Sermons on Matthew (Page 2)
The Laborers in the Vineyard
This Sunday we continue our sermon series on the parables of Jesus, guided by the book Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi by Amy-Jill Levine. In a fair world, everybody would get equal treatment. We would all get what we deserve and not get what we do not deserve. Yet, that is not always the case. This parable helps us to consider the issue of fairness from an economic point of view, but it also…
The Pearl of Great Price
Continuing our series on the parables of Jesus, this Sunday’s text describes a merchant who in his act of searching for many fine pearls found one precious pearl and sold everything to acquire it. He is no longer a merchant because he no longer has a trade or anything left besides his precious pearl. This is an example of extravagant discipleship, and many of us would not find ourselves doing the same thing. However, in recognizing God’s invaluable gift for…
The Kingdom of Heaven is Like Yeast
Continuing our series on the parables of Jesus, this Sunday’s text gives us images of growth and height. The yeast fills dough with air, makes it rise, gives it texture and richness. We seem to value these things! And yes, perhaps I’ve inflated this illustration (as preachers are wont to do), and in doing so perhaps have given it texture and richness. The short text for this Sunday is rich with imagery, in part because it is familiar. Scripture: Matthew…
How Does Science Relate to Faith?
This Sunday’s question addresses a topic long debated among scientists, theologians, philosophers, and more. The Church’s history is inconsistent in terms of how scientific theories have been viewed, and many wrestle even today with this question. With a background in molecular biology, Pastor Derek addresses this important question reminding us that science and faith are not necessarily incompatible with one another. Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5, 9-13, 20-21, 24-27; 2:4-9, 18-22 (NRSV)
How Do We Face Evil & Injustice?
We are nearing the end of this season of questions with just a few weeks to go. This week’s question comes from an LJUMC member who asks about our responsibility in standing up to bullies and bigots. As a spiritual community of faithful Christians, we might see this as our duty. We may also acknowledge that it is difficult to stand up to wrongdoing… Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20 (CEB)
Is Heaven Real?
Continuing our Questions That Matter series, we turn to a question that was asked in more than one form and has thus been synthesized into this: Is Heaven real? Our concept of eternal life is deeply rooted in sacred text, and I suggest it is intended to bring hope. But sometimes it is used to exclude. In this week’s message, we will consider the idea of eternal life, heaven, and who it’s for… Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46, Ephesians 1:15-23 (CEB)
What Does it Mean to be CALLED by God?
Our “Questions That Matter” series continues with a question about God’s call from our own Rev. John Fanestil, who experienced his unique call nurtured in the spiritual family of La Jolla UMC! Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38 (CEB)
Forever
This is our final week for our sermon series following The Lord’s Prayer. This final week, we conclude with a section generally included by most Protestants that is commonly known as a doxology: for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13 (NRSV), 1 Chronicles 29:11 (CEB)
Deliver Us
This week, we move to our penultimate service in our sermon series following The Lord’s Prayer, seeking God’s deliverance from all that tempts us. Just as we spoke last week about how we sometimes don’t realize that we are in need of forgiveness, I suggest it may be possible that we don’t realize when we are tempted. Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13 (GNT)
As We Forgive
This week we examine the concept of forgiveness. It may be worth noting that throughout this series on The Lord’s Prayer, we’ve chosen to read the Matthew text from a different translation each week. This brings us perspective as we read this prayer throughout the series. I hope that it is also illustrative for us as we remember the many ways Christians from different denominations say this prayer! All of this leads us to ask what we are seeking forgiveness…
Our Daily Bread
In the third week of our sermon series on the Lord’s Prayer, Pastor Lea asks what it means to ask God for “enough” when we live in a world of abundance, and how we can partner with God to share our abundance with others, that they might have enough. Scripture: Matthew 6:9-11 (CEB), John 6:30-31,35 (CEB)
On Earth as It Is in Heaven
This week we continue our series exploring the importance of the central teaching of The Lord’s Prayer. Pastor Lea explored the opening verse last week (find her sermon here), and this week we follow seeking God’s kingdom on earth as it is from heaven. It may be that we don’t know quite what we’re asking for when we pray this. Scripture: Matthew 6:9-10 (NLT), Luke 22:41-42 (CEB)