Sermons on Tiller:

To Each One Grace Has Been Given

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 19, 2005

If Christ brought you to this congregation, then Christ has given you a special grace to serve in a way that is needed within this congregation.

Early on in my seminary career, I was asked by a committee charged with my nurture as a fledgling pastor-wannabe about my role models for ministry. “Who,” the committee asked, “did I consider to be an example to follow?” “Who was my role model for ministry?” I guess it was a reasonable question, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Magi's Guide To Following A Star

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 19, 2005

God just might give you a star to capture your attention and to guide you. And if you follow that star, everything just might change. An intimate encounter with Jesus has a way of doing that to people.

I love the story of the magi. There was a time when the magi lived far away from Jesus. They were given a special star to capture their attention and to guide them. They followed the star, and it changed everything. An intimate encounter with Jesus has a way of doing that to people. I love the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Giving Thanks

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 20, 2005

Giving thanks loosens the grip of our anxious clenched fists, so that we might let go of ourselves and receive the fullness of God’s Spirit. Five steps toward learning to give thanks.

A few miles south of downtown Atlanta, away from the tall, shiny, steel and glass buildings, a street corner is occupied by a short, unassuming, old building made of brick and stone. It’s a church building. When I lived in Atlanta, early every weekday morning a line formed outside this building—a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

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

Recognition

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 20, 2005

Simeon and Anna recognized Jesus immediately to be the promised Redeemer. How did they recognize him? What can we learn from their recognition of him?

The very first time John the Baptizer encountered Jesus the Messiah, he recognized him. John was six months in the womb of his mother Elizabeth at the time. Jesus was a mere flicker of cells in Mary’s womb. Do you remember the story? It was the angel Gabriel who gave Mary the news. “Do not be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-31

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

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

Saul And Ananias

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Oct 24, 2005

Christ’s call to Saul on the Road to Damascus and Christ’s call to Ananias to visit Saul in Damascus both provide insight into the nature of Christ’s call.

This passage is most typically known as Saul’s conversion story—his Damascus Road Experience. It describes a dramatic encounter between Saul and Jesus on the road to Damascus…the encounter that started Saul down a new path that would make him the most prolific evangelist of the early church and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-19

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