Sermons
Weekly professional powerhouse sermons by Leonard Sweet.
Cross Blind
Cross Blind Lectionary 13 March 2016 Fifth Sunday in Lent Isaiah 43:16-21 Psalm 126 Philippians 3:4b-14 John 12:1-8 Text to Life Nothing brings back more vivid, pungent memories like a remembered scent. Forget auditory or visual playbacks. A familiar smell has the power to snap us back to a long…
The Stole of Remembrance
The Stole of Remembrance Lectionary 6 March 2016 Fourth Sunday in Lent Joshua 5:9-12 Psalm 32 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Text to Life One of the most common Lenten observances is “giving up” something for Lent. Historically one of the most popular things “given up” is some form…
Leaplings All
Leaplings All Lectionary 28 February 2016 Third Sunday in Lent Isaiah 55:1-9 Psalm 63:1-8 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13:1-9 Text to Life This Sunday we stand perched on the edge of a great gift—a gift we receive only once every four years. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s first installment about middle earth,…
Sheba
Sheba Lectionary 21 February 2016 Second Sunday in Lent Genesis15:1-12, 17-18 Psalm 27 Philippians 3:17-4:1 Luke 13:31-35 Text to Life [Prop: basin of water] If you were alive and watching movies in 1975 you were rudely awakened to a fear of the water. In 1975 Hollywood released a thriller…
Have a Heart
Have a Heart Lectionary 14 February 2016 First Sunday in Lent Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 Romans 10:8b-13 Luke 4:1-13 Text to Life There is a brand of breakfast cereal that called “Smart Start.” It is specifically branded and bandied about as “heart smart” cereal. It has lots of anti-oxidants,…
A God of Second Chances
A God of Second Chances Lectionary 7 February 2016 Transfiguration Sunday Exodus 34:29-35 Psalm 99 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) Text to Life (Exodus 34:29-35) How many times have you changed your “look”? Cut your hair, dyed your hair, permed your hair? Shaved your beard, shaved your head, shaved…
The Jesus Paradox
The Jesus Paradox Lectionary 31 January 2016 4th Sunday After the Epiphany Jeremiah 1:4-10 Psalm 71:1-6 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Luke 4:21-30 Text to Life How many times have you heard it said, “You are what you eat”? Think about it. What shape are doughnuts, pizzas, and burgers? Round and puffy.…
The Joy of the Lord is Our Powerball
The Joy of the Lord is Our Powerball Lectionary 24 January 2016 3rd Sunday After the Epiphany Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10 Psalm 19 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a Luke 4:14-21 Text to Life Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10 January. Joyless January. January is the month when all the Christmas-crazed credit card bills show up. January is the…
Year 30-Chateau Jesus
Year 30-Chateau Jesus Lectionary 17 January 2016 2nd Sunday After the Epiphany Human Relations Day Isaiah 62:1-5 Psalm 36:5-10 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 John 2:1-11 Text to Life It is every host’s nightmare—running out of food and drink before running out of guests. What to do? Do you calculate what you…
The Force of God Awakens
The Force of God Awakens Lectionary 10 January 2016 The Baptism of Our Lord Isaiah 43:1-7 Psalm 29 Acts 8:14-17 Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Text to Life Is there anyone here this morning who hasn’t yet seen Star Wars “The Force Awakens?” How many of you here have seen it more…