18th Sunday after Pentecost Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32; Psalm 25:1-9; Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32 The Lectionary brings to us this Sunday a challenge to Jesus' authority. The 21st chapter of Matthew begins with the triumphal entry to Jerusalem and the raucous it causes. By the 10th verse, the non-disciples in Jerusalem ask, who is this? Next, …
The Word This Sunday – 09.24.23
17th Sunday after Pentecost Jonah 3:10--4:1; Psalm 145:1-8; Philippians 1:21-30; Matthew 20:1-16 There is profound and uplifting spiritual power in the revelation that God has no pleasure in the death of anyone, even the unrighteous. God wants all his peoples to live (Ezek. 18:32, 33:11). This scriptural reality – brought to us by the lectionary …
Sermon 09.10.23 – Divine Mediations
The Word This Sunday – 09.10.23
15th Sunday after Pentecost Ezekiel 33:7-11; Psalm 119:33-40; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20 Jesus' promise in Mathew 18:20 provides scriptural evidence to the affirmation that Jesus is present in any space where the Holy Spirit gathers the communion of saints. We can certainly expect his presence not only in times of celebration but also in crisis …
Sermon 09.03.23 – Against Cancel Culture
The Word This Sunday – 09.03.23
14th Sunday after Pentecost Jeremiah 15:15-21; Psalm 26:1-8; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28 Last Sunday's recognition from Peter about who Jesus is collides today with his expectation of how Jesus should operate and what Christ was meant to accomplish. I suspect Peter's impulse to oppose the mission of the savior of the world (Matthew 16:22) came …
Bridging Faith 