Seed for the Sower: Preaching Matters
"The role of preaching in the Church is not an appendix to the actual worship service itself, but an integral part of the proclamation of the faith. Orthodoxy does not relegate homiletics to second-class status but rather views this charisma as an opportunity to connect life with faith for the believers. This fact is verified in the history of the Church. For this reason, I have chosen to divide the contents of this book into two sections. Part I offers a brief historical survey of the role of preaching in the Church. Part II presents practical examples of a contemporary homiletic style." -From the author's preface
Contents
Preface |
p. xi |
Part I: Development of Preaching in the Orthodox Church |
|
Pentecost and the First Preachers |
p. 4 |
The Apostolic Period |
p. 5 |
The Apologists |
p. 7 |
The Golden Age of Preaching |
p. 9 |
The Pastoral and Preaching Presence of Basil the Great |
p. 9 |
The Pastoral and Preaching Presence of Gregory the Theologian |
p. 11 |
The Pastoral and Preaching Presence of John Chrysostom |
p. 13 |
Later Byzantine-Era Preachers |
p. 16 |
John of Damascus |
p. 16 |
Gregory Palamas |
p. 18 |
The Preaching Ministry of Kosmas Aitolos |
p. 20 |
The Collective Teachings of the Great Homilists |
p. 21 |
Part II: Selected Sermons |
|
Sermons for Fall |
|
Isolation and Community Life |
p. 27 |
Contemporary Atheism |
p. 30 |
Stewardship Sunday |
p. 32 |
The Parables of Jesus |
p. 35 |
Balancing Faith and Fear |
p. 37 |
A Song of Praise |
p. 39 |
The Beauty of Creation |
p. 41 |
St. Demetrius |
p. 44 |
Bread of Life (Thanksgiving) |
p. 47 |
Sermons for Winter |
|
A Baptismal Sermon |
p. 51 |
Bringing Orthodoxy to America (Sunday after Epiphany) |
p. 53 |
The Desert Fathers and Mothers |
p. 56 |
Super Bowl Sunday |
p. 58 |
A Holy Self-Esteem |
p. 60 |
Mother Teresa’s Spiritual Struggles |
p. 62 |
Astrology: An Orthodox Perspective |
p. 65 |
The Mystery of Suffering |
p. 67 |
Fasting |
p. 70 |
Sermons for Spring |
|
The Marathon Runner (Lent) |
p. 73 |
Keeping Faith and Lent |
p. 76 |
A Reflection on the Holy Cross (Third Sunday of Lent) |
p. 79 |
St. Mary of Egypt and Repentance (Fifth Sunday of Lent) |
p. 82 |
A Parade (Palm Sunday) |
p. 85 |
The Passover Seder (Palm Sunday) |
p. 87 |
Jesus in Gethsemane |
p. 90 |
Mother’s Day |
p. 92 |
Memorials of LIfe and Faith (Memorial Day) |
p. 95 |
Sermons for Summer |
|
Childlike vs. Childish |
p. 99 |
The Beheading of John the Baptist |
p. 102 |
An Overview of Church History |
p. 105 |
Orthodoxy and Evolution |
p. 107 |
The Unforgiving Servant |
p. 111 |
St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain on Spiritual Warfare |
p. 114 |
The Paraklesis Service |
p. 117 |
Are We Prepared for Death? |
p. 120 |
The Good Samaritan (On Compassion) |
p. 122 |
The Game of Life |
p. 125 |
Wedding Sermons |
|
Who’s the Boss? |
p. 129 |
The Three Gifts of Marriage |
p. 131 |
The Wedding Sacrifice |
p. 133 |
Eulogies |
|
A Saintly Life |
p. 135 |
The Great Commandment |
p. 138 |
The Virtue of Meekness |
p. 140 |
The Teacher |
p. 143 |
A Servant of God |
p. 145 |
Notes |
p. 147 |
Bibliography |
p. 153 |
About the Author |
p. 157 |
Product Description
Paperback: |
271 Pages |
Publisher: |
Holy Cross Orthodox Press |
ISBN: |
978-1-935317-20-3 |
Product Dimensions: |
9 x 6 |
Author: |
Alexander Goussetis |
Publication Year: |
2011 |