Matthew 22:1-14 A problem with every religion is baggage, centuries of it, baggage that is very difficult to remove from whatever the original intent was. One heavy load of baggage that affects all three Abrahamic faiths – Judaism, Islam, and Christianity – is the meme of a judgmental God. That … Read More
Matthew 21:33-46/Isaiah 5:1-7 The throngs milling about the temple courtyard in Jerusalem were not unlike what you’d find in Union Square: Tourists and homeless people. Except that the tourists are actually religious pilgrims in town for Passover, as I mentioned last Sunday. They’ve swelled the population of Jerusalem by many … Read More
Matthew 21:23-32 Today’s sermon is a time travel sermon. We’re all going to Jerusalem sometime in 32/33 C.E. I’ve arranged for us to meet a local, Eleazar, who will be our guide. It’s Passover week; the streets will be packed with thousands of pilgrims. Hopefully we’ll be able to find … Read More
Matthew 20:1-16 A disclaimer about this sermon right up front: Bookkeeping is an honorable profession. If it weren’t for bookkeepers things would be a mess. If it weren’t for Cindy keeping track of expenditures, IRS rules, and the like, Noe Valley Ministry would be in a lot of trouble. In … Read More
Matthew 18:21-35 Peter was an impetuous disciple who, in deserting and denying even knowing Jesus, experienced his own deep need for forgiveness. But one day he audaciously asked Jesus, “How many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? As many as seven times?” Here we pause. … Read More
Exodus 23:16/Ephesians 2:17-19 A funny thing happened on the way to this sermon. You see, we have this Fall Gathering theme. So I looked for places in the Bible that feature this theme. And the passage from Exodus is what I found. It’s the only place where a festival of … Read More