St. John's Franklin Podcast

Danny Bryant preached a sermon entitled Celebrating Christmas” based on Luke 2:41-52 for the First Sunday after Christmas on December 30, 2012.

First Sunday after Christmas
1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
Psalm 148
Colossians 3:12-17
Luke 2:41-52

Direct download: Celebrating_Christmas.mp3
Category:Sermons -- posted at: 11:00pm CDT

Kenny Benge preached a sermon entitled A Joyful Meetingbased on Luke 1:39-55 for the Fourth Sunday of Advent on December 23, 2012. Mary and Elizabeth rejoice in their encounter with each other and give testimony that God remembers and acts for those who recognize their need for Him.

Fourth Sunday of Advent
Micah 5:2-5
Luke 1:46-55
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45

Direct download: A_Joyful_Meeting.mp3
Category:Sermons -- posted at: 11:00pm CDT

Kenny Benge preached a sermon entitled The Realism of Advent” for the Third Sunday of Advent on December 16, 2012. In a culture that overly sentimentalizes the holiday season, the realism of Advent can be a shock. But it helps us realize that the roots of Christian joy—sunk deep in the gospel; in the death and resurrection of Jesus, allow it to transcend even the evil, suffering and death we experience in this world.

The involvement of the church in the suffering of mankind must never be allowed to stifle that supreme note of resurrection triumph or to smother the eschatological joy at the astounding events that have broken into history and pledged for mankind the final day of regeneration. The church must learn to take into its mouth the Good News of the resurrection and new creation, for that must be its primary note, one of limitless joy and thanksgiving. 

T.F. Torrance      

Third Sunday of Advent
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Isaiah 12:2-6
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-20

Direct download: AdventRealism.mp3
Category:Sermons -- posted at: 11:00pm CDT

Kenny Benge preached a sermon entitled Holding Fast to Hope” from Luke 3:1-14 for the Second Sunday of Advent on December 9, 2012. God did not leave us to figure him out, to feel up toward Him, but rather He speaks to us, reveals Himself to us through Scripture. As we keep His word, our Trinitarian God comes to make His home with us. (John 14:22-23.

The collect for 2nd Advent is one of my favorites. It is an original composition of the English Reformer, Thomas Cranmer, and reflects the recovery of the primacy of Scripture at the time of the English Reformation:

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Second Sunday of Advent
Malachi 3:1-4
Luke 1:68-79
Philippians 1:3-11
Luke 3:1-14

Direct download: Holding_Fast_to_Hope.mp3
Category:Sermons -- posted at: 11:00pm CDT

Kenny Benge preached a sermon entitled Come, Lord Jesus!” from Luke 21:25-36 for the First Sunday of Advent on December 2, 2012. The Ascension establishes a “pause” in the Jesus story, in which the church lives and works, proclaiming the Gospel to all nations and ages. During this time, God graciously allows the history of mankind to run its course so that the world may be given time to repent and believe. In this tension between the first and second coming, we are called to watch, to stay awake, to keep vigil and stay alert as we wait for His return. What does it mean to live in awareness of the Second Coming?

First Sunday of Advent
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:1-10
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Luke 21:25-36

Direct download: Come_Lord_Jesus.mp3
Category:Sermons -- posted at: 11:00pm CDT