1 John 1:5-10 "Light" and "darkness" are paralleled by "truth" and "lying or deception" in this passage. The truth as a concept here is multi-layered It is in some places the truth about God. In other places it is truth about ourselves. Ironically, we ourselves are often both the deceived and the deceiver at the … Continue reading Bible Note #10 — 1 John 1:5-10 — Light & Darkness, Truth & Deception
Tag: transformation
Pastor Note #32 — “Forgive Me!”
Forgive Me! Forgiving is not one of the easier parts of the Christian faith. In fact, it’s something that I myself struggle with from time to time. I know, I know. You’re saying, “Not you! Surely not you! You are such a nice guy, such a nice, easy-tempered guy. I simply can’t believe … Continue reading Pastor Note #32 — “Forgive Me!”
Sermons #6 — Sex and Loving God: Sin and Grace, Forgiveness and Righteousness
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
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
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
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
Sermon #2 — Exodus 16:1-35
This is now the second sermon in a series on the manna and quail of the wilderness journey. In this sermon, I explore how the values and priorities of ancient paganism aren't all that far away from the modern, westerner's wrestling with faith. Here's a link to the text of Exodus 16:1-35. Here's the link … Continue reading Sermon #2 — Exodus 16:1-35
Prayer Note #25 — A Pastor’s Prayer for Sunday Morning Worship
Father, we gather today to worship you. That is our identity not merely an action that we take. We are the people who worship you, O blessed and singular Trinity. Nurture that identity in us. Enter our being as a people and as persons and by your Holy Spirit infuse that true identity deep within … Continue reading Prayer Note #25 — A Pastor’s Prayer for Sunday Morning Worship
Prayer Note #23 — A Bible Study on Prayer, Psalm 84:1-12
The Bible has a lot to say about prayer. Some of the places where we find wisdom and instruction on prayer don't actually use the word much or even at all. In Psalm 84, the word, "prayer," appears once, yet the entire psalm is about communing with God. And communing with God is certainly the … Continue reading Prayer Note #23 — A Bible Study on Prayer, Psalm 84:1-12
Prayer Note #22 — The God of All Things
My Lord, you are the brightness of light warming the darkness and gloom. You are the great sweeping vista, when I feel stifled and suffocated and trapped. You are the verdant, well-forested hills that embrace me and hide me, when I fell exposed and vulnerable. You are the bubbling spring in the desert, the firm, … Continue reading Prayer Note #22 — The God of All Things
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 