Sermon: Done. Matthew 1.18-25.

It is finished.  My two weeks of madness are done.  Thanks for the prayers!  I preached at both services this morning, and feel that both went well.  Imperfect, for sure, but felt God inspiring and guiding both services. 

One of the things that I love and hate about preaching is that I never finish wrestling with a text...there are so many things to say, so many things I would have changed about how I preached, etc... I think that is a good thing.  If you'd like, here is a copy of the sermon, "What is in a Name" Matthew 1.18-25, the angel's visit to Joseph.  (By the way, Joseph is an amazing, authentic example of true discipleship.)  Download cleveland_matthew_1_joseph_sermon_final

All in all, God showed up today. In speaking with folks after the service, I was encouraged to know how God had been preparing them for this message.  I'll take that.

For some worldsareforming blog vulnerability...check this out...I am warning you, though...

Any good captions you can offer for these HOTT pictures of Struggs preaching?  In the one on the left, I think I look constipated, and in the second, I look like I am singing a little ditty.  A sweet lady in church had her camera ( a PCUSA contraband) in worship ... ugh.  I told you it was blog vulnerability.  STRUGGS.  Did I say ugh?

Comments

[Mom]

Gosh, Josh, if you kept even close to the words on paper, it had to be an amazing sermon and I'm sure God was glorified! Good job, dear! Counting the days ... Love, Mom

[meredith]

for the second picture:
"you know what he did?!"

[Hannah]

Yeah, the camera - do you know why was she taking pics?

[Josh]

No clue, Hannah. I did she have some vested interest in the Appalachian Brass...or in the baptisms that day?

Kind of distracting, but made me laugh a little while I was preaching.

Oh, church.

[Mom]

Hello, dear - hadn't seen the pics yet, so this is fun! Pastor Dave wondered if your sermon is available on line? Give me a shout will you please (on my cell phone) ...