“[F]ull of joy through the Holy Spirit”: let’s start there. The Holy Spirit brings the gift of joy, beloved. We want to be happy. Sometimes, we are. What we really…
It’s no accident, no coincidence, that temptation follows baptism. John offered a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Jews were familiar with the forgiveness of sins: they gloried…
“[T]he eternal Son of God was a guest at a feast.”[1] You could do worse than to have Jesus as a guest at your celebration. I haven’t been sure how…
Maybe you’ve heard the phrase “Put it in writing”? Get it in black and white: not just words in the air, but something we can hold on to, show others—a…
Peter isn’t happy about what’s going to happen to Jesus. Neither are we. Suffer? Killed? Terrible! Let’s be followers without the suffering. In seminary, no one quite knew what…
I’ve been speaking about joy and light lately, not only because it’s Advent, not only because I feel the need for these blessings in my own life, but because…
God shall supply all your need. I never grow tired of hearing that. I rejoice when I hear that! Those words speak in the emptiest parts of me and…
Bible Text: Philippians 3:3-16 | Preacher: Paul Kucera | Series: For Progress and Joy in the Faith | The way to progress and joy in the faith is Christ. Obviously. …
Bible Text: Philippians 1:21-30 | Preacher: Paul Kucera | Series: For Progress and Joy in the Faith | “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”…
Do you want to laugh? Do you want to cry? Maybe both? If you have come to this Presbyterian church from another expression of Christian faith, you probably have figured…