Backward Mutters

Category: Sermons

  • Ecclesiastes Wisdom

    Began studying today for next Sunday’s sermon. I’ve been working on paraphrasing Ecclesiastes 7:1 which reads: “A good name is better than fine perfume.” Here’s my exposition: People will receive a stinking fool if he smells of fine perfume, but they will keep company with an honorable man even if…

  • Embittered Outrage

    I’ve been preaching my way through Ecclesiastes this summer, and I have been surprised at how many people comment that Ecclesiastes is their favorite book of the Bible. The reasons vary, but most seem to agree that the raw, brutal honesty of the Teacher’s commentary on the meaning of ‘life…

  • Acedia

    I believe that such standard dictionary definitions of acedia as “apathy,” “boredom,” or “torpor” do not begin to cover it, and while we may find it convenient to regard it as a more primitive word for what we now term depression, the truth is much more complex. Having experienced both…

  • "Martha, Martha"

    Calvin in speaking of Jesus correction of Martha has this to say, “Though the hospitality of Martha deserved commendation, and is commended, yet there were two faults in it which are pointed out by Christ. The first is, that Martha carried her activity beyond proper bounds; for Christ would rather…

  • Calvin on Vocation

     In preparation for this Sunday’s message: Delighting in His Worship for the Joy of Your Work, Calvin offer this on the subject of vocation: As this passage has been basely distorted into the commendation of what is called a Contemplative life, we must inquire into its true meaning, form which…