Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Exodus 16:2-15
  • Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Jonah 3:10-4:11
  • Psalm 145:1-8
• Second reading
  • Philippians 1:21-30
• Gospel
  • Matthew 20:1-16

The gospel from Matthew:
Jesus said “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went.

When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’

When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage.

Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’

But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Sermon:
Pastor Stevenson often ponders over a unified theme for the three readings each week. Today there is no question as to a unified theme. In the gospel from Matthew the workers grumbled against the landowner. Yes, people grumbIe. In the first reading Jonah grumbled. The Syrians however were awful. For example, they would tie prisoners to a chariot by a ring through the nose. But Jonah has understanding. The parable in Matthew is accurate, as it was customary for slaves to be paid the same. We have all been in the workplace and seen freeloaders get full pay. In our gospel reading the vineyard represents Israel and the owner God. It is about God’s goodness. Why are people envious of God being generous? The translation of the text in Greek was “why look at me with evil eye because I was good?” The translation to English, “are you envious because I am generous?,” is correct. It cuts to the heart of the matter. Jesus is challenging his listeners to a mission. Pastor continues in speaking on this
mission. ………….

# # #

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Exodus 14:19-31
  • Psalm 114 or Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 50:15-21
  • Psalm 103:(1-7), 8-13
• Second reading
  • Romans 14:1-12
• Gospel
  • Matthew 18:21-35

The gospel from Matthew:
Then Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?”

Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt.

But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt.

When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place.

Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt.

So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Sermon:
Our scripture lessons can be difficult. There are issues in today’s gospel. Luther taught that the Word contains both Law and Gospel. This week’s parable is rich in detail. It tells the nature of God. We have seen people like the slave who was forgiven but did not forgive. Forgiveness comes from the heart. A German Nazi SS helped to round up Jews, put them in a building, set it on fire, and shoot anyone coming out. Then this SS man asked for forgiveness. What would you do? It is a strong command in the Gospel that says have mercy on your accused as God has mercy on you. Good works is necessary. The Law gives us these works. Pastor Stevenson continues his sermon on forgiveness ………….

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Exodus 12:1-14
  • Psalm 149
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Ezekiel 33:7-11
  • Psalm 119:33-40
• Second reading
  • Romans 13:8-14
• Gospel
  • Matthew 18:15-20

The alternate first reading from Ezekiel:
So, you mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, “O wicked ones, you shall surely die,” and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but their blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from their ways, and they do not turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but you will have saved your life.

Now you, mortal, say to the house of Israel, Thus you have said: “Our transgressions and our sins weigh upon us, and we waste away because of them; how then can we live?” Say to them, As I live, says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?

Psalm 119
Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.

Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.

Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain.

Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.

Confirm to your servant your promise, which is for those who fear you.

Turn away the disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.

See, I have longed for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life.

The second reading from Romans:
Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy.

Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

The gospel from Matthew:
“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.

Sermon:
Pastor Stevenson this summer has learned more about how the lectionaries are chosen. The psalms provide insight. There is richness in them. They fit a theme. Today’s Psalm 119 has sections numbered with Hebrew numerals. Verse 33 reads “Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end.” In the Old Testament reading we read “Oh wicked ones, you shall die.” This year in Joliet, Illinois, a church had been getting large financial gifts from one unidentified member. After 10 years, they found out that this member had used a Ponzi scheme to cheat investors, and the church owed back $417,000. It has left to pay $270,000 by November 15. If it is not paid the church building will likely be seized. Will the church survive? This is an example of a wicked member sinning against the others in our readings. In our second reading, Romans 13, Paul writes that law begins with the Ten Commandments and sums it up with “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Pastor Stevenson interprets these scripture readings further …………

# # #

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Exodus 3:1-15
  • Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Jeremiah 15:15-21
  • Psalm 26:1-8
• Second reading
  • Romans 12:9-21
• Gospel
  • Matthew 16:21-28

The first reading from Exodus:
Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.”

When the LORD saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

He said further, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. Then the LORD said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” He said, “I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.” But Moses said to God, “If I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you.'”

God also said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you’: This is my name forever, and this my title for all generations.

Sermon:
Our first reading from Exodus is important. In it in response to Moses’ questions, God says to Moses “I AM WHO I AM.” Here He gives His name and essence. This passage has been imported to the New Testament. It was translated from Hebrew to Greek, and God is the same God that speaks to Moses through the burning bush. Moses is uncertain when he asks “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh? …… What is the name?” God’s answer is positive, but ambiguous. Who, what or when are left not mentioned. In his message Pastor Stevenson continues on to help us understand. ………..

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Exodus 1:8-2:10
  • Psalm 124
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Isaiah 51:1-6
  • Psalm 138
• Second reading
  • Romans 12:1-8
• Gospel
  • Matthew 16:13-20

The gospel from Matthew:
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Sermon:
Pastor Stevenson tells us that words from the ending of our gospel reading today are imprinted on the dome of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican at Rome. This reading is important to Catholicism. Jesus orders his disciples to not tell anyone that He is the Messiah. An important 19th century author believes that Jesus made this request because the story of the Messiah is not yet told. Jesus is on the march to Jerusalem. The Crucifixion and Resurrection have not yet happened. Following this reading in Matthew is Jesus explaining to his disciples that He must be killed and on the third day rise from the dead and Peter taking Him aside and rebuking him. Then is verse 23 in which Jesus says “Get behind me Satan. You are a stumbling block.” God was revealed at the Cross……….Jesus is the Son of God.

# # #

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 45:1-15
  • Psalm 133
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
  • Psalm 67
• Second reading
  • Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
• Gospel
  • Matthew 15: 21-28

The first reading from Genesis:
Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it.

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.

And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest .God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there–since there are five more years of famine to come–so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.

And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.”

Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck.And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.

The gospel from Matthew:
Jesus went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.”

He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Sermon:
This Sunday Pastor Stevenson spoke on two of our readings as read side-by-side and how they interact. In Genesis, last week in our Old Testament reading, Joseph was sold because his brothers were jealous over a coat made for Joseph by their father Jacob. This week Joseph had them and their father in his hands. Joseph did not seek revenge; instead he took a broad view. He said “God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant of the earth and to save your lives …. and God has made me …lord of all Egypt.” In the gospel reading, Jesus’ not wanting to heal a child is His only biblical denial of a request in the Gospels. In His final exchange with the Canaanite mother of the tormented child, Jesus says “It is not fair …. to take the children’s food…” and then the mother says “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs …” God reaches beyond the community. Jesus says “Go tell all the nations and baptise all.” Pastor continues and tells us what we are to do.

##

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
  • Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • 1 Kings 19:9-18
  • Psalm 85:8-13
• Second reading
  • Romans 10:5-15
• Gospel
  • Matthew 14:22-33

The gospel from Matthew:
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.

And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Sermon:
Losses can come in waves, as they did this week for Pastor Stevenson. One loss was the death of a former professor, whom he fondly remembers as the kind professor who stood by him as he was doing thesis work at the time of conflict with a church synod. Our first reading this Sunday is the Joseph saga, which lacks kindness. It is an important story in that it explains Egypt’s involvement with the Israelites. Without Joseph there would be no Israel. We see the hand of God at work. No blood was shed as Joseph was sold into slavery. In our gospel reading in Matthew, the disciples become afraid. Peter was terrified as he began to sink in the water. Then Jesus kindly says “Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid.” Peter is being tested, Pastor continues……………

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 32:22-31
  • Psalm 17:1-7, 15
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Isaiah 55:1-5
  • Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21
• Second reading
  • Romans 9:1-5
• Gospel
  • Matthew 14:13-21

The gospel from Matthew:
Now when Jesus withdrew from a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick.

When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.”And he said, “Bring them here to me.”

Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.

And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 29:15-28
  • Psalm 105:1-11, 45b or Psalm 128
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • 1 Kings 3:5-12
  • Psalm 119:129-136
• Second reading
  • Romans 8:26-39
• Gospel
  • Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

The gospel from Matthew:
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.””The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad.

So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.”

And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

Sermon:
This week two of our readings are from Matthew’s gospel and Paul’s letters. Pastor Stevenson thinks Paul and Matthew are like two brothers who argue with each other. In his sermon Pastor refers to both: In Matthew is the parable of the mustard seed. Jesus is like the seed which becomes a bush in which birds eventually build nests. God sows just one seed, Jesus Christ, who becomes the bush. At the time of writing, God’s Israel would be restored. Different tribes would come back. All peoples would come. Jesus is the mustard seed. In his letter to the Romans Paul writes that nothing can separate us from Christ. Today’s hymn #29, Comfort, Comfort Now My People, an Advent hymn, (Lutheran Book of Worship, 1979) Pastor finds fitting this week’s parable perfectly……..

# # #

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK

• First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 28:10-19a
  • Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Wisdom of Solomon 12:13, 16-19 or Isaiah 44:6-8
  • Psalm 86:11-17
• Second reading
  • Romans 8:12-25
• Gospel
  • Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

The gospel from Matthew:
Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; When everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away, So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them, Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'”

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.

Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!

Sermon
Today’s gospel is often referred to as the Parable of Weeds among Weeds. It is a troublesome parable. The Greek translation in place of weed is a plant like wheat, but toxic. and cannot be used to make bread. In verse 29 the owner is telling his slaves to leave the weed and do not gather it, as you risk losing the harvest. The parables are often followed by an explanation, Pastor Stevenson points out, and he thinks the parable counsels patience. Christians live among others. The parable counsels against purification. It is hard to know who are Jesus’ followers, to know who is in and who is out. Matthew concludes that it is God’s business. We know that God is present. He is like the grower who cares for the wheat by leaving the weeds. Society is a complex mixture. Be patient………..