Sermons by Rev. Lloyd Pierson Ph.D.
Poured Out
Today, we celebrate the birth of the church, Universal. The Holy spirit launches the message of Christ into the world through a newly empowered people. It has been the case through the early church, the two greatest celebrations, first being Easter, the second being Pentecost, which may surprise some, has somewhat become culturally invisible, at least amongst protestants.…
Cross-Bearing Disciples
We finish our series this morning on the discipleship in the gospel of Mark. For us is the call of Jesus in crossbearing. We look through the reading of God’s word. If you please join with me in prayer. Father, indeed, we thank you that you have given to us your words, that you have had them written down for our learning. And we ask Lord God, that you would indeed…
Living for Jesus in Hard Times
What does it mean for followers of Christ to live for him with one eye on the future horizon and the other upon our present suffering? We look through the reading of God’s word. If you please join me in prayer. Father, of all mercy in your word, your endless glory shine forth. And we ask them that you would reveal them to us this day, all through the marvelous…
The Greatest Disciple
He sat down and called the twelve, and he said to them, ‘If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and a servant of all. ‘ And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and take him in the arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever receives one such child in my name, receives me. ‘ ‘Whoever receives me, receives not me, but him who sent…
A Disciple’s Faith
Mark, starting in Mark 10. We’re looking at what it means to walk by faith. What is a disciple’s faith? We use that word all of the time. There’s at least six aspects of faith that theologians discuss with several subpoints below each of these in the broader topic. But what does it mean to have faith? How is our faith exercised? That’s what…
How Jesus Changed the World
We’ve been working our way through the gospel of Mark in a series on discipleship, and we pause that rightly for Easter Sunday, and we’re going to be switching over to the gospel of Matthew, Matthew 28, as we consider the resurrection story of Jesus. We look to the ream God’s word, though, if you would please join with me in prayer. Holy God, blessed are…
Palm Sunday: A Triumphal Misunderstanding
Celebrations. In the spring, there were two, the Passover, and then the Feast of Weeks, Pentecost, and then in the autumn, the Feast of Booth. Here, Jesus is coming to Jerusalem during the time of the Passover. We look to the reading God’s word. If you please join me in prayer. Oh, Lord, indeed, the grass withers and the flower fades, but your word will stand…
Send Them Away
Text this morning, Matthew 15: 10. Earlier, Jesus had sent out his disciples to minister in his name, and now we see those ministering in Jesus’ name wanting to send others away from Jesus. We look to the reading of God’s word. If you please join me in prayer. Living God, we ask you to help us to hear your Holy word this day, that we may truly understand, and…
Sent Out
A real mission and a training mission all rolled into one. We look to the reading of God’s word. If you would please join with me in prayer. Bless are you, O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. And you, Father, are all mercy and all goodness. You have elected us, you have called us, you justified us, you have sanctified and glorified us all through your son,…
No Empty Storm
Mark Chapter 4. We continue working our way through the gospel of Mark with an eye to discipleship. Today, we step into the boat with the disciples with the great storm, Galilee. Maybe you’ll recall the wonderful painting by Rembrandt depicting this very picture of Jesus being woken up by terrified disciples as the boat is tossing and pitching in the great waves. As…