Preface

Preaching is about proclaiming what God said, and it expects the hearer to respond. In order to keep God’s words and intentions at the forefront, when I preach I always choose a passage to unpack rather than a topic to survey.

However, on this occasion, when the pastor encouraged me to ask God what I should preach on, instead of a passage, I was drawn to the topic of anger. After extensive biblical research, I concluded that the passage that most directly addressed this subject was found in Matthew 5:17–30. However, I still used quite a few other passages to unpack what Jesus was saying, so it still felt more scattered to me than I normally like.

Matthew 5: Addressing Anger

Here Jesus clarifies the problem of anger and the way to address it. But looking to the rest of Scripture helps us understand why, and especially why we can’t take refuge in the (very biblical) category of righteous anger.

Big idea: even the anger in your heart is liable to God’s judgment, so pursue healing through reconciliation instead.

Outline:

1. In God’s courtroom, it’s not just your actions but your heart that’s on trial.
2. Anger—even righteous anger—spoils overnight.
3. Healing comes when we lay aside our anger, pursue reconciliation, and prioritize the wrongs we have committed.

Special thanks to Pastor Thomas Lutke for the invitation to preach and to the good people of County Line Community Church.

Preface

Preaching is one of my favorite forms of teaching. I love meditating on a passage and trying to discern the best way to communicate what God has said.

I think there is something unique about preaching on a Sunday morning: the whole congregation gathered to sit under the Word together. I don’t see it as an optional activity—even though it may look different in different cultures and circumstances. When we listen to the Bible as a church family, we are united and refreshed.

Typically, I don’t share my sermons. I make them available for those who are interested, but I normally don’t draw attention to them. This is for at least two related reasons: first, my primary concern when preaching is the people in the room. Second, I don’t want to be tempted to promote myself.

That being said, now that I am investing more of my time in creating and sharing educational resources, it seems right to me to share these sermons as educational resources, too. Unlike some of my other efforts and interests, these are hyper-focused on Scripture, and any opportunity I can get to point people to the Word, I want to take.

Luke 1: Zechariah’s Story

This sermon was delivered on the first Sunday after Thanksgiving, as we begin to turn our attention to Christmas. I was drawn to the story in Luke 1 where God prepares the way for John the Baptist—not a story I’m used to hearing around the holidays.

Big idea: The way in which God brought John the Baptist into the world indicates the exceptional ministry he would have in preparing the way for Jesus Christ.

Outline:

1. God prepares the way for His work
2. God’s work calls us to respond in faith
3. God’s grace includes the weak in His work

Special thanks to Pastor Mike McCrumb for sharing his pulpit with me and the warm welcome of the people there at Delton Community Church.