The readings for Pentecost 15 are taken from Ezekiel 33:7-9; Romans 13:1-10; and Matthew 18:1-20. Ezekiel records how God made him a watchman and sternly warned Ezekiel to warn the people. God held him responsible for warning the people and that removed any excuse the people might make for continuing in their wicked ways. Paul was … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Pentecost 15

The readings for Pentecost 14 are taken from Jeremiah 15:15-21; Romans 12:9-21; and Matthew 16:21-28. Jeremiah laments his solitude and the opposition of the people. He is perplexed.  If he is serving the Lord faithfully, why is he suffering so? Yet the enemy will not prevail, and God will be with Jeremiah to strengthen him and … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Pentecost 14

The readings for Pentecost 13 are taken from Isaiah 51:1-6; Romans 11:33—12:8; and Matthew 16:13-20. Today’s lessons follow last week—God continues to make clear that His people, the true children of Abraham, are those souls regenerated by His Word and Spirit (all human nature is corrupt the same and thus foreign to God). God’s people, then … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Pentecost 13

The readings for Pentecost 12 are taken from Isaiah 56:1, 6-8; Romans 11:1-2, 13-15, 28-32; and Matthew 15:21-28. Isaiah, Romans, and Matthew’s readings have a singular lesson for us: Who are the people of God? Human nature, materialistic and corrupted by Adam, wants to make claims on God on a material basis: “If I am a … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Pentecost 12

The readings for Pentecost 11 are taken from Job 38:4-18; Romans 10:5-17; and Matthew 14:22-33. Job’s ego was ever so restless in arguing his own cause and righteousness against his “friends” and against God. Notice how God shuts that ego down so that He can raise up Job’s regenerate soul and restore to Job more life … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Pentecost 11

The readings for Pentecost 10 are taken from Isaiah 55:1-5; Romans 9:1-13; and Matthew 14:13-21.  The intersection of the three lessons today contrasts the collapsed worldview of corrupt human nature with the infinite and generous worldview of God’s creation. Isaiah extends a unique invitation based in the green arc kingdom of God’s creation. Isaiah’s words crash into … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Pentecost 10

The readings for Pentecost 9 are taken from Deuteronomy 7:6-9; Romans 8:28-39; and Matthew 13:44-52. Deuteronomy records Moses reminding the Israelites of God’s reason for bringing them out of bondage and now to the Promised Land. God chose them according to His love, which is steadfast, and why and how He keeps His new testament with us. … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Pentecost 9

The readings for Pentecost 8 are taken from Isaiah 44:6-8; Romans 8:18-27; and Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. The parable in the Gospel lesson reveals the intersection of the three lessons and answers a question that bothers a lot of people a lot of the time: Why doesn’t God do something about evil people? The short answer … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Pentecost 8

The readings for the seventh Sunday after Pentecost are taken from Isaiah 55:10-13; Romans 8:12-17; and Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23. The introit for this Sunday reminds us that God is merciful and patient. All three lessons have to do with God giving His Word generously to all.  That Word does not return void, but accomplishes His … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

The readings for the sixth Sunday after Pentecost are taken from Zechariah 9:9-12, Romans 7:14-25a, and Matthew 11:25-30.  They all address humility and knowledge—what you can and can’t know depending on your ego. Pride takes a lot of effort and makes us competitive, and that is exhausting. It takes a greater kind of strength to … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Sixth Sunday after Pentecost