What If What They Say Is True?: First Lesson Sermons for Sundays after Pentecost (Middle Third) Cycle C

Since much of the prophetic literature of the Old Testament is distant and difficult, preachers often neglect it in favor of more direct and easy-to-preach New Testament passages. But John Wurster maintains that for those willing to look a little more closely, these texts from the Revised Common Lectionary offer interesting and rich homiletical possibilities. His sermons listen to those ancient preachers and produce a fresh harvest of meaning for our time. They are full of penetrating insights that will be useful for sermon preparation or for study groups working on these often overlooked texts.

These thoughtful sermons on the great prophetic texts bring the message of the prophets home to our own time. John Wurster is faithful to the biblical word, unflinching in his critique of our culture, and unceasing in his proclamation of the true word of hope.

Thomas G. Long

F.L. Patton Professor of Preaching and Worship

Princeton Theological Seminary

John Wurster's sermons give new and surprisingly fresh life to the ancient and sometimes jagged words of the Old Testament prophets. Wurster is true to the biblical texts and to the lived realities of everyday life. These are well-honed sermons about large issues -- life and death, God and grace, conflicts and questions, love and faithfulness, heaven and earth. Read them, meditate on them, and let God touch your soul.

Dennis T. Olson

Associate Professor of Old Testament

Princeton Theological Seminary

John W. Wurster is a graduate of Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas (summa cum laude) and Princeton Theological Seminary. Currently the associate pastor of Market Street Presbyterian Church in Lima, Ohio, Wurster is also a D.Min. candidate at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He has previously served congregations in Texas, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.