Lection: Psalm 14

July 28, 2024

2 Samuel 11:1-15
Psalm 14
John 6:1-15

“There is One”

Back in early June, during an intergenerational service, I was talking about the various kings of Israel and Judah – the human leaders of God’s people. And I remember saying that King David was generally a good king, but he also made some bad choices at times.

This morning’s passage from 2nd Samuel tells the story of one of those times. And reading it today makes me think of some of the corrupt and self-serving leaders and politicians in our world at this time as well. In case you didn’t catch what King David did in this passage, let me summarize.

The story begins with David sending his armies out into battle, but he doesn’t go with them. He stays in Jerusalem instead. While his soldiers are fighting for his kingdom, David is lazing about on his couch and walking around on his rooftop. From there, he spies on a woman who is bathing, thinks she is beautiful, and sends servants to get her so he can sleep with her. Essentially, he rapes her, as I expect she wasn’t a willing partner in the affair.

When the woman (Bathsheba) gets pregnant, David schemes to make her husband … Read more »

September 11, 2016

Sermon by the Rev. Amanda Currie

Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
Psalm 14:1-7
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-10

“Where do you place yourself in the story”

Where do you place yourself in the story? Which character can you relate to today?

Perhaps you can relate to the lost sheep… wandering alone and scared?… hoping for some help, some hope, for a strong and faithful shepherd to find you and carry you home to safety?

Do you feel like the lost coin?… obviously useful and valuable, but forgotten, hidden, over-looked, being passed by over and over?

Or do you relate most easily to the tax collectors and sinners who were coming near to listen to Jesus? You know that you’ve made some mistakes in your life. You’ve been far from perfect, and those close to you know it too… but you’ve been invited to listen to Jesus, to eat with him, and to learn from him.

You feel accepted in his presence, and your history disappears into the background. You have discovered that to Jesus your life is as precious as a lost sheep to a shepherd or a lost silver coin to a woman who needs it.

If you can place yourself in the role of the lost sheep, or the lost … Read more »

September 12, 2010

Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
Psalm 14
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-10

Where do you place yourself in the story? Which character can you relate to today?

Perhaps you can relate to the lost sheep… wandering alone and scared?… hoping for some help, some hope, for a strong and faithful shepherd to find you and carry you home to safety?

Do you feel like the lost coin?… obviously useful and valuable, but forgotten, hidden, over-looked, being passed by over and over?

Or do you relate most easily to the tax collectors and sinners who were coming near to listen to Jesus? You know that you’ve made some mistakes in your life. You’ve been far from perfect, and those close to you know it too… but you’ve been invited to listen to Jesus, to eat with him, and to learn from him. You feel accepted in his presence, and your history disappears into the background. You have discovered that to Jesus your life is as precious as a lost sheep to a shepherd or a lost silver coin to a woman who needs it.

If you can place yourself in the role of the lost sheep, or the lost coin, or the sinner at Jesus’ feet, then I trust that you … Read more »