Simply the Sermon for September 27, 2026: Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Our readings for Sunday, September 27 are Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32; Philippians 2:1-13; and Matthew 21:23-32.

Jesus’ parable about two sons who don’t do what they say reveals surprises in the reign of God. In the reading from Ezekiel the people claim the ways of the Lord are unfair, while God offers repentance and new life. Paul urges us to look to Christ as a model of humility, putting the interests of others above our own. We will make it into heaven, but is it likely that we will make it at the head of the class?

September 27, 2026: Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

The Bethel Worship Team

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Simply the Sermon for September 20, 2026: Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

Our readings for Sunday, September 20, the 17th Sunday after Pentecost are Jonah 3:10—4:11; Philippians 1:21-30; and Matthew 20:1-16.

Matthew narrates one of Jesus’ more controversial parables in which Jesus says that the reign of God is like that of a landowner who pays his workers the same wage no matter what time of day they began to work. When God changes God’s own mind about punishing Nineveh for their evil ways, Jonah is angry. Yet God is gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love. In baptism we receive the grace of God that is freely given to all. As Martin Luther wrote, in the presence of God’s mercy we are all beggars. And sometimes that irritates us, to no end!

September 20, 2026: Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

The Bethel Worship Team

Photo by micheile henderson on Unsplash

Simply the Sermon for September 13, 2026: Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Our readings for Sunday, September 13 are Genesis 50:15-21; Romans 14:1-12; and Matthew 18:21-35.

In today’s second reading Paul questions why we judge one another, since we all stand before the judgment of God. Yet we sin against one another, and Jesus’ challenge that we forgive seventy-seven times (or 70 times 7 times or truly that we are not to count the number of times that we forgive, as God does not count the number of times that God forgives) reveals God’s boundless mercy. When we hear the words of forgiveness in worship and sign ourselves with the cross, we are renewed in baptism to be signs of reconciliation in the world.

September 13, 2026: Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost

The Bethel Worship Team

Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash