Thruples: The Newest Addition to the “Marriage Buffet”
Welcome to the next chapter in sexual ethics
Proper 15 • Isaiah 56:1, 6–8 • August 17, 2014
Editor’s note: The following homiletical help is adapted from Concordia Journal, July 1999. By Robert W. Weise Salvation Is for All I. Introduction A. Most people detest any form of discrimination or exclusionary activity. It is no fun being left out of the group or not being invited to the birthday or graduation party, as well as ..
Epiphany 6 • Deuteronomy 30:15–20 • February 16, 2014
Choice Is More than Choosing Christians are confronted with many choices in this world of biomedical technology,and a rash of legal decisions has placed life and death decisions in the hands of loved ones. We face these choices and many more every day. Within the text of Deuteronomy 30:15–20, choice is a covenant theme, and ..
Leave Your Gift at the Altar and “Text”?
Is social media the new “forgiveness technology”?
Proper 11 • Colossians 1:21–29 • July 21, 2013
By Robert Weise Reconciliation: Ministry and Mystery We all love a good mystery; a mystery where we don’t find out until the very end who the “mystery person” is. This may be likened to, “Oh, he/she is the one!” And when we see and hear who this “mystery person” is, the whole story line is ..
Pentecost • Ezekiel 37:1–14 • May 27, 2012
By Robert W. Weise New Life and New Hope in Christ General Comments: During my tenure as a parish pastor and currently serving as an interim pastor, I hear, “What’s the use? This world is turned upside down. The economy is in a tailspin, gas prices are going up along with many food items, power ..
Child in the Womb: Product or Gift?
When God created Adam and Eve, there was one way to procreate, not reproduce (no explanation needed). Since their fall with sin entering all creation, there are more than 28 ways to reproduce a child to meet the needs of a husband and wife, a co-habiting male and female, or same-sex partners (called ‘collaborating partners’). ..
Proper 12 • Matthew 13:44–52 • July 24, 2011
By Robert Weise Parables of Assurance and Hope I would suggest that the best reference for studying the context of these three parables that “assure them [the disciples] that God is reigning and that to follow Jesus is the good and right thing to do” is found in Dr. Jeff Gibbs’ commentary on Matthew 11:2–20:34.1 This ..
Proper 14 • Genesis 15:1–6 • August 8, 2010
By Robert W. Weise Inseparable Righteousness and Faith Introduction When someone promises you a special gift, you have faith in them and in their promised word. You believe them, regardless of the nature of the promise. Your faith in that person holds to that person and to the promise. This is unconditional, for you know ..
Proper 24 · Mark 10:23-31 · October 18, 2009
By Robert W Weise From the Impossible to the Possible of God’s Grace Introduction We live in a world that continues to place personal wealth and individualism over and against the word of God and a life a dependent on Christ. Satan tempts us to believe that you can serve two masters: worldly wealth and ..