Sermon podcast from the Sunday, 11-19-23 worship service - Peace Memorial Church, UCC in Palos Park, IL. Matthew 25:14-30
Showing posts with label Matthew 25:14-30. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matthew 25:14-30. Show all posts
11/17/2020
Opportunity - Matthew 25:14-30 - Stewardship Sunday - Proper 28 - 11-15-20
Sermon podcast from our Stewardship Sunday - 11-15-20 online worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Matthew 25:14-30
11/11/2011
Abundant Possibilities
This week's Bible reflection (Abused Text) starts the background for Sunday's encouraging sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL.
"Abundant Possibilities" text
"Abundant Possibilities" podcast
"Abundant Possibilities" text
"Abundant Possibilities" podcast
11/07/2011
Abused Text
“The parable of the talents is among the most abused texts in the New Testament.”
That’s what Dr. Carla Works, Assistant Professor in New Testament at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. thinks.
I think Professor Works is right. Too often this parable is used to convince folks that God wants folks to have lots of money. If they don’t have lots of money, then . . . they must be doing something wrong, or wicked, or lazy, or even worthless.
Abused text.
Parables get folks to think and wrestle and think again. And this parable, where money seems to have top billing, isn’t about money. It isn’t about investing money wisely. It isn’t about doing what God want you to do and then being rewarded with wealth. The parable is centered around a master and three slaves. But the parable isn’t about slaves and masters.
So what is it about?
I think it’s a challenge to notice and respond to opportunities to help meet the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities and in our world. I think it’s a challenge to bring all that we are – skills, talents, weaknesses, successes, and failures and to attend to one another – continuing to show love for God and for one another.
Maybe I’m reading a little more into it. What do you think this parable is about?
That’s what Dr. Carla Works, Assistant Professor in New Testament at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. thinks.
I think Professor Works is right. Too often this parable is used to convince folks that God wants folks to have lots of money. If they don’t have lots of money, then . . . they must be doing something wrong, or wicked, or lazy, or even worthless.
Abused text.
Parables get folks to think and wrestle and think again. And this parable, where money seems to have top billing, isn’t about money. It isn’t about investing money wisely. It isn’t about doing what God want you to do and then being rewarded with wealth. The parable is centered around a master and three slaves. But the parable isn’t about slaves and masters.
So what is it about?
I think it’s a challenge to notice and respond to opportunities to help meet the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities and in our world. I think it’s a challenge to bring all that we are – skills, talents, weaknesses, successes, and failures and to attend to one another – continuing to show love for God and for one another.
Maybe I’m reading a little more into it. What do you think this parable is about?
11/16/2008
A Few Things
This week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc (Risky Business) came from the same Bible reading, but really bears no resemblance to this morning's sermon at Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Somonauk. Rev. Phil Hart, Illinois Conference Interim Minister, was the guest speaker and brought and inspirational, moving and powerful message. The podcast comes complete with the "rock star" introduction, too!
"A Few Things" podcast
"A Few Things" podcast
11/10/2008
Risky business
Here's this week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc:
Three ordinary workers were summoned to the CEO’s office. The CEO was headed off for an extended period of time. The CEO trusted these three with some of the wealth while the CEO was away.
The workers who received the most money invested wisely – and doubled their money. The one who received the least (but still huge amount of) money simply buried the money for safe-keeping.
You can probably fill in the rest of the story from this week’s reading from Matthew 25:14-30: The Parable of the Talents. I’ve just put a little bit of context by translating ‘talents’ into come conservative estimates of what they would mean in today’s figures in US dollars.
Three ordinary workers were summoned to the CEO’s office. The CEO was headed off for an extended period of time. The CEO trusted these three with some of the wealth while the CEO was away.
- One ordinary worker received 2.5 million dollars.
- Another received 1 million dollars.
- The third received 500,000 dollars
The workers who received the most money invested wisely – and doubled their money. The one who received the least (but still huge amount of) money simply buried the money for safe-keeping.
You can probably fill in the rest of the story from this week’s reading from Matthew 25:14-30: The Parable of the Talents. I’ve just put a little bit of context by translating ‘talents’ into come conservative estimates of what they would mean in today’s figures in US dollars.
- What would you/could you do if you were entrusted with wealth like that?
- Do you think you’d be willing to take financial risks in today’s economy if you had those kinds of resources?
- What will you/can you do with what you have right now?
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