Ernest F. Campbell Selected Sermons

  Epiphany I (A) Claimed by God January 9, 2011 By Rev.  Ernest F. Campbell In today’s Gospel as Jesus comes up out of the water He is claimed by God as His beloved son. “This is my son, the Beloved , with whom I am well pleased.” To my way of thinking that one-sentence, verbal embrace, becomes the rock-solid foundation for Jesus’ life and ministry. Knowing whose you are, makes wherever you are a place of faith and hope.  One simple illustration will explain what I mean. When our son Dave was a little boy, he was driven by the spirit of adventure. When we took him along on our shopping trips, Dave would see the display racks of clothing as an intriguing jungle of high-adventure, just begging to be explored. In our defense, after three girls, we were still discovering that boys are different. With Dave it was a steep learning curve. I should also tell you that Dave was quick and stealthy. He could disappear from our side into the jungle-of-clothing-racks faster than Marg...

  Christmas Eve A Trust Your Instruments December 24, 1983 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell God sent the first Christmas greeting to some shepherds who were working their flocks near Bethlehem ; “I bring you good news of great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord .” In the final analysis, no matter how hard the world tries to stretch and bend Christmas to fit the ways of the world, it all comes down to the very simple but direct message printed on the window of a beauty shop across from the Eastgate Mall …. “ Jesus is the reason for the season .” Jesus is God’s response to humankind’s deepest needs. We will all die…. Jesus is life. We are all sinners …. Jesus is forgiveness. We will never have all knowledge … Jesus is the wisdom, knowledge, and the truth of God. Life, on our dangerous earth, is short and uncertain. In the face of that grim common denominator, we are given this comforting word from God’s...

  Advent 4 (A) Our Part in Salvation December 21, 1980 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell Let’s Pretend…. Let’s Pretend I am…. before I say the next word, I must turn my back to you because no mere mortal can bear to see the glorious splendor of my being. I am the creator of the vast expanses of all the galaxies , as well as the particles that make up the nucleus of the atoms. I set all the stars on their courses and established the multiplication of guppies . I know the deepest secrets of all men’s hearts, and I have the capacity to forgive and love them all beyond the wildest stretch of their imaginations. Now, are you ready? Let’s pretend…. I am God. Because I am God, and because I was in on your creation, I want you to know something of my heart. I want you to know that when you live your life according to my will and purpose, you will experience abundant life now….and always. I can understand why you have difficulty in believing my word…. Because that’s the way I made you. you like to...

  Advent 3 A Our Innate Worth December 17, 1995 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell I don’t know about you but for me one of life’s great joys is finally seeing a truth that for some reason had not yet “clicked” in my brain. Whenever that happens it’s as though I had known the “truth” all my life. All of a sudden I see it. It’s like one of those three-dimensional computer images ( Magic-Eye Pictures ) that you stare at and stare at, and then a smile comes to your face…because there it is! I have learned to refer to these revelations as my “ ah-ha” experiences . I have also learned to praise God whenever it happens. I remember it happening at one of our Tuesday morning clergy Bible Studies . When I share my insight with you some will think; “Of course, how obvious .” And, that is true. It is obvious. But rather than regret my blindness, I am happy to celebrate what…I now see! As scripture reminds us, “ the eyes of the blind shall be opened .” In the bible study, after we had read the lessons...

  Advent 2 A So, What Are We Looking For? December 4, 2016 By Rev. Ernest F. Campbell John the Baptist was NOT “main line” religion! I don’t know how the news of his presence would have been communicated, but whatever was said about him caused people to be interested. Interested enough to get out of the city and take a look for themselves. John’s message was simple and direct. REPENT ! Bear good fruit, the Kingdom of heaven is near! This is what he preached: As a sign that you are serious about changing your self-serving ways, you can begin the process of “cleaning up your act” by cleansing your body and your way of thinking…here, in the river Jordan . Repentance was not a new concept to the Jews. Every year, on the Day of Atonement , a goat was sacrificed for their sins on the alter. Then they “theoretically” transferred their sins to a different goat, the “Scape Goat.” Then the Scape Goat was driven out of town and their sins went with him. The only problem with the Day of Aton...