Luke 7:1-17 (click to display NIV text)
April 21, 2013
Pastor Dwight A. Nelson
“They were all filled with awe and praised God. ‘A great prophet has appeared among us,’ they said. ‘God has come to help his people.’ ”
When do you ask God for help? Every day? When you feel incompetent to the task? When there is nothing you can do to change your situation? When you feel fear and anxiety? How have you been asking God for help this week? Read more
Acts 9:1-20 and John 21:1-19 (click to display NIV text)
April 14, 2013
Pastor Dwight A. Nelson
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
“Feed my sheep.”
“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?”
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
Over the last 38 years I have done many funerals, and I think that by far the most popular hymn for the generation that died during that time has been “In the Garden.” It was written in 1912.
“I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses. And he walks with me and he talks with me and he tells me I am his own; and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.”
It has seemed to me to be overly sentimental and even romantic, but this hymn captured something for a generation about what it feels like to be in the presence of the Risen Lord Jesus. Read more
Luke 24:13-23 (click to display NIV text)
April 7, 2013: Eastertide
Pastor Dwight A. Nelson
“When he was at table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.”
The Gospels tell of disciples going back to what was familiar to them after the events of the cross and resurrection. In John we read of Peter, who decides to go fishing. Here in Luke we find two disciples walking on a road, about seven miles, to a village called Emmaus. It does not say why they were going on such a long walk, but perhaps they were going home, going back to a familiar life. And Jesus interrupted them on their journey and redirected their lives. Read more
I Corinthians 15:12-26 (click to display NIV text)
March 31, 2013: Easter Sunday
Pastor Dwight A. Nelson
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a human being. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ will all be made alive.”
Some have asked me how I am feeling about my last Easter. I think I should clarify that I do not intend for this to be my last Easter. Of course that is up to the Lord, when our lives end. But I do believe that there are Easters after retirement, and there may even be more Easter sermons in my future.
But, even though this is not the last Easter, it is a significant one for me. Read more
Luke 22:1-23 (click to display NIV text)
March 24, 2013: Palm Sunday / Passion Sunday
Pastor Dwight A. Nelson
“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’ ”
Jesus says we eat the bread and drink the cup “in remembrance of me.” What is involved in our act of remembering Jesus? On Good Friday and then again on the Sunday after Easter, we will gather for the Lord’s Supper. We will remember Jesus. This will include bringing to mind all of his ministry and his death and resurrection, and it will also include our obedience, our imitation of Jesus, doing what he did. Read more