In today’s Gospel reading (Luke 24:13-35), Cleopas shares the news of Jesus to a friend, who was skeptical. However, when they meet the 11 disciples, he believes. Cleopas was a witness to the resurrection.
When Oconee Street UMC burned down in 2013, smoke was still billowing from the church when members began work on rebuilding plans, and the Our Daily … Read the rest
Sometimes it’s difficult to believe what’s in the Bible. In Acts 3:1-16, Luke tells us the story of how Peter healed a man “lame from birth” simply by telling him, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up an walk.”
In 2017, with our scientific and medical knowledge, how are we supposed to believe that this actually happened. … Read the rest
Today is Pentecost, which marks the coming of the Holy Spirit unto the disciples, empowering them to spread the word of God across nations.
Although we celebrate Pentecost every year, many of us feel like we have few – if any – “Pentecostal moments” — that inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In order for these moments to happen, Luke tells … Read the rest
Why did Jesus look favorably upon the tax collector? Because he understood something that even the most devout Jews of the time didn’t understand. The tax collector’s humbleness in knowing he was falling short, and recognizing the need to work harder to be a disciple. Because being a Christian is not about the drama of conversion, but rather the drudgery … Read the rest
In Luke 17:11-19, we learn that of the 10 lepers Jesus healed, one of them returned. What did that leper see in Jesus that the others did not? Luke notes that this leper was Samaritan. That distinction is key, because Samaritans were specifically forbidden from the Temple. However, this Samaritan saw Jesus in way that most “religious people” did not. … Read the rest
It’s easy to look at the rich man in Luke 16:19-31 with judgement for his poor treatment of Lazarus.
But do we treat the Lazarus’ that exist in our life any differently? Do we truly practice what we preach? Do we treat every person as a child of God? Pastor Joe imagines how the conversation between the rich man and … Read the rest
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager is one of the more confusing parables in the Bible. On the surface, it seems strange that Jesus would praise the manager who wasted his possessions. But this parable is really about not accumulating our worldly possessions. We live in two worlds — this world and the world of Jesus. May God help us … Read the rest
We all know the parable of The Prodigal Son. It’s easy to pass judgement on the brother, who seemingly was ungrateful about his brother’s return, and jealous about his brother’s favorable treatment by his father.
But what is the real story of the brother? Why was he really upset? Pastor Joe Gunby tells us …
Sermon
The Word in Song: … Read the rest
The parable of the lost sheep makes no sense to many of us. Why would the shepherd put so much effort into that one sheep, when he has 99 sheep to account for? In God’s eyes, everyone is important. And God seeks every single person. And like the joy the shepherd had when he found the lost sheep, God is … Read the rest
Why is Jesus so concerned with manners? He’s always telling his disciples where to go, when to leave, how to act, and most importantly, who to eat with.
The mystery of faith as much to do with manners as it does belief.
Sermon
“Manners and Mysteries”
Sermon by The Rev. Joe Gunby
Luke 14:1, 7-14
Aug. 28, 2016