U-turns Permitted

Part 2 of the "What is the Gospel?" series. Jesus has come to earth to show us God's love. What is God's love? And what about God's wrath? And what do you do if things are pretty bad and God's love seems far away?

This is the first in a series of 6 sermons that attempt to unpack what the "Good News" (Gospel) of Jesus Christ is. Many of us aren't clear or have a too narrow version of the Good News. There is much comfort, hope, and meaning when we come to understand the richness of what God has done for us and all of creation through Jesus Christ - especially in the times in which we live.

This is the last service in the life of Trinity CRC in Broomall. We now conclude our ministry. But that doesn't mean the Kingdom has not been present, or that it will not be present going forward. Isaiah 61 and Luke 4 serve as our source of encouragement.

Romans 11:36 reads: "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen." This verse sums up the story of the Bible that goes all the way back to Genesis, and it gives us enormous hope and purpose for the future.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" is a well-known text from Philippians 4:13. Paul connects this to the concept of "contentment" in 4:11. Contentment means to "stand strong" and self-sufficient in Christ so that the waves of life don't overcome us. 

Today we read the famous "Parable of the Sower" from Matthew 13. R.F. Capon calls this a "watershed moment" in Jesus' teaching, and that it is. It is much more than "how to listen to a sermon". Your whole perspective on the world might change!

Today we read the famous "Great is Your Faithfulness" passage from Lamentations 3. We place these verses of hope squarely where they are - surrounded by despair. We don't ignore the despair, nor do we allow the despair to quench the light of hope. We hold both together.

As the ragtag people of Israel stand ready to enter Canaan, the Promised Land, God encourages them to be strong and courageous, and not to fear, because He will be with them always. Jesus promises the same to his ragtag group of disciples as He prepares to leave them after His resurrection. And the same promise is for us today.

Today we read Genesis chapter 1, the beginning of the Gospel, the good news, that God is creating out of welter and waste, and He invites us to join Him in that creative process.

We conclude this short series on 2 Corinthians with the famous statement from Paul in 12:10 that when he is weak, he is strong. And we note that Paul is fully in touch with himself here. He recognizes his weaknesses and he recognizes his strengths. And all because Jesus' power is made evident in him.

Today we read 2 Corinthians 5:13-20. Paul shows us the perspective he brings to bear on his troubles. It is a perspective that gives hope and sends us out with a purpose.

In the church, societal and personal crises of his time, Paul uses the term "jars of clay" to describe how weak and vulnerable he and his people were. But in those "jars of clay" is a treasure - the glory of Jesus Christ. "Death is at work in us, but life in you", he says in 2 Cor. 4.

There are very few of us who do not think we are in a time of crisis - whether that be personal, communal, national or global. In 2 Corinthians 1 Paul expresses his own distress and speaks of the comfort that comes from God.

Today Rev. Jane Filkin from the Campolo Ministry Center at Eastern University opens Luke 24 for us, the story of the two disciples on the way to Emmaus after Jesus' death. In their deepest grief Jesus walks with them, teaches them and transforms them.

Proverbs 31 contains the famous description of the "valorous woman", which has often been used throughout the centuries to think of and treat women in a way that is honoring to them or the God who made them. Today we will approach this passage as not so much a description of what a "valorous woman" should and shouldn't do, but as a description of what wisdom looks like, especially in a time of crisis.

The Book of Proverbs often speaks of the need for "integrity" as we conduct our daily lives, especially when dealing with crises. Listen as we explore what integrity is and looks like.

This is the audio of the complete service held at Trinity CRC in Broomall on July 30, 2023, in the aftermath of the news that a former pastor kidnapped, sexually abused and murdered an 8-year-old neighbor girl in August of 1975. Some of the songs we sang are not included in this recording because the sound was not good.

This week our community was shocked to hear that a former pastor of our congregation kidnapped, sexually assaulted and murdered an 8-year-old neighbor girl 48 years ago. He hid his crimes for decades until he confessed and was arrested just a few days ago. Click here for the story. In an effort to process these events a service of lament, reflection and renewal of hope was held. This is the sermon part of the service. You can find the whole service on video here, and audio here.

Today we begin our series on the book of Proverbs. Proverbs reflects Israel's struggle to find its identity in a time of cultural crisis, when the monarchy and the priesthood were no longer sources of authority and stability. We're in a time of crisis today also, which should make Proverbs relevant for us.

Today we read John 21, the coda to the gospel, in which Jesus restores Peter and sends him on mission.

Jesus appears to the disciples and sends them out as He has been sent out by God. A week later, Jesus reveals himself to Thomas, who would believe only if certain conditions were met. Jesus shows Thomas Himself, and that is enough.

At the end of John 17 Jesus prays for His disciples, then turns His attention to the generations that follow. It is encouraging to make Jesus' prayer as personal to us as possible.

Today we read John 17:3, in which Jesus prays that knowing Him is the way to "eternal life". God has given us the Bible, the Church and the Christian religion as means to help us know Jesus. They are not Jesus - they lead us to Him.

Today is Pentecost Sunday. Corey Brown guides us through Jesus' promise that "when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide us into all the truth". (John 16:13)

Today we read from John 15, Jesus' famous statement about "abiding in Him". What does that mean, and especially, is He just referring to individual piety? We will look at the Old Testament roots of this image to help us find out.

Jesus gives his disciples peace, which doesn't mean they will have no problems in life. After all, the next day they would experience the worst day in the history of humankind. So how can we experience peace regardless of our circumstances?

Today we read the famous story of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples, including Judas, who was to betray him. Today we don't wash each other's feet. So how can we follow Jesus' example as He calls us to do?

Today we read from John 12:44-50, the last words he spoke to a public crowd. These words contained a challenge for those listeners, and they contain a challenge for us today.

Today we read John 11, the famous story of the raising of Lazarus. Jesus stands in solidarity with the people he loves before the closed tomb of Lazarus. But then he moves forward, opens the tomb, and, as the rest of John tells us, moves toward his own closed tomb.

Today Dr. Kyuboem Lee preaches from John 13:36-14:7 entitled "The Way Home".

On this Easter Sunday, this is the question we ask. What did Jesus' resurrection do for the disciples? and what could it mean to us if we really believed it? We read the story from John 20.

On this Maundy Thursday we contemplate the horrific individual and corporate sin that caused the death of Jesus. We confess our complicity in it and come to His table for forgiveness and renewal.

Today we read the story of the "Triumphal Entry" from John 12. "Hosanna!", the crowd shouted. Typically that is understood as an acclamation of praise, but it is not. It means "Save us!". THe crowd in Jerusalem, embroiled in political, sociological and economic tension, needed saving. So do we, in our time and place.

In John 9, Jesus heals a man born blind. He is silenced, abandoned and rejected by those around him. But not by Jesus. Do we shepherd the marginalized?

Today we read the story of the woman caught in adultery from John 8:1-11. This is a story of radical grace and a radical invitation.

Today we look at John 7, and ask ourselves what the response to Jesus was among the people and leaders of the Jewish community in and around Jerusalem at the time of the Feats of Tabernacles. And what is our response to Jesus?

Today we look at John 6, in which Jesus proclaims himself the "Bread of Life". What does he mean by the word "life"? What is he offering to the people of his time and people of all times?

Today we read Psalm 145, and try to understand how a Psalm of praise can help us in times of (dire) crisis. Such a Psalm is a foundation, a lens, and, perhaps, a destination.

Dr. Seteven Boyer of Eastern University preaches from Galatians 4:1-7 on the Trinity.

Dr. Steven Boyer from Eastern University preaches from John 5:19-30 on the Trinity.

Rev. Dr. Alfred Muli preaches from 1 Peter 1:22-25: "Love One Another".

Today Rev. Dr. Alfred Muli preaches from 1 Peter 1:1-9, entitled "Focus on Our Hope in Christ".

At the end of his second letter Timothy, Paul writes to his protege: "The Lord be with your spirit; grace be with you." With this blessing we enter 2023, in our questions and difficulties and in our joys and accomplishments.

For Christmas this year we observe the story of Mary and Joseph from two vantage points: on the ground and from above. What did their story look like without the Divine perspective? and what did that Divine perspective add to the story?

Today we read the famous passage Isaiah 9:6-7 and think together about what it means that Jesus is called the "Prince of Peace", the one who establishes a kingdom of peace forever.

Today we read Isaiah 61, written after the Jews had returned from exile, while things were still broken. We learn from Fleming Rutledge that Advent is not darkness: Advent is Light in darkness. And therein lies the possibility of joy.

Today we read Zephaniah 3:17: God proclaims His love over and for us. But the background is no sentimental Christmas scene - it is judgment and exile. Only with that background can we understand God's love for us and move out in love to our world.

On this first Sunday of Advent we explore the theme of "Hope", from Isaiah 40, written while Israel was in exile, captivity and despair in Babylon. 

Today we look at two healings done by Jesus: the son of an official and a man who had been lame for 38 years. The Age of Life breaks into the Age of Death and healing happens. That is the good news. 

Jesus speaks with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman. He speaks to both of them of "eternal life". What did he mean to convey to them, and what did they understand? Most likely it was not about "how to get to heaven when you die". Listen to find out what it might have been.

Today we look at two very different people Jesus spoke with: the Pharisee Nicodemus and the anonymous Samaritan woman. In this sermon we will explore the differences and similarities between them, next week we will explore what Jesus actually said to them.