Sent to Proclaim Forgiveness, John 20:19-32

This Sunday is World Mission Sunday. Father Jeremiah reflects upon the coming of Christ to his disciples from John 20 and how this event undergirds all that they then go out to do. We must lay hold of the forgiveness and peace that Christ brings to us through his cross and that is what we take with us into the world as we become his witnesses.

Image: See page for author, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

www.gracegastonia.com/sermon-blog/2022/2/20/sent-to-proclaim-forgiveness-john-2019-32

Advent Confrontation: Peace and Repentance, Malachi 3, Luke 3:1-6

In this second week of Advent, we consider the relationship of peace to repentance. Through the work of Jesus, there is peace to be received. But how do we come to receive it and experience the peace of God in us? It is through faith and repentance, turning from our sinfulness and toward the One who brings us healing.

Image: Preaching of John the Baptist, Hans Liefrinck, CC0 1.0. Image location: https://www.lookandlearn.com/history-images/YR0037838/Preaching-of-John-the-Baptist

www.gracegastonia.com/sermon-blog/2021/12/5/advent-confrontation-peace-and-repentance-malachi-3-luke-31-6

Comfort, Comfort from the Advent of Peace, Isaiah 40.1-11, Mark 1.1-8

Yahweh commands his people to take comfort from what he is going to do. And what is he going to do? He is going to forgive their iniquities that there might be peace between them and him! John the Baptist brings the same message to the people: Forgiveness of sins and peace with God. But in John’s time he can point directly to Yahweh walking in their midst, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Image: St John the Baptist in the Wilderness, Cornelis Cort, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Image location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_John_the_Baptist_in_the_Wilderness_MET_DP874337.jpg

Present Hope for the Future Lies in the Past, Romans 5.1-11

In chapter 5 of Romans, St. Paul begins by declaring that we have peace with God through Jesus Christ. He goes on to list a whole host of other blessings that we have received that all flow out of the same person, Jesus. How does this come about? St. Paul goes on to explain what Jesus has done and when he did it. What he says makes us all realize that our present hope for the future lies in the past.

Image: Photo by Knight Likeness, Hope for the Future… used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 (no changes made). Location: https://www.flickr.com/photos/knight_lightness/5489649902

Peace, Peace, Peace, John 20.19-31

When Jesus appeared to his disciples on the night of his resurrection, he spoke peace to them. He again spoke peace a week later when he appeared again to them with Thomas among them. What is the meaning of this word of peace? Is it a mere greeting, or is there more to our Lord’s words? Listen now to find out more.

Image: The Maesta Altarpiece-The Incredulity of St.Thomas. Duccio di Buoninsegna [Public domain]. Location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The-Maesta-Altarpiece-The-Incredulity-of-Saint-Thomas-1461_Duccio.jpg