tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:08:00 +0000sermonLutheranTokyoSt. Paul International Lutheran ChurchJapanJesusPhilippiansKevin PowellforgivenessJacobJohn the BaptistPaulSt. John Golden Spikeprophetsinners99A Christmas CarolAbraham and IsaacAdvent 1BAdvent 2BAdvent 3BAdvent 4BAll SaintsAsh WednesdayBaptism of JesusChristendomChristmas 1BChristmas 1CChristmas DayChristmas EveChurch.DustEarthquakeEasterEaster SundayEnd TimesEnglish speakingEpiphany 2BEpiphany 4BEpiphany 7AFirst Lutheran ChurchHarold CampingJabbockJames 5Japanese ChristiansKingdom of GodLabanLeahLentLent 1BLent 3BLostMarkMartin LutherNew LifeNew StartPatrick StewartPentecost 17CRachelReformationScroogeTempleTsunamiWar on ChristmasWord Made Fleshbeaititudesbook reviewburning bushchurchchurch declinechurch growthdeathempty tombexodusfailed predictionsfaithfoundfreedomgo the extra milegood newsgospelgraceincarnationjosephjustificationlanguagelost coinlost sheepmarriagemosespentecost2Apentecost4Cphariseesprayerrepentanceresistanceresurrectionsaddlebackself-righteous Christianssexualitysmall churchessmall groupsturn the other cheekMay you see the face of Jesus in everyone you meet. And may everyone you meet see the face of Jesus in you. Those looking for my sermons, please go to <a href="http://kevinsermons.blogspot.com">TheWordProclaimed </a>http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Blogger1221125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-5536696478744345325Sun, 21 Dec 2014 20:32:00 +00002014-12-21T13:34:10.982-07:00A Christmas CarolAdvent 4BdeathFirst Lutheran ChurchKevin PowellLutheranNew StartPatrick StewartScroogesermon How do you want to be remembered? I’m going to tell you what you already know. You WILL die one day. There’s no escaping that fact. One day you WILL be put into the ground and dirt WILL be thrown on your face. There WILL be a day when tomorrow won’t come. And when they put you in the grave, what will people then say about you? How will those you love describe your life? What words will the http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2014/12/advent-4b-series-from-humbug-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-8829914234364405029Fri, 12 Sep 2014 19:47:00 +00002014-09-12T13:47:20.785-06:00On Tuesday I had a birthday, of sorts. This little blog turned 10! I can't believe it's been a whole decade since I started it! While I haven't been updating it (I'm actually working on a new one), I'm keeping this one around for old time's sake. I'll update it from time-to-time to keep it somewhat fresh. Here's my first post from September 9, 2004. Enjoy! Inaugural Post Hi Folks, This http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2014/09/ten-years-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-8122684543329064090Sat, 19 Apr 2014 14:02:00 +00002014-04-19T08:02:25.916-06:00O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so may we await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2014/04/lamentations-for-holy-saturday.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-7501878946145317689Mon, 24 Feb 2014 15:38:00 +00002014-02-24T08:38:01.352-07:00Epiphany 7Ago the extra mileKevin PowellLutheranresistancesermonSt. John Golden Spiketurn the other cheekSo this isn’t just some hippy-dippy, airy-fairy, idea that sounds good on paper, and preaches well in a sermon. 

But these tools have been used in real-world, flesh-and-blood, life-and death situations, and have brought freedom to oppressed people.While Jesus doesn’t provide a solution to every oppressive encounter, he’s pretty clear about what it means to be different.When the world lashes out http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2014/02/sermon-epiphany-7a.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-4520476860069578037Wed, 18 Dec 2013 17:02:00 +00002013-12-18T10:02:21.620-07:00...and all I have to do is print out the bulletins. Sermons are prepared. Prayers written. Gifts bought and delivered. I even hung up my one Christmas decoration; a star that my youngest daughter made for me.And after that, I have to think about Christmas 1A, where we abruptly shift gears, and move from embracing a baby in barn, to mourning the deaths of hundreds of babies, because of that one http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-week-until-christmas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-3984961130675944183Sun, 06 Oct 2013 18:09:00 +00002013-10-06T12:09:42.294-06:00 ...so we come to church with our tiny faith tucked neatly in our pocket, out of sight, but hoping that here - among God’s people, through God’s redeeming Word and saving sacrament, our little bundle of faith will grow into maturity. The details may be different but the concern is common to everyone.You think that your faith could be larger than it is. You feel like you lack the strength of http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2013/10/sermon-pentecost-20c.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-3599232104186324228Sun, 15 Sep 2013 20:55:00 +00002013-09-16T18:26:25.502-06:0099foundJesusKevin PowellLostlost coinlost sheepLutheranPentecost 17CphariseessermonsinnersSt. John Golden Spike It’s no wonder why so many people are turned off by Christianity, when there’s so many negative voices dominating religious discourse. 

When I encounter an atheist, or agnostic, or someone who simply walked away from Christianity, I usually encounter someone who’s been hurt by Christians. And I hear all sorts of stories of Christians behaving badly. I hear stories about the mean Sunday http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2013/09/sermon-pentecost-17c.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-1967482856773790121Tue, 27 Aug 2013 19:37:00 +00002013-08-27T13:37:16.059-06:00NB: This is a guest post for Ryan Holtz's blog which can be found here. Check it out.“Wow, I’ve never meet a pastor who uses social media like you do!” I often hear. Which surprises me. Because social media use among clergy is growing. And social media has become an important part of my ministry. It’s the way the world is talking! Here are six reasons why I use social media for ministry: 1. Ithttp://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2013/08/pastor-is-that-iphone-in-your-pocket-or.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-5791474284112081090Sun, 11 Aug 2013 18:13:00 +00002013-08-11T12:13:04.297-06:00 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”I don’t know what you hear in this passage, but sometimes such promises increase my blood pressure. Mainly because of the second half of Jesus’ statement where Jesus fleshes out what he means:“Sell your possessions and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2013/08/sermon-pentecost-12c.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-4409131573295773779Sun, 16 Jun 2013 23:26:00 +00002013-06-16T17:26:34.802-06:00forgivenesspentecost4Cself-righteous Christianssermonsinners "You know, pastor, " he said. "There are a lot of PEOPLE in our churches but there aren't very many CHRISTIANS.""I beg your pardon," I replied."There are too many people who go to church but don't live by God's law, they live just like everyone else. They're fake Christians," he said."Is that right?" I replied, turning my chair to indicate that this was a conversation I no interest in being a http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2013/06/sermon-pentecost-4c.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-8824539819507738307Sun, 19 May 2013 18:18:00 +00002013-05-19T12:18:14.318-06:00 One thing I find troubling about the Christian church is that we too often seem to be facing in the wrong direction. We look backwards in history rather than forward in hope. We look to the past for inspiration rather than to the future with expectation. This is especially true when we talk about our beliefs. We trip over ourselves trying to prove that what we believe now is the same thing as http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2013/05/sermon-day-of-pentecost-c.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-7855069722085209239Sun, 05 May 2013 17:56:00 +00002013-05-05T11:56:39.729-06:00“I’d like you to baptize my baby,” she said, on the other end of the phone.“I’d be glad to,” I replied. “What’s involved?” she asked“Well, I’d like to meet with you and we can talk about that. When can you meet?” I asked“How’s Sunday at 1:00?” she said.“How about you come to church and see what we’re all about then we’ll meet in my office after worship,” I suggested.
“Ummmm...no, I don’t think sohttp://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2013/05/sermon-easter-6c.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-4629146586820497587Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:04:00 +00002013-04-28T12:04:16.805-06:00I wasn’t going to answer the door. I should have ignored it. My sermon is usually put to bed well before Saturday night, but this particular week I guess I was lazy, because I was in my office banging away on the computer when I should have been at home in front of the TV watching Hockey Night in Canada.Maybe I was being punished for my sloth.I answered the door.“We want to talk about God,http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2013/04/sermon-easter-5c.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-5391187663546257645Sun, 07 Apr 2013 23:40:00 +00002013-04-07T17:40:34.061-06:00 "The door was locked for fear of the Jews," John says in today’s gospel.Maybe.&nbsp;But I’m sure there was more to it than that. But John couldn’t just come out and say it.Yes, Jesus' disciples were probably afraid that their fellow Jews might have wanted to see them on the business end of a cross. But that's probably not the only reason the door was locked. They might have been afraid of http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2013/04/sermon-easter-2c.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-2516795176676435209Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:45:00 +00002013-04-01T09:45:13.344-06:00 April 1 is Melito's Feast Day. Here is his Easter sermon for Easter Monday. And so he was lifted up upon a tree and an inscription was attached indicating who was being killed. Who was it? It is a grievous thing to tell, but a most fearful thing to refrain from telling. But listen, as you tremble before him on whose account the earth trembled!He who hung the earth in place is hanged. He who http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2013/04/melito-of-sardis-easter-sermon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-4866594477230380782Sun, 31 Mar 2013 18:25:00 +00002013-03-31T12:26:23.527-06:00EasterEaster Sundayempty tombJesusNew Liferesurrection "...For among them, Christ IS risen indeed. In this story, and in the lives of the disciples... ...we hear that Easter is NOT just about a dead man opening his eyes. 
...we hear that Easter is NOT just about our sins being forgiven. 
 ...we hear that Easter is NOT just about the miracle of victory in the midst of defeat. We hear that Easter is about God's undying commitment to LIFE. 
http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2013/03/easter-sermon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-7187206932266542219Sun, 06 Jan 2013 22:57:00 +00002013-01-06T15:57:53.694-07:00 But I always wonder what happened when the wise men finally arrived home. What did they say about what and whom they found? How did this encounter change them? Or did it? Was this just one more spiritual quest? One more notch on the belt, one more experience they could say they had? One more spiritual tradition they could add to their collection?When they arrived home did they stop http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2013/01/sermon-epiphany-c.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-5855934389968063912Sun, 30 Dec 2012 19:44:00 +00002012-12-30T12:44:12.489-07:00Christmas 1CJesusLutheransermonTemple...what if you were Mary or Joseph? What would you have done when you finally caught up with Jesus and found him lecturing the finest religious minds of your generation about the intricacies of the Almighty? While I’m sure that Mary and Joseph were used to strange things happening since this boy came into their lives. I also think they wondered what their jobs as parents were. How do they http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2012/12/sermon-christmas-1c.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-599579713916239563Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:32:00 +00002012-11-02T10:32:07.905-06:00 (NB: First line was stolen from a sermon by David Schnasa Jacobsen. Also, this was preached at a special Reformation Service of the Parkland County Area Lutheran Churches)So, who was it? Who was it that told you that you weren’t good enough? Those voices ring in everyone’s ears. No one is immune to them.It begins early.Maybe it was your brother who said that girls couldn’t play hockey.Maybe http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2012/11/reformation-again.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-2337952767425043536Wed, 31 Oct 2012 20:42:00 +00002012-11-02T10:39:08.101-06:00Church.faithgraceJesusjustificationLutheranMartin LutherReformationsermon (NB: You can listen to the sermon by clicking here) If someone asked you what a Lutheran was, how would you respond? I ask that question to most of the congregations for whom I’ve been a pastor, they looked as blankly then as you do this morning. For most of us, that’s a tough question to answer. Lutheranism has such a rich and diverse tradition. But it’s also very specific. How do you http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2012/10/sermon-reformation-sunday.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-5687250367105451738Sun, 30 Sep 2012 22:45:00 +00002012-09-30T16:45:52.973-06:00James 5Lutheranprayersermon (NB: You listen to the sermon by clicking here) It’s the kind of headline that boils your blood. Perhaps you saw it. “Parents Get Probation for the Negligent Homicide Death of the Their Son.”According to the Huffington Post.“An Oregon couple whose teenaged son died from a burst appendix because they don't believe in modern medicine accepted a plea deal to avoid jail.“Last December, http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2012/09/sermon-pentecost-18b.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-5240766221401964653Sat, 29 Sep 2012 05:50:00 +00002012-09-29T00:07:39.971-06:00 &nbsp;(NB: preached at evening worship at the Northern Conference Convention, Alberta Synod, ELCIC) “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are beneficial. All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food,” and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for fornication but http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2012/09/is-your-body-temple-of-holy-spirit.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-6756236550227233324Sun, 23 Sep 2012 19:07:00 +00002012-09-23T13:07:18.100-06:00 Right Click here to download the mp3 audio. “Don’t worry about the young people, pastor,” he told me, “After they have kids they’ll return to church to have their children baptized. They always do. It’s the cycle of life.”That’s the common wisdom. And I hear that a lot.While that may be true this morning as we welcome Chase into our family of faith through the sacrament of holy baptism, it is http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2012/09/sermon-pentecost-17b.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-6050320861876674193Sun, 16 Sep 2012 18:15:00 +00002012-09-16T12:18:09.789-06:00 “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asks his disciples. And Peter, the one who can never keep his mouth shut, speaks without realizing what he’s saying. “You are the Messiah,” Peter bursts without thinking, wondering why Jesus would ask a pretty basic question. But I think Jesus was trying to take their temperature. He probably heard the gossip about who people thought he was, and he http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2012/09/sunday-september-16-2012-pentecost-16b.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265604.post-8813901082354820266Sun, 12 Aug 2012 20:58:00 +00002012-08-12T14:58:00.768-06:00 Jesus said that he was the bread of life; that whoever eats of his flesh and drinks of his blood will abide in them and they in him. I sure hope that’s true. Because even when we receive God’s mercy and grace through the sacrament of Holy Baptism, we still find ourselves on a path we probably don’t intend. And you probably have seen the same thing. You might have seen a son or daughter get http://kevingpowell.blogspot.com/2012/08/sermon-pentecost-11b.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0