Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. Christmas Day 2016 Text: Luke 2:10-11 Christmas and gift-giving. You can’t have one without the other. All Christmas gift-giving arises from God’s gift of new life in Jesus’ birth. Christ’s birth is the gift which keeps on giving. He’s the faith that originated Christmas gifts. He’s hope by which Christmas gifts are anticipated. He’s the love from which Christmas gifts are given. Faith, hope, and…
Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. Text: Matthew 1:20 Old Testament: Isaiah 7:10-16 New Testament: Matthew 1:18-25 One of our Christian misconceptions is faith in Jesus Christ does not involve fear. Many, if not most of us, want a comfortable faith that makes little or no demand on us. We want to believe God’s love never requires us to do the impossible. We want God to conform to our plans for our future.…
Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. Text: Matthew 11:7c,d Old Testament: Isaiah 35:1-10 New Testament: Matthew 11:2-11 What sends a man from the comfort of his home, his wife and children, into the wilderness? What inspires a woman to leave her family’s protection to journey into the wilderness? What child is even permitted into the wilderness? The wilderness is an inhabitable place. A place where life is impossible. To the northeast, east and…
Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla Jr. Text: Matthew 3:8 Old Testament: Isaiah 11:1-10 New Testament: Matthew 3:1-12 For 1,800 years, Christians associated Christ’s Second Coming with Christmas. The Season of Advent was a month of personal preparation for Christ’s return. Advent was not for Christmas parties. Christmas party-ing was reserved for the twelve days of Christmas that began Christmas Day. Advent was for repentance. Biblical prophecies about the Lord’s return to earth…
Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. Text: Colossians 1:16 Old Testament: Jeremiah 23:1-6 Colossians 1:11-20 One of America’s hallmarks is the separation of Church and state. It’s derived from the Constitution’s First Amendment. Freedom of speech and freedom of conscience are the origins of Church/state separation. Our Presbyterian identity began in this spiritual conviction about Church freedom from state control. Civil government is not the head of the Church. Jesus Christ is…