Living the Lectionary 14th Sunday After Pentecost

Season: Pentecost Week of September 18th

About the Season: The season of Pentecost is a season of being given the gifts of God for the purpose of living out His mission on earth as His Body. Its color, green, implies the growth of the Church both personally and as a Body through the work of the Holy Spirit. About this Sunday: Today our readings about the expectations that we have of other people and of God. We are often let down by our expectations, sometimes because we were expecting the right thing out of the wrong person, or because we were

What did you expect?

expecting the wrong thing out of the right person. God tells us that we can always expect Him to be true to His Word, even when that is hard for us to swallow. Reflecting on the Readings: Jonah 3:10-4:11 Did you expect salvation? Jonah doesnt expect salvation for the Assyrian people of Nineveh, but that is exactly what those people receive. Jonah gets despondent about that salvation. Are you ever hardhearted about someone elses salvation or the possibility of their salvation? Psalm 145 Did you expect compassion? This thanksgiving psalm seems to be based on the realization of Gods compassion in the last few verses. Is it a pleasant surprise you when God shows compassion to you today? Philippians 1:21-30 Did you expect suffering? - The words my desire is to depart and be with Christ, tell us that Paul was experiencing the suffering that is a part of every Christians life. Did you expect being a Christian to be a life of ease and comfort? Matthew 20:1-16 Did you expect to be first? Jesus gives us a countercultural lesson about the kingdom of heaven. In it, Gods grace is given not on the basis of works, but on the basis of promise. What have you worked for in Gods kingdom and what are you promised? Law and Gospel: Law: Our expectations often reveal that we are sinners. Only sinners would expect a nation to die and be upset. Only sinners would quibble over a grace given commonly to all. Gospel: God does not give on the basis of our expectations, but rather, tells us to trust in His

promises which are surer than our feeble expectations. His promises will come true. Living the Lectionary Ideas: Learn: Our guest pastor today is serving two Lutheran churches near us. Learn how many Lutheran churches are within 100 miles of your house. Do: Write a list of the people that you know and what you expect them to do for you or with you. Now write a list of the people that have expectations of you. Compare the two lists and consider what the outcome might mean. Live: Are you too hard or demanding? Are you not expecting enough out of people? Find the spiritual causes behind your expectations or lack of them.