Sermons preached at Jubilee United Church in Toronto, Ontario.
Rev. Seli spends some time wondering about Jesus' apocalyptic vision of temples falling and worlds ending (Luke 21:5-19) as well as God's promise in Isaiah (65:17-25) to create a new heaven and new earth. Is this really about the end of time... or could this be about something a little closer to home?
Rev. Norm Seli engages with the story of Zacchaeus, fabled tree climber, meeting Jesus (Luke 19: 3ff) and wonders if Zacchaeus actually got what he really wanted.... and how me might feel if Jesus invited himself into our kitchen.
Rev. Norm Seli finds himself a few days after a Federal Election and wondering about the Prophet Joel's promise that God will pay us back for the years of the locusts and never more will God's children be put to shame (Joel 2:23-32) as well at Jesus parable in Luke (8:9-14) about the good upright man of faith and the miserable sinner.... somehow Facebook and Instagram make it into the mix and Norm wonders about what it means to be justified or "right with God".
Rev. Norm Seli wonders about the Prophet Jeremiah's promise that the Law would one day be written on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:27-34)and engages with the parable of the Unjust Judge and the Widow from Luke's Gospel (Luke 18:1-8). Norm presents a weary judge beaten by the world with no real belief in God or humanity...
Celebrating Thanksgiving in Canada, Rev. Norm Seli engages with Jesus at "The Bread of Life" (John 6:25-35) and if anyone really appreciates the Gospel stories in 2019. Is church over? Is God done? Norm then reflects on Psalm 100 and the promise that God's love endures and that God is faithful to all generations.... In that, he finds cause for Thanksgiving.
Rev. Norm Seli engages with the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man (Luke 16:19-31) although much of story is pretty obvious (rich people go to hell), Norm still wonders if there might be something more to this parable. He's also rather concerned about a chasm that cannot be crossed...
Rev. Seli engages in the tiny parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin told by Jesus in Luke's Gospel (15:1-10) and wonders what happens to the lost sheep and the coin after they are found? (Mint jelly may be involved).
Do we really want to be found?
Rev. Norm Seli takes some time to wonder about Paul's letter to Philemon. Although it lacks any groundbreaking theology or faithful revelation, it just might hold the clue to building and maintaining the kingdom of God. (How's that for drama?!)
Rev. Anne Dionisio explores the Gospel (Luke 14:1-14) and Paul's letter to the Hebrews (13:1-16) and wonders about how and which way we are supposed to go? Is it simply about a check list and being good?
Rev. Norm Seli imagines an evening in which he plays guitar with Jesus and they talk about the time that Jesus healed a woman on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10-17) - Jesus tells us more about the woman and makes the case for living our lives as gift, Norm argues for the importance of taking time to really appreciate that gift and navigate this life... Who wins the argument? You'll have to listen.
