Sermon Archive
The Neverending List - The “Least of These” Jesus
By: Dr. Bob Petterson
Mar 25, 2012
Jesus did not exhaust his list when he identified “the least of these.” He could have gone on: “I was a rebellious teenager, but you didn’t give up on me.” “I was an old person suffering from dementia, but you didn’t warehouse me away.” “I was the cranky neighbor who was always finding fault with you, but you didn’t write me off as a lost cause.” The list is endless for those of us with the courage and grace to fill in the empty blank. The world beyond the doors of Covenant is filled with those who are unlovely and unlovable. They hardly resemble Jesus. There is little vestige of the King of glory in their countenance or circumstances. But, if we look behind the disguise, we might find Jesus waiting for our ministry of grace and mercy.
Jesus in the Jailhouse - The Incarcerated Jesus
By: Pastor Trent Casto
Mar 18, 2012
Years ago Country Star Freddy Fender wrote a mega hit song about “lonely days and lonely nights.” In an interview he said, “A lot of people think I wrote it about prison. But I was separated from my wife at the time.” Prisons come in all shapes, sizes, and even states of mind. Jesus spent the hours before his crucifixion shuffled between a Jewish jail and a Roman prison yard. A long list of Who’s Who in the Bible did stints in prison. History teaches us that God does his best work among convicts. No loving church family can claim to be dependent on the Holy Spirit, committed to the Word, growing in grace, or reaching out in mercy if it isn’t ministering to the imprisoned. Who would have ever guessed that the King of glory might even wear a jailhouse jumpsuit?
Jesus in the Infirmary - The Sick Jesus
By: Dr. Bob Petterson and Pastor Trent Casto
Mar 11, 2012
An ancient prophet wrote about Jesus, “Surely he bore our sicknesses…and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:3&5) In order to redeem us, the King of glory endured every disease and infirmity of humankind when he was on the Cross. He feels the pain of every sufferer. He is in every teardrop that falls. He roams the shadows of loneliness and despair. When we open the doors of our comfort and venture out to places smelling of discomfort and heartache, we will be surprised to find the King of glory among the sickest of body, mind and soul. Reaching out in mercy, we will touch the very face of Jesus.
Glory Stripped Bare - The Naked Jesus
By: Dr. Bob Petterson and Pastor Trent Casto
Mar 04, 2012
The most shameful moments of all are when we are stripped naked and exposed before the gawking eyes of a watching world. Folk rock legend, Bob Dylan observed, “Even the Presidents of the United States sometimes have to stand naked.” Even the King of glory came into this world as a naked newborn, and died on a cross, stark naked. He knew what it was to be stripped bare of all glory and exposed in shame. Adam and Eve must have felt that way after their glory was exchanged for naked shame. The world is full of people who have been stripped bare physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But we possess a heavenly righteousness that will cover them, if only we will open wide the doors to clothe the naked.
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