Out of Exile

This is the audio (37:57, 26.3 MB) of a sermon preached at Center Church (EPC) of Grove City, PA, on November 27, 2022. The main texts are Genesis 1:26–31; 2:7; and 3:1–11. You can also watch the service on YouTube. Continue reading →

New links to follow my work: ***** As I have shared in the last few months, I am transitioning from serving as a professor who is involved in ministry part-time, to serving as a full-time pastor in a church. This … Continue reading →

This is the audio (49:10, 38.0 MB) of a sermon preached at Center Presbyterian Church (EPC) of Grove City, PA, on September 18, 2022. The main text is John 6:25–71. You can also watch the service on YouTube. Continue reading →

This is the audio (37:24, 11.9 MB) of a sermon preached at Klaipėda Free Christian Church, on August 14, 2022. The main text is Ephesians 4. The sermon was translated back-and-forth into Russian, for the benefit of Ukrainians who have … Continue reading →

Our passage for today is one that has been rattling around in my head for the last two years, and I'm finally collecting my thoughts to say something about it. It's kind of like an expose, a bit of “hidden camera footage” that shows what the religious leaders of Israel were doing in secret, in the Jerusalem temple, in its last days before it was destroyed. They thought that they could use their power to do whatever they wanted, and that no one would see—including God. We will see from this passage that God does act to stop those in power from abusing their power in secret. And there is a message for us who don't always have “inside access”: how are we supposed to react to corruption? And, how can we look to Jesus as an example of how to live faithfully in a sinful world? Continue reading →

This is the audio (30:08, 26.9 MB) of a sermon preached at Klaipėda Free Christian Church, on April 3, 2022, by one of my students, Sage Gibson. The main text is Mark 5:25-34. Sage completed a course on the Book … Continue reading →

Have you ever had an experience with a toddler that you knelt down, held out your arms, and waited for the child to run to you to be hugged—and instead the child runs past you to someone else? (This can also happen with dogs!) No one really takes this personally when it happens, because—children are children! But if, let's say, you're an uncle or an aunt, and a child ignores you like this, multiple times in a row—maybe you feel a bit hurt. Well, God felt this way with Israel. He didn't just want them to conform to some rule or standard; he wanted to be close to them. He made himself available to them, he held out his arms all day long to them (65:2) but most ignored him.... In the Gospels, we see that Jesus's arms were open wide, to those who would answer his call and take hold of him in faith. At the cross, with his arms stretched out all day long, in excruciating pain, he looked out at a rebellious and disobedient people—Jews and Gentiles—and took upon himself the punishment for their sins, the sins of anyone who would repent. Continue reading →

The church is Jesus's household, his kingdom on earth. We should absolutely be a place of refuge for refugees and those fleeing for their lives—just as the Davidic kings of ancient Judah could be a safe place for Moabites and others from all over the world. Continue reading →

The prayer in Isaiah 63–64 is a great example because the faithful prophet knows what his people need: they need God to change their hearts, and they need God to be near to them. It is passionate, and thoughtful, and based on God's promises to his people. It's also beautiful for us to think about how God answered this prayer: including in ways that his people did not expect. Continue reading →

This presentation explores the concept of the “image of God” found in the Hebrew Scriptures, and its value for understanding the task of the healing and caregiving professions. Against the backdrop of other ancient Near Eastern conceptions of cultic images—their fashioning, care and feeding, and function to mediate the deities' presence—the Bible describes only human beings as adequate images to mediate the presence of YHWH, Israel's deity, into the world. Treating human beings with care and dignity, and participating in their healing, is an act that allows both patient and caregiver to mediate the presence of God to one another and into the world. Continue reading →

This is the audio (42:20, 30.5 MB) of a sermon preached at our Lithuania home church, Klaipėda Free Christian Church, on January 2, 2022. It was the Second Sunday in Christmas Season, but since I was not scheduled to preach … Continue reading →

This is the audio (42:20, 30.5 MB) of a sermon preached at our Lithuania home church, Klaipėda Free Christian Church, on January 2, 2022. It was the Second Sunday in Christmas Season, but since I was not scheduled to preach … Continue reading →

This is the video (42.57, 303 MB) of a sermon preached at our Lithuania home church, Klaipėda Free Christian Church, on December 19, 2021, Fourth Sunday of Advent. The main text is Micah 4:9-5:6. In verse 6, we find another … Continue reading →

This is the video (42.57, 303 MB) of a sermon preached at our Lithuania home church, Klaipėda Free Christian Church, on December 19, 2021, Fourth Sunday of Advent. The main text is Micah 4:9-5:6. In verse 6, we find another … Continue reading →

The elders in Ezekiel's day were at a loss as to how to approach God. Their guilt was before them, and everything that YHWH said through Ezekiel was abundantly true. Continuing to the time of Jesus: How did God deal with his sinful people, still in exile, still oppressed by the Romans and their gods, and victims of their own sinfulness? There seemed to be no way out. But God, who was rich in mercy, provided a solution for his people, in Christ. Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days, as Israel was for 40 years. Jesus went into “exile,” the death of a cross, separation from his father. Not because he deserved it, but because he chose to take our sin upon himself. Jesus “passed under the rod of the Father's anger” for us! Jesus did so, so that he could bring his people into the land, that we would be fit to bear the name of YHWH God! And, he gave us his body and blood, continuing offerings so that we can be in fellowship with God! Continue reading →

The elders in Ezekiel's day were at a loss as to how to approach God. Their guilt was before them, and everything that YHWH said through Ezekiel was abundantly true. Continuing to the time of Jesus: How did God deal with his sinful people, still in exile, still oppressed by the Romans and their gods, and victims of their own sinfulness? There seemed to be no way out. But God, who was rich in mercy, provided a solution for his people, in Christ. Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days, as Israel was for 40 years. Jesus went into “exile,” the death of a cross, separation from his father. Not because he deserved it, but because he chose to take our sin upon himself. Jesus “passed under the rod of the Father's anger” for us! Jesus did so, so that he could bring his people into the land, that we would be fit to bear the name of YHWH God! And, he gave us his body and blood, continuing offerings so that we can be in fellowship with God! Continue reading →

If we don't live by God's law, the alternative is not “freedom”—it is slavery—either slavery to chaos and disorder, or to human-made law. If we will not say to God, “Let your will be done!” then God says to us, “OK, let your will be done.” We probably live in the time where at least people in the developed world have the most self-determination, but it seems to lead to depression and anxiety, rather than to liberation. God wants us to be holy because it's good for us, and because of his reputation. If were so consumed with God's reputation, what would that mean for our personal discipleship—the choices we make on an hour to hour, day to day, year by year basis? For our worship? For our evangelism? We should be shouting it from the rooftops, and it should work into our lives like yeast and affect everything that we do. Continue reading →

If we don't live by God's law, the alternative is not “freedom”—it is slavery—either slavery to chaos and disorder, or to human-made law. If we will not say to God, “Let your will be done!” then God says to us, “OK, let your will be done.” We probably live in the time where at least people in the developed world have the most self-determination, but it seems to lead to depression and anxiety, rather than to liberation. God wants us to be holy because it's good for us, and because of his reputation. If were so consumed with God's reputation, what would that mean for our personal discipleship—the choices we make on an hour to hour, day to day, year by year basis? For our worship? For our evangelism? We should be shouting it from the rooftops, and it should work into our lives like yeast and affect everything that we do. Continue reading →

Each of us still lives with the scars and the effects of sin in our life: the sins that we have committed, and the sins committed against us. That is a reality of life in this fallen world. But the good news is that because of Christ's death and resurrection, for those who believe and turn to God in repentance, we are no longer defined by our past sins. Continue reading →

Each of us still lives with the scars and the effects of sin in our life: the sins that we have committed, and the sins committed against us. That is a reality of life in this fallen world. But the good news is that because of Christ's death and resurrection, for those who believe and turn to God in repentance, we are no longer defined by our past sins. Continue reading →

Things fall apart, and they don't bear fruit like they should. Sometimes, a farmer plants a seed in the ground—and there is no rain. Sometimes, an entrepreneur builds a great business by wise decisions and honest dealings—and a hurricane wind comes through and wipes her investment away. Sometimes, a married couple tries for years and years to get pregnant—with no success. Sometimes, a single mom works for years scrubbing floors to get out of debt—and then she gets sick, can't work, and falls right back into debt. In a broken world, wisdom, hard work and obedience to God's law don't always yield the results they should. But the good news, Paul says, is that there is hope for redemption and re-creation. Human beings subjected the world entrusted to them to frustration, to futility—but because of what one perfect Human Being has done, all of creation can be reborn. The creation itself, Paul says, groans as if in labor pains, waiting for us as reborn human beings to be re-created in our resurrection bodies. In one sense, the creation has more “faith” and hope than we humans have! The trees and beasts of the field know that Jesus Christ is risen, and when he returns they will rejoice to see him restore creation to its full purpose. Continue reading →

Things fall apart, and they don't bear fruit like they should. Sometimes, a farmer plants a seed in the ground—and there is no rain. Sometimes, an entrepreneur builds a great business by wise decisions and honest dealings—and a hurricane wind comes through and wipes her investment away. Sometimes, a married couple tries for years and years to get pregnant—with no success. Sometimes, a single mom works for years scrubbing floors to get out of debt—and then she gets sick, can't work, and falls right back into debt. In a broken world, wisdom, hard work and obedience to God's law don't always yield the results they should. But the good news, Paul says, is that there is hope for redemption and re-creation. Human beings subjected the world entrusted to them to frustration, to futility—but because of what one perfect Human Being has done, all of creation can be reborn. The creation itself, Paul says, groans as if in labor pains, waiting for us as reborn human beings to be re-created in our resurrection bodies. In one sense, the creation has more “faith” and hope than we humans have! The trees and beasts of the field know that Jesus Christ is risen, and when he returns they will rejoice to see him restore creation to its full purpose. Continue reading →

This is the audio (40:21, 36.9 MB) of a sermon preached at our Lithuania home church, Klaipėda Free Christian Church, on May 23, 2021: Pentecost. The main text is Acts 2; I also make reference to Isaiah 28:5-13. Continue reading →

This is the audio (40:21, 36.9 MB) of a sermon preached at our Lithuania home church, Klaipėda Free Christian Church, on May 23, 2021: Pentecost. The main text is Acts 2; I also make reference to Isaiah 28:5-13. Continue reading →

This is the audio (50:10, 38.1 MB) of a sermon preached at the Kaunas Free Christian Church, on May 16. The main text is Philippians 4:10-20. Enjoy hearing the sermon in both English and Lithuanian (back-and-forth)! You can also watch … Continue reading →

This is the audio (50:10, 38.1 MB) of a sermon preached at the Kaunas Free Christian Church, on May 16. The main text is Philippians 4:10-20. Enjoy hearing the sermon in both English and Lithuanian (back-and-forth)! You can also watch … Continue reading →

This is the audio (41:27, 37.9 MB) of a sermon preached at our Lithuania home church, Klaipėda Free Christian Church, on April 18. The main text is Ephesians 3:1-13. Enjoy hearing the sermon in both English and Lithuanian (back-and-forth)! You … Continue reading →

This is the audio (41:27, 37.9 MB) of a sermon preached at our Lithuania home church, Klaipėda Free Christian Church, on April 18. The main text is Ephesians 3:1-13. Enjoy hearing the sermon in both English and Lithuanian (back-and-forth)! You … Continue reading →

This is the audio (31:21, 28.7 MB) of a sermon preached at our Lithuania home church, Klaipėda Free Christian Church, on March 28, Palm Sunday. The main text is Matthew 21:1-11; I also make reference to John 1:9-13 and Zech … Continue reading →

This is the audio (31:21, 28.7 MB) of a sermon preached at our Lithuania home church, Klaipėda Free Christian Church, on March 28, Palm Sunday. The main text is Matthew 21:1-11; I also make reference to John 1:9-13 and Zech … Continue reading →

This is the audio (48:21, 44.2 MB) of a sermon preached at our Lithuania home church, Klaipėda Free Christian Church, on February 28, Second Sunday in Lent. The sermon is titled, “Receiving Double from YHWH’s Hand.” The main text is … Continue reading →

This is the audio (48:21, 44.2 MB) of a sermon preached at our Lithuania home church, Klaipėda Free Christian Church, on February 28, Second Sunday in Lent. The sermon is titled, “Receiving Double from YHWH’s Hand.” The main text is … Continue reading →

Enjoy hearing the sermon in both English and Lithuanian (back-and-forth)! _____ Audio and text: ©2020 by Benjamin D. Giffone. Reproduction and distribution are permitted, providing that the author is properly credited and that no fee is charged.

This is the audio (37:36, 34.4 MB) of a sermon preached at our Lithuania home church, Klaipėda Free Christian Church, on July 26. The sermon is titled, “Naomi—The Female Job.” The main texts are Ruth 1:1–13, 19–21; 3:1–4; 4:13–22. Continue reading →

This is the audio (43:00, 39.4 MB) of a sermon preached at our Lithuania home church, Klaipėda Free Christian Church, on July 12. The sermon is titled, “The Mother of All Who Believe,” focusing on the character of Ruth. The main texts are Ruth 1:11–18; 2:2–3, 12; 3:1–13. Continue reading →

This is the video (229 MB) of a devotional recorded for our sisters and brothers at First Presbyterian Church of Endicott, NY entitled, “Think Local”; the text was Philemon 10–12. I plucked up my courage (or perhaps chickened out—you decide) … Continue reading →

This is the audio (41.07, 56.4 MB) of a sermon preached at our Lithuania home church, Klaipėda Free Christian Church, on May 24. The sermon is titled, “His Delight Is in YHWH's Law,” focusing on the character of Boaz. The main texts are Ruth 2:8-12 and 4:1-13. Continue reading →

The human desire to commune with God is very powerful, and when sacrifice according to God’s law was not available, it was very painful. Many allowed themselves to be squeezed into worshiping God on their own terms, rather than according to God’s law. But other Judeans were faithful and accepted the promise of God’s continuing presence through this time of suffering, a presence revealed in ways that they hadn’t seen before, and trusted that he would eventually bring this time to an end. For these Old Covenant saints who were truly seeking YHWH God, this disruption was a time of “creative destruction” that stripped away many beliefs and practices, and allowed them to see just how big and powerful YHWH truly is. Continue reading →

This is the audio (38:34, 25.0 MB) of a sermon preached at our Lithuania home church, Klaipėda Free Christian Church, on March 29. The sermon is titled, “God Draws Near,” and the main texts are Numbers 5:1-4 and 9:1-14. Continue reading →

This is the audio (14:59, 20.5 MB) of a sermon preached at LCC's International Christian Fellowship entitled, “The Book of Esther,” at our Sunday evening communion service on February 9. We read the entire book of Esther in a traditional way, with lots of cheering, booing, groggers, and stomping. Continue reading →

This is the audio (37:44, 51.2 MB) of a sermon preached at our Lithuania home church, Klaipėda Free Christian Church, on December 8. The sermon is titled, “Aukštas Bokštas,” and the main text is Genesis 11:1–9, the story of the … Continue reading →

This is the audio (20:32, 28.2 MB) of a sermon preached at LCC’s Wednesday chapel service entitled, “YHWH’s Glorious Images,” on November 13. The main text is Exodus 20:1-21. Here is an excerpt of the sermon: YHWH God is not just … Continue reading →

Here is the audio (47:40, 34 MB) of a presentation I gave on September 17 at the first Theology Department Seminar, “Hebrew Verbs and Minor Keys: How a Hebrew Poetry Seminar Changed My Bass-Playing.” I spoke about my transition from seminary … Continue reading →

This is the audio (25:45, 19.2 MB) of a sermon preached at LCC’s International Christian Fellowship entitled, “The First Fruits of Resurrection,” at our Easter Sunday celebration (April 21). The main text is 1 Corinthians 15:20–28. In this sermon I’m relying … Continue reading →

https://s3.amazonaws.com/web-audio/worshiping-community-klkb-wk3b.mp3 Part 3b of a seminar presented at the Klaipėda Free Christian Church in March–April 2019, “Worshiping Community.” Description, outlines and other session audio available at: https://thinkhardthinkwell.com/events/worship-sem-2019

https://s3.amazonaws.com/web-audio/worshiping-community-klkb-wk3a.mp3 Part 3a of a seminar presented at the Klaipėda Free Christian Church in March–April 2019, “Worshiping Community.” Description, outlines and other session audio available at: https://thinkhardthinkwell.com/events/worship-sem-2019/