In Sermons: showing 1-15 of 28

The Wonder Of It All

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Jan 3, 2006

God has come to you in a way you can see…in a way you can touch…in a way you can understand. God has come, not to overwhelm you with terror, but to reach out to you with gentleness. Come see the baby. He will show you the way.

Outside of Bethlehem, every night of the year, for thousands of years, there have been shepherds watching their flocks by night. In that respect, this particular night was no different from any other. At least, it started out no different from any other. Sheep huddled in the cold night air. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Recognition

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 20, 2005

Simeon and Anna recognized Jesus immediately to be the promised Redeemer. How did they recognize him? What can we learn from their recognition of him?

The very first time John the Baptizer encountered Jesus the Messiah, he recognized him. John was six months in the womb of his mother Elizabeth at the time. Jesus was a mere flicker of cells in Mary’s womb. Do you remember the story? It was the angel Gabriel who gave Mary the news. “Do not be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

More Than Just A Healing

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 16, 2005

The account of the ten lepers: Grace was extended equally to all ten, but in only one did that grace bring a response of faith. With wild abandon, and gratitude, and excitement, he turned from going through the motions and fell at Jesus’ feet.

Some texts are just too obvious. Ten lepers were cleansed. One came back and said thanks. Nine did not. The one was commended. The nine were scolded in absentia. Ah...it’s important to write thank-you notes. My mama, your mama, and Miss Manners would be pleased. End of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Let's Make A Deal

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 14, 2005

Parable of the dishonest manager: The Kingdom of God works on different principles than we’re used to. Efficiency, practicality, and self-interest are not the core values of the Kingdom. God expects a lot more for us (and from us) than we expect him to.

There was a rich man. This man was so rich that he didn’t make his own bed. He had a personal maid who did that. He didn’t make his own dinner. He had a personal chef who did that. He didn’t drive his own car. He had a chauffeur who did that. He didn’t balance his own checkbook. He had a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Much Grace Was Upon Them All

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 14, 2005

First, Jesus is alive. Really alive. Abundantly alive. Second, because Jesus is alive, a new community of people is formed-—people who demonstrate the reality and power of the risen Christ in their life together. Real life. Abundant life.

When Jesus walked the earth—teaching, and preaching, and healing—-strange things happened. Not strange as in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. More like strange as in counter-intuitive. Strange as in turning upside-down what everyone knew to be true about how the world worked—what was important and ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Promise In The Darkness

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 14, 2005

Isaiah the prophet communicated the prophecy about Immanuel to Ahaz. An angel communicated the promise of Jesus to Joseph. Ahaz responded in fear. Joseph responded in trust.

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.” Most of you are familiar with the story: Joseph had learned that Mary was with child, and he was making plans to divorce her quietly. An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying to Joseph: ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Joseph

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 14, 2005

Advent is a time of preparation and repentance, and it turns out that Joseph’s story has a few things to teach about those very things.

Joseph…the husband of Mary. The Bible doesn’t really tell us that much about Joseph. Legend has it that he was an elderly widow. Supposedly that explains why he was able to honor Mary’s virginity during the first months of their marriage and why he quietly disappears from the narrative sometime ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Second Person Of The Trinity

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 12, 2005

What does it mean to say that Jesus is the Second Person of the Trinity? What are some of the errors of understanding that have sometimes confused or deceived people?

In the midst of his earthly ministry, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Jesus then asked them, “What about you? Who do you say that I am?” The gospels ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Highway Construction

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 11, 2005

Repentance is about preparing the way for our Lord, for the King. This Advent sermon uses the metaphor of road work to explore repenting of sin and unforgiveness.

Today is the second Sunday of Advent. Traditionally, the second Sunday of Advent belongs to John the Baptizer…the one whose job it was to announce the imminent coming of the Christ. In all four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—the ministry of John the Baptizer prepares the way for the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Maranatha

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 11, 2005

This passage from Isaiah 64 gives us words to express our longing for God to come down and make the world right (and make us right).

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. It’s the first Sunday of a new church year. Advent, as was said in the Lighting of the Candles, means coming. Advent signals the coming of Christmas. (Only 28 more shopping days left!) But even more so, Advent signals the coming of Christ. The season of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Giving Thanks

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 20, 2005

Giving thanks loosens the grip of our anxious clenched fists, so that we might let go of ourselves and receive the fullness of God’s Spirit. Five steps toward learning to give thanks.

A few miles south of downtown Atlanta, away from the tall, shiny, steel and glass buildings, a street corner is occupied by a short, unassuming, old building made of brick and stone. It’s a church building. When I lived in Atlanta, early every weekday morning a line formed outside this building—a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Magi's Guide To Following A Star

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 19, 2005

God just might give you a star to capture your attention and to guide you. And if you follow that star, everything just might change. An intimate encounter with Jesus has a way of doing that to people.

I love the story of the magi. There was a time when the magi lived far away from Jesus. They were given a special star to capture their attention and to guide them. They followed the star, and it changed everything. An intimate encounter with Jesus has a way of doing that to people. I love the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

To Each One Grace Has Been Given

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 19, 2005

If Christ brought you to this congregation, then Christ has given you a special grace to serve in a way that is needed within this congregation.

Early on in my seminary career, I was asked by a committee charged with my nurture as a fledgling pastor-wannabe about my role models for ministry. “Who,” the committee asked, “did I consider to be an example to follow?” “Who was my role model for ministry?” I guess it was a reasonable question, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Five Short Stories Of Grace

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 19, 2005

Five stories from Old Testament that demonstrate God’s graciousness. (Grace is not just a New Testament concept.)

In the second century, a hundred years or so after the death of Jesus and the birth of the church, lived a man named Marcion. Marcion was a Christian. Well, not exactly. Marcion called himself a Christian, but he had his own perspective about what that meant, a perspective shared by his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

From Fear To Courage To Perseverance

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 19, 2005

Falling deeper in love with Jesus (from knowledge about him, to conviction that he lives, to identification with his suffering) moves us from fear to courage to perseverance.

This passage in Acts 5 describes the third time that the apostles risked arrest because of their association with Jesus. The first time that the apostles stood and faced arrest, they didn’t… That is, they didn’t stand, they turned and ran. And they didn’t face their opponents, they scattered ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:17-42

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed