For I decided to know nothing among you except
Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Feast of St. Michael and All Angels -- Revelation 12:7-12

Sermon preached at Hope Lutheran.


Who is Like God? by Joshua Palmer


Revelation 12:7-12
Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world— he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!"



IN NOMINE JESU

Who Is Like God?

Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
            When I mention the Book of Revelation, what sorts of images jump to mind? I think of the Rapture and Tim LaHaye.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Lord's Prayer Sermonette -- Matthew 6:7-13

Sermonette for Homiletics 1.


Lord's Prayer Devotional by Joshua Palmer



Matthew 6:7-13
"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.  Pray then like this:


    "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
 Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
   as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
When was the last time you heard a sermon on prayer? Did that sermon tell you that you ought to pray? Probably. But, did it mention that there are specific words that you can pray which you can know, without doubt, please God? What are those words? Well, when the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, Jesus gave them the words of the Lord's Prayer. It is the prayer we should pray, must pray, and will be rewarded for praying. It is the prayer at the heart of Christianity.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Easter 6 -- John 16:23-33

Sermon preached at Catalina Lutheran in Tucson, Arizona.




Easter 6: John 16:23-33 by Joshua Palmer




John 16:23-33


23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Romans 12:17-21

O Sing of the Wrath


Romans12 by Joshua Palmer



Romans 12:17-21


17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.



Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Mynin aeide thea Pylyiadeo Achilyos.” So begins one of the greatest pieces of literature ever written. It is the first line of Homer’s Iliad. Maybe you read it in high school or remember the story from the movie Troy a few years back.