Waetke: Get out of the boat
Craig Waetke
A few weeks ago I preached a sermon on the passage from Mark, chapter 6, of Jesus walking on the water. If you’re familiar with how this event is included in the different gospels, you will know that in one there is an addition to this event that is found nowhere else. And that is that in Matthew’s version, not only does Jesus walk on the water, but Peter does, as well. The question I pondered on was, why would an event as momentous and astounding as Peter walking on the water be found in only this one place? Shouldn’t something that important be found in all four gospels?
Chapter and Verse: Salt, light, and biscuits and gravy
Craig Waetke
It’s interesting how inspiration will hit you. The other day I was sitting over a plate of biscuits and gravy at my favorite coffee shop and reached over for the salt shaker so I could add a little seasoning to my breakfast. And that mindless gesture was all it took for inspiration to hit. As I reached for the salt I was reminded of something I read recently about what Jesus said about salt.
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth.” (Matthew 5:13) What Jesus is saying is that, like salt, as His followers we are to be a preservative for goodness against those things that seek to spoil and bring impurity in the world. And in that same passage, our Lord also tells us that we are “the light of the world.” As light, we are to shine the light of truth, the light of the gospel, in this world. As the article explained, followers of Christ have but one option – to maintain a bold
Chapter and verse: Already, and not yet
Craig Waetke
I was reading a devotion on contentment the other day, and it brought to mind the words of the Apostle Paul. I’ve always been partial to Paul’s comment on contentment found in Philippians 4:11.
It’s the kind of verse that can be met with groans of frustration at home. And, I’ve even experienced members in churches where I’ve served displaying their disapproval at times when I’ve preached on them. But, nevertheless, these words from Paul are some of the most important ones to live by. It is Paul’s comment: “(F)or I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”