Revising the Agenda: Sermons for Pentecost through Proper 17 Based on the Gospel Texts

"The Christian life is a life of continuing conversion. Baptism may claim us as God's own beloved, but the children of God must grow up and mature. Jesus invites his followers to "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me (Matthew 11:29)." This is a life of ongoing transformation, not merely by our own effort, but by welcoming Christ's Spirit to make us more like him. In every sense, we are Christians who are still becoming Christians. If there was a governing theme for the sermons, that seems to be it. Discipleship is a steady journey through the summer, when most of these lectionary texts are scheduled to be heard. Each text, like each sermon, is episodic. They proceed a step at a time. Yet each is an invitation to follow after Christ and to grow in grace. He is the one who revises our agenda, beckoning us repeatedly, "Come, follow me." So I offer these meditations on scripture as a resource for your spiritual journey.. It's my privilege to share what I have heard the Risen Christ whisper to me through study and prayer, in the grand hope that we might grow in faith, hope, and love. My thanks are offered to the saints of First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit, PA, among whom I have served for many years. And I dedicate this volume to a great friend who has been my traveling companion for over three decades"--