TOPIC INDEXLectionary: Series B (46)

  1. Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-20 (Advent 3: Series B)

    book
    12/06/20
    11 mins
    By Peter Nafzger
    Whatever else may come, however worse it may get, the light has come and will come again.

  2. Gospel: Mark 1:1-8 (Advent 2: Series B)

    book
    11/29/20
    10 mins
    By Peter Nafzger
    Mark makes no effort to impress listeners or win votes. His voice aims only to prepare those who hear it for the coming of the Lord.

  3. Gospel: Mark 13:24-37 (Proper 29, Series B)

    book
    11/18/18
    12 mins
    By Peter Nafzger
    Stay alert! Stay awake! Do not get too comfortable. Do not grow complacent. Whatever you do, do not fall asleep. The day is coming. It is coming soon. Time is short. So, stay awake! Stay alert!

  4. Gospel: Mark 13:1-13 (Proper 28, Series B)

    book
    11/11/18
    10 mins
    By Peter Nafzger
    Christian preaching always has an eschatological ring to it. It takes place during the “in-between” times—the days between Jesus’ first and second comings. But this eschatological perspective tends to fade into the background as Christians (and preachers) go about their business week-in and week-out. The end of the church year provides an opportunity to reorient the Christian life around Jesus’ promise to return.

  5. Gospel: Mark 12:38-44 (Proper 27, Series B)

    book
    11/04/18
    7 mins
    By Peter Nafzger
    Both the scribes and the widow were in the temple that day. They were close in proximity, but, in relation to the kingdom of God, they could not have been farther apart. Jesus himself highlights the contrast, which invites us to pay close attention.

  6. Gospel: Mark 12:28-34 (Proper 26, Series B)

    book
    10/28/18
    11 mins
    By Peter Nafzger
    There is a man in this text—a scribe, nonetheless—who is not far from the kingdom of God. Jesus says so himself. That is no small thing, especially considering what had been happening to Jesus ever since his triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

  7. Gospel: John 8:31-36 (Reformation Observed)

    book
    10/21/18
    12 mins
    By Peter Nafzger
    So, in keeping with Mark’s focus on discipleship this Fall, your Reformation Sunday sermon on John 8 might reflect on what it means to be a disciple. As you proclaim the commands and promises of Christ, you might invite your hearers not only to believe his Word, but also to abide in it. To hear and mediate on his promises in the various ways he delivers them.

  8. Gospel: Mark 10:23-31 (Proper 24: Series B)

    book
    10/14/18
    10 mins
    By Peter Nafzger
    The heart of a sermon on this text, therefore, would be fairly basic. God alone graciously saves. We, in response, do what the rich man didn’t do. We follow Jesus humbly. As we do so, we cling to the promises of eternal restoration.

  9. Gospel: Mark 10:17-22 (Proper 23: Series B)

    book
    10/07/18
    11 mins
    By Peter Nafzger
    Of all the reactions Jesus elicited during his ministry, sorrow was notd common. It was more typical for people who encountered Jesus to be filled with hope, and to leave everything and follow him. Or to be filled with rage, and to pick up stones to kill him. People usually responded with the extremes. Marveling or mocking. Rejoicing or renouncing. Astonishment or anger. But not the man in our text.

  10. Gospel: Mark 10:2-16 (Proper 22: Series B)

    book
    10/04/18
    8 mins
    By Peter Nafzger
    At this point in Mark’s gospel, Jesus is “on the way” to Jerusalem with his disciples. He’s been teaching them about what it means to follow him. The recurring theme is discipleship as no small matter. It involves a whole new way of thinking about such concepts as greatness (9:33-36), judgment (9:42-50), and, now, marriage.