Ernest F. Campbell Selected Sermons

  Proper 15 C Am I Any Further On? August 15, 2010 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell A wise man offered this as a reliable pathway to success: Have a goal and keep a clear head. I must admit that growing up in Winnetka as a chauffer’s kid, I used to envy my friends who would say, “When I finish college, I am going to be an attorney, or a doctor, or a teacher, or own my own business.” And in many cases, that is just the way it turned out. Experience tells us that if you want to get something accomplished…. then set a goal. Make a list of what will be required, and then begin. My wife Margaret is a much better goal-setter than I am. I tend to be more random, which (I have learned) is not the way to a list-maker’s heart. If you really want something to happen, set a goal, make a plan, and begin.  What would we say is our goal as Christians? In today’s reading the author of Hebrews believes that our goal is to be moving our lives towards the likeness of Christ . He says: “Let us lay asid...

  Proper 14 C What Would It Look Like If… August 11, 2013 By the Rev. Ernest F. Campbell Our son Dave uses an inviting question as a discussion starter when he is trying to get people to consider a new vision, or a different way to approach a problem situation. “What would it look like,” Dave would say, “If we all tried to put a dash of loving kindness in our words and actions today?” If you are like me you didn’t stop outside the church this morning and say to yourself; don’t forget… “loving kindness.” Loving kindness is either a mark of who we are, or its not. Normally, genuine loving kindness does not pop on and off like a mask. Kids can spot a phony mask of “loving kindness” in less than twenty seconds.  I recalled Miss Krenwinkel. She was a teacher back at Skokie School in my home town of Winnetka. She had a BIG fake smile that she turned on or off like a light switch. We would say, “Good morning, Miss Krenwinkel” and she would flash her smile and say, “Good morning, Erne...

  Proper 13 C Rich Toward God July 31, 1983 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell In today’s Gospel, Luke is continuing his teaching on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. What does it mean to enjoy life? What would it take to make our lives a celebration? If Jesus came in order that we might have abundant life -- which way must we turn in order to experience the peace of living in the will of God? It must have been obvious to Jesus (just as it is obvious to us today) to see the various ways we try to make our lives meaningful and worthwhile. Mankind is on a universal quest for peace – a life-time warranty with satisfaction guaranteed. The author of Ecclesiastes is no doubt representative in his efforts to discover “The Good Life” amid life’s perpetual struggle. First, he looked for the good life in learning. Nothing must be a closed book to him. He must know everything. He wanted to be the wisest man in the world, the most knowledgeable, the most cultured. He aimed at being a phi...