Growing Deeper Into the Soil of God's Word to Bear Fruit For His Kingdom
“John wore clothes made from camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.” Mark 1:6 Mark’s gospel is fast-paced. Short, clipped descriptions and powerful verbs drive the story forward. Mark is fond of using the word ‘immediately’ where other gospel writers might have allowed for space and... Continue Reading →
I invite you to open your Bibles with me to Luke chapter 3, beginning in verse 15. Luke 3, beginning in verse 15. We are picking up right where we left off last week. John was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth in their old age. Even before his birth, the angel Gabriel proclaimed that John... Continue Reading →
But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch, because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.” (Luke 3:19-20 John the Baptist was never known for being subtle. Or gentle. Or tactful for that matter.... Continue Reading →
[This sermon was originally preached on Sunday, December 13, 2015] This Advent, we are listening together to the message of John, son of Zechariah, better known as John the Baptist. Each of the four gospels begin with John - the message and the mission of the man crying out in the wilderness. Only after we... Continue Reading →
“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Taconites, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilee - during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of the Lord came to John son of Zechariah in... Continue Reading →
“But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.” (Luke 1:13a) Advent is a season of longing. As we anticipate Christmas and the celebration of the coming of Christ, we are invited to long with Israel for the Messiah. Zechariah and Elizabeth had lived with longing. This... Continue Reading →
Etz Pri 