Only when we see the Church as a new ark that is still being built will the delay in Christ’s return make sense. We are waiting for the full number of those whom God has chosen to come in. But we will not know when that number has been reached, so we must be ready at any time for this time of grace to end and for the new age to begin.

Sermon for Advent 1. Read or listen.

Readings from Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44.

Preached at Holy Trinity Church Inwood, 20 Cumming Street, New York, New York 10034, on December 1, 2019.

Both thieves were forced to acknowledge their lives were ending in failure and a shameful death. One cried out for deliverance so he could go back to his old sinful ways. The other acknowledged his guilt and begged Jesus to remember him in the next life, the life of the coming kingdom. We face a similar choice. Do we call on God to do more for us, or do we hail as king the God who has already given us everything? Mercy is offered to those who call upon Christ the King.

Sermon for Proper 29. Read or listen.

Readings from Jeremiah 23:1-6; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43.

Preached at Holy Trinity Church Inwood, 20 Cumming Street, New York, New York 10034, on November 24, 2019.

The Jerusalem temple’s massive grandeur must have made it seem as if it would stand forever, but by foretelling its imminent (and quick) destruction by the Romans, Jesus reminds his followers that no mere thing is of eternal worth. We must remember that unlike stone temples, our souls will not be destroyed.

Sermon for Proper 28. Read or listen.

Readings from Malachi 4:1-2a; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19.

Preached at Holy Trinity Church Inwood, 20 Cumming Street, New York, New York 10034, on November 17, 2019.

When Christ walked among us he showed us that God is one who is willing to come and “argue it out” (Isa. 1:18) with his people. Moreover, Jesus does not beat us, he does not win the argument. Instead Jesus offers himself in obedience — obedience born of faith — to the Father’s will. The faith in the Father that Jesus models is the same faith he asks us to have.

Sermon for Proper 26. Read or listen.

Readings from Isaiah 1:10-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12; Luke 19:1-10.

Preached at Holy Trinity Church Inwood, 20 Cumming Street, New York, New York 10034, on November 3, 2019.

We set our own reputation and works above God’s reputation and God’s works. This makes it hard to have compassion for others.

Sermon for Proper 25. Read or listen.

Readings from Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14.

Preached at Holy Trinity Church Inwood, 20 Cumming Street, New York, New York 10034, on October 27, 2019.