Genesis 12 – Currie-Jesson

June 7, 2026

Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
Genesis 12:1-9

“Mercy, Not Sacrifice”

This morning’s Gospel text sounds like many others that describe the ministry of Jesus. We see him welcoming, teaching, and healing a variety of people. The stories confirm Jesus’ abundant love, his surprising power, and his generous commitment to heal and help the people he encountered. It makes sense that people were impressed, and that the news about him began to spread quickly through the district.

But it wasn’t just that Jesus was the best of the itinerant preachers in the area, or that he was the most successful of the doctors that tried to help the sick and suffering people. I think part of what got the people talking about Jesus was that he broke the rules and taught things that were starkly different from the other teachers.

So, I want to look at the brief bit of teaching that Jesus did in this passage. He was in the house having dinner with tax collectors, sinners, and his disciples. Some Pharisees see this, and they ask the disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” It’s obviously not something that the Pharisees would do themselves.

Sharing a meal in Second‑Temple Judaism signaled acceptance, shared … Read more »

June 11, 2023

Genesis 12:1-9
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

“Just as we are”

There’s an old hymn that I associate with Billy Graham Crusades and other evangelical church gatherings that culminate in an altar call. If you’ve always been a Presbyterian, you may not even know what an altar call is, as it’s not a part of our church tradition.

But after listening to some biblical preaching and usually some testimonies from people who have come to Jesus and experienced their lives transformed, an evangelical crusade or tent meeting or revival would often include an altar call – an opportunity for seekers to come forward, to pray quietly with a Christian volunteer, and to commit their lives to following the way of Jesus.

The 19^th century hymn by Charlotte Elliott, “Just as I am” would often be chosen to sing as people made their way forward to invite Jesus into their hearts, perhaps for the first time. It had a nice steady pace, lots of verses, and words that would remind everyone that if they came to Jesus, just as they were, with all their failings and faults, God would forgive them and give them the gift of everlasting life.

Although my faith journey didn’t start with a single moment … Read more »

March 5, 2023

Genesis 12:1-4a
John 3:1-17

“Out of the Womb”

Abram and Nicodemus provide an interesting contrast in our readings today. First we have Abram, a model of faith, courage, and obedience to God. Today’s brief story is the first time that we hear about Abram in the Bible. God tells him to “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” And Abram goes. He does what God has told him to do.

He goes. And we know that he becomes the father of many nations, and the father of the three major religions of the world. After Abram, so many others come to believe in the One God. They worship God, and listen for God, and do their best to follow God and God’s ways.

Abram is a wonderful example of faith. Nicodemus? Not so much. Or at least, not yet. John’s Gospel tells us that Nicodemus is a religious person. He’s a Pharisee and a leader in the religious community. And just like Abram must have been hearing God’s voice in a new way, telling him to leave everything and start fresh in a new place, I think Nicodemus must have been hearing God’s … Read more »

March 20, 2011

Genesis 12:1-4a
John 3:1-17

Abram and Nicodemus provide an interesting contrast in our readings today. First we have Abram, a model of faith, courage, and obedience to God. Today’s brief story is the first time that we hear about Abram in the bible. God tells him to “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” And Abram goes. He does what God has told him to do.

Abram is a wonderful example of faith. Nicodemus? Not so much. John’s Gospel tells us that Nicodemus is a religious person. He’s a Pharisee and a leader in the religious community. And just like Abram must have been hearing God’s voice in a new way, telling him to leave everything and start fresh in a new place, I think Nicodemus must have been hearing God’s voice in a new way too.

Nicodemus was hearing … Read more »

June 8, 2008

The following message was presented in three parts. The first two parts (God Chooses Abram & God Chooses Matthew) were presented interactively with the children of the church. The third part (God Chooses Us) was presented in traditional sermon format.

God Chooses Abram
The first bible story we will hear today is about a man named Abram who was chosen by God for a special purpose. You might remember the name Abraham. That was the name that God gave to him (it meant “father of many nations”, but his original name was Abram, so that’s what he’s called in our story today.

As Rachel reads our story from Genesis 12, listen and see if you can hear what God is choosing Abram to do.

Genesis 12:1-9

Did you notice what God was choosing Abram to do? (Go to a new land, have children and make a community of people who know God, be a blessing to others…)

Any ideas as to why God chose Abram for this job? Do you think it was because Abram was really smart or strong or he liked to travel? This is why I think God chose Abram for this purpose… Because Abram believed in … Read more »