Welcome to the Pulpit Fiction Podcast, where two local pastors discuss the lectionary reading for the week.
This is episode 71 for Sunday July 13, Proper 10A/Ordinary 15A/Pentecost +5, Year A.
Matthew 13:1-9, 18- 23 - Parable of the Sower
Genesis 25:19-34 Esau, Jacob and the Stolen Blessing
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Introduction and Check-in
- Robb’s birthday week-HURRAY
- We’re recording almost a month ahead now, preparing for big changes.
- PC (USA) Affirms Same-Sex Marriage
Featured Musician - Heatherlyn “Invitation to the Unlikely” from her debut album Heatherlyn. Find more of her music at www.heatherlynmusic.com. @heatherlynmusic
Primary Scripture - Matthew 13:1-9, 18- 23 - Parable of the Sower
- Initial Thoughts
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- One of my favorite sermon series started with this parable - “Good Soil,” was used by Rev. Duane Larsen when he started at Eureka (MO) UMC.
- Lectionary omits v. 10-17, cleaning it up to only include the parable and the explanation.
- One of the only parables that is explained by Jesus. Explanation likely added as post-Easter story, not included in Gospel of Thomas.
- Matthew 13 according to Jana Riess’s The Twible “The 12 ask JC why he speaks to the people in parables. They’d prefer straightforward behavioral checklists, please. With maps.”
- One of my favorite sermon series started with this parable - “Good Soil,” was used by Rev. Duane Larsen when he started at Eureka (MO) UMC.
- Bible Study
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- Facing the question: “Why do people say ‘no’ to Christ?”
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- To those that believe, and have experienced Christ, it can be baffling to wonder why someone would resist.
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- In fact, Christians can be insufferable about this - like the person who just quit smoking who cannot stand to be around smokers.
- In fact, Christians can be insufferable about this - like the person who just quit smoking who cannot stand to be around smokers.
- Explanation of the parable is given to the disciples, who might have been wondering the same thing.
- To those that believe, and have experienced Christ, it can be baffling to wonder why someone would resist.
- The Soils
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- “Jesus' clear explanation of what each element in the parable represents would seem to leave little work for the preacher. But the interpretation also raises some troubling questions. For instance, who qualifies as "good soil"? Since soil cannot change itself, is there any hope for the hardened, rocky, and thorny soil? Are these destined to be unproductive forever?” (Elisabeth Johnson, Working Preacher)
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- Important Question: Can you change what soil you are?
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- This is not about looking at others and deciding what kind of soil they are, it is about self-reflection.
- This is not about looking at others and deciding what kind of soil they are, it is about self-reflection.
- Important Question: Can you change what soil you are?
- “As hearers, the disciples [and us] are not allowed the luxury of armchair quarterbacking, of deliberating over someone else’s positive or negative response… The text bluntly asks, How do you hear? What type of soil are you? (Charles Cousar, Texts for Preaching, Year A p. 404).
- There is an important distinction between those who simply “hear” and those who “understand.”
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- “Those who receive the word of the kingdom and understand it, that is, appropriate it not merely intellectually but with a commitment at the depths of their being, will be able to withstand the onslaught of temptation and tribulation and produce a bountiful harvest.” (Douglas Hare, Interpretation: Matthew, p. 154-155).
- “Those who receive the word of the kingdom and understand it, that is, appropriate it not merely intellectually but with a commitment at the depths of their being, will be able to withstand the onslaught of temptation and tribulation and produce a bountiful harvest.” (Douglas Hare, Interpretation: Matthew, p. 154-155).
- The commitment of today’s Christian is not so much persecution as it is secular scorn. It is truly remarkable how timeless the trials that Jesus describes truly are.
- “Jesus' clear explanation of what each element in the parable represents would seem to leave little work for the preacher. But the interpretation also raises some troubling questions. For instance, who qualifies as "good soil"? Since soil cannot change itself, is there any hope for the hardened, rocky, and thorny soil? Are these destined to be unproductive forever?” (Elisabeth Johnson, Working Preacher)
- The Sower
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- What does this story tell us about God?
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- God is reckless with the way he scatters the seed.
- Not a careful, selective sower.
- Extravagant, almost wasteful. After all, who throws seed on paths, in bushes, or on rocky soil?
- God is reckless with the way he scatters the seed.
- All are given the same grace (prevenient grace). Grace is offered before we even decide what kind of soil we are going to be.
- “Too often we play it safe, sowing the word only where we are confident it will be well received, and only where those who receive it are likely to become contributing members of our congregations. In the name of stewardship, we hold tightly to our resources, wanting to make sure that nothing is wasted. We stifle creativity and energy for mission, resisting new ideas for fear they might not work -- as though mistakes or failure were to be avoided at all costs. Jesus' approach to mission is quite at odds with our play-it-safe instincts.” (Elisabeth Johnson, Working Preacher)
- What does this story tell us about God?
- Facing the question: “Why do people say ‘no’ to Christ?”
- Preaching Thoughts
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- What goes into good soil? What are the nutrients, fertilizers? John Wesley’s “Acts of Piety”: Bible study, conferencing, Communion, worship, prayer, and fasting.
- What are the fruit that we bear? John Wesley’s “Acts of Mercy” Visiting those in jail, modest living so to help the poor, contributing to education especially among poor, abolition, teaching good health practices.
- The fruit is miraculous - abundant - more than can reasonably be expected. It doesn’t take much to change lives and communities. “Evangelism must be pursued enthusiastically inspite of what appear to be meager results?
- What goes into good soil? What are the nutrients, fertilizers? John Wesley’s “Acts of Piety”: Bible study, conferencing, Communion, worship, prayer, and fasting.
Secondary scripture - Genesis 25:19-34 Esau, Jacob and the Stolen Blessing
- Initial Thoughts
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- The descendants of Abraham...incase you forgot over the last chapter
- Ishmael- officially not a descendant- his part in the story is over
- The descendants of Abraham...incase you forgot over the last chapter
- Bible Study
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- Pregnancy
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- Barrenness and blessing: Theme in the patriarchs/Matriarchs: Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel
- Unlike Sarah and Rachel, Rebekah does not ask for a child, Isaac does
- Barrenness and blessing: Theme in the patriarchs/Matriarchs: Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel
- Names are important:
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- Esau- the red one
- Jacob the tripper upper, he who supplants, he takes by the heel
- Esau- the red one
- Selling the birthright
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- Great recipe for Jacob’s Lentil stew!
- Esau is famished- extraordinarily hungry
- Jacob takes advantage of Esau’s need
- How often do we justify Joseph’s manipulation by condemning Esau’s hunger?
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- Casey Thompson - “Esau is a figure who might resonate with thousands of people in our pews who suffer because of the stereotypes that persist concerning their race, their gender, their stage in life, or their orientation. ‘You know those Edomites: terribly hairy; never take a bath; they smell something unrighteous, I tell you; they cannot plan for the future, but you cannot blame them as they are practically animals: violent, warlike, always having children, never thinking about the ramifications of having them so young, a burden on our system, you know; if they could just control their appetites!’”
- Casey Thompson - “Esau is a figure who might resonate with thousands of people in our pews who suffer because of the stereotypes that persist concerning their race, their gender, their stage in life, or their orientation. ‘You know those Edomites: terribly hairy; never take a bath; they smell something unrighteous, I tell you; they cannot plan for the future, but you cannot blame them as they are practically animals: violent, warlike, always having children, never thinking about the ramifications of having them so young, a burden on our system, you know; if they could just control their appetites!’”
- Great recipe for Jacob’s Lentil stew!
- Favoritism
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- Isaac and Rebekah each choose their favorite son
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- Rebekah knew Jacob would inherit because God told her
- Rebekah knew Jacob would inherit because God told her
- God chooses too- God chooses Jacob over Esau (hates Esau according to Malachi cf. Mal. 1:2-5)
- Why? Why does God choose the usurper, the tripper upper, the tent dweller? Why does God play favorites?
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- No answer
- Where is the grace for Esau?
- No answer
- Isaac and Rebekah each choose their favorite son
- What begins with animosity and violence will end in peace described as the ‘face of God’ (Gen 33:10)
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- Esau overcomes his brother’s faults and learns to forgive- Esau is a hero!
- Esau overcomes his brother’s faults and learns to forgive- Esau is a hero!
- Etiological Story - Foretells the battles between Edom and Israel- they might be fighting now, but there is a dream of peace to come
- Pregnancy
- Preaching Thoughts
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- What are we willing to sell our birthright [our Christian-ness] for? For the chance to be ‘right’ or righteous over others? For the chance to judge? To acquire wealth and power over our neighbors? To remain willfully ignorant of the suffering around us? To forget that God’s news is good?
- What kind of mistakes do we make and what are we willing to sacrifice when we are hungry?
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- “Thinking green” is the concern of the wealthy
- “Thinking green” is the concern of the wealthy
- What are we willing to sell our birthright [our Christian-ness] for? For the chance to be ‘right’ or righteous over others? For the chance to judge? To acquire wealth and power over our neighbors? To remain willfully ignorant of the suffering around us? To forget that God’s news is good?
CLOSING
TY listeners
Shout outs:
- Eric Oliver (@ericmartian) included us in a list of people he was sending his song to. The list included Zach Braff, Ben Folds, and The Flaming Lips, all of whom are awesome, so we felt honored to be a part of that list. Its a pretty good song too called “Omnipresent.”
- Sara Renfro (@revrenfro) asked if we would comment on the Presbyterian Church (USA) decision to affirm same-sex marriages, and allow their clergy to officiate such services. Here’s a beautiful commentary in Time.
Our theme music is Misirlou by Dick Dale and the Del Tones and our closing music is “Oh No” by Paul & Storm.
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