Understanding the Jesus of the Gospels

Sermons from the Gospels

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Tag: jesus

  • The Triune God – How can we Know it?

    John 16: 12-15 Offered to the congregation at The Presbyterian Churches of Long Hill, NJ Mel Prestamo, Ruling Elder PCUSA So, today is Trinity Sunday. Usually, a Pastor will tackle the complexities of the Trinity in their message for their congregation on this Sunday. It is a difficult and complex subject that requires a rather…

  • And Jesus prayed…

    John 17: 20-26 Offered to the Beemerville Presbyterian Church, Wantage, NJ on May 29, 2022 Mel Prestamo, Ruling Elder PCUSA I have a favorite way of referring to the Gospel of John apart from the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. It is that the Synoptic Gospels tell us what happened during Jesus’ ministry,…

  • What’s Golden about the Golden Rule?

    Based upon Luke 6: 27-38 Offered to the congregation of the Community Church of Chester, NJ on February 20, 2022 Mel Prestamo, Ruling Elder PCUSA This morning, the lectionary takes us to one of the most notable of Jesus’ teachings. We have here what is referred to as the “Golden Rule”. It may be the…

  • He Had Compassion for Them

    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…

  • More Like The Father

    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…

  • THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE THIS…

    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…

  • “When You Pray…”

    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…

  • At What Cost?

    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…

  • Say Thank You

    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…

  • On World Communion Sunday

    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…