Archive for the 'Sermons' Category

SERMON – “The(?) Pragmatic Truth of (the) Resurrection” (1 Corinthians 15)

“The(?) Pragmatic Truth of (the) Resurrection” or
“It Is True Because It Works/It Works Because It Is True”
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Easter/Resurrection Sunday | April 12, 2009
Richard M. Wright
Church of the Nations

It Works Because It Is True (PDF)

It Works Because It Is true (Slide Show)

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Is it true because it works? Or does it work because it is true?

In the year two thousand and five at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary two famous scholars discuss the resurrection of Jesus.

On the one hand N. T. Wright who is a bishop and a scholar of the New Testament. On the other hand John Dominc Crossan also a scholar of the New Testament.

Tom Wright defends the view that the resurrection of Jesus truly happened. Jesus was dead. Jesus was alive again.

Crossan defends the view that the resurrection of Jesus is a metaphor. Jesus was dead. But Jesus was not raised from the dead.

Crossan argues that it does not matter if the resurrection of Jesus truly happened or not. What matters is the meaning of the resurrection. The resurrection represents the transformation of the universe from a world of injustice and violence to a world of justice peace and holiness.

Is the resurrection “true” because it works – because it makes a difference? Or does the resurrection work because it is true – because it truly happened? Continue reading ‘SERMON – “The(?) Pragmatic Truth of (the) Resurrection” (1 Corinthians 15)’

SERMON – “Never Again!” (Clive Tsuma, Genesis 17)

Note from Pastor Rick:

We were blessed to have our friend and brother in Christ Clive Tsuma bring the morning message last Sunday. I thought the sermon was exceptional and asked if we could post it on the church website. Clive graciously agreed and here it is. I have edited it only slightly for appearance/format.

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Clive K. Tsuma
“Never Again!”
Genesis 17
Church of the Nations
March 01, 2009
02nd Sunday of Lent (B)

This is a very important season for us Christians. It is a period of reflection, of re-examination; it is the period before Easter. It is a time of prayer, penance, fasting and self-denial. It is a period that commemorates the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness and the terrible suffering and death that He endured on our behalf.

Incidentally, such a period should make us grieve over the mess we make of our lives, the crazy choices we make. But does it mean the fun is over? The Mardi Gras? Is it now time to get sorrowful and guilt-stricken? No fun, no smile until Easter is over?!?

Continue reading ‘SERMON – “Never Again!” (Clive Tsuma, Genesis 17)’