Sermons « Old First Reformed United Church of Christ

Weird, Surprising Experiences that Keep Us Looking Up, Sermon 02.19.12.

Posted February 22, 2012 by Michael Caine. Filed under Sermons.

2 Kings 2:1-12 and Mark 9:2-9 Extraordinary happenings — what since Dr. King’s speech the night before his assassination have become commonly known as “mountaintop experiences” — are a part of our human existence. Jesus and his disciples are on the top of a mountain when suddenly Moses and Elijah appear, and then Jesus, well, [...]

God’s Love the Heals Because It Embraces, Sermon 02.12.12.

Posted February 12, 2012 by Michael Caine. Filed under Sermons.

2 Kings 5.1-14 and Mark 1.40-45 Isn’t it just my luck… after last Sunday’s sermon stated clearly that healing isn’t really Jesus’ main event, today, both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament readings are stories of miraculous healings. I’m sticking by what I preached. It was true to both last week’s Gospel lesson and [...]

Wishing We Were Known for our Gospel, Sermon 02.05.12.

Posted February 7, 2012 by Michael Caine. Filed under Sermons.

1 Corinthians 9:16-23 and Mark 1:29-39. Church, I like the irony of the Mark passage being our story for today: the men of the household paralyzed by the “out of service” status of this unnamed woman when many of the women who are leaders in this church are away on retreat. But there’s more I [...]

Liberality Limited By Love, Sermon 01.29.12

Posted January 30, 2012 by Michael Caine. Filed under Sermons.

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 and Mark1:21-28. I begin this morning by asking each of you to bring to mind a situation …some time when you really wanted to do something, but decided against it, because you foresaw the negative effects or hurt it could have on someone you love… A few of us may be able [...]

An Anchor against all the Ambiguity, Sermon 01.22.12

Posted January 22, 2012 by Michael Caine. Filed under Sermons.

I Corinthians 15.51-58 and Revelation 3:20-22 One of you admitted once, you’d considered going to seminary, “BUT”… There came a formidable list of arguments against such a move, but one I remember today: “I don’t know if I could come up with something to say each week.” My experience is quite the opposite: there’s too [...]

Into the Muddy Waters of Life, Sermon 01.08.12

Posted January 8, 2012 by Michael Caine. Filed under Sermons.

Mark 1:4-11 and Acts 19:1-7. Schedules in the secular world are crazy before Christmas, but every worship planner knows the church’s schedule goes wild once Christmas is here. Just 12 days, a few Sundays, and so much holy story to remember… raise up… relive. The arrival of the Magi. Jesus’ dedication in the Temple on [...]

Where’s God Breaking into Your Life, Sermon 11.27.11

Posted November 27, 2011 by Michael Caine. Filed under Sermons.

Isaiah 64: 1-9 and Mark 13: 24-37 We live in a world where it’s often easier not to believe, than to believe in God. In our secular time and place, there’s a pervasive, even in many ways now socially-supported sense that we are all alone, here to fend for ourselves, left to our own devices. [...]

Betting on Life, Sermon 11.13.11

Posted November 13, 2011 by Michael Caine. Filed under Sermons.

Psalm 90:1-12 and Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus’ parable isn’t about entrepreneurial geniuses or lazy people. It’s not about money. That’s just its illustration or metaphor. The parable’s meaning is much deeper than cash in the bank or a return on one’s financial investment. It’s about courage and trust… and a sobering warning about whenever, however, wherever [...]

Eternally Sacred, Sermon 11.06.11

Posted November 6, 2011 by Michael Caine. Filed under Sermons.

1 John 3.1-3 and Revelation 7.9-17 We live in a world that finds endless ways to discount people. I don’t need to tell you this. You see it all around you. You suffer it yourselves too. All the descriptions and conditions and derogations whereby the children of God are judged to count less than our [...]

Dayenu, Sermon 10.16.12

Posted October 16, 2011 by Michael Caine. Filed under Sermons.

Let the memories of generations of God’s faithfulness flow threw us and reassure us and strengthen us. Dayenu. It would have been enough…
We’re going to make it. Because remembering God’s past saving acts, we can trust God’s present now and into our future. God will be present and provide. Because God cares and acts. We’ve got important work to do, but we’re never alone… Amen.

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