Sermons on Cain Was A Tiller Of Ground:

Joseph

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 14, 2005

Advent is a time of preparation and repentance, and it turns out that Joseph’s story has a few things to teach about those very things.

Joseph…the husband of Mary. The Bible doesn’t really tell us that much about Joseph. Legend has it that he was an elderly widow. Supposedly that explains why he was able to honor Mary’s virginity during the first months of their marriage and why he quietly disappears from the narrative sometime ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Promise In The Darkness

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 14, 2005

Isaiah the prophet communicated the prophecy about Immanuel to Ahaz. An angel communicated the promise of Jesus to Joseph. Ahaz responded in fear. Joseph responded in trust.

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.” Most of you are familiar with the story: Joseph had learned that Mary was with child, and he was making plans to divorce her quietly. An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying to Joseph: ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Much Grace Was Upon Them All

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 14, 2005

First, Jesus is alive. Really alive. Abundantly alive. Second, because Jesus is alive, a new community of people is formed-—people who demonstrate the reality and power of the risen Christ in their life together. Real life. Abundant life.

When Jesus walked the earth—teaching, and preaching, and healing—-strange things happened. Not strange as in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. More like strange as in counter-intuitive. Strange as in turning upside-down what everyone knew to be true about how the world worked—what was important and ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Let's Make A Deal

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 14, 2005

Parable of the dishonest manager: The Kingdom of God works on different principles than we’re used to. Efficiency, practicality, and self-interest are not the core values of the Kingdom. God expects a lot more for us (and from us) than we expect him to.

There was a rich man. This man was so rich that he didn’t make his own bed. He had a personal maid who did that. He didn’t make his own dinner. He had a personal chef who did that. He didn’t drive his own car. He had a chauffeur who did that. He didn’t balance his own checkbook. He had a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

More Than Just A Healing

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 16, 2005

The account of the ten lepers: Grace was extended equally to all ten, but in only one did that grace bring a response of faith. With wild abandon, and gratitude, and excitement, he turned from going through the motions and fell at Jesus’ feet.

Some texts are just too obvious. Ten lepers were cleansed. One came back and said thanks. Nine did not. The one was commended. The nine were scolded in absentia. Ah...it’s important to write thank-you notes. My mama, your mama, and Miss Manners would be pleased. End of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Obstacles To Maturity

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Oct 24, 2005

In the parable of the sower and the seeds, Jesus identifies three categories of obstacles to maturity.

The Bible uses a lot of agricultural metaphors. The prophet Isaiah describes Judah as a vineyard planted on a fertile hillside. “He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Just For You -- For The Common Good

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Oct 26, 2005

Encouragement to explore and develop the gifts of the Spirit—not as a responsibility to weigh you down, but as a way for you to love and honor the God who loves you.

I have a few questions for you. You don’t have to answer out loud. No show of hands required. You don’t need to nod your head. You don’t need to shake your head. But these are not rhetorical questions. They are real questions, serious questions, important questions. What do you think God ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How (Questions In The Aftermath Of Hurricane Katrina)

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Oct 30, 2005

How could God have let this happen? How can we speak to God of what has happened? How can we respond to the need before us?

Lamentations 2:11-13, 18-19; 3:19-23, 40-42, 46-57 The Lamentations were written by someone, probably Jeremiah, who observed the devastation of Jerusalem following the Babylonian invasion in 586 BC. Jerusalem was literally leveled. The temple was destroyed. Anybody who was anybody was carried ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Reflections On Halloween

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Oct 31, 2005

How does a Christian deal with Halloween in a way that glorifies God?

Halloween can be a troubling holiday. Many of us carry fond memories of Halloweens long ago, back when we were growing up. Many of us remember it as innocent fun—a special day just for children. I remember dressing up in silly costumes and going door to door begging for candy. When I was ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Between Two Worlds

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 1, 2005

The values, priorities, and expectations of the kingdoms of this world are completely at odds with the values, priorities, and expectations of the Kingdom of God. Conflict is inevitable.

During his last night with his disciples, before his arrest, Jesus concluded his teaching with these words: “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) In his Second Letter to the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:19-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Prince Of Peace...?

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 15, 2005

A look at Jesus’ statements about coming to bring not peace, but division.

With this speech, Jesus certainly grabs our attention. “Do you think that I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” It’s not exactly what most of us come to church on Sunday morning hoping to hear. To a large extent our families are what make us who we are, where we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-53

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Marks Of Maturity

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Oct 18, 2005

A description of four marks of Christian maturity.

I found a poem on the internet that I would like to share with you. It bears some striking resemblances to a very well-known poem. Listen carefully, though, because it is not quite the poem that you might expect. One night, I had a wondrous dream; One set of footprints there was seen. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Citizenship Day

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 17, 2005

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes: “But our citizenship is in heaven." This sermon explores that idea.

When I was in college, one of my friends, who immigrated to this country from South Korea with his family when he was 14, became a citizen of the U.S. First he lived in this country for some time, learning the language and gaining familiarity with its customs. Then he went through a period of ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:3-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Slave To Sin Or Slave To Righteousness

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 17, 2005

Simon the Sorcerer showed wrong understanding and wrong motivation in his desire to purchase the gift of the Spirit. Some times bad examples make good teachers.

Luke is a story-teller, a narrator, a writer of historical biography. Paul, in his letters, provides guidance and encouragement through mostly through direct teaching—exposing false teachings and explaining right understanding. Luke, in his gospel and in Acts, provides guidance and encouragement ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Stephen--Full Life, Good Death

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 17, 2005

Stephen is an example of living and dying (1) without fear, (2) without bitterness, (3) focused on Christ, (4)immersed in scripture.

They say that two things are inevitable: death and taxes. The task of an accountant is to minimize the taxes people pay. I read somewhere that the task of a pastor is to prepare people for a good death. Of course, this statement might be overly simplistic theologically. It might be overly ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed