Many of you know the classic comedy sketch routine from the comedians Abbott and Costello called “Who’s on First?” It dates back to the 1940s, but I watched it on Youtube this past week, and it’s still brilliant. Someone is trying to explain to a baseball player that the other players on the team have … read
Before I read today’s scripture lesson, I want to remind you of something you already know: Jesus is not an economist. This is a story about the kingdom of God, not about how a person should run a business. “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning … read
18I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the … read
A friend of mine, a pastor in Chicago, gave me a wonderful gift when I was new in ministry. I frequently felt like I was carrying the burdens of the world on my shoulders. But she reminded me that the calling to ministry is not about curing the world’s ills. It is about being rooted … read
14What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? 15If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not … read
No one reads sermon titles anymore; nevertheless, I still give my sermons a title. On the off chance that you read this title, I want to be clear, it’s not just me who doesn’t want to preach this sermon. No one wants to preach this sermon. If you were considering awarding preaching medals to the … read