Ep.20 - Learning From The Dishonest

Pulpit To Pew

This week's Pulpit To Pew episode, Rev. Beverly Gibson and Johnny Gwin discusses the ins and out of the Shrewd Manager parable (Luke 16:1-13) from this week's readings. What can we learn from the cleverness of the world to deliver a righteous message, make friends, and grow our beloved community? Do you find yourself mastered by to-do lists and your daily routine? Are you open to the unknown? Beverly talks about Ted Talk speaker Courtney Ferrall and her insights on finding energy in our lives from instead of fearing the unknown, embracing it. Beverly and Johnny candidly express the benefits of being willing to open ourselves up to break from the "letter of the law" and the "this is the way we do it" mentality to be a welcoming presence in our Church, community, and family.

If we follow the story, what Jesus is advocating for Israel, in the face of crisis, to try something far less cautious: forget all the extra, add-on rules and regulations, and get down to the essentials of the Law—loving God and neighbor. Make friends, and bring those friends into God’s Kingdom, too.

Read Rev. Beverly Gibson's Sermon Notes

What you will hear: > The meaning of the "Is there no balm in Gilead". (Jeremiah 8:18-9:1) > Why we should pray for our leaders? (1 Timothy 2:1-7) > Discussing Jesus's struggle with the Pharisees and challenging them to make his message "bigger" and more inclusive not "holier." > What do we mean by "less add-on rules, more love"? > The importance of making friends (allies) to be a resource and a part of God's plan. > Using "worldly ways" and resources as tools to growing a movement and community. > Abandoning fear of the unknown and how it gives us energy. > How can we learn and use the Ritz Carlton Way to surprise & delight others with our actions when welcoming others into our community. > The benefit of doing more than what we are supposed to do but striving to surprise & delight others with our actions. > What is the "Also Life"?

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Thanks for listening and have a great and peaceful week.