Rev. Brent L. White

Scripture: Exodus 17:1-17

I was talking with an older gentleman in a church I once served. He lived with his granddaughter and her husband and young family—he helped to cook and clean and carpool the kids around. He was complaining about “kids these days,” and how different things are today compared to the “good old days” when he was growing up. He said, “Back in my day, in the summer, we’d go outside with our friends first thing in the morning, get on our bikes, and our parents probably wouldn’t see us again until dinnertime. And they didn’t worry about us! And they didn’t send us out with bottles of water. We’d just drink from a someone’s garden hose when we got thirsty!”

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Years ago, at the church I was pastoring, we had an I.T. contractor who would come in occasionally and fix problems with our computers and our church wifi system. He wasn’t a member of our church—and I had only spoken to him in passing. But one time when he was at our church, he urgently wanted to speak to me. So we talked. 

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

So… when you hear this parable, whom do you identify with the most—the younger son… or the older son?

Because make no mistake: the younger son was was really bad! He caused great harm to his father and older brother. But at least when the younger son “came to himself” in verse 17—that is, when he came to his senses—he appreciated just how much harm he had done. That’s why he plans on telling his father, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.’”

And notice the older son agrees completely on this point: his younger brother, as far as he’s concerned, no longer deserves any good thing from his father. He deserves only punishment.

Scripture: Romans 13:8-14

Last week, something happened to me that has never happened before: I was in the McDonald’s drive-thru ordering lunch. And when I drove up to the window to pay, I was informed that the driver in front of me paid for my meal. Well, that was nice!

Scripture: Romans 8:26-39

If you were compiling a playlist of the “Greatest Hits” of the Bible—you know, Bible verses most likely to make it onto coffee mugs, T-shirts, and bumper stickers—then surely this morning’s scripture includes a few of them: “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” “If God is for us, who can be against us?” “In all these things we are more than conquerors.” 

And of course, Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” 

Lots of good stuff here, and I’m afraid this sermon will barely skim the surface. But before we dive in, let’s figure out why Paul is writing today’s scripture in the first place.