The readings for the twelfth Sunday after Pentecost are taken from Proverbs 25:2-10; Hebrews 13:1-17; and Luke 14:1-14. All three lessons speak to how we might be of service to others—care-givers on behalf of God, who is always caring for us. Proverbs urges us to keep searching for what is best: for God; for righteousness; for … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

The readings for the eleventh Sunday after Pentecost are taken from Isaiah 66:18-23; Hebrews 12:4-29; and Luke 13:22-30. Isaiah, like so many places throughout the Old Testament, emphasizes God’s love for and work among the nations. As Abraham, himself, was called out of the nations and as Isaac was generated from God’s promise, so the … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

The readings for the tenth Sunday after Pentecost are taken from Jeremiah 23:16-29; Hebrews 11:1—12:3; and Luke 12:49-56. False prophets speak their own thoughts, promising peace while contradicting God’s design and Word. Jeremiah prophesies the fury of the Lord in order to turn them back. God is near, not far away as if He did not know … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

The readings for the ninth Sunday after Pentecost are taken from Genesis 15:1-6; Hebrews 11:1-16; and Luke 12:22-40. All three lessons center on faith. Faith, belief, and trust (FBT) are all the same word in New Testament Greek and Old Testament Hebrew. FBT means to be at rest in honesty about dependence on God. Each of … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

The readings for the eighth Sunday after Pentecost are taken from Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-26; Colossians 3:1-11; and Luke 12:13-21. King Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes as a warning against spending our lives on trying to get what we do not have or cannot keep. The word translated “vanity” is better translated “breath,” as when you see your breath on … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

The readings for the seventh Sunday after Pentecost are from Genesis 18:17-33; Colossians 2:6-19; and Luke 11:1-13. Abraham prayed for Lot and Sodom by interceding . . . Genesis continues to record the life of Abraham as an example of the life of faith: “He believed God and that was accounted to him as righteousness.” Abraham is … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

The readings for the sixth Sunday after Pentecost are taken from Genesis 18:1-14; Colossians 1:21-29; and Luke 10:38-42. Work does not create a worker. Fruit does not create the tree. We don’t take care of God; He takes care of us. Central to the good message is God’s promise to restore life. Promises bring hope, … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

The readings for the fifth Sunday after Pentecost are taken from Leviticus 18:1-5, 19:9-18; Colossians 1:1-14; and Luke 10:25-37.  The word “love” is at the center of all three lessons. The love of God was evident in Jesus and the tide that Jesus’ resurrection set in motion keeps rising and coming inland. God IS love, … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

The readings for the fourth Sunday after Trinity are taken from Isaiah 66:10-14; Galatians 6:1-10, 14-18; and Luke 10:1-20. At the end of a very long book, Isaiah explains that Jerusalem will have gladness and joy because God extends to her peace like a river. God will comfort His people the way a mother comforts her child. At … Continue reading Sunday Summary: Fourth Sunday after Trinity

The readings for the third Sunday after Trinity are taken from 1 Kings 19:9-21; Galatians 5:1, 13-25; and Luke 9:51-62.  Eastertide is still rising and the breath/wind/Spirit of God from Pentecost is still moving God’s people through their course of life in this world. Today’s lessons compare Jesus’ last trek to Jerusalem, Paul’s counsel on … Continue reading Lesson Summary: Third Sunday after Trinity