Sermons on New Testament (Page 2)
A Great Chasm
The authorship of our scripture passages this Sunday span nearly a millennia. Even today, two thousand years after the gospel’s writing, we still see clear evidence of humans hoarding wealth. What are we to do with these reminders to notice and address inequality and injustice? Join us this today as we wrestle with both Amos and Luke.
Children of the Light
Today we will wrestle with one of Jesus’ most challenging parables, the parable of the dishonest steward. Jesus’ parables were designed to shock and surprise listeners into engagement and this parable is a perfect example. What do we do with these verses that seem to recommend a conniving and dishonest way of being in the world? How might we tease out the gist of Jesus’ advice for the “children of the light” as he points them…us…to learning a thing or two from the “children of this age?”
Search Party
Have you ever lost something and invested an over-the-top amount of time and energy to find it? If yes, you have a small glimpse into the heart of our searching God who is unrelenting when it comes to finding the lost. Who was Jesus talking about in these parables? Are we the ones who are lost, or the ones who seek, or are we the community that is called to rejoice when the lost are found? Or maybe a little bit of all three?
Seating Arrangements
In this week’s lectionary reading, Jesus helps us to see how opting into kin-dom living doesn’t necessarily happen in extraordinary moments in our lives. In fact it often happens in the most ordinary moments, including how we gather around tables. Today we get a glimpse into how that might have unfolded through the eyes of Sophia, a servant in the house of a prominent pharisee where Jesus was invited to dine.
Called To Create
Tim Adams takes us on a fascinating exploration of the creative spirit, both as an innate, vibrating aspect of God and as well as imbued in each of us as God’s creatures. Find out how string theory connects science and religion, and how the Biblical jeweler Bezalel sets an example of using God-given gifts to create beauty in the service of God.
Revival
Our lectionary reading this week invites us into the story of the “bent over woman.” How does this word from Jesus revive our spirits and the soul of our weary world?
Disturbing the Peace
We know Jesus to be the one who brings peace—shalom—to the world. Why on earth would Jesus say he comes to bring division? Is there any guidance or good news to glean from Jesus’ words?
Faith Journeys
All of us have embarked on a journey of faith that has somehow changed and shaped our lives. Our text from Hebrews this week invites us to contemplate our faith journeys, remembering from whom we’ve come, giving thanks for what sustains us on the way and looking forward to that which continues to beckon us on down the road.
May Blessings Flow
Today we contemplate our stuff! As children of God, as members of God’s commonwealth, how do we think about our possessions? What’s the difference between “possessions” and “treasures” and how does Jesus help us around “spiritual congestion” in order to let God’s blessings flow?
In Jesus’ Name
Today’s scripture passage invites us into a reflection on prayer. In this passage from Luke, Jesus teaches the disciples not only what to pray, but how to pray. What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name? And what difference does it make to have prayer woven into the fabric of our lives?