"Salt and Light Fulfills" A Sermon by Barrett Owen

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"Salt and Light Fulfills" A Sermon by Barrett Owen

One could argue the Kingdom of Heaven is the primary objective in Matthew’s Gospel. All the characters, the narrators, even Jesus’ teachings, they all deal with the arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven. In Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus has strong words on what it means for us to “enter” into that kingdom, and it has a lot to do with how we understand and follow the law.

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"Being Salt and Light" A Sermon by Barrett Owen

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"Being Salt and Light" A Sermon by Barrett Owen

Our faith doesn’t end after we’re baptized; it begins. We have so much more to do and become after we believe. Jesus addresses this very concern in the Sermon on the Mount and calls us all to be two things: Salt and Light. Thinking about how we are both of these metaphors may be some of the most powerful and helpful images in all the Bible. In short, the work is not done. We can always shine more light. 

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"Galileans and Gentiles are God's Beloved" A Sermon by Barrett Owen

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"Galileans and Gentiles are God's Beloved" A Sermon by Barrett Owen

Something we sometimes miss in the gospels is how expansive Jesus’ ministry is. He starts small getting baptized and calling twelve disciples. But his ministry quickly expands to the poor, the sick, the the underserved, the outcasts, the women, and the lowly. It even expands regionally to surrounding cities and principalities. By the end of the gospel it even expands across the seas into other regions. As we follow Jesus’ ministry across the pages of scripture, what becomes increasingly obvious is those Jesus considers deserving to be served and loved is ever expanding which means even the Galileans are God’s beloved.

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"Disciples are God's Beloved" A Sermon by Barrett Owen

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"Disciples are God's Beloved" A Sermon by Barrett Owen

When Jesus calls the twelve together, we see something amazing happen. Those who get to be in the Lord’s inner circle are people like you and me. It’s not just the rich or the politically powerful, but the earnest and the seeking. This unfolding in scripture sets the stage for an enormous theological truth: those who get access to God is not dependent upon your social status but rather your soul’s earnest search. This truth still applies today. 

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"We Are God's Beloved" A Sermon by Barrett Owen

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"We Are God's Beloved" A Sermon by Barrett Owen

The first eighteen verses of John are known as Prologue. It sets the stage for the gospel’s narrative by introducing major theological themes. It’s also written in as an ancient word scramble known as a chiastic structure. This means the first and last thoughts are symmetrical just like the second and second to last thoughts are. The poem works its way to a central, core verse that becomes the ‘meat and potatoes’ of the poem. For John’s prologue, and arguably the entire gospel, the hinge in which the poem turns is found in John 1:12: ‘for they shall be called children of God.’

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"Emmanuel: Christ is With Us" A Christmas Eve Homily by Barrett Owen

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"Emmanuel: Christ is With Us" A Christmas Eve Homily by Barrett Owen

The magic of Christmas is, “despite our readiness, God comes to us” even if we don’t have room for that kind of mystery. And we see this clearly in Matthew 1:23: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel, which means, God with us.”  This is what makes Christmas so magical. Despite our readiness, God comes to us. 

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"The Last Lecture: Convince, Rebuke, Encourage with Patience" A Sermon by Barrett Owen

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"The Last Lecture: Convince, Rebuke, Encourage with Patience" A Sermon by Barrett Owen

Paul warns Timothy that culture will have ‘itching ears.’ What he means is that people will find teachers that speak to their own desires even if it’s a false witness or doctrine. To push against this cultural trend, Christians need to feel comfortable convincing, rebuking, and encouraging others who have fallen prey to false myths. 

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"The Last Lecture: Speak Well" A Sermon by Barrett Owen

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"The Last Lecture: Speak Well" A Sermon by Barrett Owen

Sermon Synopsis - Perhaps the most profound advice from Paul to Timothy is found here: ‘Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those ware are listening.’ What we say (and how we say it) matters to our faith and witness. This applies to us in all aspects of our lives (both digital and real-life). 

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