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Parable of the Last Judgement

3/23/2015

Sunday March 22, 2015
Fifth Sunday in Lent
GOSPEL: Matthew 25:31-46
Sermon Title: Final Messages
Reflection on the Text
On the heels of the past few weeks’ texts, this text seems to become very specific about the kinds of work God desires from us in the world. Earlier texts lift up how the giver of gifts intends to be generous and grace-filled. The next texts encourage a grateful response to such gifts. Here Jesus lays out specifically how we are to respond gratefully and gracefully: by loving and caring for those who cannot care for themselves. God’s gifts are not only for the benefit of those to whom they are given, but so that the receiver might in turn be a blessing to others.

Parable of Wedding Banquet

3/16/2015

March 8, 2015
GOSPEL: Matthew 21:45-46 & 22:1-14

Parable of Wedding Banquet
Sermon Title: Seizing and Killing

Reflect
The king in the parable of the wedding banquet was a generous king, but also one who refused to be taken advantage of. Initially he invited family and friends to the banquet, but they would not come. This may have been a parallel to the Jewish leaders who refused to walk in God’s ways, even as they were claiming to do just that. The king then invited everyone to come, perhaps an open invitation from God to come into God’s kingdom. A twist near the end shows one man, improperly dressed for the banquet, thrown out of the party. This may have been to indicate that God’s people were expected to behave in a manner fitting of guests of the king; to treat one another with kindness and respect.

Triumphal Entry

3/9/2015

Sunday, March 8, 2015
Matthew 21:1-2, 6-16, & 23-32

Reflection on the Text
Even before his arrival, Jesus’ reputation frightened those in the city. The people celebrating Jesus had no idea that he was headed toward torture and death. No matter how hard people have tried to understand Jesus and his purpose, there is always a mystery about him. What would happen if we stopped trying to put Jesus in a box, and allowed the mystery to open our hearts and minds to new possibilities?

Laborers in the Vineyard

3/2/2015

March 1, 2015
Matthew 20:1-16
Parable of laborers in vineyard

Our sense of fairness is challenged in this parable. Many of us have been raised to believe we get what we earn. To imagine someone else might receive what we receive for having earned far less challenges our sensibilities.

But what if we are not the laborer who has earned a day’s wage? What if we are the laborer who cannot possibly work hard enough or long enough to earn a day’s wage? Perhaps Jesus was teaching here that God offers love more abundantly than anyone can possibly earn.

Recorded Worship

Parable of the Last Judgement

Parable of Wedding Banquet

Triumphal Entry

Laborers in the Vineyard

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