As the church celebrates all Saints Sunday, we wonder with the Apostle John, who are all these people around God’s altar. The answer is the same as in the time of Revelation, “They are the ones who have come out of the great ordeal.” Is that how we feel about this year and having nearly made it through?

One of the lessons of English grammar is that words can be implied even though they are not present. The syntax of verse 21 is clumsy. The verb “to give” should appear twice, but it is implied the second time. Why is giving to God always “implied?” What are the implications of our giving to God?

There are two times that Methodists are quiet, when they are eating or when you are talking about their money. We grow in those silent moments. We have gain insights at times when there are no easy answers. Jesus told two stories that come connected and they both cause us discomfort because they challenge our individualism and our excuses for not playing well with others. These stories make us quiet.

Ouch very often describes the way we feel about the church at this time. Ouch is how we feel about money talk. Not all elements of our faith make us comfortable. Jesus said, “You can fall on the rock or the rock can fall on you.” Either way: OUCH. It is the difference between brokenness and judgment or repentance.

We can’t build an economic system on the parables of Jesus. We are the benefactors of a theology of grace that treats the latecomers like the ones who have worked all day. Grace does turn our world upside down because it does not make sense to those who have labored all day. It is grace not earned income credit. It is grace not earned or deserved it is given. It is a gift. Why do we have jealous thoughts about the gift? What do we learn from our feelings about this parable?

There is a playful image in this parable. The image is extant without words. It is the idea of “time.” How many “times” should we forgive? Jesus even had Peter moving the “times” maker from seven times to seven times seventy. Our math teachers would have in issue with this. How many times are you willing to forgive?  What if time runs out before you’re forgiven or have offered forgiveness? The note is called? Will you forgive this time?

The last chapter of Philippians is rich with preaching possibilities. The focus for this message will be on the peace of God and how that has been an elusive commodity since March. Peace comes as a result of prayer and pondering, thinking about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, etc.