Messages from Brewster Baptist

How does it feel to lose something, like your car keys or worse, a child? What emotions do you feel (anger, fear, frustration, anxiety, panic)? What emotions do you feel when you find something or someone that was lost (relief, exhilaration, joy)? Today’s Gospel passage is about the emotions we…

In the 21st century most of us are familiar with terms such as “entourage,” “paparazzi,” “hangers on,” and “fans.” In the first century, Jesus often found himself surrounded by many people like these; folks who wanted a free meal or healing, wanted to be in on the latest thing, but…

On Friday, Jill brought Nathan back to Swarthmore College for his sophomore year. Meanwhile, I was at my family’s cottage in Maine with Greg because he hadn’t been able to get there this year because of his summer schedule. When Nathan went to college a year ago, one of the…

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods…

Our Guest Speaker—Dr. Gilbert Bilezikian Dr. B, as he is affectionately called, is a native of Paris, France, and is Professor of Biblical Studies Emeritus at Wheaton College (Illinois).  Dr. Bilezikian is co-founder with Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. In addition to numerous articles,…

I have a question for you, and it may seem like a “Bible Trivia” question, but it’s not a trivial question. So here it is: Who is the person that Jesus had the longest conversation with in all the four gospels? Who do you think was so important, and the…

The setting for today’s scripture is the city of Jericho, one of the oldest cities in the world. Jericho is east, northeast of Jerusalem. The Gospels of Luke and Mark have Jesus passing through Jericho on the way to Jerusalem where he will be crucified.  Just before today’s Gospel reading,…

“Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years…

One of the truths we see over and over again in the Gospel of Luke is that Jesus can put people’s lives back together. People who have been physically sick, mentally impaired, socially branded, enslaved by sin – all have their lives put together and made whole by Jesus. One…

“James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us…

In today’s scripture from the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is leaving home where people share his nationality and religious tradition. His latest attempts among them have been greeted by opposition from leaders and misunderstanding from the disciples. He has to be a little frustrated. Perhaps it isn’t too surprising that…

If you’re reading through the Gospels this summer, you know that yesterday we began the Gospel of Mark. If you haven’t been it’s a convenient time to jump in. Mark’s Gospel starts with lots of action. Jesus is encountering all kinds of people and situations and things are happening “immediately.”