Blog of FPC Lebanon

Bible Reference(s): Ephesians 2:1-10 Sermon by Rev. Terri Thorn It is probably safe to say that the significance of October 31, 2017 is not on the thought-radar for most of us. Unless...you are a die-hard church history fan...in which case you know that October 31st is more than just Halloween-on-a-Sunday this year.  It is also marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Of course, the Reformation was not a single, one-and-done incident.  Nonetheless, October 31st has been deemed the official anniversary date, mostly because it was on that date in 1517 that Martin Luther took a list of theological concerns, called the 95 Theses, and nailed them to the door of Castle Church in Wittenburg, Germany.  It came to be seen as the start of a "protest" that would eventually divide the Catholic Church and the Protestant (protestor) Church.  Most historians agree that it was never Martin Luther's intention to create a schism in the church. He was just increasingly frustrate...

Bible Reference(s): Matthew 18:21-35 Sermon by Rev. Terri Thorn Every day as I drive north on Interstate 65 from Zionsville to Lebanon, I pass a huge billboard that reads: “Real Christians Forgive Like Jesus”.  Most days, just before I get to it, I grip my steering wheel, stare straight ahead and give a little extra pedal to the metal to get past it as quickly as possible.   I do my best to not look at it because everything about that message gets on my nerves.   I mean, really?  Who among us is capable of offering the kind of unmerited, unconditional forgiveness that Jesus offers?  Most of us can barely excuse the person who cuts us off in traffic much less forgive those who have hurt us deeply.    In fact, I suspect that every single one of us in this room has, at some point in our life, been unable to forgive someone for a wrong we have experienced from them.   Oh, we might eventually get around to letting bygones be bygones...

Bible Reference(s): Deuteronomy 6:1-9, 20-25 Sermon by Rev. Terri Thorn  I have something to show you this morning. [Terri holds up a pitcher] It's not really much to look at...but it does have a special meaning.  You see, this was the iced tea pitcher from my Mamaw's farmhouse.   It's nothing fancy.  It might be an antique, but I'm pretty sure it does not hold much financial value.  It doesn't represent a specific event or hold special meaning...it was always just the iced tea pitcher from Mamaw's house.  Always and only...iced tea. The significance of this pitcher has never been the pitcher itself...or the contents...or even that it belonged to my grandmother.   It is special because it represents many wonderful years of gathering at a kitchen table...eating an ordinary meal...drinking iced tea...and telling our endless family stories.   For me, when I look at this, I don't see a pewter pitcher...I see a symbol of my family herit...

Bible Reference(s): Matthew 16:21-28 Sermon by Rev. Terri Thorn Theologian Karl Barth has been credited with saying:  “Take your Bible and take your newspaper, and read both. But interpret newspapers from your Bible...not the other way around.”  From a preaching standpoint, I have always understood this to mean that the messages I bring should be rooted in the ancient scriptures but speak to what is happening in the world right now. But I have to tell you, after a week like this one...I'm thinking Barth had no idea what it is like to preach in the 21st century.  What an crazy news week it has been!  Just when I thought there was a story that I should consider for this message, another one came along. Still, there was one story that seemed to nag at me all week...which is usually a sign I need to pay attention.  First though, I need to say up front that I'm no fan of Joel Osteen's theology...ministry...or message. He may be a wonderful motivational speaker, b...