Gospel: Mark 6:14-29 (Pentecost 7: Series B)
I would understand if you were a bit offended. This looks more like Game of Thrones than the Kingdom of God.
Contributors
David Schmitt
David Schmitt (MDiv, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis; PhD, Washington University, St. Louis) is the Gregg H. Benidt Chair of Homiletics and Literature, Professor of Practical Theology, and Chair of the Practical Department at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO.
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Gospel: John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 (Pentecost Sunday: Series B)
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Gospel: John 15:9-17 (Easter 6: Series B)
Jesus will suffer, die, and rise again for them. By this love, they are forgiven. By this love, they are made His friends: Friends of God.
Gospel: John 15:1-8 (Easter 5: Series B )
Jesus is the vine. You are His branches. And God the Father delights to bring the inside out.
Gospel: John 12:12-19 (Palm Sunday: Series B)
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Gospel: Mark 10:32-45 (Lent 5: Series B)
James and John come before Jesus and request positions of honor in His coming Kingdom. While we may be surprised at their actions, we understand their desires. They are interested in upward mobility.
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Jesus enters this world’s darkness and brings us the life-giving power of God’s light.
Gospel: John 2:13-25 (Lent 3: Series B)
At times, our Church struggles with clutter which distracts us from what is most important: Listening to our Lord and gathering at His table where we are fed.
Gospel: Mark 1:21-28 (Epiphany 4: Series B)
God’s people have gathered in worship while there is a war going on, and this war has two opponents: The Kingdom of Satan and the Kingdom of God. There is no middle ground.
Gospel: Mark 1:14-20 (Epiphany 3: Series B)
But Jesus comes to us today and reminds us that He has the power to make disciples in the midst of conflict and suffering.
Gospel: John 2:1-11 (Epiphany 2: Series B)
We like to close with something great. We even have a saying for this behavior: “Saving the best for last.” God Himself has a way of saving the best for last.
Gospel: Mark 1:4-11 (The Baptism of Our Lord: Series B)
John has been preaching a radical vision of God, where God holds people accountable for their sin and calls them to repent. What will Jesus do?
Gospel: Mark 13:24-37 (Advent 1: Series B)
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Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46 (Pentecost 25: Series A)
In this context where death looms large, Jesus reveals a kingdom where life looms even larger.
Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30 (Pentecost 24: Series A)
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Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13 (Pentecost 23: Series A)
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Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16 (Pentecost 16: Series A)
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Sunday after Sunday, God’s people appear to have it all together… which makes you wonder why Jesus even continues to come. After all, everything is great among God’s people here.
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These parables invite us to consider the mysterious way of the reign of God. The Kingdom of God comes by grace to those who are seeking and not seeking it.