(Deuteronomy 34) This is one of the most interesting plot twists in all of Scripture. More than any other Israelite in the desert, Moses has earned the right to cross that river and enter the Promised Land. From the fiery shrubbery that first called him out of shepherding, through the Red Sea and the tempests…
(Matthew 22:15-22) Last week, in discussing entitlement, I posed the following question: If you either believe that you are inherently deserving of all that you have or have been told that these things are yours by right – as a solid, irrefutable fact – are you going to be intrinsically grateful for them? The question…
(Matthew 22:1-14) As I start this morning’s message, can I just say that if you or someone you know thinks that Heaven is going to be a complete snooze-fest where you float around on a cloud plucking a harp and are bored to tears (except for the occasional harp lesson from Eddie Van Halen), then…
(Philippians 4:1-9) “Don’t be anxious about anything.” It sounds simple enough, but this may be the most difficult of all Biblical instructions to keep. Anxiety has been called the official emotion of our age. Today more than ever we are seeing the effects of anxiety in our society, in our lives, and in the lives…
(Exodus 16:2-15) One day during Abraham Lincoln’s time as President of the United States, an elderly lady was ushered into his private office. Lincoln noticed that she carried a covered basket beneath her arm, and he inquired, “What can I do for you Madam?” Placing the covered basket on the table the lady replied, “Mr…
(Matthew 20:1-16) This morning’s Gospel lesson comes on the heals of Jesus’ discussion with the rich, young man about gaining eternal life. You may recall that encounter ends with the rich man turning his back on Jesus and going away sad. You may also recall that, immediately upon the man leaving, the disciples – with…
(Matthew 18:21-35) He was the kind of villain that we love to hate in the movies. But this was no movie: It was the city of Rome under Nazi rule during the Second World War. Our villain is Colonel Herbert Kappler, commander of the SS forces occupying Rome. As villains go, he has an impressive…
(Matthew 18:15-20) The English language is strange – to say the least. For example, read and lead rhyme and read and lead rhyme; but read and lead don’t rhyme and neither do read and lead. Yes, English is weird. It can be understood through tough thorough thought, though. I bring this up because I am…
First Presbyterian of Fairfield worship service for August 30thPosted by First Presbyterian Church of Fairfield on Sunday, August 30, 2020 (Romans 12:9-21) Performance running shoes are often colorful and attractive, with sleek designs that make you want to hit the pavement and go fast. But not many have the brilliant design of the Adidas “Futurecraft.Loop,”…
(Romans 12:1-8) In January 2019, Russian pianist Elisey Mysin strode onto the stage of the concert hall in Naberezhnye Chelny, an industrial city of more than a half million people on the Kama River, about 600 miles due east of Moscow. He smiled confidently at the audience. The hall was packed. He was dressed in…