Toughest Sermon I Ever Preached

February 8, 2012 in Faith 5

I never thought I'd be preaching this sermon.

A year ago today I got some of the most disturbing news I’ve ever received. My sixteen year old niece passed away. I wrote some reflections on the process last year. Today I wanted to share the manuscript of the eulogy I delivered at her homegoing. As I read it, tears began to well up in my eyes. The pain is still there, but the joy of knowing she’s in God’s presence also resides in that same “pain-filled” place. So I pray that this blesses someone today. I wanted to take this opportunity today to remember my little Danee Rose.

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Fool

February 7, 2012 in Faith 5

This guy isn't the only one who pities the fool.

“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.” (Psalm 14:1)

 “Thanks fool.” A young Hispanic male expressed his gratitude to a friend of mine using this phrase. In his culture, it’s a compliment. For the seminary student, it was a put down. Being called a fool, at least scripturally, is not a good thing. What is a fool?

The Psalmist is pretty explicit. He gives it to us straight. A fool is someone who says in his/her heart there is no God. This Psalm goes much further than atheism for atheism’s sake. It says that this person does whatever he/she wants to do whenever he/she wants to do it. 

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Lost

February 6, 2012 in Faith 4

Being lost sometimes causes you to find some things.

“For everything there is a season,…a time to seek and a time to lose” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 6)

There comes a time in our lives when we have to give up looking for what we lost. In my early 20′s, I spent a lot of time seeking stuff. I sought out things that I felt would satisfy me, only to leave those experiences empty or feeling unsatisfied.

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Birthright

February 2, 2012 in Faith 2

You'd be surprised what some would sell their birthright for.

“The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel, so that he could not be enrolled as the oldest son;” (1 Chronicles 5:1)

Reuben probably regretted his decision. A decision that would ultimately lead to him losing the very thing that accorded him status in his father’s kingdom. The birthright. He was the first born of Israel’s sons and should have received a substantial inheritance. How much more do we need to protect our birthright? Being born again gives you a birthright. You have certain rights and privileges because you are a child of the King. This birthright gives you a certain status in God’s Kingdom. Yet it comes with one caveat.

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