Proper 28 (C): Window of Opportunity

In our text today, Peter, James and John ask three questions: 1) When will the temple be destroyed? 2) What will be the sign of His coming? 3) What will be the end of the age? Our Lord's reply is what we today call "The Olivet Discourse" and is expanded in Matthew 24 and 25.

Proper 27 (C): The Big Question

I recently had a conversation with a young self-proclaimed Pluralist. We sat at a small, wrought iron table outside a coffee shop discussing life. He boasted of his ability to think freely about the universe, and he tenaciously opposed the possibility that truth was anything other than relative to the individual.

Proper 25 Ministry Readiness

I remember that as I was growing up, my parents went deer hunting each fall at Sportsman's Haven, leaving my brother and me at home. Hearing about the hunting lodge and cabins always seemed so exciting. Then one summer, Dad said we were taking a family vacation there. On the trip we frequently asked, "Are we there yet?" Finally we turned onto a dirt road, and Dad announced, "It's at the end of the road." What excitement! Similarly, Paul reached the end of his road. As he did, he encouraged his friend Timothy with two key truths about ministry readiness.

Proper 24 Preaching God’s Word

The American Psychological Association Manual is the format for writers within the social sciences. It instructs authors that when citing a source, always put the date of publication immediately following the source's name. The premise is that the most recent documents are the most important. However, some old sources maintain credible (i.e., the Bible reigns supreme). Paul knew that and encouraged Timothy to remember this foundational truth. Paul reminded him of two critical principles in ministry related to God's Word. We Must Persist in God's Word (3:14-17). We need to remember what to do and why to do it.

Proper 23 The Grateful Leper

Our passage today helps us assess our gratitude as it points out certain characteristics essential in developing an attitude of gratitude. These lepers help us see ourselves and where we are on the "G.Q." ladder. The take-home principle in this story is: Gratitude to Jesus deepens as our awareness of spiritual estrangement becomes personal. Three key words unfold the story of the Grateful Leper.

Proper 22 Faithing the Giants

Our passage today deals with two giants that seriously attack our faith: unforgiveness and pride. Although battling these giants is not as glamorous as public displays of faith such as healing or prophecy, they are critical and cannot be defeated without an infusion of faith. You could say our only hope for victory is not by facing the giants, but by faithing the giants.

Proper 21 Dead Men Don’t Lie

Our passage brings us face to face with His most specific anecdotal teaching on death, which lies ahead for all humans. He gives us a firsthand account of two who died and what it was like. According to Jesus, there are only two options: heaven and hell. As we look at the eyewitness account, we will be confronted with four facts about hell. Remember, dead men don't lie.

Proper 20 Keeping Up Appearances

This parable is a rogues' gallery of contemptible characters. The absentee landlord who takes no responsibility for the direct oversight of that which has been entrusted to him, the shrewd steward who embezzles and then draws would-be debtors into his labyrinth of deception-and their willingness to go along. All in all, the canon would have been just fine without these cameo appearances.

Proper 19 Reckless Reclamation

Ah, the Sunday after Labor Day. This is the first time since the beginning of summer break that some of you have been in worship. I was tempted to examine today's readings, which threaten with the ongoing judgment of God (Jer. 4:11-12, 22-28), rebukes false worship-golden calf or golden tan (Ex. 37:7-14) and challenges us to hear the call to repentance (Ps. 51:1-10).

Proper 18 Who Calculates the Cost?

What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus? Why do we follow Him? The early 20th century hymn "It Pays to Serve Jesus" includes the refrain: "It pays to serve Jesus, it pays every day / It pays every step of the way / Though the pathway to glory may sometimes be drear / You'll be happy each step of the way."