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LCH Sermons—Time after Pentecost (August and September) 2013
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Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 26/Michael and All Angels—September 29, 2013
Preacher: Pastor Angela Freeman
Lessons: Daniel 10:10–14; 12:1–3 | Psalm 103:1–5, 20–22 | Revelation 12:7–12 | Luke 16:19–31
Summary: Today’s Gospel about Lazarus and the Rich Man is not just about money, but we must take seriously Jesus’ message about caring for the poor. Since we call ourselves Christians, if we do not follow those teaching, we must either say that Jesus did not mean what he said or admit we just do not want to do what he said. The choices we make about our money show what is in our hearts. When we think only of ourselves, it is easy to pretend we do not need others or God. Then we miss out on God’s grace.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 25—September 22, 2013
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Jeremiah 8:18—9:1 | Psalm 79:1–9 | 1 Timothy 2:1–7 | Luke 16:1–13
Summary: Today’s Gospel is very confusing because Jesus praises the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. Like the stories of the Prodigal Son, which precedes this one, and Lazarus and the Rich Man, which follows, each involves a reversal of fortune. We need to remember that we live in a real world of violence and dishonesty, not a religious vacuum. We are called both to live as children of light and to live shrewdly in the promise that God is always with us. Like the manager, we should build up relationships—relationships that will advance the kingdom of God.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 24—September 15, 2013
Preacher: Pastor Angela Freeman
Lessons: Jeremiah 4:11–12, 22–28 | Psalm 51:1–10 | 1 Timothy 1:12–17 | Luke 15:1–10
Summary: In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells unbelievable stories about people searching for things they have lost. These stories show us the unbelievable love God has for us. The family of God is not divided into the lost and the righteous. We are all on the journey towards God. God is always searching us out and rejoicing that we are part of the family of God.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 23—September 8, 2013
Preacher: Pastor Angela Freeman
Lessons: Jeremiah 18:1–11 | Psalm 139:1–6, 13–18 | Philemon 1:1–21 | Luke 14:25–33
Summary: In today’s first lesson, Jeremiah talks about God as a potter. We know that the final product is not preordained; the potter’s skill will affect it, and so will the clay. We also know from other scripture that God wants us to sit with God at the wheel and be co-creators. Our ELCA motto is “God’s work our hands,” and our 25th anniversary logo tells us that we and the church are “Always being made New.” Our hands are holy, doing God’s holy work in creation. God places the clay in our hands and asks us what we will create.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 22—September 1, 2013
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Jeremiah 2:4–13 | Psalm 81:1, 10–16 | Hebrews 13:1–8, 15–16 | Luke 14:1,7–14
Summary: In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells his listeners to take the least important seat at a banquet so they may be invited to a better seat. He is reminding them that in the kingdom of God, we begin in humility and are invited to the most honored place in the presence of God. He also calls us to compassion and tells us to reach out to the poor, needy, and defenseless. The kingdom of God looks at the world differently, and we are invited to take every opportunity to invite people into the fellowship of the kingdom.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 21—August 25, 2013
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Jeremiah 1:4–10 | Psalm 71:1–6 | Hebrews 12:18–29 | Luke 13:10–17
Summary: Today’s familiar Gospel text about the woman who was bent over helps us understand our relationship with God. Many things in our lives keep us bent over and unable to stand up and see the world as it really is. We worry about our looks, money, security, energy use, technology, and fashion. They keep us bound up and bent over. Jesus calls us to be unbound so we can see things and people in a new and powerful way. Then we can see opportunities to serve and connect with people throughout the world.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 20—August 18, 2013
Preacher: Pastor Angela Freeman
Lessons: Isaiah 5:1–7 | Psalm 80:1–2, 8–19 | Hebrews 11:29—12:2 | Luke 12:49–56
Summary: Today’s Gospel is a difficult text because it does not show Jesus as “meek and mild.” Jesus calls people to live in peace under God’s law of love. And to achieve this goal, people need to repent and have a change of part. This kind of fundamental change will certainly lead to divisions. The peace of God is not meek and mild; it requires strength and fearlessness to be people of peace.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 19—August 11 2013
Preacher: Pastor Jeff Lilley
Lessons: Isaiah 1:1, 10–20 | Psalm 50:1–8, 22–23 | Hebrews 11:1–3, 8–16 | Luke 12:32–40
Summary: In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives lots of advice, but that advice is of little use if we don’t listen to the beginning when Jesus tells them not to be afraid because it is God’s pleasure to give us the kingdom. Jesus speaks in the present tense, telling us that God has already done everything, and the kingdom is ours. We need to be ready for God to live is us and to trust in the Holy Spirit, who is at work in us and doing wonderful and amazing things through us.
Time after Pentecost • Lectionary 18—August 4, 2013
Preacher: Pastor Angela Freeman
Lessons: Hosea 11:1–11 | Psalm 107:1–9, 43 | Colossians 3:1–11 | Luke 12:13–21
Summary: In today’s Gospel, it may seem that the rich man is convicted because of his many possessions, but the real point is different. God doesn’t hate wealth, but God hates the misuse of wealth. The temptation is to think that our wealth can take care of us so that we don’t need God. God desires a deep personal relationship with you and not your stuff.
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