RoboPreacher

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...

and a breakthrough a sermon on Jesus' parable of the reckless creditor : We’ve all been reading this passage all wrong ! Tell me if I’m mistaken, but we typically read Jesus’ words in the first part of this passage as guidance about how to bring a wayward member back into the fold. Don’t we? I know that’s how I’ve always read it.   If that’s the case, though , that makes Peter’s question if he should forgive an offending member seven times more than twice as forgiving as Jesus ’ THREE strikes and you’re out policy! Doesn’t it?   However , Jesus doesn’t tell Peter that’s too lenient. On the contrary , Jesus says seven times isn’t even eleven times enough! Something doesn’t add up! Does it?   And perhaps sensing this, Jesus tells a parable . A parable about someone who hits the jackpot when they get something like a billion -dollar debt erased , free and clear!   As well as that might have made the point, though; Jesus doesn’t end the parable there. Does he? No...

how come i end up where i went wrong A sermon from the conclusion to the book of Jonah : Well, we’re in the throes of a season dedicated to one of our favorite activities; counting .   And this isn’t limited to elections, either. The Super Bowl is basically a national holiday, and so is Black Friday. There are also TV ratings and streaming numbers . And we’ve practically made a national pastime out of counting likes, retweets, mentions, and the like. Haven’t we? But it’s not the counting we’re really interested in. Is it? It’s the meaning we divine from these numbers. The judgments we impose upon them. Like the debate whether Jordan or LeBron is the GOAT.   And when it comes to sports, I suppose our little parlor game is harmless enough. Although the havoc it has wrecked on Baseball and the pure joylessness of Mr. Holzhauer’s 2019 Jeopardy run, it’s enough to make you think otherwise …   Counting has its place. But when it matters , it’s the last thing you want to do...

all is bright Christmas Eve Sermon on the Christmas Eve Scripture Merry Christmas! I’m so glad you’re here! I’ve been looking forward to it all week! And probably longer! I’ve been looking forward to tonight because the truth is, this night is ALWAYS something of a miracle . A miracle… For an hour or so, everything is just perfect .   All of us here , together . Dressed to the nines . Buzzing with Christmas cheer. Sharing seasons greetings with old friends.   Then, in about _______ minutes, we’ll cap this night off by singing “Silent Night,” by candlelight. * When we do , take a moment to look up from you hymnal and into the faces of your loved ones, bathed in the soft candlelight, as they sing, “ Jesus, Lord at your birth.”   It’s as close any of us can hope to get to see one another the way God sees us… …I will confess , though, I haven’t always looked forward to this night… The scripture is so unequivocal This...