Understanding the Jesus of the Gospels
Sermons from the Gospels
1-corinthians-12 all-saints-day bible chalenge christianity commentary-on-luke-12-13-21 communion cost-of-salvation diversity Easter faith fear god gospel-of-luke gratitude healing holy-spirit jairus jesus john-17 John 20 Lazarus lords-supper love-in-the-darkest-hour luke-16-13 luke-17-11-19 luke-18 luke-24 mark-5 matthew-6 my-fathers-house pentecost prayer resurrection say-thank-you talents temptation the-dishonest-steward the-rich-fool the Empty Tomb to-whom-do-you-belong unity witness witnessing world-communion-sunday
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Matthew 14: 1-14 Mel Prestamo, Elder PCUSA There is a technique some people use in studying Bible text. They will look at a story repeated times. They will read it to hear if a specific verse or line might jump out at them. Then they will think upon it to allow God’s word to reveal…
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Luke 15 / offered to the First Presbyterian Church of Succasunna, NJ Mel Prestamo, Elder, PCUSA Recently, I have been reading a book by Thomas Cahill [I apologize at this posting, I have lost the title of the book – but the credit for the thought belongs to Cahill]. In it he makes a comment…
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Offered by Mel Prestamo, Elder PCUSA The year 2020 will no doubt be recorded as one of the most trying, exasperating and difficult tests of survival in our country’s history. But more than that, it is as equally trying a test for American Christians. The cornerstone of our country’s foundation – the one our nation…
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Matthew 22: 1-14 Offered to the First Presbyterian Church of Succasunna, NJ, 2012 Mel Prestamo, Elder, PCUSA “The kingdom of God is like this..” This is the second time I have gotten an opportunity to speak about this passage from Matthew. The first time must have been four years ago, the last time that it…
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Matthew 22: 1-14 Offered to the First Presbyterian Church of Succasunna, NJ, 2008 Mel Prestamo, Elder, PCUSA Well, we’ve got a lot on our plate here. We have a Kingdom Parable. It is one in which Jesus begins by saying, “The kingdom of God is like…” A couple of weeks ago, Pastor gave us some…
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Luke 18: 9-14 with references to Matthew & John Offered to the Kitchell Memorial Presbyterian Church, October 26, 2025 Mel Prestamo, Elder PCUSA Now it would be easy in today’s message to do some Pharisee bashing. But instead, I want to begin my message today by sharing with you something that happened to me just…
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Offered in Praise on Sunday, December 27, 2020 Mel Prestamo, Elder, PCUSA Read: Isaiah 9, John 1, and Matthew 25 So, I have a question for you. In Isaiah 9 the writer tells us that the people walked in Darkness. Think about what darkness might mean. What image does walking in darkness conger up in…
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Mine Hill PC / Chester Community Church, June 27, 2021, Mark 5, 21-43 Mel Prestamo, Elder PCUSA This reading from Mark has details packed in all kinds of nooks and crannies and I think that it is fascinating to unravel it and take a close look at what was going on. At the very outset…
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Luke 17: 11-19 Offered to the First Presbyterian Church of Franklin NJ – October 12, 2025 by Mel Prestamo, Elder, PCUSA In Psalm 103, which I read the beginning verses to you earlier, the Psalmist is telling God’s faithful to be thankful for all the blessings that God has bestowed upon them. He tells them…
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Offered to the congregation at Mine Hill Presbyterian Church on World Communion Sunday October 5, 2025 John 17: 20-24 / 1 Corinthians 12 [selected verses] World Communion Sunday is meant to be a special day in the life of our denomination and for Christians around the world. It is meant to symbolize a gathering together…
