Tag Archives: prophets

A Prophet’s Welcome – Sermon on Matthew 10:40-42

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June 28, 2020 (Pentecost A +4)
Watch on Vimeo.

“Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me,” Jesus says to his disciples, “and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” (Matthew 10:40)

We like to think we would welcome Jesus if he showed up on our doorstep, don’t we? We would recognize him immediately, and we’d usher him into our homes with joy. More than likely, we’d find some way to set out a meal for Jesus, knowing that good food usually makes for good conversation, and the gospels all tell us that Jesus liked to eat with people.

But what if Jesus showed up at your door when the larder was empty? What if the beds weren’t made and the place was a mess? What if there was no place for Jesus to sit, because every seat was piled high with newspapers, unfolded laundry – stuff… you get the idea. What if you hadn’t dusted or vacuumed in weeks, and there were dirty dishes in the sink? What would your welcome to the King of Kings look like then? Continue reading →

Advent Two – A warning for worship

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You’ll get the sermon here around noon (CDT) today, but in the meantime, know that lots of people pray for worship every week, and one of those is Martha Spong. Here is a link to her prayer for pastors this cold, cold morning. The roads are treacherous for so many this second Sunday of Advent, but the Word of the Lord looks even more daunting, in some ways. Prophets always tell the truth, and the truth is often something we’d rather not hear.

So whether you travel (drive carefully, as if there is a raw egg between your foot and the accelerator!) or turn on a television broadcast of worship today, be alert for the unexpected. And know that, whatever our expectations, God will show up in surprising ways. See you at church….