am praying in advance of opening worship this afternoon that God would be glorified as the King of kings and Lord of lords; that we as a body would submit to God’s power and

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What Would Jesus Do?

2 Comments / PCUSA, Sermon on the Mount, The Lord's Prayer / By /

Using our sorting matrix from yesterday’s post our attention turns to the center column in which the following questions are asked: 1.     What would Jesus do if he were in my shoes struggling with my place in the PCUSA? • Jesus would appeal to his Father’s authority over all things. In communion with God, Jesus’ incarnational call would be reaffirmed and the power to fulfill it poured out upon him. He would continue to “meet” daily in quiet solitude with his Father, feed upon God’s Word, and rely on God for direction and instruction. Lord, encourage me in your Spirit

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