Sermon podcast from the Fourth Sunday of Lent, 3-27-22 worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
"Embracing Love" podcast
Showing posts with label Luke 15:11-32. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Luke 15:11-32. Show all posts
3/06/2016
Not Fair
Sermon podcast from today at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Unconditional love often seems contrary to all our instincts.
"Not Fair" podcast
"Not Fair" podcast
3/10/2013
Are You Kidding Me?
This week's Bible reflection (That's Not Fair!) got things rolling for today's sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.
"Are You Kidding Me?" text
"Are You Kidding Me?" podcast
"Are You Kidding Me?" text
"Are You Kidding Me?" podcast
3/04/2013
That's not fair!
Do parents really get more lax with the rules as they parent their younger children? I don’t ever remember thinking while growing up, “That’s not fair! My sister always has an easier time of it than I do!”
I’m the younger one, however.
I’ve heard, in my family, and in countless others, the repeated phrase, “That’s not fair!” when a younger child gets a privilege granted or restriction removed earlier than it had been for the older child when they were the same age.
Though I didn’t live it, I completely see the point. It isn’t fair for a younger child to get something without going through the same hardship that the older child did before getting it. I can understand the anger of "Are you kidding me?! They don’t deserve that! They didn’t have to go through what I went through! You can’t do that!”
My non-pastoral and not even that parental thought is to say, “Life isn’t fair. Get over it.”
I think there's a better response out there.
In this week's Bible reading from luke 15:11-32, Jesus told a parable . . .
I’m the younger one, however.
I’ve heard, in my family, and in countless others, the repeated phrase, “That’s not fair!” when a younger child gets a privilege granted or restriction removed earlier than it had been for the older child when they were the same age.
Though I didn’t live it, I completely see the point. It isn’t fair for a younger child to get something without going through the same hardship that the older child did before getting it. I can understand the anger of "Are you kidding me?! They don’t deserve that! They didn’t have to go through what I went through! You can’t do that!”
My non-pastoral and not even that parental thought is to say, “Life isn’t fair. Get over it.”
I think there's a better response out there.
In this week's Bible reading from luke 15:11-32, Jesus told a parable . . .
3/11/2010
Angry
This week's Bible study blog post for i.ucc was Unfair. Now, as Sunday's sermon at Union Congregational UCC in Somonauk, IL, it's Angry.
"Angry" text
"Angry" podcast
"Angry" text
"Angry" podcast
3/08/2010
Unfair
Here's this week's Bible study blog post for i.ucc.org:
Do parents really get more lax with the rules as they parent their younger children? I don’t ever remember thinking while growing up, “That’s not fair! My sister always has an easier time of it than I do!”
Do parents really get more lax with the rules as they parent their younger children? I don’t ever remember thinking while growing up, “That’s not fair! My sister always has an easier time of it than I do!”
I’m the younger one, however.
I’ve heard, in my family and in countless others, the repeated phrase, “That’s not fair!” when a younger child gets a privilege granted or restriction removed earlier than it had been for the older child when they were the same age.
Though I didn’t live it, I completely see the point. It isn’t fair for a younger child to get something without going through the same hardship that the older child did before getting it. I can understand the anger of “They don’t deserve that! They didn’t have to go through what I went through! You can’t do that!”
My non-pastoral and not even that parental thought is to say, “Life isn’t fair. Get over it.”
I’m really glad that the father in this week’s Bible reading from Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 didn’t say that to the older, angry son. Instead, he heard the anger and responded by telling the son who was angry, “You are always with me – and everything I have is yours.”
I’m thinking that kind words and affirmation are a better response to anger than “Get over it.”
Are you with me?
3/18/2007
God's Extravagant Welcome
The blog post from Monday (Entitlements) morphed into today's sermon. I still start with the same questions but go much further in the sermon. I think I said a little more on the audio than I had written too.
God's Extravagant Welcome text
God's Extravagant Welcome podcast
God's Extravagant Welcome text
God's Extravagant Welcome podcast
3/12/2007
Entitlements
I read the parable of the lost son from Luke 15:11-32 and started thinking about entitlements. Here's what was going through my mind. (It's this week's "Opening the Bible" blog entry for i.ucc.) Feel free to join the community and then join the discussion!
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Dave Ross – the political commentator who fills in for Charles Osgood occasionally on CBS radio, wrote a performed a catchy tune a few years back. The song, sung to the tune of Billy Ray Cyrus’ ‘Achy Breaky Heart,” is called something like “Don’t take a cent – from my entitlements.” (Are you singing it now?) It’s about tax code and our desire to keep all our “stuff” and let others foot the tax bill. I looked all over Dave Ross’ website this week and couldn’t find any mention of it – the song must be from too long ago for him to have even in the archives . . .
Entitlements: the right to guaranteed benefits. I guess in a legal sense the word has no negative or positive connotation. Whenever I hear it, however, I get a negative feeling – as if the word was really trying to say “selfishness.”
The people listening to Jesus in the “lost things” parables from Luke 15 may have had a sense of entitlement about what God would do for them. And, as usual, Jesus had something to say on the matter that turned things in a different direction.In the parable of the lost son, (The Prodigal son) I see two sons who feel a sense of entitlement. One feels entitled to his inheritance early so that he can go out and enjoy it. The other feels a sense of entitlement (and jealousy) when the son who took the inheritance early came back and was welcomed with open arms. He did not want his father’s reckless son getting any of what was rightfully his.
The parable is well worn – I think most have heard it many times. And I think we have different reactions to it. Here’s what I’ve been thinking.
The son who took the inheritance early made a mistake. When he came back, he was welcomed with grace and mercy – even though he did not deserve it.The son who stayed with his father acted rude and disrespectful to his father when he refused to greet his brother. The father reminded him that he had lost nothing – and to come and celebrate. The father didn’t shun the son for treating him so harshly (according to the culture, he should have.) He showed him love and caring – even though he didn’t deserve it.
I think Jesus was continuing to teach that God’s mercy is not limited. I think he was continuing to teach that God’s unconditional love and extravagant welcome isn’t something anyone deserves – no one is entitled. Jesus was teaching that mercy and love from God are for everyone – even thought no one is entitled.
What do you think?
+++++++
Dave Ross – the political commentator who fills in for Charles Osgood occasionally on CBS radio, wrote a performed a catchy tune a few years back. The song, sung to the tune of Billy Ray Cyrus’ ‘Achy Breaky Heart,” is called something like “Don’t take a cent – from my entitlements.” (Are you singing it now?) It’s about tax code and our desire to keep all our “stuff” and let others foot the tax bill. I looked all over Dave Ross’ website this week and couldn’t find any mention of it – the song must be from too long ago for him to have even in the archives . . .
Entitlements: the right to guaranteed benefits. I guess in a legal sense the word has no negative or positive connotation. Whenever I hear it, however, I get a negative feeling – as if the word was really trying to say “selfishness.”
The people listening to Jesus in the “lost things” parables from Luke 15 may have had a sense of entitlement about what God would do for them. And, as usual, Jesus had something to say on the matter that turned things in a different direction.In the parable of the lost son, (The Prodigal son) I see two sons who feel a sense of entitlement. One feels entitled to his inheritance early so that he can go out and enjoy it. The other feels a sense of entitlement (and jealousy) when the son who took the inheritance early came back and was welcomed with open arms. He did not want his father’s reckless son getting any of what was rightfully his.
The parable is well worn – I think most have heard it many times. And I think we have different reactions to it. Here’s what I’ve been thinking.
The son who took the inheritance early made a mistake. When he came back, he was welcomed with grace and mercy – even though he did not deserve it.The son who stayed with his father acted rude and disrespectful to his father when he refused to greet his brother. The father reminded him that he had lost nothing – and to come and celebrate. The father didn’t shun the son for treating him so harshly (according to the culture, he should have.) He showed him love and caring – even though he didn’t deserve it.
I think Jesus was continuing to teach that God’s mercy is not limited. I think he was continuing to teach that God’s unconditional love and extravagant welcome isn’t something anyone deserves – no one is entitled. Jesus was teaching that mercy and love from God are for everyone – even thought no one is entitled.
What do you think?
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