Sermons
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“The Unjust God”
In this week’s parable, the unforgiving servant is a hypocrite of the worst sort. How could someone who received so much from his king go and treat his fellow servant so harshly? Within this story, Jesus teaches us something about God’s reign. Our debts, piled high as they are, can never be repaid, but God goes to the cross and takes the consequences for our sin. How can we in response go on living by this world’s bookkeeping ways? We, for the sake of Christ, are forgiven and that is that.
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“Futures Trading”
This Sunday we celebrate a “new to us” feast called Creation in Christ Sunday. Creation comes to us as a gift. In Christ, God is present in the places of creation that cry out for mercy. In the gifts of water, oil, bread, wine, and word we receive this God’s own life. On the other side of sin and death we partner with others in caring for all that God has made with reverence and awe.
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“Which Way Did He Go?”
Today’s gospel reading marks the point of no return. Peter just confessed Jesus as Messiah, but now fails to understand what that means. Peter, the rock, becomes a stumbling block. Jesus wants Peter, and us, to follow him. We are to take up the cross and deny ourselves. But what does that mean? Jesus doesn’t call us to do anything he won’t do. He takes on the powers on our behalf. Our task is to follow him to the cross, the wellspring of salvation and life.
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“Shaped Into The Rock”
In Matthew 16 Jesus asked the disciples who people say that he is. Even now we might give lots of different answers. Peter’s answer is different: Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. The one who comes all the way down to us and shares in our death and raise us to new life. Jesus calls us to follow beyond ourselves. Not even all the forces of evil will be able to thwart a community shaped by this word.