“Inordinate love of the flesh is cruelty, because under the appearance of pleasing the body we kill the soul.” Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) In Sermon #43, I began an exploration of this most famous of all parable, commonly called the "Parable of the Prodigal Son." In that first installment, I discussed the context. We saw … Continue reading Sermon #44 — Our Pilgrimage to Grace: Into the Place of Emptiness — Luke 15:11-32, Pt. 2
Month: March 2013
Pastor Note #52 — Ministry Q. & A. — 3/18/2013
As with most organizations, the church tends to follow the 80/20 rule. How should a pastor encourage others to get involved in church activities? Accept leadership positions? Participate in Sunday Worship? Is this even a pastor’s responsibility? Bluntly put, there is nothing that a pastor, as a human being, can do to accomplish what is … Continue reading Pastor Note #52 — Ministry Q. & A. — 3/18/2013
Sermon #43 — Our Pilgrimage to Grace: Itching for Something Else — Luke 15:11-32
“Nearly everyone who wrestles seriously with this [parable of the “Prodigal Son”] ends up with a sense of awe at its inexhaustible content.” Kenneth Bailey Who is the Father that Jesus talks so much about? What is he like and what does that mean for us? This is the first of a series of sermons … Continue reading Sermon #43 — Our Pilgrimage to Grace: Itching for Something Else — Luke 15:11-32
Sermon #42 — Words from the Beloved Apostle: Loving Jesus — 1 John 4:15-21
“Our great need, then, is simply Jesus Christ. He is what we need. He has what we need. He knows what we need to know. He has the ability to do in us what we cannot do – working in us that which is well-pleasing in God’s sight.” A. W. Tozer. Knowing … Continue reading Sermon #42 — Words from the Beloved Apostle: Loving Jesus — 1 John 4:15-21
Pastor Note #51 — Here’s How I Do It: The Devotional Life of One Christian
Every so often people ask me about my devotional practices. I don’t think I’ve ever written about that before, but it strikes me a something that some folks might find helpful. I don’t share what follows as if to say that everyone should pattern their devotions after me. In fact, my own pattern of devotional … Continue reading Pastor Note #51 — Here’s How I Do It: The Devotional Life of One Christian
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 