Our spiritual practices should make us more loving and compassionate people, especially those that require us to give things up for our faith. But behind ever abstention lies the danger of both envying those who don't make the sacrifice, as well as judgment for their perceived lack of self control. The fast that makes you a self-righteous snob is not one that God wants. By Pastor Lars Hammar
Invitation as Radical Act - sermon March 13, 2022
When we receive an invitation from someone, we're being welcomed into their lives, into their homes. To accept that is to say that they are worth the time and the presence. In a world where our personal lives are bounded by social boundaries, invitations and receptions can be an act of affirming others and repudiating artificial boundaries between us. By Pastor Lars Hammar. Based on Luke 14:15-24
Luke 14:15-24
15 One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, "Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!" 16 Then Jesus said to him, "Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. 17 At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now.' 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my regrets.' 19 Another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.' 20 Another said, 'I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.' 21 So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.' 22 And the slave said, 'Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.' 23 Then the master said to the slave, 'Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.'"
Fairness in the Kingdom - sermon Sept 20, 2020
In the parable of the Laborers in the vineyard, Jesus gives us a glimpse of a kingdom of God that is generous with abundance.