October 2, 2022 – Jonathan Chute, “Enough?”
Sermon: sermon
In this week’s gospel Jesus tells the disciples about the need for them to forgive each other as often as seven times a day. They respond with shock and horror at the impossibility of his request. If that’s what’s required to be a disciple, they’ll need more faith! But Jesus says that they don’t need “more” faith. They simply need to exercise the faith that is already theirs. It is, or ought to be, more than enough. Luke 17:3-10 is the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Enough?”
Scripture: scripture
October 9, 2022 – April Herron, “The Place to Be”
Sermon: sermon
Faith (having it and actualizing it) is one of the themes of Luke’s gospel. In the first sixteen chapters, Jesus is impressed with the faith of some friends who brought a paralyzed man to Jesus by lowering him through the roof; the faith of a Centurion who told Jesus, “Just say the word and my servant will be healed”; the faith of a woman who washed his feet with her tears; the faith of another woman who knew that if she could just touch the hem of his garment, she would become well.
This Sunday, we arrive at another story in which Jesus commends someone for their faith. Once again, it is not the sort of person typically considered admirable. Are we sure we understand what faith is? Luke 17:11-19 is our text. April’s sermon title is, “The Place to Be.”
Scripture: scripture
October 16, 2022 – Debra Shrader, “Where Am I in This Story?”
Sermon: sermon
Those who gather for the morning will hear a parable that shows
what happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object. A widow brings a legal case to a judge who has no interest in justice. It is not clear whether he is lazy or corrupt – but he won’t lift a finger to help her. He refuses to act. But the widow refuses to let his inaction be the last word on the matter. He does not care for her. He has no respect for God. But the unjust judge finally gives in simply because the woman wears him out. Luke 18:1-8 is the text for Debra’s sermon, “Where Am I in This Story?”
Scripture: scripture
October 23, 2022 – Jonathan Chute, “Relatively Righteous”
Sermon: sermon
This week’s gospel continues a series of parables that cut against the grain of conventional righteousness. Jesus tells the story of two men who go to the temple to pray. In daily life, one of them does everything he’s supposed to do. Not only does he follow the rules, he goes above and beyond what the law requires. The other is a complete failure. He is a sinner and he knows it. But when the two men come before God in prayer, the results of their efforts are surprising. Luke 18:9-14 is the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Relatively Righteous.”
Scripture: scripture
October 30, 2022 – Jonathan Chute, “Looking Down on Jesus”
Sermon: sermon
In this week’s gospel Jesus receives hospitality from a most unlikely source, and resistance from those who should be his allies. He invites himself to dinner at the home of a well-known sinner, a man who literally goes out on a limb to see him. But his reception in one home causes a problem for others – why should Jesus associate with the likes of Zacchaeus? Luke 19:1-10 is the text for Jonathan’s sermon, “Looking Down on Jesus.”
Scripture: scripture
