Stories Jesus Told
The Rich Man and Lazarus
June 2, 2024 • Gerrit Dawson • Luke 16:19–31
We all take the role of Lazarus. Not worth the King’s attention except that his name is Love. Not presentable in our rags with our sores oozing and showing, except that he has clothes of grace and healing ointments of mercy awaiting. We cannot charm him, cajole him, demand from him or connive his favors. We only trust that his words are true and meant for us.
Changing Soils
May 26, 2024 • Gerrit Dawson • Mark 4:1–9
It’s not just about me personally. It’s about the call to be a soil cultivator. To carry the water of love and mercy that softens hard, stony hearts. To risk getting pricked as you help others untangle from the thorns. To help people dig up the rocks and sink deeper roots. Changing soils is about our each becoming more devoted disciples. Fruitfulness is about helping others become devoted disciples. We cultivate the soil of our lives in the field of our community, this fellowship of believers.
For Heaven's Sake, Put Your Clothes On!
May 19, 2024 • Gerrit Dawson • Matthew 22:1–14
The invitations are still out. It is not too late. When the king enters the hall, how will he find us? The classic hymn “On Christ the Solid Rock,” contains the lines, “O may I then be found, dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.” Christ Jesus has a graceful robe of rightness and wholeness and peace to give us. He wants us at the feast. So for heaven’s sake, put your clothes on!
Mother's Day Parables: The Leaven, the Coin and the Persistent Prayer
May 12, 2024 • Gerrit Dawson • Matthew 13:33–46, Luke 15:8–10, Luke 18:1–8
We celebrate today how a mother’s love is faithful, often hidden, persistent and ever hopeful. Good mothers reflect to all of us these qualities in our Lord. Our God seeking the lost coin of our humanity, got down on hands and knees to come find us. He laid aside his glory and took up the confines of flesh. He offered himself utterly, even to the last drop of blood on the cross.
The Speck and the Log
May 5, 2024 • Gerrit Dawson • Matthew 7:1–5
We turn to the Word first and always on ourselves. Then, and only, then, out of our brokenness, out of the mercy we have received, out of our gratitude to God, do we dare to speak to others as God leads. In this way, we live within this text, “Judge not, that you be not judged.”