Moving Forward - Weekly Lectionary Podcast | Podcast on RSS.com

Moving Forward - Weekly Lectionary Podcast

Moving Forward - Weekly Lectionary Podcast

by Cory Driver

Season 3

Goods Seeds, Good Harvest

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 - "It's a parable, people!" In which Jesus tells his followers that their actions really do matter, and that making life more difficult for folks and being anti-law, are really, really bad.

Context Matters! (Parable Time!)

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 - Look, I'm not going to try to play it cool. I love the parables. I think they are some of the best stuff we've got in the New Testament. But why parables? And, why does the context in which we hear the word matter so much?

Embodied Good News

Zech 9:9-12 & Matthew 1:16-30 - If "good news" is just for brains and future hopes, is it THE good news? Jesus didn't think so. No one is talking prosperity gospel around here. At the same time, becoming a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven should change embodied realities. Who do we eat with, what do we say [or not say], how do we move around or theorize space and inclusion? These were all issues that Jesus' first followers, and every follower of Jesus since, has had to rethink in light of the Good News.

Welcoming a Prophet - But Which One?

Jeremiah 28:5-9 and Matthew 10:40-42 - You know the injunction - welcome a prophet as a prophet and receive a prophet's reward. But how do you know who is really speaking for God, and who is claiming to be a prophet to advance their own agenda? Jesus and Jeremiah have some lessons for us.

"That Sort of Christianity..."

Jeremiah 20:7-13 and Matthew 10:24-39. Look, be honest, there have always been disagreements about what God wants. Salad or Steak? Peace or Violence? Inclusion or Exclusion? This week, the lectionary texts wade into the fray with some discussion on what God really wants.

Do You Really Want It?

Exodus 19:2-8a and Matthew 9:35-10:8: Listen, the lordship of Jesus has costs. True, his yoke is easy and his burden is light. Also, we don't get to do whatever we want to whomever we want. We are purchased for a price, and Jesus is the boss. At Sinai and in the Galilee, God/Jesus ask the people if they are willing to pay the cost - to be obedient, in order to become a treasured nation and to receive life and healing. Today, God asks us the same question - are we willing to pay the cost for what God wants to give us?

Lovingkindness, Not Sacrifice

Hosea 5:15-6:6 & Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26. Bargaining is a natural human instinct, and one of the stages of grief. But, as it turns out, it's not God's favorite thing. Instead, Jesus models how God desires lovi9ngkindness toward neighbors, not just continual sacrifices.

New Things!

Genesis 1:1-2:4a and Matthew 28:16-20 - What's God up to? The same, old thing, or something new? Why not both? This week, we talk about God filling up creation with new things, again and again.

Prepoaring for Pentecost

Acts 2:1-21 and Numbers 11:24-30 - What do you know about Pentecost? Is it something that comes up for the first time after the Resurrection, or are its origins much older? Come learn about some of the best good news that we've got!

Scattering Enemies or Making Friends?

Acts 1:6-14, Psa 68:1-10; John 17:1-11 - What is the role of a Christian? Scattering our enemies or welcoming strangers?

1 of 12