Jordan Rimmer Sermons

This sermon continues my series on the Psalms inspired by the work of Walter Brueggemann. In this one, I look at Psalms for those times in our lives where we are disoriented and dislocated.

In this sermon I use the structure of story to introduce a paradigm for reading the Psalms. I use Walter Bruggemann's concept of Psalms of Orientation, Psalms of Disorientation, and Psalms of Reorientation. I then look quickly at Psalm 8 as an example of a Psalm of Orientation.

This is the beginning of a sermon series on the Psalms. In this sermon, I introduce how the Psalms work and what the Psalms are like. Along the way, I try to make the argument that we miss something when we don't use the Psalms as a cornerstone of our spiritual lives.

In this sermon, insired by Diana Butler Bass and Harvey Cox, I talk about the order of our faith. I think that the Jewish faith and the early Christian faith began with belonging, then moved to behavior, and then finally beliefs were developed to give langauge to what the people were feeling and experiencing. Somewhere along the line, we reversed the order, and we have prioritized belief. What we have tended to neglect in our faith is our behaviors--the practices of the faith that build our belonging and make our beliefs alive. In this sermon, I talk specifically about Sabbath, Scripture, and Prayer.

In this sermon, I take a look at what a sermon does, how I approach sermon, and how to listen to a sermon.

In this sermon, I break down the Reformed order of worship. Why do we worship the way we do, and what does that tell us about the meaning of worship?

This is actually an extended children's sermon that I did on our church worship space. I decided to include it on the podcast because a lot of people found it helpful to learn about our sanctuary as a Tabernacle or Temple. Enjoy.

In the previous sermon, I took a look at what happened to the world and the church. In this sermon, I consider what the future is for the church and how the church should respond.

In this sermon I follow the lead of the tribe of Issachar, which Chronicles tells us "understood the times and knew what Israel should do." Here, I analyze how our world has changed and how we can understand our times. In particular, I talk about how we now live in a post-Christendom and postmodern world in the West. Net week, I will talk more about how we can respond.

  This was an interesting Sunday. It was Easter, but it was also April Fools Day. I had a little fun with it.

I have a confession to make. I have never really understood why Palm Sunday is such a big deal. At least, until this year. And this sermon is the result of that study.

In this sermon, I finish the story of Ruth. I look at how Boaz remains a man of honor in the way he works toward marrying Ruth, how Ruth ends up being the great grandmother of King David, how the Book of Ruth shows the love of Jesus, and what the book teaches us about faith.

Here we go into chapter 3. We have to do a lot of background work to understand what is going on, but with the idea of redeeming and the idea of winnowing. Also, is this some kind of illicit midnight rendezvous?

This sermon continues with the story of Ruth. Here, she goes out to gleen and meets and man named Boaz. She and Naomi are blessed by him, and the question of God's goodness and kindness start to be answered.

This begins my Lent sermon series on the Book of Ruth. This sermon paints the context and starts the story of Naomi's return to Bethlehem with her Moabite daughter-in-law Ruth.

In this sermon, I take a look at the four relationships that we are created in and how the fall breaks them on. I then look at how Jesus heals all four relationships and calls us to be ministers of reconciliation.

In this sermon I take a look at 1 Corinthians 3:1-15 and the way Paul talks about Christian maturity. We need to move past being a fleshy or carnal Christian and learn to live both trusting God to bring growth while also being faithful to what God calls us to do.

Here I take a look at the process that people (and churches) go through as the mercies of God transform us into something new and how part of that process involves us renewing our mind.

In this sermon, based on John 15:1-11, takes a look at the image of the vine and the branches. I then apply these ideas to the practice of discernment. Finally, I share my journey of discernment which led me to Northminster Church.

Why is the parable of the prodiagal son a bad name for the parable? How does the audience of the parable help interpret the parable? Why are there details like pigs, a fatted calf, a cloak, and the sound of dancing? In this sermon, I take a look at this familiar parable that we are not so familiar with. I am indebted to Timothy Keller, Matt Chandler, and Kenneth Bailey for helping me rethink this parable every time I study it and preach it again.