Resources on Karoline M Lewis

Palm Sunday, Hosanna, Praise, Christian Calendar

Baptism of Our Lord

Matthew L Skinner | Working Preacher

In this podcast Matthew L. Skinner, Karoline M. Lewis, Rolf Jacobson, and Joy J. Moore discuss preaching possibilities for Isaiah 42:1-9; Matthew 3:13-17; and Acts 10:34-43, focusing on the meaning of Jesus' baptism.

Isaiah 42:1-9; Matthew 3:13-17 Acts 10:34-43

Baptism Of Christ, Community, Faith, Identity

The Courage to Ask

Karoline M Lewis | The Christian Century

Karoline Lewis engages the disciples' fear of questioning Jesus as he again foretells his death in Mark 9:30-32, and encourages Christians to ask and engage in dialogue because "courage to ask is a mark of discipleship."...

Mark 9:30-37

Faith, Truthfulness, Truth, Courage

Good News?

Karoline M Lewis | Working Preacher

Karoline Lewis' commentary on Luke 4:21-30 reflects on the fact that rejection lies at the heart of the gospel. When the gospel is preached in its fullness, it is "nonsense" and offensive to many.

Luke 4:21-30

Preaching, Rejection, The Gospel, Truth

Preaching Within the Season

Karoline M Lewis | Working Preacher

Karoline Lewis looks at the Gospel readings for the six Sundays after Easter, writing that the resurrection of Christ is not only an assurance of our future hope, but also an integral part of on-going life.

Luke 24:13-35; John 11:25, 14:1-21

Easter, Dying And Rising With Christ, Resurrection, Daily Living

The Identity of the Incarnated Word

Karoline M Lewis | Working Preacher

Karoline Lewis's commentary on John 1:1-18 discusses how John presents Jesus as both God's child and "God revealing God's self" in a new way. Focusing on God's "bosom," Lewis reveals the "beloved disciple's" identity as us.

John 1:1-18

Christmas, Jesus, Identity, Gospel

Stumbling Blocks

Karoline M Lewis | The Christian Century

Karoline Lewis' reflection on Mark 9:38-50 points out our tendency to place stumbling blocks in the way of others and ourselves. Staying focused on Jesus diminishes the effects of those stumbling blocks.

Mark 9:38-50

Stumbling-block, Gospel, Sin

Kangaroo care

Karoline M Lewis | The Christian Century

Article about Scripture

In this reflection on John 1:18, Karoline Lewis recalls giving "kangaroo care" to her son who was born prematurely and reflects on the deep intimacy we have with God through Jesus.

John 1:18

Bosom, God, Resurrection, Relationship

Who Do You Say that I Am?

Karoline M Lewis | Working Preacher

"Who you say Jesus is, is who you have decided to be." Karoline Lewis reflects on Jesus' question in Mark 8:27-38 and shares that how we answer regarding Jesus' identity also reveals who we are.

Mark 8:27-38

Christology, Discipleship, Faith, Identity

Preaching Within the Season

Karoline M Lewis | Working Preacher

Karoline Lewis encourages preachers to embrace the message of Pentecost and carry it into the ordinary time of the summer months, making them extraordinary.

Pentecost, Resurrection, Kingdom Of God, Ordinary Time

Exorcisms for Our Day

Karoline M Lewis | Working Preacher

Karoline Lewis says that Jesus' first act of public ministry in Mark, an exorcism (Mark 1:21-28), signifies God's presence in "the places and spaces where it seems God could never be."

Mark 1:21-28

Preaching, Exorcism, God's Presence, Doubt

A Prologue for the New Year

Karoline M Lewis | Working Preacher

Scripture Meditation or Sermon

Karoline Lewis says that the prologue to John's gospel (John 1:1-18) is a Christmas gift that invites us to develop a prologue of themes and directions for our own lives in relation to God.

John 1:1-18

Christmas, New Year, Discipleship, Identity

And the Gospel Is? Hospitality

Karoline M Lewis | Working Preacher

Karoline Lewis' article on Mark 6:1-13 explores both our discomfort in receiving hospitality and how to practice "the kind of hospitality that Jesus lived."

Mark 6:1-13

Hospitality, Discipleship, Acceptance, Sermon

Family Matters

Karoline M Lewis | Working Preacher

Karoline Lewis' article on Mark 3:20-35 discusses how families, churches, and communities can become divided, and she reflects on the challenge of pursuing reconciliation.

Mark 3:20-35

Family, Quarrelsomeness, Church, Relationship

The Greatest

Karoline M Lewis | Working Preacher

Encouraging preachers to preach Jesus' greatness that calls out classifications which ignore Jesus' teaching, Karoline Lewis reflects on Mark 9:30-37 and shares that God becoming human decided that greatness is not about separation but solidarity.

Mark 9:30-37

Children, Faith, Humility, Power

A Good Day to Be Born

Karoline M Lewis | Working Preacher

Karoline Lewis suggests that "one way to preach the meaning of Jesus’ birth is to preach that it gives meaning to our own." Jesus' birth speaks of both the joy and the fragility of new life.

Christmas, Incarnation, Birth, Jesus

Abundance For All

Karoline M Lewis | Working Preacher

Karoline Lewis reflects on John 2:1-12 from the perspective of abundance and calls to attention that God's abundance is never "an individualized affair." It is about restoration of relationships and sharing that abundance with others.

John 2:1-12

Abundance, God's Love, Relationship, Restoration

Reading Texts for the Sake of Hearing the Gospel

Karoline M Lewis | Working Preacher

Karoline Lewis's article borrows from literary theory, suggesting that biblical exegesis can benefit from the practice of "rereading." Lewis invites preachers to listen to the text, allow texts to interact, and write sermons for the ear.

Preaching, Preparation, Sermon, Scripture Reading

A Vision Check-Up

Karoline M Lewis | Working Preacher

What have we seen, what do we see, what will we see? Karoline Lewis reflects on John 12:20-33 and talks about the temptation to show Jesus too small in our preaching.

John 12:20-33

Hermeneutics, Jesus, Vision

Power Potentials

Karoline M Lewis | Working Preacher

In this sermon starter for Mark 6:14-29, Karoline Lewis encourages preachers to think about power, how it is used and how it is abused.

Mark 6:14-29