The Word at Shalom

March 19, 2023, Lent 4: ”Be Prepared”

In the Parable of the Bridesmaids, the wise bridesmaids refuse to share their extra supplies of oil with the foolish bridesmaids, who are ultimately shut out of the wedding feast when the groom arrives. This seems to clash with the Parable of the Workers, where the landowner gives the same to all workers regardless of when they arrive. What might Jesus be saying to us in this parable? Why don't the wise bridesmaids share their oil? And 2000 years after his first advent, what does it mean to be prepared for his return? Pastor David preaches "Be Prepared" based on Matthew 25:1-13.

March 12, 2023, Lent 3: ”God’s Dress Code”

Jesus's parable of the wedding feast is beyond strange. There are guests who refuse to come despite the king's pleading, violent reactions by invited guests and king alike, a general invitation to all willing to come whether "evil or good", and strangest of all, a man thrown out for wearing the wrong clothing! What does Jesus tell us about God and us with this story? Does God have a dress code? What is the wedding robe and what does it mean to wear one? Pastor David preaches "God's Dress Code" based on Matthew 22:1-14 (with a little help from Galatians 3:27-29).

March 5, 2023, Lent 2: ”That’s the Thing I Don’t Like About Jesus”

After following Jesus for a while, Peter had to know. Was this going to turn out well for him and the other disciples or not? After all, they had left family businesses and families to follow. They had taken a huge leap of faith to follow Jesus. Peter's question is filled with anxiety. "We have left everything and followed you. What will we have?" Jesus responds with a story. But this story is outrageous. What does the parable of the workers in the vineyard tell us about God's nature? What is fairness to God? What will Peter--and us contemporary disciples--ultimately have? Pastor David preaches, "That's the Thing I Don't Like About Jesus" (cribbed from a John Ylvisaker song!) based on Matthew 20:1-16.

February 26, 2023, Lent 1: ”Real Forgiveness”

Many people in the upper Midwest are raised with a form of "Minnesota nice", taught to be nice to people, not brag about oneself, and not make waves. They're taught to just let things go when someone upsets them. But is "letting it go" the same as forgiveness? What is real forgiveness? How does Jesus's community differ from a "Minnesota nice" community? Pastor David preaches "Real Forgiveness" based on Matthew 18:15-35.

February 22, 2023, Ash Wednesday: ”The Important Thing”

When the disciples asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom?", Jesus knew that they were asking this question from an imperial, hierarchical point of view. This point of view undergirds every human institution. But Jesus' way is different. How does Jesus define greatness? And what does that mean for us contemporary disciples? For Ash Wednesday, Pastor David preaches "The Important Thing" based on Matthew 18:1-14

February 19, 2023, Transfiguration: ”God’s-Eye View”

Peter was shocked. First, Jesus had told him that his ministry would lead to his arrest and execution. Then, when Peter objected, Jesus called him "Satan" for setting his mind on human things instead of divine things. We've heard about the devil's logic before, especially concerning the temptations of Jesus. How does that logic show up in the concern of a friend who deeply cares for Jesus? What is a divine way to view the life and ministry of Jesus? And how does the Transfiguration provide assurance to us contemporary disciples who often, like Peter, would rather avoid the cross? Pastor David preaches "God's-Eye View" based on Matthew 16:21-17:9.

February 5, 2023, Epiphany 5: ”Shalom in the Storm”

Jesus' words at the end of the Sermon on the Mount may sound frightening, but they get to a very important insight. Much of what we build our lives upon is shifting sand, destined to wash out to sea. What makes Jesus and his gospel different? How does he build our lives? How does he shelter us in the storms of life? Pastor David preaches "Shalom in the Storm" based on Matthew 7:21-29. 

January 29, 2023, Epiphany 4: ”A Better Way”

We are often burdened by anxieties, usually centered around money or other people. We worry about our loved ones. We worry about whether we have enough to pay for food, medicine, a home, education, retirement, or healthcare. Yet, Jesus would have us not worry about these things. How can Jesus say this, considering that his age had similar (and in many cases, more dangerous) worries than our own? What does it mean to seek God's kingdom first? How can we put away our fears? Pastor David preaches "A Better Way" based on Matthew 6:7-34.

January 22, 2023, Epiphany 3: ”The Constitution of a New Community”

In his first major public address, Jesus begins in an unexpected way. Instead of outlining problems or prescribing solutions, he declares certain people to be blessed in heaven’s kingdom. But these aren’t the people we’d expect. What kind of people is Jesus looking for in his beloved community? And what kind of influence is that community to have in the world? Pastor David preaches “The Constitution of a New Community”, based on Matthew 5:1-20.

January 15, 2023, Epiphany 2: ”Beyond Survival, Spectacle, or Supremacy”

Sometimes we think of temptations as primarily moral. We are tempted to indulge in a particular vice or fail to practice a particular virtue. We eat too much. We struggle with addictions to substances or behaviors. We fail to exercise or be invested in our communities. But the temptations of Christ are far more than merely moral ones. Christ is also tempted by the same temptations Israel faced (and failed) long ago. How does he resist these temptations? And how can God's people resist them today? Pastor David preaches "Beyond Survival, Spectacle, and Supremacy" based on Matthew 4:1-17.