Sermon by Rev. Christopher D. Hall – 06/24/2012
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Posts Tagged ‘John the Baptist’
The Nativity of John the Baptist 2012 – Sermon
Posted in Sermon, tagged Faith, John the Baptist, Nativity on June 24, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Nativity of St. John the Baptist
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged John the Baptist, Sermon on June 24, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Sermon by Rev. Mason T. Beecroft, 06/24/010
As children, most of us looked forward to our birthdays. Besides the party and presents, they were important markers of our maturity, our growing up. As we grow older, however, birthdays begin to take on less importance. In fact, we begin to wish we didn’t have to celebrate them, or that people would not remember them. While kids love to tell many birthdays they have celebrated, adults often consider it rude to ask people their age. Our birthdays come to serve as stark reminders that our days on this earth are numbered. We cannot stop the march of time, and with each passing day, our death draws nearer. Yet as Christians, we are not a people without hope. We are baptized into Christ Jesus, and so the power of His death and resurrection is ours by grace. Jesus is the first born of the dead, and, belonging to Him, we will follow Him through death to eternal life. Sin and death do not have the final word for us. Jesus Christ does, and so death becomes the moment of our rebirth, a birth into the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting. …
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Baptism of Our Lord 2010
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Baptism, Jesus, John the Baptist, Sermon on January 10, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Advent 4 Homily 2009
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Advent, John the Baptist, Sermon on December 20, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Pastor M. Beecroft, 12/20/2009
“Who are you?” This simple question can actually be quite complex. It is easily answered with your name or where you are from. I am Mason Beecroft and I am an American. Sometimes we respond with our job or vocation. I am a pastor. Or I am an engineer or lawyer or whatever else it is that we do to make a living. We almost always define ourselves based on our name and our livelihood. Beyond these somewhat immediate, typical, and superficial responses, however, this question can be quite profound. It possesses the ability to probe the farthest reaches of our soul. “Who are you?” In other words, who are you at the very depths of your person? Who are you when nobody else is around? What gives you satisfaction in this life? What makes you anxious and uncertain? Why are you lonely and dissatisfied? Are you committed to someone or something? Where do your loyalties reside? What compels you to action? Why do you do the things that you do? Why do you choose not to do certain things? Indeed, this question can be complex. If we ask it of ourselves and want to give an honest answer, then we are forced to confront the reality of our identity with all the good and the bad. Perhaps this is why we rarely consider it at length and rather settle with the expected, yet glib and uninteresting response of our name and our job.
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Advent 3 Homily 2009
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged John the Baptist, Sermon on December 13, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Pastor M. Beecroft, 12/13/2009
From before he was born, John the Baptist was bearing witness to Jesus. When Blessed Mary, pregnant with our Lord, visited Elizabeth, the Holy Spirit worked in John, in utero, and he leaped in the presence of the incarnate Christ. At six months in the womb, John pointed to Jesus. This was God’s call on John, from conception to death; to prepare the way of the Lord.
This is exactly what John did. Donning his camel hair coat and leather belt with a lunchbox full of locusts and honey, John went to work in the wilderness. He preached God’s Law and called the people to repentance. He reminded the gathered crowds, “All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” He told the people what they needed to hear, namely, that they were marked with sin and iniquity. Their lives were like our bermuda grass in the winter. Their lives were like a cut flower out in this cold. They would not last. Their sins would bring death. They were in need of the deliverance that could come only through the Word of God that endures forever. So John proclaimed the impending arrival of the Messiah. To prepare His way John preached repentance and baptized sinners.
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Nativity of St John the Baptist 2009
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged John the Baptist, Sermon on June 24, 2009| Leave a Comment »
Pastor M. Beecroft, 06/24/2009
Birthday parties for children have become quite extravagant. As a child, I was happy to get a present, some cake, and pick my favorite meal for the family dinner. Today children get parties that nearly force their parents to take out a new mortgage-petting zoos, building rentals, jupiter jumps, guest lists, party favors, clowns, magicians, big ticket presents. Lisa once was quoted $200 for a silly fire truck birthday cake. We went with the cheap grocery store option. Well, quite unlike our modern birthday infatuations, the Christian Church has never been real big on birthdays. In fact, the Church celebrates only two birthdays: Jesus and John the Baptist. The celebration of Jesus birth is a no-brainer. He is the Word made flesh. He is the Son of God incarnate in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the salvation of the world. Besides, everyone loves Christmas. But John the Baptist? The celebration of his birthday among all the saints might be a bit puzzling….
Grace Lutheran Church in Tulsa 