Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. March 10, 2019 Text: Deut. 26:1, Old Testament: Deut. 26:1-11, New Testament: Rom. 10:8b-13 Deuteronomy 26 and Romans 10:8-13 seem to have nothing in common. Deuteronomy talks about possessing the Promised Land of God’s blessing and offering first fruits from the land in gratitude for God’s gift. Romans 10:8-13 is about confessing faith in Jesus Christ. What is the link between the two? The link is taking ownership.…
Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. March 6, 2019 Ash Wednesday Text: Joel 2:12, O.T.: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, N.T.: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Israel’s story is of a parent calling children back. God, the Father, struggles with His children, Israel, turning their backs on Him. God teaches Israel how to respect Him, how to honor Him. Israel knows right from wrong. Israel understands God’s rules. Israel goes a different way. God says to Israel, there…
Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. March 3, 2019 Text: Luke 9: 43, O.T.: Exodus 34:29-35, N.T.: Luke 9:28-43 Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent annually by people around the world to see miracles. Despite secularism driving modern life away from religion, millions pay money to see miracles. We spend such money knowing that what appears miraculous is generated by computers, make up artists, film editors, and producers. Movies present the illusion of…
Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. February 24, 2019 Text: Lk. 6:37, Old Testament: Gen. 45:3-11, 15, New Testament: Lk. 6:27-38 Relationships are difficult. People bring different expectations into their relationships. These expectations begin in their first intimate relationships inside their families. Children learn from parents and siblings what to expect in their relationships with other people. How consistent parents are, how justly they respond to an infant’s needs, a child’s needs, a teenager’s needs,…
Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. February 17, 2019 Text: Luke 6:21, Old Testament: Jeremiah 17:5-10, New Testament: Luke 6:17-26 There is a tension in Bible translation between people who believe God is concerned about our material needs and those who believe God is concerned about satisfying our spiritual needs. Where are you in this conversation? When you read Luke 6: 21, is Jesus talking about people’s physical hunger or is He talking about…