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The Pharisee in all of us

Stephen P. Mccutchan
When you read the various arguments that are being spoken and published with respect to the hot issues threatening to split denominations, has it occurred to anyone that we need to look again at the arguments contained in the gospels between Jesus and the Pharisees? As I understand it, the Pharisees were one among several schools of thought within the Jewish community. However, by the time most of the gospels were written, after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, they were the group that survived the Roman effort to destroy Judaism.

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Mary Austin
George Reed
Dean Feldmeyer
Bethany Peerbolte
Thomas Willadsen
For September 30, 2018:
  • Better Than What? by Chris Keating -- Jesus’ words call the disciples to a life of reflection, service, and humility. Today that includes setting aside notions that "boys will be boys" in favor of doing deeds of power in the name of Christ.

StoryShare

C. David Mckirachan
Frank Ramirez
Contents
“Hoisted On Their Own Petard” by C. David McKirachan
“Who’s Responsible?” by C. David McKirachan
“Good for What?” by Frank Ramirez


Hoisted On Their Own Petard
by C. David McKirachan
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22

CSSPlus

Arley K. Fadness
“Salt is good; (v. 50a)

Good morning boys and girls,

How are you this morning? Are you feeling sunny or cloudy? Stormy or balmy? Using weather talk how would you describe yourself. For me, I'm feeling _____________.

I have a question.

And I have some surprising good news. Are you ready? (children respond) The question is: have you ever eaten food without salt? Did you ever eat french fries without salt? Have you ever eaten potato chips without salt? Without salt food can be tasteless and unappetizing.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Bonnie Bates
Bob Ove
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Ron Love
Mark Ellingsen
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
The 14th Day of Adar, the feast of Purim, commemorates a time when the Jewish people were saved during the Persian Empire. Tribal genocide was proposed by Haman; his desire was to annihilate the whole nation of Israel. Esther, you will remember, was encouraged by Mordecai to stand up for her people with the king of Persia. Risking her life, Esther goes before the king and advocates for justice.

Frank Ramirez
Esther is not just the winner of a beauty contest. She, like us, has the potential to rise to the unexpected occasion! She turns out to be greater than we, and she, thought she was.

According to the most practical book of the New Testament, the letter of James, prayer is more than simply the channel for our hopes. Prayer is the practical avenue  for getting things done with God, and should be treated seriously. Prayer is more than you think.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
The chairman of our local district council has just been ordained. For the first year he will be a deacon, then in a year's time should be ordained priest in accordance with Church of England tradition. In an article in the local paper he said, "One woman told me that she got a lot from my sermons and prayers because she felt like she was leaning on a garden gate talking to God."

That seems to me to be such a good description of prayer, to be leaning on a garden gate talking to God. It conjures up a feeling

SermonStudio

Steven E. Albertin
Several years ago at my previous congregation I remember a discussion I had with the church council. It was very revealing of the kind of distorted vision of ministry that is very much afoot in the church these days.

Special Occasion