My channel's been used for a lot of things...mostly me braindumping on various subjects. Most recently I've started braindumping thoughts as I move towards my weekly sermons. You can also follow this channel's Twitter @SermonBraindump

Pastor Scott Dalen

In this episode of Sermon Braindump I explore the tail end of Mark Chapter 6, as Jesus meets the needs of the people. This happens in many different ways over the course of just a few verses, though I also explore the gap between the two sections. Sometimes we may question the motivation of those seeking Jesus, but he meets their true needs.

Sermon Braindump #60 Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

In this episode of Sermon Braindump I explore a rather odd passage that details the death of John the Baptist at the hands of Herod. This is found in Mark 6:14-29.

Sermon Braindump #59 Mark 6:14-29

In this episode of Sermon Braindump I explore Jesus' rejection in his hometown which leads into the 2x2 mission of the disciples. We see that there is opposition to the gospel and remember that not everyone is prepared to hear the gospel and accept it.

Sermon Braindump #58 Mark 6:1-13

In this episode of Sermon Braindump I explore the story of Jesus crossing the Sea of Galilee with his disciples, and falling asleep in the boat as they cross. When a great storm comes upon them, the disciples fear for their life.

Sermon Braindump #56 Mark 4:34-41

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! This marks the 1-year anniversary of Sermon Braindump episodes. This time around I jump away from the assigned Gospel text and focus on the reading from Acts 1 as we catch the one and only glimpse of what happens in the significant pause between the Ascension and Pentecost.

Sermon Braindump #52 Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

In this episode of Sermon Braindump based on Lent 2B I explore Mark 8:31-38. This is the story of Peter rebuking Jesus only to have Jesus rebuke him right back. It includes the famous "Get behind me Satan" line as well as "Take up your cross and follow me." I explore a little bit of what Jesus might just be talking about with these lines as well as the notion of just what the Messiah was really up to in all this.

Sermon Braindump #40 Mark 8:31-38

In this special episodes of Sermon Braindump I explore Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 in preparation for Ash Wednesday. I talk a little about Joel in general, but focus mainly on the theme around Ash Wednesday, that we acknowledge our own mortality and the cause of it.

Sermon Braindump #38 Ash Wednesday Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

In this episode of Sermon Braindump I explore Mark 9:2-9, the Transfiguration of Jesus. Initially I talk about the connection that this story seems to have with Peter's confession of Jesus as Messiah, and then dive into the confusing aspect of the Transfiguration itself. What really happened? Finally I move towards the notion that God will be seen, but not in the way that we expect.

Sermon Braindump #37 Mark 9:2-9

In this episode of Sermon Braindump I explore the story of Simeon and Anna encountering the baby Jesus in the temple. I look at the notion that Simeon rests in the promises of God being fulfilled, even if he has to wait awhile.

Sermon Braindump #30 Luke 2:22-40

In this special mid-week episode of Sermon Braindump, I explore Luke 2:1-20, the assigned Gospel text every year for Christmas Eve. We see Luke's account of the birth narrative, which includes the most detail in and around the birth of Christ, even if the details of the birth itself are pretty limited. I explore some of the connections that we see with this passage along with the encounters with the angel Gabriel in chapter 1 as the births of John the Baptist and Jesus are foretold. Finally, I explore the notion of "fear not" which is a strong theme throughout Luke's Gospel.

Sermon Braindump #29 Luke 2:1-20 Christmas Eve

In this episode of Sermon Braindump I explore John 1:6-8, 19-28 in preparation for the third Sunday of Advent. This is the introduction of John the Witness (commonly called John the Baptist) within the 4th Gospel (John...a lot of Johns here). I explore his role in the gospel and how he always points towards Christ.

Sermon Braindump #27 John 1:6-8, 19-28

In this episode of Sermon Braindump I explore the parable of the sheep and the goats. This passage occurs in the context of Christ the King Sunday, which closes out the church year and the season of Pentecost. Jesus continues talking apocalyptically to his disciples about what is to come in the future, and the notion that he is found in the vulnerability.

Sermon Braindump #25 Matthew 25:31-46

In this episode of Sermon Braindump I explore the interaction of Jesus and the Pharisees along with the Herodians in Matthew 22:15-22. They come to Jesus together in order to discredit him over a question of legality of Jewish people paying taxes. Likewise, they try to flatter him with sarcasm, yet speak a truth that they don't even realize is present. Finally I look at the notion of ownership, and who we truly belong to.

Sermon Braindump Episode #20 Matthew 22:15-22

In this episode of Sermon Braindump I explore Matthew 22:11-4. This is the parable of the wedding banquet and is, admittedly, troublesome. Within the video I explore the notion of just who this parable is aimed at, as well as how we might be properly prepared for the banquet that we, too, are invited into.

Sermon Braindump Episode #19 Matthew 22:1-14

In this episode of Sermon Braindump I explore Matthew 21:33-46, the Parable of the Wicked Tenants. We recognize this passage at being aimed at those who have mistreated God's messengers, and yet we also see ourselves within the target of Jesus' message. Yet the apparent foolishness of the landowner within the parable echoes the way we tend to view the work of God as foolish, and yet God's ways are not our ways.

Sermon Braindump #18 Matthew 21:33-46

In this episode of Sermon Braindump, I explore the question of authority as posed to Jesus in Matthew 21:23-32. When the priests and elders question the source of Jesus' authority, he presents them with a question, and then a parable about obedience.  I explore the connection between the two, as well as the source of authority.

Sermon Braindump #17 Matthew 21:23-32

In this episode of Sermon Braindump I explore Matthew 13:31-33, 44-53. This is the third week in a row that the Lectionary has presented Matthew 13, and we hear parables of Jesus yet again. This time we hear multiple short parables without explanations offered by Jesus, contrary to the previous two weeks. I explore why this might be and how Jesus offers a wide variety of things that "the kingdom of heaven is like." In addition, I wrap up the episode with a slight glance at Romans 8:38-39 which is also part of the featured readings this week.

Sermon Braindump #10 Matthew 13:31-33, 44-53

In this episode of Sermon Braindump, I explore Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30. This passage includes 3 different topics, each of which could be the focal point of the eventual sermon. Jesus talks about the fickle rejection of different ministry styles between John the Baptist and Jesus. Then he talks about how God chooses to reveal the truth, in an apocalyptic fashion. It is not revealed to the wise, but to children or infants. Finally, he shares the well known "my yoke is easy" passage. I explore all three of these points.

In this episode of Sermon Braindump, I explore Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30. This passage includes 3 different topics, each of which ...

Sermon Braindump #7 Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

In this episode of Sermon Braindump I discuss the continuation of last week's gospel lesson. Matthew 10 is Jesus' prepatory pep talk for the disciples before they go on the two-by-two mission. Jesus has entrusted them with his divine authority and in this short passage we hear that this God-given authority is only manifested by receiving the hospitality of "the other." Our lives as believers are changed alongside those hearing the gospel. 

Sermon Braindump #6 Matthew 10:40-42

In this episode of Sermon Braindump I explore a portion of the passage when Jesus is preparing his disciples for the two-by-two mission. During this passage, Jesus is very transparent that we as his followers will face the same results that he did. We will experience triumphs as well as hardships and opposition just as he did, because the student will not become greater than the teacher. I also explore the notion that God's work in our reality is so far beyond the capability of our understanding that our very nature will oppose it.

Pastor Scott Dalen Videos