Stop and Smell the Cocoa
Anette & Jackie Wright
December 9, 2019
Matthew 6:30-34 (NKJV)
Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we … Read the rest
The “Parable of the Talents” (Matthew 25:14-30) is often one of the stories people who are disaffected with Christianity use to criticize our faith. And at a surface glance, that criticism is warranted. What kind of master gets mad when his servant attempts to save and preserve what is given to him?
But the parable is not about saving or … Read the rest
The wise men were just nine miles off the mark of finding the location of the birth of Jesus. Their astrological knowledge led them to Jerusalem, where they naturally thought the “king” would be born. However, when learning Herod had know knowledge of a new king, the wise men consulted Scripture, which led them to the humble town of Bethlehem.… Read the rest
Jesus makes it clear that eternal life depends not just on what we believe, but also what we do. He tells us to be hospitable, but this isn’t about inviting friends over to dinner.
Hospitality accepts the limits of hostility. Genuine hospitality is an openness to those people and ideas to which we are hostile. Practicing this type of hospitality … Read the rest
Jesus was often accused by church elders of violating Jewish law — for instance, healing on the Sabbath. This should not be interpreted that Jesus did not support laws. In Matthew 22: 34-40, Jesus said the two most important laws are to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. If these two laws are followed, then everything else … Read the rest
In the Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Matthew 22:1-14), Jesus tells the story of a king who ordered his servants to go out and invite anyone and everyone to a wedding banquet for his son. However, when the king finds one man at the party not dressed in the attire provided him, the king casts him out.
Just like the … Read the rest
For most of us, we can sympathize with the frustration of the workers in The Parable of the Vineyard Workers (Matthew 20: 1-16). Our American and Protestant work ethic tell us that if you work longer hours, if you work harder, then you should get more pay. It’s not fair that someone who shows up later than us gets the … Read the rest
In the parable of the two sons, Jesus tells the story of two brothers and their interactions with their father, who asked them both to work in the vineyard. One son said “no,” but later changed his mind and did the work. The other son said, “yes,” but never did the work.
Jesus said it is the son that did … Read the rest
In the Parable of the 10 Bridesmaids (Matthew 25: 1-13), Jesus tells the story of five bridesmaids who did not bring extra oil for their lamps, and five bridesmaids who came prepared with extra oil. With the groom running late, by the time he appeared for the celebration, the five bridesmaids without extra oil needed to get more, and they … Read the rest
Sermon
“Costly Pearls and Serotinous Cones”
Sermon by The Rev. Joe Gunby
Matthew 13: 44-53
Sept. 17, 2017