Sermon by William Bradbury

8 Pentecost—Proper 13-C/August 4, 2019

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23, Psalm 49:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21

Jesus says to us: “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Really? Is this true? Do we actually live as if we believe it’s true? Continue reading →

Sermon

7 Pentecost—Proper 12-C–July 28, 2019

William Bradbury

Genesis 18:20-32, Psalm 138, Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19), Luke 11:1-13

In the 2006 movie “Click”, Adam Sandler goes to Bed, Bath and Beyond to buy a new remote that will hopefully control, among other things, his TV and ceiling fan. In the back of the store he enters a hallway with a sign over it that says, “Way Beyond”. There he finds an employee played by crazy man Christopher Walken, who sells him what is called a “universal remote”, which controls pretty much everything in the universe, for instance now Sandler can fast forward through unpleasant or dull parts of his life. Continue reading →

  Sermon: 6 Pentecost—Year C—Proper 11

July 21, 2019  +  William Bradbury

Genesis 18:1-10a, Psalm 15, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42

Luke gives us a recognizable domestic scene. Martha, who owns the house, is getting things ready to lay a spread for Jesus and his disciples. Maybe she starts the preparations with a light heart. Perhaps whistling while she works. But then it’s clear younger sister Mary is not showing up to help, and an old mental story gets launched about how lazy and useless Mary is. Finally, Martha glances into the main room and sees Mary sitting with Jesus and the other disciples and that pushes her over the edge! Continue reading →

Sermon

5 Pentecost—Proper 10-C  July 14, 2019

William Bradbury

Deuteronomy 30:9-14, Psalm 25:1-9, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37

A Bible scholar asks Jesus, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus says, what is written in the Bible: What do you read there?” He answers, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he says to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” Let’s stop here and notice three things:  Continue reading →

Sermon

4 Pentecost—Proper 9—C  July 7, 2019

William Bradbury

Isaiah 66:10-14, Psalm 66:1-8, Galatians 6:(1-6)7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

“The Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go.” Jesus is sending out the 70 in two-person advance teams to make ready his visit. But they are not just arranging lodging and a lecture hall, because they have also been empowered to bring to the people a taste of the Realm of God, even before Jesus shows up in person. I want to suggest that that is also our role as followers of Jesus. We are an advance team for the Master preparing for his visitation by letting God’s Presence shine through us. Continue reading →

Sermon–William Bradbury

3 Pentecost—Proper 8-C–June 30, 2019

1 Kings 19:15-16,19-21, Psalm 16, Galatians 5:1,13-25, Luke 9:51-62

Filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli died recently at the age of 96–most well-known for his classic 1968 film “Romeo and Juliet”.  Recently I watched again another Zeffirelli film from 1972, “Brother Sun, Sister Moon” on the life of Saint Francis. Like his other movies this one is filled with beautiful actors, in lush settings, doing amazing things. Continue reading →

Sermon

2 Pentecost—Year C–Proper 7

June 23, 2019 + William Bradbury

Isaiah 65:1-9, Psalm 22:18-27, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39

For reasons that I hope become clear, I can’t help but think of the 2008 book, The Hunger Games, when I read today’s story of Jesus healing the demoniac. As one reviewer describes the book: “In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capital and 12 districts. Continue reading →