Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 • Deuteronomy 34:1-12 • 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 • Matthew 22:34-46
The theme for this week is how to minister to others in spite of yourself. Psalm 90 teaches us that we need to have a foundation of humility before we begin ministering to others. The examples of the prophet Moses and Joshua are offered in Deuteronomy 34, and they’re praised for being full of wisdom and knowing God “face to face.” Matthew summarizes the two Great Commandments of the law, which are helpful in guiding all interactions. Our sermon text, found in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, allows us to consider the lessons Paul learned about effective ministry and how we might apply them today.
Effective Ministry Is Not About You
1 Thessalonians... Read the article
Read the article
Psalm 99:1-9 • Exodus 33:12-23 • 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 • Matthew 22:15-22
This week’s theme is the amazing effect of God’s address. The call to worship Psalm is an enthronement psalm that celebrates God’s rule over the earth and his response to those who cry out to him. The Old Testament reading from Exodus records Moses’ desire to see God’s glory to which God responds by providing divine protection in the cleft of a rock. Paul’s introduction to his letter to believers in Thessalonica contains a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s work in this new founded church. The Gospel reading from Matthew records Jesus leaving the Pharisees dumbfounded in his response to their attempt to entrap him on a question about paying taxes... Read the article
Read the article
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 • Exodus 32:1-14 • Philippians 4:1-9 • Matthew 22:1-14
This week’s theme is the Lord’s favor. In our call to worship Psalm, David considers the Lord’s favor that will be shown to his people. In Exodus, the Lord shows his favor to the Israelites despite their unfaithfulness to him. In the letter to the Philippians, Paul writes of several co-workers who are favored by God in having their names written in the book of life. And in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus gives a parable of a generous king who shows his favor by inviting everyone to his son’s wedding feast.
Have We Lost Our Minds?
Philippians 4:1-9 (NIV)
Mark Twain once wrote, Of all the things I have lost, I miss my mind the most.1 While we can laugh... Read the article
Read the article
Psalm 19:1-14 • Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 • Philippians 3:4b-14 • Matthew 21:33-46
This week’s theme is the incomparable gift of knowing Christ. The call to worship Psalm declares the value of God’s perfect law as more desirable than fine gold. The Old Testament reading from Exodus follows properly with the giving of the Ten Commandments. The text from Philippians presents Paul counting all things as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus. The Gospel reading from Matthew presents a parable that boldly confronts those who reject Jesus, bringing great peril to themselves.
What Do You Value Most?
Philippians 3:4b-14 (ESV)
What do you value most? That is an unavoidable question that will surface from our... Read the article
Read the article
Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 • Exodus 17:1-7 • Philippians 2:1-13 • Matthew 21:23-32
The theme for this week is the problem of expectations. Psalm 78 recounts the miracles of the exodus, and when we read of the miracles God performed there, we can wonder why we don’t see similar miracles today. Exodus 17 offers the example of the Israelites’ grumbling when there was no water, basing their belief in God’s presence (or lack of it) on their external circumstances. We’re a lot like them. The gospel reading from Matthew 21 provides another example where Jesus did not meet the expectations of the chief priests and elders. Our sermon text, found in Philippians 2:1-13, explores how differently the kingdom of God works in the world by... Read the article
Read the article
Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 • Exodus 16:2-15 • Philippians 1:21-30 • Matthew 20:1-16
As we continue in Ordinary Time, a time of focusing on how we can participate in the work Jesus is doing in the world, it is important for believers to acknowledge that we can do nothing apart from Christ himself. This week’s theme is Jesus is life. The psalmist reminds us to be grateful to God by recounting the ways in which he kept Israel alive in the desert. Similarly, the Exodus passage tells the story of how God gave miraculous manna and quails to the Israelites for food. In Philippians, Paul expressed his preference to give up his life if it meant being completely with Christ. Finally, in Matthew, Jesus told a parable to illustrate how believers... Read the article
Read the article
Psalm 114:1-8 • Exodus 14:19-31 • Romans 14:1-12 • Matthew 18:21-35
The theme for this week is the power of loving acceptance, and as we consider the RCL texts, we can see how both receiving and giving loving acceptance is one of the foundational components of a life of faith. Psalm 114 provides the response of gratitude to the story of the exodus from Egypt, as told in the next reading, Exodus 14. The story of Israel’s deliverance from the Egyptian army shows how belief in God stems from knowing God’s acceptance, care, and concern. The passage in Matthew reveals the connection between our ability to forgive and our trust and belief that we have been forgiven for our own shortcomings. Our sermon text comes from Romans 14, which... Read the article
Read the article
Psalm 149:1-9 • Exodus 12:1-14 • Romans 13:8-14 • Matthew 18:15-20
As we continue with Ordinary Time, a season of focusing on how we can participate in the work Jesus is doing in the world, followers of Christ will inevitably come across those who have set themselves against the movement of God. It is important to understand that God is just and deals with wrongdoing. At the same time, Christians are still expected to love others, even those who behave badly. The theme for this week is loving others and trusting God to be just. In the Psalm passage, we read how God himself judged and opposed the nations that made themselves enemies of Israel. In Exodus, we see the institution of the Passover, which includes a judgment upon Egypt... Read the article
Read the article
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c • Exodus 3:1-15 • Romans 12:9-21 • Matthew 16:21-28
This week’s theme is God’s concern and care for us. In our call to worship Psalm, the psalmist reminds us to remember the wonders that God has performed on our behalf. In the book of Exodus, God speaks to Moses, letting him know that he has heard the cries of his people and will act on their behalf. In the gospels, Matthew records Jesus telling Peter that the concerns of God are far above Peter’s own concerns, and in Romans, Paul admonishes the Roman church to be concerned for one another after the pattern of Christ’s concern for us.
Overcoming Evil With Good
Romans 12:9-21 (NIV)
Over the past 15 years, we have witnessed a significant rise in... Read the article
Read the article
Psalm 124::1-8 • Exodus 1:8-2:10 • Romans 12:1-8 • Matthew 16:13-20
This week’s theme is individual and communal callings. The call to worship Psalm is a communal thanksgiving song in response to God’s deliverance. The Old Testament reading from Exodus recounts the oppression of the Israelites by the Egyptians, and the beginning of God’s deliverance with the birth of Moses. The epistolary text in Romans carries the three themes of our relationship with God, our relationship with the world, and our relationship with fellow believers. In the Gospel reading from Matthew, we read of Peter’s revelation that Jesus is the Messiah, and Jesus’ revelation that Peter is the rock the church will be built on.
Mercies of Freedom
... Read the article
Read the article
