Part 4 of my "Sex and Loving God" series, here I explore John 8:2-11 and the notion of a community of brokenness--a community of redemption. Earlier in the service, the congregation read Psalm 32 responsively, and that psalm served as a part of the biblical context for this sermon. "Sex and Loving God: Sin and … Continue reading Sermons #6 — Sex and Loving God: Sin and Grace, Forgiveness and Righteousness
Bible Note #9 — 1 Timothy 1:12-17 — “the worst of sinners”
1 Timothy 1:12-17 New International Version (NIV) The Lord’s Grace to Paul 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I … Continue reading Bible Note #9 — 1 Timothy 1:12-17 — “the worst of sinners”
Sermon #5 — Sex and Loving God: Sexual Discipleship
Discipleship is the calling of every one who claims the name of Christ. Discipleship extend to every portion of our lives without exception. The third sermon in a four sermon series on sex and the Christian faith, I preached this on January 22, 2012 at North Presbyterian Church, Elmira, NY. Prior to the beginning of … Continue reading Sermon #5 — Sex and Loving God: Sexual Discipleship
Matt Chandler on Being a Reformed Charismatic
Matt Chandler on Being a Reformed Charismatic.
Pastor Note #30 — Death and the Embodiment of Love
Yesterday, I was looking over the annual report for my congregation for 2011. I was surprised to see that only five of our members died during the year. It was surprise to me, because I had done more than twice that many funeral in 2011. Now that I've been here in the community for nine … Continue reading Pastor Note #30 — Death and the Embodiment of Love
Sermon #4 — Sex and Loving God: Brokenness and Redemption
The sermon linked to this post is the second sermon in a series on human sexuality and God. This sermon was preached at North Presbyterian Church, Elmira, NY on Sunday, January 15, 2012. Earlier in the service, we read responsively Isaiah 61:1-4. Then on this recording of the sermon, I read from Romans 1:18-32. The … Continue reading Sermon #4 — Sex and Loving God: Brokenness and Redemption
Bible Note #8–Genesis 3:7–Loin Cloths, the Fall, & Sex
Genesis 3:7--"Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves." [HCSB] Maybe it's because I'm preaching about sex these days, but today as I read this verse during my devotions, I was struck by the fact that … Continue reading Bible Note #8–Genesis 3:7–Loin Cloths, the Fall, & Sex
Sermon #3–Sex and Loving God: Natures and Origins
This sermon was preached at North Presbyterian Church on January 8, 2012 at morning worship. It's part of a series I preached on the topic of "Sex and Loving God." During that worship service we read Matthew 2:1-12 ( because this was the Sunday nearest to Epiphany, the church holy day when we celebrate the … Continue reading Sermon #3–Sex and Loving God: Natures and Origins
Pastor Note #29 — Looking Around the Corner
So, we’ve come to the beginning of a new year, and those seem lately to come flying around more often than once a year. The idea that time seems to move more quickly as we get older is not a novel idea. Conventional wisdom says it's true. And who am I to argue with conventional … Continue reading Pastor Note #29 — Looking Around the Corner
Pastor Note #28 — The Marks of Everyday Life
Bringing the Marks of Everyday Life into the Presence of the Lord Finally, I had a decent black suit. I was very pleased with that fact on this particular morning as I drove to conduct a funeral. Until a recent, successful trip to the Bargain Hut, I had been without a good black suit. I … Continue reading Pastor Note #28 — The Marks of Everyday Life
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 