Every week, our pastor writes a short piece about the gospel reading prescribed by Revised Common Lectionary.
The intent of the article is to give you something to contemplate. Maybe even a new way of looking at the reading. Perhaps you might make a new connection to Jesus and his word of life.
These are designed to enhance or add to your experience from a sermon, by our pastor, or your pastor.
Engage in the word of God manifested in the Son.
10/22/23 Matthew 22:15-22 Gospel Message from Pastor William The church leaders try to entrap Jesus again. This time, it is a question about paying taxes. But Jesus turns the focus back on them by asking them to produce the coin with which they pay their taxes – note that there are two types of […]
10/15/23 Matthew 22:1-14 Gospel Message from Pastor William Jesus tells a parable about how those who were invited to a wedding banquet, but rejected the invitation; which upsets the king who invited them. The king goes on to tell his slaves to go invite everyone, “both good and bad”, to come. Jesus invites all […]
10/08/23 Matthew 21:33-46 Gospel Message from Pastor William Jesus speaks to the church leaders, trying to get them to understand that it is their duty to expand the kingdom of God. Those church leaders were more focused inward; to keeping God’s love and compassion for themselves. So too today, too many church leaders focus […]
10/01/23 Matthew 21:23-32 Gospel Message from Pastor William Jesus tells a parable in an attempt to teach the chief priests and elders what God wants from them. But the church leaders didn’t see that Jesus was asking them to go work in the vineyard. He wanted them to care for God’s creation, not just […]
09/24/23 Matthew 20:1-16 Gospel Message from Pastor William I’m convinced that life-long Christians are reluctant to share the love and grace of Jesus with others because we are afraid they will get the same benefits we get. Don’t see that? Well, what is this parable about if not just that? Instead of being worried […]
09/17/23 Matthew 18:21-35 Gospel Message from Pastor William Jesus continues teaching about forgiveness (see last week’s Gospel Message on Matt 18:15-20) because Peter asks; How often should I forgive, as many as seven times? (seven symbolizes completeness). Jesus answers him; not just completely, but ten times completeness. Wow, that’s a lot, Jesus! Oh yes, […]
09/10/23 Matthew 18:15-20 Gospel Message from Pastor William Jesus teaches about forgiveness; he says that whatever we hold against somebody will always be held against them. That seems good, when we consider how much we dislike some people’s behavior. But, do we want others to hold us in contempt whenever we do something they […]
09/03/23 Matthew 16:21-28 Gospel Message from Pastor William Jesus tells Peter he is a stumbling block because he sets his mind on human things, not divine things. My oh my, Jesus could be talking about us. Consider how much of our day is spent thinking about God’s way of doing things, as compared to […]
08/27/23 Matthew 16:13-20 Gospel Message from Pastor William Jesus says to Peter; “and on this rock I will build my church.” The rock about which Jesus is speaking is not Peter (from the Greek, Petros, meaning, isolated stone.) Rather, the rock (from the Greek, petras, meaning bedrock or spiritual foundation) upon which Jesus will […]
08/20/23 Matthew 15:21-28 Gospel Message from Pastor William The Israelites refer to the Canaanite woman as a vicious dog, but Jesus refers to her in a term more like; faithful pet dog longing to be at her master’s side. Though Jesus’ disciples try to dismiss her, the woman demonstrates her belief that Jesus can […]
