RoboPreacher

& i get more than i deserve A sermon on St. Stephen and ministry : There’s a question we sometimes ask students in confirmation . And the reason we ask is to check if the students are paying attention . Obviously, of course, not this year’s students. They always pay attention. They’re perfect . As they are every year.   Nevertheless, it’s a nice little exercise. So, I thought we might try it. And here’s the question: What just happened? This isn’t a trick question, either. I just want to engage you. What just happened in today’s passage? That said, although this isn’t a trick question, it is the sort of question that has right and wrong answers. For instance, if you were to say that Stephen was just hired as the head pastor at First Lutheran in Jerusalem, that would be wrong . However, there were a few details in that example that would be considered correct . But I don’t want to do your work for you. So, I’m not going to tell you what they were.   Instead , let’s ...

my broken dreams A sermon on the burden and (empty) promises of kings Ain’t that always the way? You ask for a little help, but all you get in return is a lot more work. And there doesn’t seem to be anywhere to turn , either. Does there? Sorry to say, all too often, the promise of a new helper just turns out to be the letdown of yet another taskmaster, only this time twice warmed over … In today’s Scripture, the Israelites go to the king in waiting, Rehoboam . But, before they crown him king, they want a few concessions . Rehoboam’s father , King Solomon, had made life hard .   And so, before the people anoint his son king, they want to make sure they can get a break . But, instead of considering the request, Rehoboam takes it as a challenge ! Instead of granting reprieve , Rehoboam promises that when he’s king, he’ll increase the workload. And what’s more , he promises he’ll be an even more ruthless enforcer , too. Is it any wonder the people balk ?!? And you have to wond...

we don't have to think twice, baby (we can drive each other crazy) A sermon on the introduction to Paul's Epistle to the Philippians : Paul’s not writing this epistle to the folks at First Lutheran in Philippi for any ol’ reason. No , Paul’s writing this letter because this church he’s founded is facing a crisis . And as their founder , Paul knows he’s the only one who can address this mess . What’s happened, as Paul relates right at the top of this correspondence, is that the founder of their church has been incarcerated ! Incarcerated. Am I being too subtle ?!?   Paul’s writing this letter, that’s become a part of the holy writ by the way, because he’s in the hoosegow ! Paul’s in jail! And, unsurprisingly , this incident has caused a bit of a stir back at the church Paul himself helped get off the ground! It’s really not that surprising this turn of events has precipitated a bit of a quandary for the folks back in Philippi, either. After all, how would you like t...