I have found a great appreciation for the book of Deuteronomy this week. This is a very ancient law book, now nearly three millennia old. Some of these laws feel strange and dated, such as practices for animal sacrifices, that they like lambs should not have blemishes. Don’t use mixed fibers and shellfish are an abomination. Others laws are remarkably relevant. Don’t eat dead animals you find on the ground. Appoint judges in every city who are impartial and who don’t take bribes. Hired workers should be paid fairly. Debts should be forgiven after seven years. Parts of the crop should be set aside for poor people. Here is a good one from Deut. 17:16 in case the people want a king:” He must not acquire many horses for himself, 17 And he must not acquire many wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away; also, silver and gold he must not acquire in great quantity for himself.” If we keep reading perhaps there is a verse about providing tax returns, but I haven’t read that far yet.
Author: toddweir1
Matthew 5:13-20 “Life Outside the Salt Shaker”
Jesus said we are to be the salt of the earth. Salt is one of the essential things for life that is often taken for granted and forgotten. You probably did not think much about salt this week, but consider how often you unknowingly use and need it. Salt is more than a condiment to … Continue reading Matthew 5:13-20 “Life Outside the Salt Shaker”
Matthew 4:12-23 “What is a Disciple to do?”
What would Jesus do? WWJD? I never bought the bracelet, but I do think this is a foundational moral question. If we want to be followers of Jesus. So, how do you think Jesus would have spent this inauguration weekend? Would Jesus have attended worship at the National Cathedral on Friday, proclaiming with Franklin Graham … Continue reading Matthew 4:12-23 “What is a Disciple to do?”
Isaiah 49:1-7 “More Light and Truth to Come”
Preaching this weekend in the shadow of Martin Luther King, Jr. always fills me with a mix of hope and of fear. Dr. King was the complete package; a gifted theologian whose thoughts and writings inspired; a second-generation black preacher formed in the passion and rythyms of the Gospel tradition, a person of immense courage … Continue reading Isaiah 49:1-7 “More Light and Truth to Come”
Matthew 3:13-17 “From Resolution to Revolution
It’s time to write some New Years' resolutions. (Get out a pen.) Where do I start? How about some exercise? I make that resolution every year. (Write down "Exercise four times a week.") That should do it. I think it is good to start with the body, if we can't tend the body, how will … Continue reading Matthew 3:13-17 “From Resolution to Revolution
Babies Born in Strange Places
Tomorrow, on Christmas Day, approximately 353,000 babies will be born worldwide, at the rate of one baby every 4.3 second. In one hour of a Christmas Eve service, 15,300 babies will be born while we sing about good news of great joy. Much like our Christmas story, babies come into the world in some of … Continue reading Babies Born in Strange Places
Luke 20: 27-38 “All Are Alive in God, so Keep Working It Out”
Sermon for Sunday, November 6, 2016 Jesus loved to argue. In Luke’s Gospel he argues about scripture, poverty, taxes, does God love foreigners, can rich people get to heaven. Jesus’s first great debate in Luke’s Gospel is at his Bar Mitzvah, at age 12, he got so caught up in debate at the Temple, his … Continue reading Luke 20: 27-38 “All Are Alive in God, so Keep Working It Out”
Luke 17:5-10 “Increase Our Faith”
Sermon preaching on October 2, 2016 World Communion Sunday Increase my faith, God. Life is so unfair. The world is so full of suffering. There are so much to be done and I don’t know where to start. I’m tired God, so increase my faith. I want to understand the point of all this, where … Continue reading Luke 17:5-10 “Increase Our Faith”
Luke 15:1-10 “Lost Together”
Let’s play with the numbers in this parable. What if not just one sad little lamb is lost and restored to the 99, but rather half the sheep are lost? What does the shepherd do if only 20 sheep are in view, or 10? How can you get the flock together again? Now that would … Continue reading Luke 15:1-10 “Lost Together”
Luke 15:1-10 “Becoming a Good Loser”
You can lose a lot of things. You can lose your mind, your memory or your marbles. Your confidence, self-esteem or your mojo. You may lose your way, your place or you can even lose face; Your reputation, self-respect, manhood or virginity. You can lose sleep, time or your prime. You may also fail, suffer … Continue reading Luke 15:1-10 “Becoming a Good Loser”
