The readings for the fifth Sunday after Pentecost are taken from Jeremiah 28:5-9, Romans 7:1-13, and Matthew 10:34-42.  The readings center on deception, and truth as antidote. Jeremiah explained that any false prophet could predict war because wars are frequent and inevitable. But prophets who predict peace and victory should not be trusted because they are … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

The readings for the fourth Sunday after Pentecost are taken from Jeremiah 20:7-13; Romans 6:12-23; and Matthew 10:5a, 21-33. Jeremiah suffered the contempt of the people who held the Word of the Lord that Jeremiah spoke in contempt. Yet the Word of the Lord was too powerful for Jeremiah to hold back. The Word of the Lord … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

The readings for the third Sunday after Pentecost are taken from Exodus 19:2-8, Romans 5:6-15, and Matthew 9:35—10:20. Still flowing from Pentecost (outpouring of the Holy Spirit) and Trinity Sunday (celebration of God’s nature), the lessons give us pause to think about how God keeps pursuing and meeting us with His regenerative Word and Spirit. … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Third Sunday after Pentecost

The readings for the second Sunday after Pentecost are taken from Hosea 5:15--6:6; Romans 4:13-25; and Matthew 9:9-13. “Let’s Go!!!!” Now that the half year of festivals that celebrate the essential/big events of Jesus’ life and redeeming work have been observed, it’s time to see how His redemption works out in the lives of people … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Second Sunday after Pentecost

The readings for Trinity Sunday are taken from Genesis 1:1—2:4a; Acts 2:14, 22-36; and Matthew 28:16-20. Moses recorded the history of creation in Genesis. This is a long reading, but not in comparison to what God accomplished. God’s creation of all things, climaxing in the creation of us in His image, is foundational and essential for … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Trinity Sunday

The readings for the day of Pentecost are taken from Numbers 11:24-30; Acts 2:1-21; and John 17:1-11.  All three lessons center on God’s promise to send His Holy Spirit to us. Numbers records how God put His Spirit on seventy elders so they could help Moses lead and care for the Israelites. Joshua was jealous for Moses … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Pentecost

The readings for the fourth Sunday of Easter are taken from Acts 2:42-47; 1 Peter 2:19-25; and John 10:1-10. Acts records the essence of the authentic Christian church: they continued steadfastly in the Apostles’ teaching, which produced connectedness, which was celebrated in the Lord’s Supper, where THE prayers were said (likely the Psalms plus intercessions and thanksgiving, … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Fourth Sunday of Easter