by Stacey Hilliard | Nov 13, 2022 | Sermons
One of the reasons our debates about the Bible get so heated is a difference of opinion over how much authority the Bible should have in daily life. People then end up on different sides of that question because of the related question of what role God played in the creation and preservation of the biblical texts. This sermon focuses on the intersection of those questions, the different ways Christians answer them, and how we can be more aware of our own assumptions about those things.
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by Stacey Hilliard | Nov 6, 2022 | Sermons
Last week, we saw that an attempt to remove the Jewish elements from the list of accepted writings in the early church was one of the catalysts for forming the canon, the various groups of writings that became authoritative for Christians and were finally bound together into the Bibles we have today. This week we’re going to zoom in more on that process. Who decided those things? When? Why? What about all the ones they left out?
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by Stacey Hilliard | Oct 30, 2022 | Sermons
As we continue looking at the structure and purpose of the Bible, we’re going to focus in this week on the Bible’s organization, how our language about the Bible’s two “Testaments” gets us into trouble, and what the Bible is and is not trying to give us.
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by Stacey Hilliard | Oct 23, 2022 | Sermons
We are off to the races in our Bible-focused fall. Now that you’re all wondering what sort of bread we’re really asking for in the Lord’s Prayer, we’re going to look at the issue of biblical translations more broadly. Why do we have so many? Is there a “right” one? And why does the question of a “right” translation hinder us from finding truth?
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by Stacey Hilliard | Oct 9, 2022 | Sermons
I’ve received really positive feedback about the last two “Bible study” sermons, so I’m going to keep going. I will be taking my material from the series of Bible studies that I wrote for the Massachusetts Bible Society across my 13-year tenure as their Executive Director. We’ll begin with the first study in that series, What is the Bible? and then, if the pews aren’t empty, we’ll move to my introductions to the Old and New Testaments. We’ll start with an overview of why the Bible matters, even to those who don’t “believe” it, and a basic primer on how the bound book before us came together. Do you know what hapax legomena are? Are you a hexakosioihexakontahexaphobiac? Is the King James really the best translation? Ah, so much to talk about! There is more in the books than you will get in a sermon, so if you want the fuller picture, the link to the first book is above. I do not materially benefit from those sales, all proceeds go to support the Massachusetts Bible Society. The books are available in print, large print, Kindle, and audiobook editions.
Pastor Anne Robertson
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by Stacey Hilliard | Sep 26, 2022 | Sermons
Last week we explored a parable found only in Luke that many people find problematic. This week we’re going to a passage that few people have issues with. In fact, it’s often a fallback passage to turn to when we feel stressed. We read it and hear, “Consider how God cares for the birds and the beautiful flowers; don’t worry—God will take care of you, too!” It can be found in Matthew 6:25-34 and Luke 12:22-34. In last week’s sermon, you learned some Bible study tips. We’re going to apply those to this week’s passage, too; because there’s a larger teaching here.
While the larger teaching is frequently missed in church, Hollywood did not miss it. Learn about the passage and have some fun by watching the 1963 classic film, Lilies of the Field, starring Sidney Poitier. You won’t regret it!
— Pastor Anne
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