Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr December 2, 2018. Text: I Thessalonians 3:9, O.T.: Psalm 25:1-10, N.T.: I Thessalonians 3:9-13 Some time ago I was visiting a dear church member. It was a difficult time for her. She wasn’t used to losing the freedom that accompanies good health. She was frustrated. She should have been discouraged, even depressed. However, she wasn’t. Although she eagerly looked forward to the day of her health’s return, she…
Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. November 25, 2018 Text: Revelation 1:5-6, O.T.: II Samuel 23:1-7, N.T.: Revelation 1:4b-8 What do we mean when we say Jesus is King? It may seem obvious – we’re conferring upon Jesus royal status of kingship. But who among us really knows what that means? When have you lived under a king? When was the last time we had a king as our national ruler? We Americans are pretty…
Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. November 18, 2018 Text: Hebrews 10:23, O.T.: I Samuel 2:1-10, N.T.: Hebrews 10:11-18 The author of Hebrews writes about the blessings of God’s hope in Jesus Christ. Christ has left this world for the new world of eternal life. Christ has given us hope through forgiving our sins from the Cross and has shown us the promise of eternal life in the world beyond the grave. Today’s passage…
Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. November 11, 2018 Text: I Timothy 6:9, Old Testament: I Kings 17:8-24, New Testament: I Timothy 6:6-19 Our government represents the will of the people. The people’s will is expressed through money and votes. We just heard about the results of the people’s will through our mid-term elections. Tremendous passion was invested by millions of people in the outcome of these elections. Hundreds of millions of advertising dollars…
Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. November 4, 2018 Text: Deuteronomy 6:3, O.T.: Deuteronomy 6:1-9, N.T.: Hebrews 9:11-12 Tree of Life Synagogue was showing the same challenges we are seeing as Presbyterian Christians. The people who died, and the descriptions of the congregation suggested an aging population were in worship on a Sabbath day that was not a “high holy day.” All too many Jewish and Christian congregations are seeing a similar pattern. Younger…