10/26/14 – Jonathan Chute – “Like It”
Sermon: Jonathan Chute
This week, our gospel tells of another encounter with someone who wants to test Jesus. A lawyer asks him, “What is the greatest commandment?” It is a fairly straight question and Jesus gives him a fairly straight answer – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind.” But Jesus wants him to see that how we treat God and how we treat each other are two sides of the same coin. We cannot love God and ignore the needs of our neighbors. The text for Jonathan’s sermon is Matthew 22:34-40, and his title is “Like It.”
Scripture – Scripture
10/19/14 – Jonathan Chute – “Yes, AND…”
Sermon: Jonathan Chute
Our gospel for this Sunday includes one of the most often misunderstood sayings of Jesus. While he and the disciples are in Jerusalem a group of religious leaders tries to paint him into a corner. They ask him a question to which there is no easy answer, hoping that he will stumble. The question is about taxes, a very hot topic in the Roman occupied city. He finds a way to turn the question around, leaving us with an even more important question to ponder. The text for Jonathan’s sermon is Matthew 22:15-22, and his title is “Yes, AND…”
Scripture – Scripture
10/12/14 – Earl Butler – “More Than You Bargained For”
Sermon: Earl Butler
The scripture this Sunday is from Leviticus 26:3-6. God promises the people peace in the land where they will be living. But the promise of peace is dependent on their following the commandments which God has given them to live by. In our gospel lesson Jesus offers a much broader sense of peace – one with no strings attached – as he delivers his final message to the disciples on the night of the Last Supper in John 14:25-27. This week we welcome our Lay Leader Earl Butler as our guest speaker and his sermon title is “More Than You Bargained For.”
Scripture – Scripture
10/05/14 – Jonathan Chute – “RSVP”
Sermon: Jonathan Chute
In our gospel Jesus describes the kingdom of God as a great wedding feast. He tells the story of a king who invites guests to share in the happy occasion. But on the day of the wedding those who were invited decide that they are too busy to come. But they’re not just busy – they are rude and aggressive as well. They even beat and kill some of the king’s servants! Despite their hostility and violence, the king is determined to hold his party. He will not let them cancel the celebration. He sends other servants out to invite anyone they can find. By the end of the parable everyone is invited. But if you don’t want to be there you don’t have to come – and you don’t get to stay. The text for the sermon is Matthew 22:1-14, and Jonathan’s sermon title is “RSVP.”
Scripture – Scripture
