Message Title: Dreamer of Dreams
Theme: Made to Be
Season: Ordinary Time
Main Text: Genesis 28:10-19a; Jacob’s Ladder
Scripture Reading: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 parable of weeds
RCL Scripture: Genesis 28:10-19a; Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24; Wisdom of Solomon 12:13, 16-19 or Isaiah 44:6-8; Psalm 86:11-17; Romans 8:12-25; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Focus: God blesses trickster Jacob, gives him a responsibility, and makes him a promise.
Function: 
Other Notes:

scripture reading: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like someone who planted good seed in his field. 25 While people were sleeping, an enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 When the stalks sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared. 27 “The servants of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Master, didn’t you plant good seed in your field? Then how is it that it has weeds?’ 28 “‘An enemy has done this,’ he answered. “The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 “But the landowner said, ‘No, because if you gather the weeds, you’ll pull up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow side by side until the harvest. And at harvesttime I’ll say to the harvesters, “First gather the weeds and tie them together in bundles to be burned. But bring the wheat into my barn.”’”….36 Jesus left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field. 37 Jesus replied, “The one who plants the good seed is the Human One.[a] 38 The. field is the world. And the good seeds are the followers of the kingdom. But the weeds are the followers of the evil one. 39 The enemy who planted them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the present age. The harvesters are the angels. 40 Just as people gather weeds and burn them in the fire, so it will be at the end of the present age. 41 The Human One[b] will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that cause people to fall away and all people who sin. 42 He will throw them into a burning furnace. People there will be weeping and grinding their teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom. Those who have ears should hear.”

INTRODUCTION

1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: Who is growing a garden? What are you growing? How is it going?
   1. I have killed so many gardens before and I’ve finally realized why: gardens are a lot of work. It’s hard to be lazy with gardens and expect results. Sure there are plants that require less work but they may also provide less sustenance.
   1. PHOTO: This has been the first year I’ve had a successful garden and I blame the success on the four adults (plus my “farm hands” Aren H & Brody) all working on caring for it. WorkàResults

TRANSITION:  In our text for today, we will hear God bless Jacob. But is Jacob willing to do the work connected to his blessing? Track record not great – judging Jacob.

MAIN TEXT: Genesis 28:10-19a; ¹⁰ Jacob left Beer-sheba and set out for Haran. ¹¹ He reached a certain place and spent the night there. When the sun had set, he took one of the stones at that place and put it near his head. Then he lay down there. ¹² He dreamed and saw a raised staircase, its foundation on earth and its top touching the sky, and God’s messengers were ascending and descending on it. ¹³ Suddenly the Lord was standing on it^[b] and saying, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. ¹⁴ Your descendants will become like the dust of the earth; you will spread out to the west, east, north, and south. Every family of earth will be blessed because of you and your descendants. ¹⁵ I am with you now, I will protect you everywhere you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done everything that I have promised you.” ¹⁶ When Jacob woke from his sleep, he thought to himself, The Lord is definitely in this place, but I didn’t know it. ¹⁷ He was terrified and thought, This sacred place is awesome. It’s none other than God’s house and the entrance to heaven. ¹⁸ After Jacob got up early in the morning, he took the stone that he had put near his head, set it up as a sacred pillar, and poured oil on the top of it. ¹⁹ He named that sacred place Bethel,…

EXPLAINATION:

1. Recap:
   1. Last week we learned that Isaac’s wife Rebekah gave birth to twins Jacob and Esau. Esau was the oldest and therefore the one to inherit and receive the blessing as the eldest son. Esau gave up his birthright for some stew.
   1. Jacob also tricks Esau out of his father’s blessing. As a result, there is now animosity between the brothers, to the point where Jacob is sent away for his protection.
2. Today:
   1. Dreamer: Jacob was travelling to Haran (remember that’s Abraham’s family home aka Ur) when he had a dream in a place called Luz. He saw a holy connection point between earth and heaven: a gateway, a ladder, a stairway from heaven to earth. (Dust= descendants)
      1. SPECIAL NOTE: This point in our text is pre-Israel. I’m the God of Abraham and Isaac. God identifies God’s self by the names of Jacob’s ancestors to differentiate himself from any other gods Jacob may have heard of.
   1. God gives Jacob a blessing, a responsibility, and a promise:
      1. You will be blessed
      1. Everyone on earth will be blessed because of your family
      1. I won’t leave you until this is done
   1. Jacob’s response: He realizes that God is present in this place and is filled with awe.
      1. He blesses this location and erects a monument to distinguish this location. (Here I raise my ebenezer…)

INTERPRETATION:

1. If I’m honest with you, Jacob is one of my least favorite people in scripture. I struggle to make sense of his story because he seems like a tricky guy. Why would God reward Jacob? Why would God use Jacob? It doesn’t make sense. Jacob seems exactly like the kind of person God “should” reject.
   1. For some reason, this is the guy the Jews are named after. God will change Jacob’s name to Israel in Gen 32 (we’ll talk about that in August). Their name means to wrestle.
2. I’d much rather lean into my old interpretation of our scripture reading for today rather than accept Jacob.
   1. Scripture reading: I used to interpret our scripture reading from today as tricky people get their comeuppance. But then you get to the part where he says “all people who sin” will be thrown in the burning furnace. … Where is the hope if that is the case?
      1. COULD WE BE READING THIS PASSAGE WRONG?
         1. ??UNLESS – the furnace is to refine you rather than your destruction. ??
      1. Why has our default interpretation always been that God throws out the “bad people”? (because it makes us feel better) how does that fit into the bigger picture of the Bible and God using broken people to bring about God’s design? “Thank you, God, that I don’t decide who are weeds.”
         1. AND what does that say about God’s power and sovereignty?
         1. I *have* to believe that no one is a lost cause because of God’s character.
   1. What are weeds? Uncle Denny & Weeds vs. Wildflowers àweeds are plants that grow where we didn’t want them to. “Weeds” don’t exist.
   1. Whenever we find a part of scripture that’s hard to read, we have to stop, take it in context of the surrounding passages AND scripture as a whole. (Why are my eyes set on destruction?)
      1. Right after Jesus explains this parable, he uses a series of statements to explain the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven loves reclaiming the lost. The kingdom of heaven celebrates lost treasure found.
      1. God intends to bless all families through Jacob’s family. No one is outside of God’s plan.
      1. John 3:16-17 For God loved the world, he gave his only son. Whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God didn’t send his son to condemn but to save!

APPLICATION: God used Jacob. God can use us. AND God can use *that* person you think is a lost cause.

1. God uses people that we don’t expect or who we would reject.
2. God redeems stories for God’s glory. (Sovereign- no one is outside of God’s salvific reach)
3. Regardless of human decisions, God’s design will be completed. Human will power is not stronger than God. We are not powerful enough to derail God’s plans.
4. Get out of God’s way. Stop throwing people you choose into the proverbial furnace labeled as weeds.

CONCLUSION: God’s sticking with Jacob until God’s plans are accomplished. God’s sticking with us too.

Message Title: Love and Community
Theme: Made to Be
Season: Ordinary Time
Main Text: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67;
Scripture Reading: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
RCL Scripture: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67; Psalm 45:10-17 or Song of Solomon 2:8-13; Zechariah 9:9-12; Psalm 145:8-14; Romans 7:15-25a; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Focus: Isaac marries Rebecca through a consensual(?) arranged marriage.
Function: To love people without putting them in a box of expectations.
Other Notes:

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-30 16 “To what will I compare this generation? It is like a child sitting in the marketplaces calling out to others, 17 ‘We played the flute for you and you didn’t dance. We sang a funeral song and you didn’t mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 Yet the Human One[c] came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved to be right by her works.” ….25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you’ve hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have shown them to babies. 26 Indeed, Father, this brings you happiness. 27 “My Father has handed all things over to me. No one knows the Son except the Father. And nobody knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wants to reveal him. 28 “Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. 29 Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. 30 My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.”

INTRO:

1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: How old were you when you first moved out of your parents’ house?What was your first place like?
   1. Mine? During my junior year of college, my older brother and I lived together.  It was quite the humble abode. Our spacious two-bedroom apartment was filled with patio furniture for dining room furniture, a second-hand couch, tv propped up on milk crates and a pantry full of hamburger helper. Oh, and I was 20 but didn’t have a driver’s license so I rode my bike everywhere. I fondly remember my grandmother saving up her quarters for us to do laundry—it was her way of helping without over stepping our independence.
   1. Anyone else’s first place filled with second hand or thrifted items? There’s something about the history of second-hand items or hand-me-downs that fills a home with love. Honestly, they don’t make furniture like they used to and even now my first choice is somewhere like Treasure Mart to shop for furniture.

TRANSITION: In our text for today, Abraham & Sarah’s son has come of age and is looking to marry. As we examine how his community helps him get established, I invite you consider our own community support networks.

MAIN TEXT: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67; ³⁴ The man said, “I am Abraham’s servant. ³⁵ The Lord has richly blessed my master, has made him a great man, and has given him flocks, cattle, silver, gold, men servants, women servants, camels, and donkeys. ³⁶ My master’s wife Sarah gave birth to a son for my master in her old age, and he’s given him everything he owns. ³⁷ My master made me give him my word: ‘Don’t choose a wife for my son from the Canaanite women, in whose land I’m living. ³⁸ No, instead, go to my father’s household and to my relatives and choose a wife for my son.’ ^…42 “Today I arrived at the spring, and I said, ‘Lord, God of my master Abraham, if you wish to make the trip I’m taking successful, ⁴³ when I’m standing by the spring and the young woman who comes out to draw water and to whom I say, “Please give me a little drink of water from your jar,” ⁴⁴ and she responds to me, “Drink, and I will draw water for your camels too,” may she be the woman the Lord has selected for my master’s son.’ ⁴⁵ Before I finished saying this to myself, Rebekah came out with her water jar on her shoulder and went down to the spring to draw water. And I said to her, ‘Please give me something to drink.’ ⁴⁶ She immediately lowered her water jar and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels something to drink too.’ So I drank and she also gave water to the camels. ⁴⁷ Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ And she said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son whom Milcah bore him.’ I put a ring in her nose and bracelets on her arms. ⁴⁸ I bowed and worshipped the Lord and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who led me in the right direction to choose the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son. ⁴⁹ Now if you’re loyal and faithful to my master, tell me. If not, tell me so I will know where I stand either way.” …⁵⁸ They called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.” ⁵⁹ So they sent off their sister Rebekah, her nurse, Abraham’s servant, and his men. ⁶⁰ And they blessed Rebekah, saying to her, “May you, our sister, become thousands of ten thousand; may your children possess their enemies’ cities.” ⁶¹ Rebekah and her young women got up, mounted the camels, and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left. ⁶² Now Isaac had come from the region of^[b] Beer-lahai-roi and had settled in the arid southern plain. ⁶³ One evening, Isaac went out to inspect the pasture,^[c] and while staring he saw camels approaching. ⁶⁴ Rebekah stared at Isaac. She got down from the camel ⁶⁵ and said to the servant, “Who is this man walking through the pasture to meet us?” The servant said, “He’s my master.” So she took her headscarf and covered herself. ⁶⁶ The servant told Isaac everything that had happened. ⁶⁷ Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent. He received Rebekah as his wife and loved her. So Isaac found comfort after his mother’s death.

EXPLAINATION:

1. Abraham and Sarah’s son Isaac grows up to be a young man ready to find a wife, By this point Sarah has passed away.
2. Abraham sends his servant back to his father’s house in Haran/Ur to find a wife for his son. This isn’t a love match. This is an arranged marriage and the picture is painted in a light that says God picked Rebekah for Isaac.
   1. Rebekah is given the chance to have an opinion about who she will marry and she says yesà aside; could she freely say no?.
3. We learn from the narrator that Isaac’s marriage to Rebekah is a comfort to him in his mother’s death.

INTERPRETATION:

1. I find it fascinating that in particular this scripture says Isaac loved Rebekah – a woman he didn’t know until they were married. Their marriage is one that causes me to pause and reflect on the popular term “Biblical marriage”  Which are we trying to emulate?
   1. Biblical Marriage – marriages were economic and political alliances, the were not love matches 90% of the time. Our concept of marriage today does not fit the “biblical” image of marriage in the OT or even NT. Are all of these exceptions to “Biblical Marriage”?
      1. Abraham, Sarah (half siblings), Hagar, & Keturah? (In Gen 25 Abraham marries Keturah and has more kids through her: The children she bore him were Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.6)
      1. Arranged marriages to cousins like Isaac?
      1. Jacob his 2 cousin-wives & 2 slaves?
      1. Tricked into marriage because of sex like Judah & Tamar?
      1. Solomon and his multiple wives and concubines (700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kgs 11:3). His wives were to have included the daughter of Pharaoh, as well as women of Moabite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite origins (1 Kgs 7:8; 11:1).)
2. Marriage: Are we all called to get married? Nope.
   1. Paul (asexual?) says it’s easier to serve the Gospel single but if you can’t keep your “urges” in check, get married. 1 Cor 7:8 (shakers inspiration?)
   1. Also, per the gospels, Jesus didn’t get married – that’s a tangent for another day.
   1. Two highly elevated men in the bible did not get married and it was seen as a good thing. …. So why do we treat unwed adults as incomplete humans?
3. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: Why have we created a trend of only celebrating the adulthood of married or college graduates?
   1. Celebrating Life stages: Different cultures have different trends/expectations on this point. Many non-white American families assume the child will live at home until they are married. Even in some, family homes are multi-generational. College vs Military/Work Force/Trades
      1. (I think many white-American homes are returning back to the multi-generational house structure because of the high cost of living.)

APPLICATION:

1. Being the Church—blessing out of our blessings – includes caring for people without expecting them to fit into a cookie cutter design. Many people are abandoned by parents for a wide variety of reasons, including differences in Ideology. Our job as the church is to out pour love at overwhelming rates (orphans, widows, vulnerable).
2. Let’s get really practical for a minute: What could be the equivalent of bridal or baby showers for people entering the workforce and moving out on their own? BACK TO INTRO: Pound Parties & family picnics

CONCLUSION: The church isn’t just a place to regurgitate scripture… but a place to live & thrive in scripture. Be the community, provide support, outpour blessings. Made to be community.

Message Title: The Purpose of Sacrifices
Theme: Made to Be
Season: Ordinary Time
Main Text: Genesis 22:1-14
Scripture Reading: Matthew 10:40-42
RCL Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14; Psalm 13; Jeremiah 28:5-9; Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 10:40-42
Focus: God asks for a human sacrifice but stops it before it happens.
Function: To release the need to justify God and allow ourselves to feel the uncomfortable parts of faith and life.
Other Notes: INDEPENDENCE DAY

Scripture Reading: Matthew 10:40-42 ⁴⁰ “Those who receive you are also receiving me, and those who receive me are receiving the one who sent me. ⁴¹ Those who receive a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. Those who receive a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. ⁴² I assure you that everybody who gives even a cup of cold water to these little ones because they are my disciples will certainly be rewarded.”

            Do God’s intentions

INTRODUCTION:

1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: Do you have any secrets from your childhood that your parents still don’t know?
   1. – meme about hurting your sibling “don’t tell mom”-
   1. My mom has said that if we successfully pulled the wool over her eyes to just leave it there and she can live in the naivety forever.
   1. My dad and the apple machine story

TRANSITION: Today, Abraham is keeping a secret from Isaac.

MAIN TEXT: Genesis 22:1-14 After these events, God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” Abraham answered, “I’m here.” ² God said, “Take your son, your only son whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him up as an entirely burned offering there on one of the mountains that I will show you.” ³ Abraham got up early in the morning, harnessed his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, together with his son Isaac. He split the wood for the entirely burned offering, set out, and went to the place God had described to him. ⁴ On the third day, Abraham looked up and saw the place at a distance. ⁵ Abraham said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will walk up there, worship, and then come back to you.” ⁶ Abraham took the wood for the entirely burned offering and laid it on his son Isaac. He took the fire and the knife in his hand, and the two of them walked on together. ⁷ Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father?” Abraham said, “I’m here, my son.” Isaac said, “Here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the entirely burned offering?” ⁸ Abraham said, “The lamb for the entirely burned offering? God will see to it,^[a] my son.” The two of them walked on together. ⁹ They arrived at the place God had described to him. Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He tied up his son Isaac and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. ¹⁰ Then Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. ¹¹ But the Lord’s messenger called out to Abraham from heaven, “Abraham? Abraham?” Abraham said, “I’m here.” ¹² The messenger said, “Don’t stretch out your hand against the young man, and don’t do anything to him. I now know that you revere God and didn’t hold back your son, your only son, from me.” ¹³ Abraham looked up and saw a single ram^[b] caught by its horns in the dense underbrush. Abraham went over, took the ram, and offered it as an entirely burned offering instead of his son. ¹⁴ Abraham named that place “the Lord sees.”^[c] That is the reason people today say, “On this mountain the Lord is seen.”

EXPLAINATION:

1. Context:
   1. In Genesis Isaac, the promised son, was born and in that same chapter Sarah convinced Abraham to dismiss Hagar and Ishmael.
      1. Abraham had to send off his oldest child. Before this happened, God promises Abraham he will provide for Ishmael. God also later promises Hagar as well.
   1. The assumption is some time has passed from Isaacs birth, Ishmael’s dismissal, and God asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.
2. Abraham is now estranged from one of his sons and God has the audacity to ask Abraham to sacrifice the remaining son. You know- the one that Abraham waited 25 years for God to provide.
3. Different types of sacrifices: not all sacrifices required the burning up of the whole animal. Some sacrifices would be more like a barbecue for the priests. An entirely burned offering, however, left only ashes behind.
   1. This request from God is perplexing because in Deuteronomy and Jeremiah human sacrifice is condemned.
   1. How is this a genuine act of worship if it is eventually condemned? Is this really even an option???

INTERPRETATION:

1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: Do you have a problem with God asking Abraham to kill his son to prove his faithfulness?
   1. *Smite joke*
   1. Not history but a foundation
   1. I have confidence that God still loves us when we ask questions, have doubts, or push back on God’s plans or actions.
   1. Rabbinic traditions: (writings like commentaries on the scriptures)
      1. Genesis Rabbah is a religious text from Judaism’s classical period, probably written between 300 and 500 CE with some later additions. It is a midrash comprising a collection of ancient rabbinical homiletical interpretations of the Book of Genesis.
   1. Genesis Rabbah – has explanations about the Binding of Isaac that include a Job-like narrative between God and Satan.
      1. https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/8217/jewish/Chapter-22.htm
2. To follow Christ, to be who God made us to be, is to wrestle with the story of God and our role in the story.

APPLICATION:

1. Life creates uncomfortable, painful, and even traumatic experiences. It is a mistake to put a band-aid on those events with the phrase “God has a plan.”
   1. trust test à left homeland, left lot, released Ishmael…. Hasn’t he proved that enough?
   1. We create false statements about God as we make those claims.
      1. Justifying the binding of Isaac by saying that God “tested” Abraham’s faithfulness by asking him to do something immoral…..
         1. So, faithfulness to God could be demonstrated by something he forbids in other passages?
      1. We’ve talked before about the problem of saying “God needed an angel, that’s why your loved one died” – so God is a needy narcissist who uses humans as play things for his own amusement?
   1. Abraham pushed back on God’s plans when they made him uncomfortable with Lot & Sodom.
      1. Moses did too – I’m a poor speaker
      1. Mary and Martha did too- If you would have been here my brother wouldn’t have died!
      1. Jesus did too – take this cup from me
2. I invite you to stop justifying God and wrestle with the uncomfortable stories.
   1. I don’t have an explanation for the Binding of Isaac.
   1. It is an uncomfortable story.
   1. While I have peace because I believe in God’s character, I still struggle with this story.

CONCLUSION: You are allowed to have questions and still be part of God’s family. We don’t have to make sense of sacrifices.Israel was made to wrestle with God—our calling can include struggle.

1. Admit your queasiness.
2. Engage your empathy.
3. Allow uncertainty.

COMMUNION:  Join the wrestling team. We come to the table not because we understand it all. We come to the table not because we’re 100% cool with everything in scripture. We come to the table because of our willingness to wrestle with these words and pursue God’s truth,

Message Title: Sticking to the Promised Plan
Theme: Made to Be
Season: Ordinary Time
Main Text: Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7); Isaac Promised
Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:35-10:8 Jesus’ compassion & Disciples’ ministry
RCL Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7); Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19; Exodus 19:2-8a; Psalm 100; Romans 5:1-8; Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)
Focus: God promises Abraham a son named Isaac through Sarah.
Function:  To not decide the character of God by the action of humans.
Other Notes: FATHER’S DAY

Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23) Jesus’ compassion & Disciples’ ministry
35 Jesus traveled among all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, announcing the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. 36 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The size of the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers. 38 Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers for his harvest.” He called his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to throw them out and to heal every disease and every sickness. 2 Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, who is called Peter; and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee; and John his brother; 3 Philip; and Bartholomew; Thomas; and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananaean; and Judas, who betrayed Jesus. 5 Jesus sent these twelve out and commanded them, “Don’t go among the Gentiles or into a Samaritan city. 6 Go instead to the lost sheep, the people of Israel. 7 As you go, make this announcement: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, and throw out demons. You received without having to pay. Therefore, give without demanding payment.

INTRODUCTION:

1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: what role did you play in group projects in school? The leader, the worker bee, the freeloader?
   1. What were your general thoughts about doing group projects?
2. 8^th grade group project: Abby & the Japanese Internment camp project – I was clueless about the topic until Abby brought it up. Looking back now, I only vaguely remember my efforts in the project. Perhaps, because I was so overwhelmed about this revelation that I didn’t really know how to help. So thank you to Abby all those years ago for carrying us in that project!

TRANSITION: Today is our next installment of the Made to Be series; They had gone off script. We are in Genesis 18. God takes time to get Abram & Sarai, now Abraham and Sarah, back on the group project plans.

Reminder, we’re looking at this book not as a fact-finding mission but as a foundation of our identity.

Main Text: Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7); Isaac Promised– The Lord appeared to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre while he sat at the entrance of his tent in the day’s heat. ² He looked up and suddenly saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them, he ran from his tent entrance to greet them and bowed deeply. ³ He said, “Sirs, if you would be so kind, don’t just pass by your servant. ⁴ Let a little water be brought so you may wash your feet and refresh yourselves under the tree. ⁵ Let me offer you a little bread so you will feel stronger, and after that you may leave your servant and go on your way—since you have visited your servant.” They responded, “Fine. Do just as you have said.” ⁶ So Abraham hurried to Sarah at his tent and said, “Hurry! Knead three seahs of the finest flour and make some baked goods!” ⁷ Abraham ran to the cattle, took a healthy young calf, and gave it to a young servant, who prepared it quickly. ⁸ Then Abraham took butter, milk, and the calf that had been prepared, put the food in front of them, and stood under the tree near them as they ate. ⁹ They said to him, “Where’s your wife Sarah?” And he said, “Right here in the tent.” ¹⁰ Then one of the men said, “I will definitely return to you about this time next year. Then your wife Sarah will have a son!” Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. ¹¹ Now Abraham and Sarah were both very old. Sarah was no longer menstruating. ¹² So Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, I’m no longer able to have children and my husband’s old. ¹³ The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Me give birth? At my age?’ ¹⁴ Is anything too difficult for the Lord? When I return to you about this time next year, Sarah will have a son.” ¹⁵ Sarah lied and said, “I didn’t laugh,” because she was frightened. But he said, “No, you laughed.”

EXPLAINATION:

1. GENESIS CONTEXT: draw this out?
   1. Gen 12 God promised to make Abram a great nation and calls him to move to a new land at 75.
   1. Gen 15 Time passes, drama ensues for Lot, and God promised Abram would have a son.
   1. Gen 16 Abram and Sarai made a plan to fulfill God’s promise. Ishmael was born to Abram through the sexual exploitation of Hagar their servant at the age of 86.
      1. Hagar runs away and God speaks to her, blesses her and her son. Then Hagar names God. And returns to Abram and Sarai.
   1. Gen 17 God makes a covenant with Abram (100) that Sarah (90) would bare him a son named Isaac. God changed their names to Abraham and Sarah to commemorate this promise.
      1. God also blesses Ishmael (13) to be a great nation of 12 tribes.
      1. Abraham and Ishmael are circumcised as a sign of the promise.
2. TODAY: Gen 18
   1. “Lord visits” & “three men” – angelic messengers?
      1. Lavish hospitality of Abraham & Sarah – killing an animal, creating bread, butter, etc to provide for their guests.
      1. Promise of a son by next year
   1. Sarah laughs at the prospect of being old and having a son & lies about laughing.
   1. “Is there anything too difficult for the Lord?”
   1. Ch 18 drama ensures for lot at sodom
3. PS –Gen 21 – Isaac is born and Hagar & Ishmael are “evicted” but with a blessing

INTERPRETATION:

1. God has promised Abram a bunch of times that God would follow through on God’s plan.
   1. Abram and Sarai tried to fulfill “the plan” with their own design through the exploitation of another individual. Sure, Abram got a son out of the deal, but was that part of God’s plan?
   1. Did Abram not believe God? Did Abram grow impatient? I mean, it was 25+ years before the promise was finally fulfilled.
2. Let’s be honest: We’re not great at assessing God’s plans, especially when life gets hard.
   1. Someone dies “must have been God’s plan”
   1. Someone loses their job “God has a plan”
   1. Someone can’t get pregnant “not in God’s plan”
3. What kind of God do we worship if these are the plans God makes?
   1. (Making allowances for tragedies by blaming God)
   1. What kind of God did Abraham and Sarah think they were following that designed a plan for Abram to sexually exploit a person that was dependent on them for survival? How is that “blessed to be a blessing”? Was Hagar blessed by Abram & Sarai’s actions?
4. God reminded Abram MULTIPLE TIMES what the plan was. When Sarai and Abram went rogue, God reminded them that this wasn’t the plan. Again, they’re reminded and Sarah laughs: “Right God… a son…we’re still waiting 25 years later…”
   1. SCRIPTURE READING: In the middle of Jesus’ ministry, Jesus had compassion on the crowds and commissioned the disciples to join him in his work. They were not given authority to expand the Gospel at that time – stick to Israel. But eventually at the Great Commission their commission would include all the nations of the world.
      1. The disciples had to stick to Jesus’ plan.
5. God is experienced in humans not sticking to the plan & creation loves going rogue

APPLICATION: To not decide the character of God by the action of humans.

1. Father’s day – Plan vs Rogue
2. As we fulfill our role as commissioned humans (gen 1:28-29), Abraham’s children (gen 12:3), and Christ’s disciples (matt 28 & acts 1), we’re called to set our own ideas down to pick up God’s plan.
   1. The Southern Baptist Convention voted this week to expel churches from their denomination who ordain and endorse women in leadership. At the same time, they are not addressing the problems of sexual misconduct of male pastors in congregations. They are claiming exclusion and hierarchy & exploitation as part of God’s plan. They are living in Genesis 3, not Genesis 1. The Gospel is being limited because of their human made plans.

CONCLUSION: God’s plan doesn’t include exploitation or exclusion or favoritism. – Our commission as humans, as Abraham’s children, and Christ’s disciples will never include exploitation or exclusion. God’s plan from Genesis 1 to today was for all of creation. Get back to the plan

Note: I will be in Puerto Rico June 21-27^th for our denominational biennial as a delegate and a speaker.

Message Title: Calling Who?!?
Theme: Made to Be
Season: Ordinary Time
Main Text: Genesis 12:1-9
Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
RCL Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9; Psalm 33:1-12; Hosea 5:15-6:6; Psalm 50:7-15; Romans 4:13-25; Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
Focus: God calls Abram’s family to join God in ministry. 
Function: To reflect on the familiar beliefs we hold and how God’s ministry may ask us to step into the uncomfortable & unfamiliar. 
Other Notes: source: https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/8176/showrashi/true/jewish/Chapter-12.htm#lt=primary

Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 calling the unwanted– 9 As Jesus continued on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at a kiosk for collecting taxes. He said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him. 10 As Jesus sat down to eat in Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners joined Jesus and his disciples at the table. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 When Jesus heard it, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. 13 Go and learn what this means: I want mercy and not sacrifice.[b] I didn’t come to call righteous people, but sinners.” … 18 While Jesus was speaking to them, a ruler came and knelt in front of him, saying, “My daughter has just died. But come and place your hand on her, and she’ll live.” 19 So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him. 20 Then a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years came up behind Jesus and touched the hem of his clothes. 21 She thought, If I only touch his robe I’ll be healed. 22 When Jesus turned and saw her, he said, “Be encouraged, daughter. Your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that time on. 23 When Jesus went into the ruler’s house, he saw the flute players and the distressed crowd. 24 He said, “Go away, because the little girl isn’t dead but is asleep”; but they laughed at him. 25 After he had sent the crowd away, Jesus went in and touched her hand, and the little girl rose up. 26 News about this spread throughout that whole region.”

INTRO: 

1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: What is the “right” way to eat a KitKat?
   1. First Random Fact: Did you know that KitKat are regionally owned? Hersey’s owns the US ones, Nestle owns international KitKat… and they have a bunch of WEIRD flavors – like a melon one.
      1. The Hungry Asian market in Kokomo frequently gets the fun flavors (usually one at a time) if you ever get curious.
   1. Here’s my embarrassing pastor fail: When I was a youth pastor, I watched one of my students take a bite of their KitKat without breaking the pieces apart. I’d never seen that done before and jokingly yelled: “you monster!” however, that kid was so embarrassed he never came back to youth group. Little did I know he was dealing with a lot of anxiety and I had boiled it over the top. It’s something I think about even 10+ years later.
   1. “Give me a break, break me off a piece of that kitkat bar.”

TRANSITION: Eating treats can be one of those silly hills to die on, like the favorite burner on a stove or big spoons vs little spoons for eating. What would you do if God told you that you needed to learn to eat KitKats a different way?  In our text today, God tells someone to completely step out of their routine and comfort zone.

Main Text: Genesis 12:1-9 Call of Abram– The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your land, your family, and your father’s household for the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation and will bless you. I will make your name respected, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, those who curse you I will curse; all the families of the earth will be blessed because of you.”[a 4 Abram left just as the Lord told him, and Lot went with him. Now Abram was 75 years old when he left Haran. 5 Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all of their possessions, and those who became members of their household in Haran; and they set out for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan, 6 Abram traveled through the land as far as the sacred place at Shechem, at the oak of Moreh. The Canaanites lived in the land at that time. 7 The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I give this land to your descendants,” so Abram built an altar there to the Lord who appeared to him. 8 From there he traveled toward the mountains east of Bethel, and pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and worshipped in the Lord’s name. 9 Then Abram set out toward the arid southern plain, making and breaking camp as he went.

EXPLANATION:

1. this is our introduction to Abram, who would become Abraham. the very beginning of his story is God calling him to move away from everything he knows and trust God to provide. oh and the rest of his household and his nephew. 
2. “Leave everything you’re familiar with and I will provide for you” (God paraphrased)
3. “you’re blessed to be a blessing: every family should be blessed because of you”
4. “The blessings are entrusted into your hand. Until now, they were in My hand; I blessed Adam and Noah. From now on, you may bless whomever you wish.”

 INTERPRETATION: 

1. When we picture Abram being blessed to be a blessing, who do you envision him blessing?
2. friendly neighbors; like-minded folks
3. especially because the text says curse those who curse you
4. Who is he cursing? – clearly enemies and opponents… right?
   1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: What was our commission as humans? to foster the flourishing of creation: multiply, subdue, have dominion 

1. how does cursing your opponent’s fit that commission? 
2. how does Jesus’ behavior push us to see this commission differently?
3. How could our commission change the way we see the month of June – Pride & Juneteenth?
4. CONNECT TO SCRIPTURE READING:
   1. Jesus’ ministry is to the outcast

1. calling of Matthew, the tax collector
2. dining with sinners 
3. reviving daughter of royal official (not Jewish)
4. healing bleeding woman (would be ostracized by Jewish law for her condition as “unclean”)
5. Why would God, after making a beautiful creation, invite us to curse people? How do we filter this instruction through the creation commission?
   1. Are we using this verse as a license to condemn anyone who eats their KitKat differently?

APPLICATION: To reflect on the familiar beliefs we hold and how God’s ministry may ask us to step into the uncomfortable & unfamiliar. 

1. God is calling us to leave our tribe for his. leave our tribes based on:
   a. political affiliation & nationality
   b. religion & denomination
   c. who you love
   d. examples in scripture:
   i. “not what I want but what you want God.”- we echo Jesus’ words in the garden of Gethsemane
   ii. “not my plans but your plans.” – man plans God directs the steps
   iii. “not my people but your people”- we mimic Ruth’s commitment to Naomi
2. open chat ai:
   a. Stepping out in faith often requires leaving behind the familiar and comfortable aspects of our lives. It can involve leaving behind old habits, routines, or even relationships that no longer serve our growth or align with our true calling. By shedding the attachments that hold us back, we create space for new possibilities and opportunities to unfold.
3. Connection to last week:
   a. Rule of Life – as you reflect over your rule of life and continue to pray for God to guide your life, take time to reflect on the calling God has placed on your heart.
   i. Who is God calling you to love?
   ii. How is God asking you to love?
   iii. What ways do you need to let go of your own plans in order to love like God?

CONCLUSION To reflect on the familiar beliefs we hold and how God’s ministry may ask us to step into the uncomfortable & unfamiliar. 

1. Embrace discomfort and the unfamiliar
2. Lean into loving the world God’s way

Message Title: The Trajectory of Everything
Theme: Made to Be
Season: Ordinary Time
Main Text: Genesis 1:1-2:4a
Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:16-20
RCL Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20
Focus: God creates with intention.
Function: To embrace our commission as humans, living in God’s created order and rejecting the status of the fall.
Other Notes:  TRINITY SUNDAY//Communion Sunday

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 28:16-20 ¹⁶ Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted. ¹⁸ Jesus came near and spoke to them, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.”

BEGINNING OF SERIES–Genesis is the first book in the Bible and the first book of the Torah. This book wasn’t intended to be historical facts to memorize BUT a book about the foundational identity of God’s people. This origin story helps us formulate who God made us to be and how we fit into God’s big plans for creation.

INTRODUCTION:

1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: if you were told you could win $1mil if you were able to quote a move at least 75% correctly… what movie would you choose?
2. I’d choose Star Wars: A New Hope

TRANSITION: Sometimes we are so confident that we KNOW scripture so intimately we don’t ACTUALLY have to read those words. It is imperative that we take time to see scripture in its context and let God guide our hearts to understand God’s word in new ways. Otherwise, the Living Word of God stops breathing and is reduced to a collection of thoughts we retain for religious clout. The way we interpret the Creation story is at the foundation of our faith and sets a trajectory for the expression of our faith in words and deeds.

MAIN TEXT: Genesis 1:1-2:4a 1 When God began to create^[a] the heavens and the earth— ² the earth was without shape or form, it was dark over the deep sea, and God’s wind swept over the waters— ³ God said, “Let there be light.” And so light appeared. ⁴ God saw how good the light was. God separated the light from the darkness. ⁵ God named the light Day and the darkness Night. There was evening and there was morning: the first day. ⁶ God said, “Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters to separate the waters from each other.” ⁷ God made the dome and separated the waters under the dome from the waters above the dome. And it happened in that way. ⁸ God named the dome Sky. There was evening and there was morning: the second day. ⁹ God said, “Let the waters under the sky come together into one place so that the dry land can appear.” And that’s what happened. ¹⁰ God named the dry land Earth, and he named the gathered waters Seas. God saw how good it was. ¹¹ God said, “Let the earth grow plant life: plants yielding seeds and fruit trees bearing fruit with seeds inside it, each according to its kind throughout the earth.” And that’s what happened. ¹² The earth produced plant life: plants yielding seeds, each according to its kind, and trees bearing fruit with seeds inside it, each according to its kind. God saw how good it was. ¹³ There was evening and there was morning: the third day. ¹⁴ God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night. They will mark events, sacred seasons, days, and years. ¹⁵ They will be lights in the dome of the sky to shine on the earth.” And that’s what happened. ¹⁶ God made the stars and two great lights: the larger light to rule over the day and the smaller light to rule over the night. ¹⁷ God put them in the dome of the sky to shine on the earth, ¹⁸ to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. God saw how good it was. ¹⁹ There was evening and there was morning: the fourth day. ²⁰ God said, “Let the waters swarm with living things, and let birds fly above the earth up in the dome of the sky.” ²¹ God created the great sea animals and all the tiny living things that swarm in the waters, each according to its kind, and all the winged birds, each according to its kind. God saw how good it was. ²² Then God blessed them: “Be fertile and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.” ²³ There was evening and there was morning: the fifth day. ²⁴ God said, “Let the earth produce every kind of living thing: livestock, crawling things, and wildlife.” And that’s what happened. ²⁵ God made every kind of wildlife, every kind of livestock, and every kind of creature that crawls on the ground. God saw how good it was. ²⁶ Then God said, “Let us make humanity in our image to resemble us so that they may take charge of the fish of the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and all the crawling things on earth.” ²⁷ God created humanity in God’s own image, in the divine image God created them,^[b] male and female God created them. ²⁸ God blessed them and said to them, “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and master it. Take charge of the fish of the sea, the birds in the sky, and everything crawling on the ground.” ²⁹ Then God said, “I now give to you all the plants on the earth that yield seeds and all the trees whose fruit produces its seeds within it. These will be your food. ³⁰ To all wildlife, to all the birds in the sky, and to everything crawling on the ground—to everything that breathes—I give all the green grasses for food.” And that’s what happened. ³¹ God saw everything he had made: it was supremely good. There was evening and there was morning: the sixth day. 2 The heavens and the earth and all who live in them were completed. ² On the sixth ^[c] day God completed all the work that he had done, and on the seventh day God rested from all the work that he had done. ³ God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all the work of creation.^[d] 4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created.

EXPLAINATION:

1. Fresh Eyes: I fear we, the church, reduce the creation account to a science or history textbook with facts to memorize rather than an origin story for God and creation. Genesis is the beginning of the story of God’s relationship with creation.
   1. Genesis 1-2 is one of the most important scriptures in our Bible. How we read the beginning of Genesis sets a trajectory for our interpretation of Scripture and our relationship with God. No pressure, right? 
2. Back to the Basics: It is basic common knowledge that Genesis is the first book in the Bible. However, our Jewish siblings divide the Old Testament into three sections: Law, Prophets, & Writings. The Law begins with Genesis, which starts out the section of scripture outlining the structure of society and core tenants for God’s people. Genesis was intended to be a foundation for the ordering of society. The Creation account details how God would order things if humans would follow suit.
   1. A story 3 ways:
      1. Version 1: Genesis 1:1 –
      1. Version 2: Genesis 1:2-2: 4a –
      1. Version 3: Genesis 2: 4b-25 –
3. Poetry: Genesis 1-2 is a poem of God’s love pouring out of God’s self as creation’s beginning. Where facts and figures fail, poetry thrives.
4. Restarting the Basics: When we start back at the beginning of this beautiful Hebrew poetry, we learn not just about the beginning of creation but the beginning of a love story between God and creation. When God finished creating, God said creation was “very good.” God’s love overflowed as creating humans, this world, the plants and animals. In verse 31, every part of creation together, not just humans, was summarized as very good. Each part of creation was in its God-designed place and the order was wholly holy goodness.
5. Commission: A less common discussion about the creation account involves God commissioning humanity. Until the commissioning of Adam and Eve, starting in 1:28, we have seen God give the Sun and Moon instructions on when to shine, and God commands the birds and fish to be fruitful and multiply. God gives no commands or instructions to the creatures of land or the plants. Only humanity is given a threefold commissioned to fill the earth, subdue the earth, and have dominion.

INTERPRETATION:

1. Key Definitions: Humans were commissioned to subdue the earth and have dominion, but what exactly does it mean to subdue and have dominion?God did not give us free rein over creation. We have the burden and blessing of responsibility but the plan is God’s design. 
   1. Our goal is not to use up the earth and everything on it for our whims or pleasures. Our commission is to embody God’s intention in the way we carry out our commission. We are called to foster the nourishment and flourishing of creation rather than its exploitation. Yes, these Hebrew words subdue & dominion mean to hold a position as an overseer or manager. BUT we must remember overseers and managers act on behalf of a “higher” authority, not their own. We are not free to use creation for our own whim or fancy. 
   1. Everything we do must fit within God’s design, including the commission to “be fruitful.” How we interpret Genesis 1-3 affects our interpretation of the rest of the Bible and even our role in the Gospel: humans’ commission to care for creation rather than exploit it.
2. Getting back to God’s Design:  God’s design did not include hierarchy or division based on gender, ethnicity, or race. God’s original design did not include favoritism. All humans received the same commission. Even when Abraham was chosen to be the father of God’s people, the intention was to bless others (Genesis 12:1-3).
   1. Favoritism, division and hierarchy are products of the Fall. They are not how God designed creation to be ordered. Why do we continue to choose to live in consequences rather than by God’s design? 

APPLICATION:

1. Rule of Life: Now is the time to put our faith into action in light of our study of the creation story. I invite you to consider creating a Rule of Life. “A rule of life is a commitment to live your life in a particular way. It is meant to be crafted with prayer and discernment, in partnership with God, as you consider the way God made you and the values He has inscribed upon your heart.”
   1. Monks, Sisters, & Priests all have rules (or a covenant on how they intend to live)
2. Writing your own rule of life: https://sacredordinarydays.com/pages/rule-of-life 

1. I invite you to consider practicing the art of subduing dominion in your rule of life: 
   1. How does my faith impact my consumerism?
   1. How does my faith impact my interaction with nature? 
   1. How does my faith impact my understanding of rest for myself and others? 
   1. How does my faith change my interaction with the vulnerable? 

CONCLUSION: We may be celebrating graduates today but all of us have a chance to make plans for our lives.

How can I live out God’s commission as a human and Jesus’ commission as a disciple?

COMMUNION – This table is leveling ground. There are no favorites. There are no super holy. There is no gender roles or divisions. All are welcome at this table. All are loved by God. All are invited into God’s commission.