Preaching the Scriptures

The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson John 1:43-51 Come and See “ Come and see. ”   “ Come and see. ”   Man, was Philip asking for it.   “ Come and see ” is a dangerous thing to say; it is risky.   And of all people, Philip chooses Nathanael – his incredibly skeptical friend, his somewhat prejudiced friend.   This is the man he invites to meet Jesus; this is the one he invites to “ come and see ” . Let's backup.   We shouldn't be too hard on Philip.   It's not really his fault.   One is not born saying “ Come and see ” .   “ Come and see ” is learned.   That is some learned behavior. See, it's really Jesus' fault.   He started it.   It was what Jesus said to his first disciple, Andrew.   Andrew showed some interest, asked some questions, and Jesus said to him, “ Come and see ” .   So you see, Philip is not really to blame.   “ Come and see ” is Jesus' thing.   It is what Jesus says.   ...

The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Genesis 1:1-5 & Mark 1:4-11 Origin Stories There is just something about the beginning of a story.   My son, Oscar, has a book called Marvel Super Heroes Storybook Collection.   The book is comprised of twenty super hero origin stories.   Every story is a beginning.   There is the story of Peter Parker and the Hall of Science and the radioactive spider bite that imbued him with his spidey senses.   There is the story of Bruce Banner becoming the Incredible Hulk after being exposed to gamma rays.   There is the story of how Norrin is transformed into the Silver Surfer by Galactus, devourer of worlds. The stories, these origin stories, are great stories.   They are stories of outcasts and underdogs entrusted with great power and, therefore, great responsibility.   They are stories of unlikely courage and strength.   They are modern myths that give us creative lenses through which to view ourse...