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Preaching@1122
August 25, 2024 Sermon Notes (Psalm 84) Psalm 84 is a gem of a Psalm. Similar to Psalms 120-134, it is a Psalm on a journey, a Psalm that longs for our true home. It is a Psalm of desire, longing, and yearning. To pray Psalm 84 is to orient ourselves in the direction of our deepest desire. It reminds us that our deepest desires will be satisfied not by belief in some remote impersonal divine force, nor will they be satisfied by the pleasures of this life but only by a living God who encounters us personally. This God has done through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, making God’s people the new dwelling place of God. Questions for Reflection
Memory Verses Psalm 84:1-2 Sermon Notes (Mark 8:27-9:1)
This is a watershed moment in the Gospel of Mark. It is the first time that a human identifies Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. However, the disciples’ understanding of Messiah is completely wrong. They view the Messiah as figure to bring victory, power, and achievement. But Jesus’ redefines Messiah in terms of suffering, rejection, and crucifixion. Likewise, Jesus tells the disciples that following him will involve the same. Christology (Who is Jesus?) here meets discipleship (What does it mean to follow Jesus?). Questions for Reflection
Mark 8:34 Sermon Notes (Mark 7:1-23)
Jesus continues to encounter situations that involve what determines who is in or out of the people of God. In Mark 7:1-23, Jesus encountered unclean things, but what about unclean people? If anyone was “unclean” (unfit to be part of God’s people), it would be the Syrophoenician woman. She was, according to traditional Israelite tradition, a pagan outsider. But this does not stop her from approaching Jesus in her desperate need. This may not surprise us. But what does surprise us is Jesus’ response to her initial request. Questions for Reflection
Memory Verses Ephesians 2:19-20 |
David (Dave) Webster -- Pastor
A long-time Eastern Washington native, David grew up and attended college in Spokane. Then God sent him to Yakima, WA to minister to youth, to seminary in Dubuque, IA, and to pastor a church in Knoxville, TN. Eventually, God called him back to his roots in Eastern Washington as the pastor of First Presbyterian Church. David and his wife, Dawn, are grateful that they and their three children can call Clarkston home. When he’s not at the church you are likely to find David running through his neighborhood, playing with his kids, reading on his front porch (or living room), or breaking bread with friends. Archives
September 2024
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