Sermons

Matthew 20:1-16 Parable of the Generous Landowner Bible Background: This parable (usually identified as “The Laborers in the Vineyard”) comes just before Jesus’ 3rd prediction of his suffering and death in Matthew. It is only found in Matthew. Like many parables, it upsets our

REFLECTIONS ON MATTHEW 18:15-35 Bible Background: Chapter 18 starts with a question on “Who is the greatest in the kingdom?” to which Jesus makes a point that little ones, who are like children, are the greatest. Then comes a warning about causing one of these ‘little

DIGGING DEEPER INTO MATTHEW 16:23–17:8 Bible Background: Jesus has just told his disciples that he will suffer and die and be raised. Peter resists that kind of talk. Then Jesus speaks these hard words about taking up the cross and following. The Transfiguration scene on the mountaintop

What’s up with these Parables in Matthew 13? Bible Background: Matthew 13 is a chapter with parables about the kingdom of God. The “Sower and the Seed” one is not so hard to relate to. Several of the others make us scratch our heads-and maybe that is what a parable is meant to