Sermons on After Pentecost

Head religion gets us self-justification; heart religion brings a serious self-searching and penitence.  Which do we practice?

What it means to not respect objective reality; a wild anarchic life.  Story of Peter Cartwright and the force conversion of a ferryman, the necessity of keeping at it.  “When it is hardest to pray, pray the hardest…”

One in ten knows how to say thank you; the Psalm speaks of being tested, hard, and coming out on the other side.  Leprosy was a death sentence, preceded by extreme social ostracization; ugly in every way, and justifiable dreaded.  And only one said thank you…

The Gospel will be the primary focus; servants who proceed rather matter-of-factly to do the work assigned them, it’s their job.

Who gets there?  Description from Angels in America, perhaps (pretty darned grim); God loves us throughout this life, into the next, where there is continuation and healing; after all, the unnamed rich man recognizes both Lazarus and Abraham… and his torment is self-inflicted in several different ways…

The manager in Jesus’ story was very smart – and very dishonest; we are familiar with corruption, bribery, and vileness; we are called to learn from this negative example.  GOOD stewards, honest managers…and an illustration today is going to be our own Trustees; solar, panels, community room, landscaping – using our resources to prolong our…

Paul the worst of all sinner; bringing invective and hatred, finding joy and love.  God refoicing over the lost sheep, the lost coin; sinners restored to love and grace, brought back from isolation into community.  I MAY tell the story of John Newton, the slave ship captain who wrote Amazing Grace, maybe, maybe…

Giving stuff up, giving relationships up, is hard – but it is part of the formative process God puts us through, so that we can be used by God.  Perhaps Labor negotiations (counting the cost)

We learn all the jobs, and let ourselves be promoted; we are to love and to serve, including when we are in leadership positions…