Sermons on Jesus'Nature

Who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus? – Matthew 16:13-17:13 Many things have happened between Jesus’ baptism by John, the Baptist and the scene we read about today; Jesus’ transfiguration. Transfiguration means a change in appearance, which is prone to be exalting, glorifying, or spiritual. In the church year, the Feast Day of Jesus’ Transfiguration stands at the end of the Season of Epiphany, Jesus’ baptism at the beginning. Both events feature God’s voice, proclaiming; This is my Son, the Beloved, with him I…

Lamb of God

Lamb of God – John 1:29-42 John introduces Jesus to us as the Lamb of God. This image is well known to most of us. We refer to it in many liturgical moments during Sunday service. But what does it actually mean? Join Pastor Olaf in a journey back to the moment when Moses liberates the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt in the Book of Exodus. This is the origin of the symbol of the Lamb of God.…

Holy Violence?

Holy Violence? – Mark 1:1-11 Season of Creation, River Sunday Some Christians today, when they imagine the second coming, it sounds like Jesus is going to do what he failed to do the first time around. Instead of being meek and humble and obedient, and full of love, the Jesus of the second coming is thought to be harsh, hard and violent. – A messiah with an iron fist, that was also the concept of many of John the Baptist’s…

Inclusive Grace – Luke 4:21-40

Inclusive Grace – Luke 4:21-40 Prophets often get into trouble when they preach God’s grace to those who are closest to them. Not so much when they preach that God’s grace is on them, but when they suggest that God’s grace includes people that are not part of the family, tribe or nation. That is what Jesus does in his home synagogue. He talks about the prophets Elijah and Elisha through whom God’s grace is bestowed on a Sidonian widow…

Heaven and Stuff – John 18:33-37

Heaven and Stuff – John 18:33-37 The church year ends and Jesus’ kingdom is not from this world. It’s all about heaven and stuff that has absolutely nothing to do with the here and now. So I will fill my sermon with enjoyable Jesus Bla Bla that will be entirely inoffensive, easy to hear, uplifting, unpolitical, and entertaining. In short, wellness for the soul. And then we’ll play our fabulous pipe organ, – followed by prayers, communion and coffee. Or…

God’s Disconcerting Love for All – John 11:32-44

God’s Disconcerting Love for All – John 11:32-44 The concept of a loving God gives rise to more questions than answers. Even the strongest faith is accompanied by doubt, because bad stuff happens to good people. Nevertheless, since 2000 years Christians do their best to trust God’s love. We embrace our finitude and the pitfalls of life in the hope of resurrection and new life. Where Jesus went, we will follow. We will end our journey on this planet and…

Imagining the Future of the Church – Part 1 of 4

Imagining the Future of the Church – Part 1 of 4 We participate in the synodical church renewal program Imagine. In this sermon series I give you my take on where the church is heading. It seems that the church is increasingly irrelevant in a more and more secular society. However, I think the news about the impending demise of God and God’s church are highly exaggerated. At all times and all over the world people seek the connection with…

Christian Love, – what does that even mean?

Christian Love, – what does that even mean? Jesus gave us a new commandment. To love each other. Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it. We know what love is, don’t we? The funny thing is that in general evil deeds are never done, because the perps consider themselves to be evil. NO, they think they are usually convinced they are acting out of love. Even Private Schicklgruber, – you might want to google that name, did what he did out of…

Passion Sunday; Christ’s Death is an Act of Love

Passion Sunday; Christ’s Death is an Act of Love The Palm Sunday sermon is about the passion of Christ, his suffering and his dying, which resulted in his resurrection of Easter. As everything that God does, Jesus death is an act of love. Jesus descends to the dead as the Apostle’s Creed says, not to have a well-deserved day off until the resurrection, but to throw open the Gates of the underworld and to free all people from their graves…