Can we apply God’s Jubilee heart to our lives? To try to answer that question, we need to go to the New Testament, and there we learn that Jesus himself talked about the year of Jubilee. In Luke 4:18–19, we read that Jesus, very early in his ministry returned to his hometown of Nazareth, whereContinue reading “Jubilee failure and success in the ministry of Jesus – Jubilee, Part 4”
Tag Archives: taxes
How to focus on Jesus’ mission so we don’t have regrets – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 5
My friends remodeled their kitchen, and it turned out beautiful. A few months later they went on a mission trip. When they returned, they couldn’t stop talking about what they saw, experienced, and how it changed their life. They told me that if they had gone on the mission trip before they remodeled their kitchen,Continue reading “How to focus on Jesus’ mission so we don’t have regrets – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 5”
What Jesus says about paying taxes and separation of church and state – Q & A Oct 2024, Part 3
In light of upcoming ballot measures in some states, is Matthew 22:18-21 actually arguing for a separation of church and state? Is it acceptable for a Christian to vote one way on a measure, not because they think it is biblical, but because they think it should be a function of government? Are there otherContinue reading “What Jesus says about paying taxes and separation of church and state – Q & A Oct 2024, Part 3”
Praying to Mary, Separation of church and state – Q & A Oct 2024, Preview
This coming week on the blog is another Q & A week. The way it works is that I receive questions from my congregation, Faith Church in Lancaster, PA, and then I not only attempt to answer those questions in my sermon, but I also blog them here. First, we’re going to talk about whyContinue reading “Praying to Mary, Separation of church and state – Q & A Oct 2024, Preview”
Do Christians need accountability? – Holding one another accountable, Preview
In my county, there’s a company with a sign advertising “Ultimate Accountability.” How does “ultimate accountability” sound to you? Harsh? Restrictive? Legalistic? Freeing? Gracious? Good? Accountability is a fraught concept. That company is an accounting firm, working with businesses to make sure their bookkeeping and taxes are legal and ethical. Very important. But accountability can be nerve-wracking,Continue reading “Do Christians need accountability? – Holding one another accountable, Preview”
Hope for those who are groaning – Easter 2020, Romans 8, Part 3
I was groaning a lot when I did my taxes recently. I dread doing taxes because the tax forms can be so frustrating. My family has a number of unique circumstances that intensify the frustration. I am pastor, which means I get a housing allowance. My wife operated a business. I have education expenses. FinallyContinue reading “Hope for those who are groaning – Easter 2020, Romans 8, Part 3”
When to subject ourselves to the authorities, and when not to – Titus 3:1-8, Part 1
I recently heard what is reported to be a true story from a Sunday school teacher in Dublin, Ireland. She writes, “I was testing the children in my Sunday school class to see if they understood the concept of getting into Heaven. I asked them, ‘If I sold my house and my car and had aContinue reading “When to subject ourselves to the authorities, and when not to – Titus 3:1-8, Part 1”
Angry about taxes or money? How a widow can help!
Last week we looked at Jesus’ comment “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God was is God’s.” How many of you gave money unto “Caesar” this week as you filed your taxes? Michelle and I did. It is almost always an agonizing process for me. When I work on taxes, I couldContinue reading “Angry about taxes or money? How a widow can help!”
How to handle confrontation
Spies, taxes, a woman with seven husbands, and the most intelligent man in the world. That pretty much sums up the next story in our ongoing series on Luke’s Gospel, which you can read about in Luke 20:20-40. In the story, Jesus is in the final days of his life, and he has bunkered downContinue reading “How to handle confrontation”
Spies, Taxes, a woman with 7 husbands & the most intelligent man who ever lived
The most intelligent person who ever lived? Albert Einstein? Marilyn vos Savant? King Solomon? Leonardo Da Vinci? Stephen Hawking? Shakespeare? Newton? Mozart? Marie Curie? I researched a bunch of “Most Intelligent People in the History of the World” lists, and there are plenty more candidates. There are lots of opinions as to who should beContinue reading “Spies, Taxes, a woman with 7 husbands & the most intelligent man who ever lived”
Engaging Scripture 