Shows
Covenant ChurchUndignified and Familiar: Mark 6:1-6a
Was Jesus a carpenter? MLK, Jr’s predecessor selling fish; olfactory nerves stop smelling roses: Zack talks about our problem with Jesus being undignified and familiar. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons2024-07-0932 minCovenant ChurchDesperate Daughter, Distraught Dad: Breaking Rules in the Kingdom of God: Mark 5:21-43Blinded by sparrow droppings and mustard plasters; praying for a dead father; Perpetua and her brother: Zack talks about God’s delight in our praying for the impossible. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons2024-07-0433 minCovenant ChurchJesus Can Save: Mark 5:1-20My older son’s epilepsy; Jim O’Connell and Healthcare for the Homeless; the myth of Sisyphus: Zack reflects on the fact that no one is beyond the reach of Jesus’ saving touch (even if they are beyond the reach of ours). For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons2024-07-0229 minCovenant ChurchJesus and the Storms of Life, Part 3: Mark 4:35-41Charles Finney, John Wesley; Pandita Ramubai. Zack argues that the key for moving from the question of “What is this?” to the better question of “Who is this?” is encountering Jesus. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons2024-07-0236 minCovenant ChurchJesus and the Storms of Life, Part 2: Mark 4:35-41Talking to fifth graders; a chaplain’s reflections: In the second of three sermons on the Stilling of the Storm (Mark 4:35-41), Zack argues that Jesus wants us to have a faith that is calm in the storm and trusts his outcomes and his timing—because God’s love is greater than death. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons2024-07-0224 minCovenant ChurchJesus and the Storms of Life, Part 1: Mark 4:35-41Three big words of prayer; peanut allergies; a standing ovation for life: in the first of three sermons on the Stilling of the Storm (Mark 4:35-41), Zack discusses the importance of awe at Jesus’ power (”Who is this?”) and the fact that Jesus allows us to go through storms that can change us. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons2024-07-0234 minCovenant ChurchGod's Hardening: Mark 4:10-13Zack struggles with God's apparent unfairness in hardening some people -- and ends up with a vision of God's unfailing mercy. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons2024-05-0728 minCovenant Church“Let Anyone with Ears to Hear Listen!”: Mark 4:1-20Zack makes the point that parables necessarily require us to have ears to hear the Holy Spirit interpreting them for us — and then we pray together through this parable.2024-04-3030 minCovenant ChurchBlasphemy Against the Holy Spirit: Mark 3:19b-30Wrestling with what unforgivable “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” means, Zack tentatively affirms the “traditional” reading that it is a persistent state of rejecting the LORD unto death. Beyond this, Zack suggests that, when faced with the possibility of having committed this sin, we choose the way of Peter, not the way of Judas — throwing ourselves upon the limitless, impossible mercy of God. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons2024-04-3031 minCovenant ChurchNot Why But Who: Mark 2:13-28Instead of making ethical decisions by deciding which of two valid principles is more important, Scripture encourages us to look to a paradigm, a Person, as the Truth: Zack draws out the heart of our moral life from Mark 2:13-28. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons2024-03-2034 minCovenant ChurchA Day with Jesus: Mark 1:14-34Falling off a horse on one side then the other; driving back from New Jersey with a friend; freedom-from and freedom-for: Zack reflects on the single day with Jesus narrated in Mark 1:14-34.2024-03-1928 minCovenant ChurchWhy Was Jesus Baptized? Mark 1:4-11Did Jesus sin? Was Jesus a sinner? In wrestling with why Jesus was baptized, Zack's answer may surprise you. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons2024-03-1931 minCovenant ChurchThe Way of the Lord: Mark 1:1-8Zack discusses the "way" of the Lord Jesus -- a way of peace, a way of offering what little we have, a way of following the Spirit. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons.2024-01-2529 minCovenant ChurchEpiphany: Mark 4:26-32When things are too big to pray for; the mustard seed behind Alexander Men; the mustard seed behind Clarence Jordan: Zack discusses the deep meaning of Epiphany for us, and sketches the shape of Kingdom growth according to Jesus' parables.2024-01-2530 minCovenant ChurchA Proposal for Christmas: Luke 14:15–24Not celebrating a Christian Christmas; a friend hosting a family on Christmas; hosting Shabbat for the first time (on The Chosen): Zack makes a proposal for how we might celebrate Christmas. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons
2024-01-2228 minCovenant ChurchAdvent 3: “He Emptied Himself”: Phil 2:1-11Henri Nouwen; Damien of Molokai; Vincent Lebbe: Zack tries to make the incarnation unfamiliar again.2024-01-2229 minCovenant ChurchAdvent 2: The Kingdom: Isaiah 11:1-10Downpayments on houses; "the impossible possibility" of New Creation; Isidore the Farmer and St. Margaret: Zack describes the Kingdom for which we hope. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons.2024-01-2230 minCovenant ChurchAdvent 1: Waiting: Luke 2:22-38Practicing law by mailing mail; Peter Maurin; "time horizons" for living: Zack discusses the centrality of waiting to the Christian faith. For a handout, visit covmin.org.2023-12-0636 minCovenant ChurchVertical, Horizontal, Everything: 1 Thess 5:12-28Amy, Linda, and Peter Biehl, The Way of a Pilgrim, the wrath of God: Zack considers the final verses of 1 Thessalonians. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons.2023-11-2728 minCovenant Church“With Him”: 1 Thess 4:13-18Jesus weeps; John Nelson Darby; the Left Behind series: Zack teaches about grief and "the rapture." For a handout, visit covmin.org.2023-11-2023 minCovenant ChurchBe Who You Are But Don't Do You: 1 Thess 4:1-12Ole Anthony, Karl Barth, Alasdair MacIntyre: To understand this passage from 1 Thessalonians, Zack explains the difference between "be who you are" and "you do you." For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons2023-11-1426 minCovenant Church"For We Now Live, If You Continue To Stand Firm In The Lord”: 1 Thess 3Giving up on giving secondhand clothes; Marguerite Bourgeoys; the overwhelming, neverending, reckless love of God: Zack fumbles to articulate the love on display in 1 Thessalonians 3. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons2023-10-2325 minCovenant ChurchTalking Relationally, Participating Creatively: Deut 6:1-9Screentime; running with a backpack; a law-school Bible study: Zack examines the most important passage in Scripture for raising our children today.2023-10-2024 minCovenant ChurchTrustworthiness and Affection: 1 Thessalonians 2A phenomenon of light in the sea; Thomas Merton; a litmus test for pastors: Zack asks whether affection is a necessary part of Christian love.2023-10-2030 minCovenant ChurchSuffering, Thanksgiving, Hope: 1 ThessaloniansHarriet Beecher Stowe; choosing joy; habits/virtues: Zack tries to understand how, exactly, we can strive for rejoicing in suffering. See covmin.org/sermons for a handout.2023-10-2029 minCovenant ChurchMixing and Separating: Nehemiah 13:1-3, 23-31Zack struggles with this last chapter of Nehemiah: Does Nehemiah go too far in excluding all foreigners and prohibiting all marriages to foreigners? How do we understand this? What about conflicting texts in Scripture? What is God's word for us today? See covmin.org/sermons for a handout.2023-10-2036 minCovenant ChurchRejoicing, Thanksgiving, and Dedication: Neh 12:27-47Wearing sandals (or not); Martin Rinckart (1586-1649); the effects of engineered gratitude: Zack examines the heart of worship on display in Nehemiah 12. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons2023-09-0429 minCovenant ChurchVolunteers: Nehemiah 11:1-2Henri Perrin and Engelmar Unzeitig: Zack discusses volunteers in Nehemiah 11 and beyond.2023-09-0128 minCovenant ChurchResurrection as Certainty and Adventure: Romans 6:4Zack talks about what Easter has to say about the uncertainty and boredom that plague us. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons.2023-04-1029 minCovenant ChurchYou Have to Say Hosanna to Say Hosanna: Matthew 21:1-11What does "Hosanna" mean? Who is in this "crowd"? Zack preaches about the entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. For a handout, visit covmin.org/sermons2023-04-0528 minCovenant ChurchRepentance is for Everyone: Matthew 18:21–22How deep is God's forgiveness? Zack examines who can repent. For a handout, see covmin.org/sermons2023-03-2233 minCovenant ChurchWhat Is Repentance? Why Is It Important? Matt 12:43–45The difference between Peter and Judas: Zack explains repentance.2023-03-2231 minCovenant ChurchCarrying Fire and Walking on Hot Coals: Prov 6:27-28Less than 1.5% of Americans in agriculture; cartoon animals; magically appearing food: Zack finishes this series on Creation by asking the questions, "How, then, shall we live?"2023-03-1430 minCovenant ChurchHaving Dominion and Subduing: Genesis 1:26-28Tens of thousands of endangered species; not doing as Jesus did; "image of God" as calling not capability: Zack tries to understand being commanded to "have dominion" and "subdue" in Genesis 1. For a handout, please visit covmin.org/sermons.2023-02-2429 minCovenant ChurchGod Sustains and Will Redeem “All Things”: Rom 8:18-25Will plants and animals be redeemed so that they are part of the New Jerusalem? Zack wrestles with this question.2023-02-2433 minCovenant ChurchGod Loves Creation More Than We Realize: Genesis 1:1-2:3Leviathan "sporting" in the sea; galaxies we haven't seen; St. Francis calling animals "brother" and "sister": Zack reviews some of the biblical witness setting forth God's profound love for (non-human) creation -- and discusses what this might mean for us.2023-02-1037 minCovenant ChurchThe Parable of the Real Neighbor, Part 2: Luke 10:25-37In this second sermon on the Parable of the Real Neighbor (the Good Samaritan), Zack argues that love requires imagination and training, that invitations to partner in Kingdom work may be more important than we think, that "fruits" are different than "results."2023-01-1729 minCovenant ChurchThe Parable of the Real Neighbor: Luke 10:25-37In wrestling with why we don't act like the Good Samaritan, Zack argues that we are all "high-hurry seminary students" -- and suggests what we might do about it.2023-01-0233 minCovenant ChurchJesus is God, Jesus is Human: Matt 1:23In this Christmas Day sermon, Zack marvels at how amazing it is that Jesus is both human and God.2022-12-3023 minCovenant ChurchAdvent 4: Waiting: 2 Pet 3:1-15aFive parables; changing our "time horizon"; a new way to pray the Lord's Prayer: Zack explains what it means to wait on the Lord.2022-12-3033 minCovenant ChurchAdvent 3: Resurrection: 1 Cor 15:20-26, 35-57The problem of toenails, cannibalism, and overly tall people: Zack draws on the wisdom of the early Church to help us better appreciate our hope for bodily resurrection.2022-12-2930 minCovenant ChurchAdvent 2: Rest: Heb 4:1-11Naps, vacation, boredom, and decadence; a social Kingdom; embracing the drab stone dark cathedral: Zack explains why "rest" is one of our greatest hopes.2022-12-0828 minCovenant Church(Beyond) Restoration: Acts 3:18-21Zack makes the case that our ultimate hope is not restoration of life before "the Fall" but, instead, much, much more.2022-11-2834 minCovenant ChurchSuffering as a Result of the Fall? Gen 3:14-19Conflicting Scriptures as a gift; the fundamental gesture of the Scripture; what, exactly, is cursed: Zack discusses whether "the Fall" is one cause of our suffering in this world and considers why it is important to try to understand our suffering.2022-11-2834 minCovenant ChurchMaltese Logic: Acts 28:1-6The problem with autographs; boasting in suffering; eating too much honey: Zack evaluates the logic by which suffering results from disobedience.2022-11-1427 minCovenant ChurchDangerous Observations on a Dangerous Story, Part 2: Acts 27:33–38Contrasting Jonah and Paul; the "medicine for immorality"; singing U2 in college: Zack makes some additional observations on Acts 27.2022-11-0820 minCovenant ChurchDangerous Observations on a Dangerous Story: Acts 27:33–38A centurion's philanthropy; Aristarchus; the greatest love: Zack makes some observations about Acts 27.2022-11-0429 minCovenant ChurchCalling Not Conversion: Acts 26:12-2080-hour-weeks, science textbooks, and getting out of bed: Zack asks whether all Christians have a calling.2022-11-0433 minCovenant Church“Justice, Self-Control, and the Coming Judgment”: Acts 24:24–27(Again) our precedented, polarized age; we don't get to choose our team; limits, disequilibrium, God-centered: Zack considers how Paul's message to Felix (justice, self-control, and the coming judgment) might be gospel for us.2022-10-1228 minCovenant Church“The Spirit of Your Father Speaking Through You”: Acts 23:1-11Why does Paul curse the high priest? Why does he deflect defending himself? Zack concludes that it -- speech, life -- is all about His presence.2022-10-0931 minCovenant ChurchGod is Light: Acts 22:6-22"Uncreated light"; Charles Finney and Bill W.; children hiding in a bathtub: Zack reflects on what it means that God is light.2022-10-0928 minCovenant ChurchSuffering Like—No, With—Jesus: Acts 21:7-14The "morality-litigation complex"; the Golden-Mouthed preacher; learning from martyrs: Zack reflects on suffering like -- no, with -- Jesus.2022-10-0938 minCovenant ChurchCommunity: Acts 2:43–47Opening your home for Christmas dinner, a prayer group meeting daily, a million small Yeses: Zack reflects on when community is sufficiently formative.2022-10-0930 minCovenant ChurchGlass Half Full? 1 Thess 5:16-18Getting Covid on vacation: Zack reflects on whether "looking at the positives" is biblical.2022-10-0926 minCovenant Church“I Have Given You an Example”: Acts 20:17-35A friend runs with a backpack (with surprising results); Charles Barkley gets it wrong; Seneca gets it right: Zack wrestles with Paul's repeated exhortation to imitate him.2022-09-0729 minCovenant ChurchGod of Life: Acts 20:7-12What is a sermon?; the Law of Conservation of Mass; the many raisings from the dead in Scripture: Zack meditates upon what it means that God is a God of Life.2022-08-1729 minCovenant ChurchLoosing and (More Importantly) Binding: Acts 19:23-41The basis of the global economy; modern-day gladiators?; an 18th anniversary: Zack explores the way that economic practices in Acts often elicit extreme persecution and struggles with potential modern-day analogies.2022-08-1228 minCovenant ChurchWhy Next Door?: Acts 18:1-17Lapping water like dogs; having your son order a burrito for you; not joining a monastery: Zack offers suggestions for why Paul moved in next door to the synagogue in Corinth.2022-08-0234 minCovenant ChurchSpeaking in New Ways, Hearing in New Ways: Acts 17:16-34The best verse in "Amazing Grace"; the exodus of Philistines and Arameans?; courage in a small Albanian village: Zack talks about how Paul's Areopagus speech in Acts 17 challenges us to speak the gospel in new ways and to hear the gospel in unexpected places.2022-07-2437 minCovenant ChurchChoose Joy: Phil 4:4-9Our precedented times; agreements between the Right and Left; the psychology of despair: Zack finds a way toward hope in Philippians 4.2022-07-2433 minCovenant ChurchA Word of Hope for Us: Philippi in Acts 16The humble beginnings of a great church: Zack sees the story of the church at Philippi as a story of hope for Covenant Church.2022-07-2431 min
Covenant Church(More on) Hearing from the Spirit: Acts 13:1-3, 44-52Zack considers 2.5 ways that the Holy Spirits speaks in Acts 13 (and today): through other people, through circumstances, through not speaking but allowing us freedom to act and be corrected. For supplemental notes and reading suggestions, visit www.covmin.org/sermons.2022-02-2230 minCovenant ChurchPeter, James, and “Some who Belonged to the Church”: Acts 12:1-17Why is Peter delivered and James killed? Why shouldn't we preach Acts simply as a series of miracles? What is a miracle? Zack wrestles with Acts 12. For supplemental notes and reading suggestions, visit www.covmin.org/sermons.2022-02-1428 minCovenant ChurchGrace to Grace: Acts 11:19-30Zack explains how we learn from Acts 11 that grace-as-gift necessarily abounds. For supplemental notes and reading suggestions, visit www.covmin.org/sermons2022-02-0828 minCovenant ChurchHearing from the Spirit: Acts 10:1-16Voices, visions, trances, angels, and more: Zack examines the ways that the Holy Spirit speaks in Acts 10--and considers what this means for us. For supplemental notes and reading suggestions, visit www.covmin.org/sermons2022-02-0830 minCovenant ChurchWhat the Damascus Road Is and Is Not: Acts 9:1-19aZack uses to stories of the Apostle Paul, Bartolomé de las Casas, and John Newton to shed light on what the Damascus Road in Acts 9 is and isn't. For supplemental notes and reading suggestions, visit www.covmin.org/sermons2022-02-0828 minCovenant ChurchSimon and the Ethiopian Eunuch: Acts 8Forgive me for the sins I don't know I'm committing; a man of only questions; the uncontrollable Spirit: Zack contrasts Simon and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. For a handout with supplemental notes and reading suggestions, visit www. covmin.org/sermons2022-01-2023 minCovenant ChurchImitation and Prepositions: Stephen in Acts 7:54-60Scars in the new Jerusalem; the fourfold sense of Scripture; the importance of prepositions: Zack reads the story of the Church's first martyr. For a handout with supplemental notes and reading suggestions, visit https://www.covmin.org/sermons.2022-01-1033 minCovenant Church“Evening and Morning and at Noon”: Psalm 55:16–18Zack searches Scripture for answers to living with anxiety. For a handout with supplemental notes and reading suggestions, visit https://www.covmin.org/sermons.2022-01-0324 minCovenant ChurchMy Favorite Part of Christmas: Luke 1:46-55Luke’s and Mary’s (and Zack’s) favorite part of the Christmas story: Zack marvels at a God who hates bullying injustice and loves exquisitely. For a handout with supplemental notes and reading suggestions, visit www.covmin.org/sermons.2022-01-0232 minCovenant ChurchAdvent 4: Relationship: 1 Cor 13:12–13Seventeenth-century Puritans, saying what God is not, video games: Zack wrestles with what it means that we will be “with” God forever, that we will “see” God, that God will be “all in all.” For a handout with supplemental notes and reading suggestions, visit www.covmin.org/sermons.2022-01-0229 minCovenant ChurchAdvent 3: Rule: Rev 5:9-10Will we work in the new heavens and new earth? Zack explores what it might mean that we will "reign" with Him. For a handout with supplemental notes and reading suggestions, visit https://www.covmin.org/sermons.2021-12-1429 minCovenant ChurchAdvent 2: Renewal: 2 Pet 1:3-4Deification, a shining face, asymptotes: Zack marvels at the biblical understanding of God's plan to "renew" us at the deepest level: God wants more for us than we want for ourselves. For a handout with supplemental notes and reading suggestions, visit https://www.covmin.org/sermons.2021-12-1432 minCovenant ChurchAdvent 1: Restoration: Rom 8:18-25Millions of undiscovered species; God making a covenant with animals; clouds "going to work": Zack marvels at what "restoration" God might accomplish. For a handout with supplemental notes and reading suggestions, visit https://www.covmin.org/sermons.2021-11-2928 minCovenant ChurchWaiting on Tables: Acts 6:1-7Steven (the church's first martyr) and Philip (one of its first evangelists) "waited on tables" so that apostles could spread the word?!? Perhaps that is precisely how they were empowered to live and proclaim God's truth in such powerful ways. Zack argues for the importance of connecting to God in deep ways through our mundane service. For a handout with supplemental notes and reading suggestions, visit https://www.covmin.org/sermons.2021-11-2929 minCovenant Church"Everything They Owned was Held in Common": Acts 4:32-37Pastor Zack situates this most difficult of passages within the broader witness of Scripture to try to understand what it does (and doesn’t) mean—and the claim that it makes on the lives of Jesus’ followers. For a handout with supplemental notes and reading suggestions, visit https://www.covmin.org/sermons.2021-11-0228 minCovenant Church"There is Salvation in No One Else": Acts 4:1-31Leaving the law firm; speaking at a father's funeral; an ancient Greek rhetorical device: Pastor Zack examines Acts 4:1-31 and makes three points: actions speak louder than words; we must leave outcomes to God; Jesus is the center of our prayer and our life. For a handout with supplemental notes and reading suggestions, visit https://www.covmin.org/sermons.2021-11-0221 minCovenant ChurchFour Marks of the Church: Acts 2:42-47The one person who made it to heaven; the medicine of immortality; giving what is most important: Zack discusses the four marks of the church.2021-09-2127 minCovenant ChurchContingency and Coherence: Acts 2:14-42A "word on target"; leveling and destruction; elephants and riders: Zack asks, "What is the gospel?"2021-09-1029 minCovenant Church"In Our Own Languages": Acts 2:1-13(Not) reversing Babel; three days learning Japanese; cheerios and graham crackers: Zack explores the significance of the fact that there are multiple languages in the Kingdom of God.2021-09-1025 minCovenant ChurchWitnesses to the Resurrection: Acts 1:15-26Is the Christian faith fundamentally about our experience? Does the faith offer happiness or truth? How can Christians today be a witness to an event they did not see? Zack talks about the implications of witness in Acts 1.2021-09-1022 minCovenant ChurchCorrections of God: Acts 1:1-11Stop seeking the timeline; stop asking the wrong questions; stop gazing at heaven: Zack examines the three ways that the Holy Spirit corrects the first disciples -- and us. For the handout, visit http://www.covmin.org/sermons/2021-09-1023 minCovenant Church“Truly I Tell You, Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise”: Luke 23:32-33, 39-43Why we should allow the “other criminal” his anonymity; hoping for an empty hell; ask and you shall receive—more than you ask for. Zack draws out the implications of Jesus’ response to the “other criminal” at the crucifixion. For the handout, visit http://www.covmin.org/sermons/2020-03-0926 minCovenant ChurchWhat is the Bible (Part 2)? 2 Tim 3:16-17 and 2 Pet 1:20-21Weeping in the British Library; long-lost autographs; did Jesus talk about handling snakes?: Pastor Zack teaches us how to let the Bible’s messiness deepen our worship. For the handout, visit http://www.covmin.org/sermons/2020-02-2529 minCovenant ChurchWhat is the Bible? 2 Tim 3:16-17 and 2 Pet 1:20-21How to surf; a sample size larger than n = 1; Acts 29: Zack argues that Scripture is remembrance—and that we should follows its lead. For the handout, visit http://www.covmin.org/sermons/2020-02-1025 minCovenant ChurchWhat is Holiness? Exodus 34:29-35Holiness is a shining face: Zack explains why. For the handout, visit http://www.covmin.org/sermons/2020-02-0326 minCovenant ChurchWhat Is Sin? Hosea 11:1-7A heart monitor in high school; “a contingent, unliquidated debt”; a horrible at-home habit: Zack explains sin in terms of common biblical idioms and argues why it is important to do so. For the handout, visit http://www.covmin.org/sermons/2020-01-2728 minCovenant ChurchTake Off the Old and Put on the New: Colossians 3:1-17Fear from a secondhand sermon; the gift of an extra hour each day; listening to Christian music?: Zack discusses our part in sanctification. For the handout, visit http://www.covmin.org/sermons/2020-01-2131 minCovenant Church“Your Father Who Is In Secret”: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18Should we pray together in church? The fuel for our spirits; a heart “strangely warmed”: Zack argues that God “in secret” is central to our lives. For the handout, visit http://www.covmin.org/sermons/2020-01-2129 minCovenant ChurchHorizontal Salvation? Ephesians 3:1-13What was Paul’s “center”? What is the “mystery” of which he speaks? What does a prefix teach us about salvation? Zack explains the horizontal dimension of salvation. For the handout, visit http://www.covmin.org/sermons/2020-01-2134 minCovenant ChurchBecause He Himself Was Tested By What He Suffered: Hebrews 2:18Two translation issues; “conversational narcissism”; solidarity in Cardiac Rehab: Zack explores the significance of Jesus’ sufferings for us. For the handout, visit http://www.covmin.org/sermons/2020-01-2140 minCovenant ChurchWaiting for the Messiah 4: Isaiah 7:10-17How do we know that the Immanuel child born to a virgin is Jesus? Zack explains why early Christians “read backwards” and why we should do so as well. For the handout, visit http://www.covmin.org/sermons/2020-01-2133 minCovenant ChurchWaiting for the Messiah 3: Isaiah 35:1-10Our inability to reverse entropy; Jesus crying for Lazarus; hems and shadows: Zack preaches that the Lord is a God of life. For the handout, visit http://www.covmin.org/sermons/2020-01-2133 minCovenant ChurchWaiting for the Messiah 1: Isaiah 2:1-5“How do you talk about hope to your church? No, really, how do you do that? What do you say?” Zack explains that, yes, we are waiting for our Messiah. For the handout, visit http://www.covmin.org/sermons/2019-12-1329 minCovenant ChurchPsalm 119: Enemies? Confession?What if our enemies do crush us? What if the doors are, in fact, closed? The only way to defeat sinful desires: Zack illuminates the Psalm’s connections between enemies/ confession and loving God’s Torah. For the handout, visit http://www.covmin.org/sermons/2019-11-2533 minCovenant ChurchPsalm 119: Loving Torah, Loving GodTorah as teaching, as wonder, as God’s ways, as a window in God’s heart, as getting out of the boat: Zack marvels along with the psalmist at God’s good ways. For the handout, visit http://www.covmin.org/sermons/2019-11-0433 minCovenant ChurchRuth 4: Boaz Said YesWhy wouldn’t we want to be like St. Francis?, a woman whose life even Google can’t illuminate, Boaz’s (possible) mom: Zack offers observations on the significance of Boaz saying Yes. For the handout, visit http://www.covmin.org/sermons/2019-11-0438 minCovenant ChurchRuth 3: Audaciously Approaching Our RedeemerA surprise midnight marriage proposal, a claim of identity, not accepting Jesus’ No: Zack examines how Ruth’s audaciousness is a parable for the audacious faith in which God delights. For the handout, visit http://www.covmin.org/sermons/2019-11-0436 minCovenant ChurchRuth 2: Again, Two Characters and The CharacterHelicopters for drowning men, two $500 gifts, blessing-because or blessing-to-be: Zack explores what the characters in Ruth 2 teach us about Christian life. For the handout, visit http://www.covmin.org/sermons/2019-11-0434 minCovenant ChurchRuth 1: Two Characters and The CharacterHissing fish, “returning” to where one has never been, turning away would-be converts: Zack explores what the characters in Ruth 1 teach us about Christian life. For the handout, visit http://www.covmin.org/sermons/2019-11-0438 min