Sermons

The sabbath is made for humanity,not humanity for the sabbath.That’s what Jesus saysnear the beginningof Mark’s gospel.Today in Luke,we have a different confrontationbetween Jesus and synagogue leadersabout the role of the sabbathin people’s lives.Early in Luke we’re toldthat as part of his deep Jewish devotionJesus was found in synagogueson the sabbath.Today is the last time

Today’s passage from the Letter to the Hebrewsis a continuation of last week’s passage.Does anyone remember the thesis,the text of Hebrews 11.1?Faith is the substance of things hoped for,the evidence of things not seen.The chapter goes on to recount the faiths –and infinite power of God –of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah.We concluded last

First century Jewish territorywas not a stable place.Jesus’ disciples, those who have chosen to follow him,those whom he’s addressing this week,lived during rocky times.Land that they had inhabited for centurieswas under occupation again —this time by the Romans.The society around themhad been shaped by the Greeks.Local leadership walked a fine line,or completely jumped over it,to

“ALL is Vanity”, But is it? Today’s Scriptures from the Lectionary (RSV). Thematically, the readings are about money, but more so about the lust for money (materialism) and the vanity of money. Our culture, in fact history, has been dominated by class, based upon material wealth Where the materially poor are seen as “less than”

Remember belovedthat Jesus has set his facetoward Jerusalem.He’s going to confrontthe religious and civil leaders.He’s sent out the 72.He’s debated scribesabout neighborliness.He’s said that listening to himis the better pathfor laborers in the vineyardwhile he is still with them.After all of that,the disciples want Jesusto teach them to pray. So far this hasn’t come upin

Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.Now Abraham and Sarah were both very old.Sarah was no longer menstruating.So Sarah laughed to herself, thinking,I’m no longer able to have childrenand my husband’s old.The Lord said to Abraham,“Why did Sarah laugh and say,‘Me give birth? At my age?’Is anything too difficult for the Lord?When I

It’s not enough.As Jesus has set his face to Jerusalem,going to confront the religious leadersand the empire,it’s not enough for Jesusto have given the right answer.He’s been rejected in a Samaritan villageand the 72 have come backable to heal in Jesus’ nameand even the demons submit to them.Jesus’ fame is growing,so a teacher wants to

Know this:the kingdom of God has come near.The harvest is plentiful,but the laborers are few;therefore ask the Lord of the harvestto send out laborers into his harvest.Go on your way. If you recall,last week Jesus set his faceto Jerusalem.He’s on that path still,and we’ll hear it for most of the summer.Last week he was rejected

In the name of the Father,and of the Son,and of the Holy Spirit.Amen.Please be seated. The language that Luke usesin today’s gospel textis not an accident.When he says,“He set his face to go to Jerusalem,”he’s communicating a resolve.Jesus knowsthat it’s time for him to be taken up —taken up on the crossand later taken up