Who's Your Manager?

2025-09-21 Lk 16 01-13 Who's Your Manager (or Not Your Average Dishonest Manager) Trinity Presbyterian Church 

Who's YOUR manager?  

Everybody has one. At least one. 

Some of us have 150.

I like to say, Jesus is my manager. 

And that sounds good but it makes it hard to blame your boss.  

A while back, I answered the phone at my church. 

The professional voice on the other end said, "May I speak to the manager of your organization?" 

I said, "Yes you may. Anytime you want. You don't even need a phone." 

"But is IS very long distance." 

You know you're having a good day when a spam caller hangs up on YOU. 

He probably thought, "Religious weirdo."  

And he'd be right. 

If you're a manager, a GOOD one, you try to keep your people happy, healthy, and have them all going the same direction at the same time.  

Like shepherds, managers have to keep the herd in line. You want to keep even one from straying off.  

But managers have to do unpleasant business, too. 

Tough conversations.  

Make the hard calls.  

Sometimes their OWN neck is on the line. 

When one of our daughters was very young, her grandparents, I think, bought her some Barbie hairdressing mannequin head things.  

With flowing hair that always needed work.  

Because my parents knew, it's never too soon to learn a trade.  

AI -- will never replace hairdressers.  

We'll always need them. Well, most of us.  

Our daughter -- let's call her, Daughter X --  had the Barbie heads set up, in the middle of the living room floor, in a semi-circle, meeting style, with herself in the middle.  

Looking very matter-of-fact. 

She said, "Dad, could you come in here for a minute? The girls and I would like to talk with you." 

THAT sounded ominous.  

I said, "Am I being fired?" 

If she had more work experience she might have said, "Oh no. Mom's in charge of HR." 

"Do you mind if I record this?" 

-- 

Jesus -- himself -- did his best to keep people happy and healthy and all going the same direction.  

He also had to do some very unpleasant business sometimes.  

Tough conversations.  

His neck was often on the line, you might say.  

Jesus was over a team of 12 disciples.  

And he was constantly having to pull one or the other aside and "have a talk" with them.  

Sometimes all of them at once.  

The original "Come to Jesus Meeting." 

"Come on, guys. How many times to I have to say it? Do you have ears to hear? Listen up."  

When you think about it, Jesus had to deal with stuff every manager has to put up with.  

They questioned his decisions.  

Paid no attention.  

Fell asleep during meetings.  

Demanded promotions.  

One notable betrayal.  

He even had one disciple who - three times on the same day - denied he even was associated.  

"Jesus? Never met the guy."  

And the rooster crowed. 

Jesus understood management.  

The good parts.  

And the not so good parts, too.  

He put his life on the line for these people.  

And look how they crucified him. 

So, it probably wasn't surprising that Jesus would tell a parable about a manager. 

What IS surprising is that the manager in Jesus's story was a man of VERY questionable ethics. 

But, Jesus seemed to say.  

You folks could learn a lot by watching even a BAD manager.  

HE was sketchy, but imagine what you'd accomplish if you put YOUR brains and YOUR best gifts together to do GOOD things for GOD'S mission, God's vision, God's enterprise, God's kingdom.  

Imagine what you'd get done working WITH God instead of against. 

-- 

Here's a question to ask yourself: Are YOU a good manager? 

In the office, in the church, I try to be a good manager.  

I've had bad managers. So I know how it works. 

And I've made my own mistakes.  

I'm sure more than I know.  

We pastors can get too cozy in our warm Bible bubble baths.  

 So, I wonder, did Jesus tell this story of a dishonest manager as shock therapy for his angelic co-workers?   

I mean, if you're around Jesus as much as they were, you might start thinking you're special, like you're above all the office, church, home, and schoolyard politics that go on and on and on? 

Good managers are good -- because they care enough to face reality.  

Because they love enough to walk between the landmines.  

Because they know there's always more to life than whatever it is they're managing.  

So they can laugh, often at themselves.  

They can hold your hand and cry with you.  

They can tell you stuff you need to hear for your own good. 

Because – they know you're only human, and so are they.  

And I think this is true whether you're managing an office full of ornery people.  

Or a kindergarten soccer team.  

Or the piles in that room in your house nobody is allowed to enter.  

Or your parents' health care.  

Or that damned computer, or smartphone, or other satanic electronics.  

Or eve if you're just managing to get 5 minutes of silence, in the car, in the driveway before anyone knows you're home. 

We're all managing something.  

And we're all managing as best we can.   

And I want to say this:  

If you're getting to the point where you don't feel like you CAN manage anymore --  

it's 100% OK to sit down and throw your hands up and ask for help.  

Or advice.  

Or to ask a coach to kick your butt.  

Or your sister to bake you a pie.  

Or a friend down the pew for just a hug to get you through lunch. 

Or a therapist. Or any other mental health professional.    

One of the things I dearly love about Trinity Presbyterian Church is that you have so many people with so much experience, so much wisdom.  

People who have managed businesses, who have flown fighter jets, who have performed surgery on infants.  

You have grandmothers and grandfathers who have stories to tell,  

and iced tea to share,  

and Dad jokes to roll your eyes through,  

and kitchen tables to bang your head on and fall apart if that's what you need.  

You've got little girls to twirl with, and little boys to high-five and tell jokes about things that go stink in the night. 

Just being here, in this house of God, can help you manage life.   

Just by being in the company of people who have been through hell and are still walking, rolling, moving ahead, one step at a time.  

I know you help me manage.  

You help me manage being away from Kristen and our daughters, even the one whose squad of Barbies almost fired me. 

Whoever you call to come be your new preacher will feel like the luckiest man or woman on the face of the earth.  

And if they don't, then they're not good managers, keep looking.   

You're managing too well to settle for second place. 

And as far as your giving and pledging goes.

There again, know that you've got too good a thing going here at Trinity not to fund it to the best you can manage.  

So do it.  

Do it so your new pastor steps into the one Presbyterian Church that isn't moaning and whining about money or carpet color. 

And that's all I have to say about that.  

Today.   

-- 

Jesus says, "Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much, and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If, then, you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth who will entrust to you the true riches? 

The true riches.  

What are the true riches? 

Jesus is telling his people -- he's telling us -- The wealth, the income, the riches that the slimy manager worked so hard to protect --  the job, the lifestyle, the position he clung to so hard that he threw away his morality to keep --  

ALL that, ALL that stuff.  

It's nothing.  

It's all nothing.  

It may be good, and comfortable, and a measure of achievement. 

But it's not TRUE wealth. 

I don't believe for one minute that Jesus wants to be my manager, or your manager.  

I do believe that Jesus always wanted his disciples to be their own managers.  

To manage yourselves.  

I believe he wants us to claim our own slice of the Holy Spirit, no matter how slim.  

And to start building the Kingdom of Heaven today.  

By sharing love, sharing kindness, speaking your truth, and living a proudly managed life.  

Even you scoundrels.  

Help those who can't manage.  

For whoever is faithful in JUST a very little is faithful also in much.  

This is the way to the true riches. True wealth. Stewardship of God's love, that lasts, and lasts. 

And will never be fired. 

[eos] 

What's In It For Me?

Sermon "What's In It For Me?" 

Luke 16:19-31  

After 30 years of preaching ineffective Stewardship Sermons, I've decided to try something different. 

Disclaimer: Steve and the Generosity Committee can disavow all knowledge. 

I came up with this new plan all by myself. 

 

Now, I know that in Luke 6:35, Jesus tells us to "give, expecting nothing in return."  

But, dear Lord, 2000 years have passed.  

Everyone wants more bang for their buck. 

I see how universities do it. 

So why shouldn't the church get a piece of the action?  

Gird up your loins.  

It's kickoff time. 

Here's Pledge Perks 2026. 

 

First: Bronze Level 

Bronze Level pledgers, you'll get a Trinity T-shirt and commemorative mug.  

You'll also be invited to an exclusive "meet and greet" with the pastors in the Parlor, where we'll autograph your bulletin and pose for awkward selfies.  

Plus, you'll receive a DVD of: The Funniest Children's Sermon Moments, Volume One – The Preacher Fumbles.  

 

Next: Silver Level 

All the Bronze perks, plus a preferred parking pass.  

A member of the Youth Group will chauffeur you from your car to your pew in a golf cart.  

No speed limits apply.  

Helmets optional.  

 

Gold Level 

All the previous perks, plus a Bible personally signed by Jesus himself, as far as you know.  

Then, every morning, Danny Lyons will appear outside your bedroom window to wake you with his newest composition: "21 Air Horn Reville." 

If you live outside city limits, Danny will arrive by drone. 

 

Next: Platinum Level 

Each Sunday, you'll enjoy worship from your personalized La-Z-Boy recliner in the back row.  

Fully motorized, cupholders, and USB charging ports.  

Ushers will bring nachos and sodas directly to your seat and gently wake you in time for the Benediction.  

 

Diamond Level 

On Easter, we'll dress you in a white robe, lift you with wires and swing you around the sanctuary while you scream for Jesus to save you. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Pledge Perks 

Q: Do I have to share my La-Z-Boy recliner? 

 A: Yes, but only with the Holy Spirit. And possibly with Custodian Robert if you leave crumbs. 

Q: What if I don't want Danny Lyons outside my window every morning? 

 A: Too bad. Danny has already signed a lifelong contract. He has bells, air horns, and no sense of personal boundaries. 

Q: Can I trade my Platinum snack delivery for something healthier? 

 A: Absolutely. Instead of nachos and sodas, ushers will bring you celery sticks, kale chips, and a 64-oz bottle of room-temperature water. (But let's be honest: you'll regret it.) 

Q: Will the golf cart chauffeur also carry my coffee? 

 A: Of course. These youth are trained to hold your coffee, balance your Bible, and still drive full speed through the narthex. Safety goggles recommended. 

Q: Is there a level above Diamond? 

A: Yes. The Secret Galactic Titanium Infinity level. Benefits include naming rights for all children being baptized. Plus Hyunjoo will play your walk-in theme music every Sunday. Options include Eye of the Tiger or Baby Shark. 

 

So, to answer the question, "What do I get for my money?"  

The answer is: perks, privileges, possibly nachos.  

But more importantly, you get to be part of God's work here at Trinity.  

And if that's not worth at least a golf cart ride through the sanctuary, I don't know what is. 

 

From the bottom of my heart I share these ideas.  

You're welcome. 

 

 

Today's scripture – The Rich Man and Lazarus – takes the opposite approach.  

Instead of bling bags FOR giving, it's a warning about NOT giving. 

It's a Jewish folk tale about what happens if you DON'T share your money.  

Sadly, it involves eternal torment.  

Now, seriously, that's at least as far-fetched as tiered giving rewards.  

I think we all know that if you DO give generously, you won't get golf cart rides.  

And if you DON'T give generously, you won't burn in punishment.  

 

In God's economy, Jesus says to "give, expecting nothing in return."  

Or, conversely, don't give, and you'll still get Jesus's love in return.  

Because Jesus doesn't sell salvation.  

 

Giving isn't buying.  

And buying isn't giving.  

This is not a deal, and there is no art to it.  

Stewardship isn't about what WE get, whether it's many happy returns or an eternally bad one.  

Generosity's about amplifying your wealth by sharing it.  

In this case, it's about sharing it with your church.  

Because when we pool our resources, generously and thankfully, we multiply what we can do to bring the kingdom of God to earth, right here and right now. 

 

 

What you give in your pledge goes to the annual church operating budget.  

And, as you can see from the financial figures on the back of the bulletin, Trinity is running a deficit.  

This church is asking itself to give more. 

 

This building surely isn't as large as Bryant-Denny Stadium (and Saban field), or The Swamp, or Death Valley.  

But keeping the lights on, the HVAC system repaired and running isn't getting any less expensive.  

Neither are the insurance rates.  

Those aren't – as they say – sexy, but when the heat index is 105, it's pretty important.  

 

Trinity Learning Center, or TLC, depends on support from the church.  

Five days a week, you provide top-tier care for the children of working parents. 

 

Your pledge goes to pay salaries of a team of top-notch staff persons.  

A church of any size, especially one of this size, requires human infrastructure, people who work behind the scenes, often out of view, to keep information flowing, bills paid, and floors vacuumed and polished.  

You get not one, but two pastors, also vacuumed and polished. 

 

And then, there are the many, many ministries of this church.  

Your annual pledge supports Bible studies, Youth programs and retreats, Sunday School for all ages, low-impact aerobics, and even pickleball. 

 

Look outside the walls to the community ministries Trinity supports and performs.  

Mission work in Africa.  

Food ministries.  

Housing assistance.  

Summer Camp, college ministry, Hospital visits, Prayer cards, dinner groups, just to name a few. 

 

And then, this magnificent music program.  

Even though our choir members volunteer their time, we support scholarships, purchase music (which ain't cheap), keep the pipe organ piping, the bells ringing, and provide five-star leaders like Craig, Hyunjoo, and Danny to coach our singers and instrumentalists to ever higher levels of excellence. 

 

 

So, no. If you can give, if you can increase your pledge, you won't get preferred parking or recliners and nachos in the back.  

 

Although, you might want to consider it. Just saying. 

 

Even Jesus depended on benefactors like Mary and Martha.  

Even Paul needed support from congregations near and far.  

And what did those givers get in return? 

They got churches.  

They got ministries.  

They got the satisfaction of knowing they were making God's work on earth a reality.  

 

Same here at Trinity.  

Unlike the rich man in the purple robes, you don't have to fear eternal punishment.  

But like Lazarus, you gain the amplified and growing presence of the nearness of the Holy Spirit.  

Like Lazarus, you get healing of body and soul.  

You'll know that you and the people seated near you, together, are serving to each other – and to a hungry world – serving the body of Christ come alive. 

-- 

I'm sinfully proud – and lucky – to get to serve Trinity Presbyterian Church (USA) for just a little while.  

I'm blessed to be able to help you get ready for your next called and installed Senior pastor.  

I want this church to be ready – in its programs, in its personnel, and yes, in its budget as you prepare for your next senior pastor. 

 

These days – and probably all the days – people are really concerned about what we're getting for our money.  

We ask, "What do I get for this?"  

"What's in it for me?" 

 

From the earliest days, church people have been gathering together to listen, to love, and to share their gifts with each other.  

By their efforts, and by the blessing of the Holy Spirit – it works. 

 

What do we get for giving money, time, talents?  

SOME things we can see.  

Like a beautiful and functional place to worship and learn.  

SOME things we can hear.  

Like messages of hope and love.  

Like the wisdom of people who aren't exactly like us, but are still searching.  

But there are a lot of things in a church you can't see, things can't even hear.  

Like the things you feel, feel in your heart, feel in your spirit.  

Whether or not you can put a name on it. 

 

Universities and other non-profits have tiers of giving.  

But here, we're all equal.  

No matter how much or how little we can share. 

We're all here for one thing, the same thing:  

The presence, the love, the hope that comes from Jesus.  

And that's something no one can put a price on. 

[eos] 

I Hate That But I Love Jesus

I Hate That But I Love Jesus

Luke 14:25-33

One of the reasons college football is so much fun... it teaches you to hate, with style.

Your state or conference rivals are teams, schools, drunken visitors you just love to hate. It's good for you.

For the longest time, we Tennessee Vols hated Alabama the most. 

And then Nick Saban came and we just figured, "What's the point?" 

Except in 2022, when we put the goal post in the river. Good times. 

I know y'all are going to hate hearing this, but We're "Gator Haters." But after Steve Spurrier left it wasn't as much fun. 

It was so easy to hate Steve, with his little hat with the hole on top. Apparently he willed that to Lane Kiffin. 

We also hate Lane. Probably more.

I was surprised to find Trinity's such a melting pot of FBS hate.

You got your fans of Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Clemson, LSU, Ole Miss, Florida.

South Florida.

Muahhahahaha.

When I came here, I was told, Yes, And I was told, (and this is verbatim): 

Yes, Trinity has fans from all over the nation, but we can all agree on one thing: 

We all hate Tennessee.

That's just hateful.

Shame on you.

It's OK. You can't wear that shade of orange and not have thick skin.

This is America. 

Land of the freedom to love and freedom to hate whoever you want. 

And, hate to say it, but lately, we're getting real good at that hating part.

What do you hate? 

We say we hate stuff it all the time. 

For instance, I hate Lima Beans. 

Lima beans, butterbeans, kidney beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans and those deceitful black-eyed "peas." 

An insult to the pea team.

Does that make me species-ist? 

Anti-legume-ist? 

I don't dislike all beans. 

I have bean friends. 

I like peanuts. 

Look it up. They're beans. Just with a monocle. 

I like them Salted. Cocktail. Dry-roasted. Chocolate-covered. 

I'll even go for hot boiled peanuts. 

But only from an Andalusia gas station.

What do you hate?

• Mosquitos.

• People who don't use their blinkers.

• A heat index over 100.

• Sand in your swimsuit.

• Smart phones.

• The itchy spot right in the center of your back that arms are not made to reach.

• Cybertrucks. And Elon.

• When nobody remembers the wifi password.

• Liberty Mutual ads. They're on all the time. Not even funny.

• Melting icebergs.

• Squirrels. (My dog told me that one.)

We all have things we hate. 

Even if we hate to hate. 

We hate hating that we do hate. 

I hate that.

So, maybe, when you hear Jesus saying you should hate your family... and your friends… life itself... maybe you do. 

Grumpy, grumpy, grumpy.

Take your meds, grampa.

But for Jesus to say, "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple…" 

For words like that to come out of Jesus's mouth you wonder, "Seriously?" 

"Does he really mean that?" 

"Was he just having a really bad day?" 

"Did Mary and Joseph ground him for no good reason?"

It sounds just about as anti-Jesus as Jesus could be. 

Jesus WANTS us to hate???

Did JESUS hate HIS family, his disciples, even life itself? 

Is that what it really takes to be his follower?

---

This is one of those scriptures that makes you say "Ouch" instead of "Amen." 

Makes you say, "Whaaaaat?"

I don't like it. 

I might even say I hate it. 

I read five or six different commentaries on this scripture. 

Honest.

Every single one said the same thing, "Oh, he didn't REALLY mean HATE-hate."

They said: Jesus was exaggerating to make a point. 

Jesus was speaking figuratively. 

He knew the commandment to honor thy father and thy mother. 

He was always good to Mary. 

He cared for his disciples. 

He even loved his enemies and told us to do so, too. 

So, when Jesus said hate, he didn't really mean hate the way we do. 

Maybe it's a bad translation. 

I hate preaching on this one.

Because, I confess, making excuses for Jesus is my first response, too. 

I want to find logical, reasonable, scriptural ways to explain away this weird and troubling part of the Bible. 

And you can do that. With all of them.

You can pretty much make the Bible mean anything you want if you do enough theological gymnastics. 

Like those people who can contort their bodies so they can fit in tiny little boxes. 

You can contort the Bible to fit your box. 

It's easy.

We do it all the time. 

Conservatives make it conservative. 

Liberals make it liberal. 

Nationalists make it national. 

Individualists make it individual. 

I wish the Bible – I wish Jesus – would just say… 

well, I wish they just said what I want them to say. 

If I'm being truthful.

I would say that anyone who tells you the Bible is simple to understand hasn't read much of it. 

At least not much more than their favorite parts. 

Because there are parts of the Bible – 

there are things even Jesus said – like this one – 

that I wish weren't in there. 

That I just don't like. 

There are parts nobody really likes. 

Parts you might honestly say, you hate.

I hate that the Bible can't be simpler.

--

Way back in in the beginning. In Genesis. 

Way back when Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of founding father Abraham. 

Way back at the beginning, in Genesis 32, there's the story of Jacob being all alone. 

Trying to sleep.

There's "a man," or "an angel," or God himself wrestles with him. 

All night long. 

And when morning comes, it's kind of a tie. 

And the wrestler tells Jacob his new name shall be, "Israel." 

Israel literally means, "One who struggles with God," 

or "One who contends with God," 

or "wrestles" with God. 

And the people of this faith, Israelites, even Christians, are those who wrestle, who contend with God, with the Bible.

and, quite often, with each other and with the world.

So, from the very beginning of our faith, the Bible tells us: 

This is going to be a struggle. 

This is supposed to be hard. 

If faith were easy, if faith were blind, it wouldn't be faith. 

At least not faith in God, the God of Israel, the God of Abraham, and… the God of Jesus. 

"Jesus loves me, this I know." 

Even a child gets that. 

But once we grow past childish ways, as Paul says, we see things differently. 

Through a glass darkly. 

Faith is a struggle. 

Some days we have it in our grasp. 

And some days, it's a love-hate relationship.

Some days we might even doubt the whole thing.

Let me say this. 

If anyone has ever told you that if you question God, if you question the Bible, if you doubt your faith – at all – 

you're a sinner, you're bad, and you might just be going to hell – 

if anyone has ever told you that – 

THEY. ARE. WRONG. 

They're trying to scare you into believing what they believe. 

It's manipulation. 

Crowd control. 

It's untrue. 

It's hateful.

And if that kind of thinking has ever made you hate yourself, hate your family, hate the church, or even hate Jesus – 

I am so sorry. 

I hate when that happens. 

And I'm OK with hating that.

On the other hand, when people – 

we preachers, people who write commentaries – 

are quick to jump to rationalizing, when we're clearly too fast to explain away the hard parts of the Bible – 

we have stopped being wrestlers and turned into couch potatoes.

Faith. Knowing God. Knowing Jesus. 

Being a good family member, a good friend, a good citizen of the world – is a lifelong process. 

Otherwise we could just come to church once, get it, and never need to come back again. 

Faith – any faith – is a lifetime of wrestling. 

Sometimes you've got it wrapped up with a bow. 

And sometimes it's got you in a headlock. 

But even if you tap out, you can still get back in.

There's that wonderful image of Jesus carrying the lost sheep around his shoulders. 

The God we wrestle with is also the God who brings us home, who struggles with us when we wander off. 

And I sure don't hate that.

--

A couple of Communions ago, I confess, I was not at the top of my game. 

I hadn't slept well. I guess my mind had been wrestling with things.

We had the elders up here, and I messed up. 

I handed the juice to the elders, and then realized, oops, the bread goes first, 

you big dummy. 

So, Jean & I had to politely retrieve the trays of juice, and then hand the trays of bread, and then do the juice in the right order.

Stand back. I am a professional.

Then, when I was serving the elders, I picked up a tray of bread, and didn't hold it flat. 

The bread slid right off the tray and into the floor. 

"Oh no," thought I. 

Actually, I thought something I can't say in church. 

Thankfully, we have other trays of the Body of Christ. 

Communion was able to go on, the congregation was served, and hopefully, Jesus laughed at me. 

I don't know. 

Maybe Jesus smacked his forehead and wept. 

But I hated – I hated – knowing that I messed up. A sacrament.

Sometimes we wrestle with God. 

Sometimes we wrestle with our own mistakes. 

I really don't think Jesus hates us for that. 

Might wish he could smack us upside the head.

I don't think God hates us when we can't understand why we do the things we do. 

I don't think God hates us when we can't undo the things we did that keep us awake at 3 in the morning. 

I don't think God hates us when we're not on speaking terms with God.

Sometimes Jesus asks us to do things we just can't. 

Or won't. 

Or we fail.

Despite all our failures, I believe Jesus STILL calls us his disciples. 

Whether we carry the cross, or fumble it. 

There may BE things Jesus wants us to hate. 

But I don't believe for one minute that Jesus hates us. 

We're all on the wrestling team. 

And I believe he's cheering for our team. 

Even if it's Tennessee.

Amen and ouch. 

The Lord we humans crucified sees us. 

He probably says both. 

Ouch. Amen. 

And... bless their hearts. 

For they know not what they do.

You just gotta love them.

[eos]
www.jamesmctyre.com

Excuse Me, That's My Seat

Excuse Me, That's My Seat"

Luke 14:1, 7–14

James McTyre

Trinity Presbyterian Church

Labor Day Weekend, 2025-08-31

Today's gospel reading from Luke is about a dinner party where Jesus gives a lecture on table manners.

Now, I realize a Bible lesson about etiquette might not be what you were expecting to hear. Especially not from Jesus. We'd expect Jesus to talk about something lofty and mysterious, like the Kingdom of God. But here's the twist — he is. Turns out, you can learn a lot about heaven… how it is… and how it isn't… by watching who gets the best seat in the house.

---

We don't call attention to this very often, but our sanctuary is laid out like a dinner party. Sort of. Not like at your house. Unless your chairs are 30 feet wide and bolted to the floor. But look! What's front and center? The pipe organ. The preacher. Hyunjoo. All true, but not the answer I'm searching for. The truly central thing in church is: The Supper Table. The Lord's Table. That's in line with Jesus's favorite thing to do, drop in at somebody's house and eat supper. When we use our supper tables well, they turn into holy furniture.

This is true for pretty much all churches. Where we sit is – well, maybe not predestined, but definitely predetermined. We know our place. Even in church. Especially in church. 

You want to really confuse a preacher – and the choir? One Sunday, everyone swap sides and pretend everything's normal. We'll think we're having a stroke. It'll never happen, though. Because your seats are your holy furniture. If Jesus comes back, we want him to know where to find us.

Jesus is invited to a grand dinner at the home of a prominent Pharisee. It's fancy. Think Grandma's tablecloths. The wedding gift china. And a guest list like the Oscars. Jesus walks in. He notices something: people scrambling for the good seats. People heading for "their" seats. Just like church. Or other religious places. Like a football stadium.

At a football game, you don't want to be under the Jumbotron. The cheap seats. You want the 50 yard line. You want the front row. Or – if you're really important – a skybox with your boyfriend's mom. Oops, I meant fiance's mom. Yes, I'm talking about Tay-Tay and Trav. Move over Jeff Bezos. THIS will be the wedding of the century. Can you imagine scalper prices for those seats?

Seating matters.

So Jesus, never one to shy away from a teachable moment, tells them a parable. He says, "When you're invited to a wedding banquet, don't march up to the front and plop down like you own the place. Because someone more important might come along, and the host will have to tell you to move. (As in, "Excuse me, that's OUR pew.") And you'll be humiliated. If it's Christmas or Easter, you might even have to sit in "the front pew." Dun, dun, dunnnn!

"Instead," Jesus says, "take the lowest place. Be humble. Let the host invite you to move up." And then he drops the punchline:

"For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

Suddenly, we're not just talking about dinner anymore.

Now, on the surface this just sounds like good advice for avoiding embarrassment. But Jesus is flipping the tables on how life works. He's challenging the whole idea that our worth is measured by where we place our rear ends, or by what we wear, or who we know, or where we work, our property values, or the size of our offshore bank accounts.

In Jesus' kingdom, status doesn't climb — it kneels.

---

The climb. 

On America's Got Talent there are those acts where the acrobats stack chairs. And finally, there's one guy who climbs all the way to the top of the swaying tower. And sits there, on one chair leg. The crowd goes, "Ooooh." And Simon hits the buzzer. "Oh, it's good, but we've seen this before."

Could you imagine how long the guy in the top chair had to practice? I've never tried it, but I'd think it takes years to sit at the top. 

We're all about climbing, aren't we? From a young age, all through school, we're told: Climb! Achieve! Get noticed! Someday you'll move up. Up from the Children's Table. You could even be at the head of the table! Someday, you might ask the blessing. You might carve the turkey. It might take years. And the strategic removal of certain relatives. But work hard, practice. You'll get there.

And good, to a point. Nothing wrong with hard work to get you to the top. Labor Day exists because work matters. Labor Day exists because people matter. Even if their line of work seems lower on the spreadsheet.

Labor Day exists because 100 years ago, people got tired of working hard, and sending their children to work hard, but never getting any higher. Labor Day's not just about work; it's about working together, to make everything work better for working people.

But Jesus reminds us: when our work to get a primo place turns into self-promotion, when it becomes a scramble for attention, when it's all about stepping on the people ahead of you, when it's all about us, when it's about jumping line, cutting corners, and cutting out the people of lesser status — then our daily bread turns stale.

Climbing isn't the problem. Kicking people off the ladder is.

Jesus says, "Don't assume you're the most important person in the room." And let's be honest, that's not always easy to hear. Especially for those of us with the highest grade point average. Or those who were always picked first in gym class. (So I hear.) Or we who are used to being Number One, Kings of the world, all the time.

But here's the thing: in God's economy, in God's kingdom, there's no VIP section. There's no velvet rope. And nobody gets ahead by pretending they deserve better than others. (So says Jesus.)

---

But Jesus isn't finished preaching. Jesus doesn't stop at seating advice. He turns to the host and says, "By the way, next time you throw a party, don't just invite your friends and neighbors and all the people who can return the favor. Invite the poor. Invite people who can't pay you back. Invite the ones who never get invited anywhere."

Now, this is where it gets real.

Because let's be honest—our parties tend to be for people like us. Who look like us, whose children go to the same schools as ours, who shop at the same Publix as us, who belong to the same political parties and Facebook groups as us. Even our churches tend to be for people like us. Obviously, y'all don't want some preacher in skinny jeans who yells a lot. Trust me, if I tried to wear skinny jeans, there would be yelling.

Grouping up with people like yourself – nothing necessarily bad about that. It's just human. We like our circles. We like familiar faces. But then, we don't think to invite the guy with the sign on the corner by Walmart.

But Jesus says: Those are exactly the kind of people God notices. The ones who live in their cars, or in tents, or in jail. Jesus says those are the ones who belong at his table. Even if they haven't worked for it. Even if they haven't earned the food stamps. Anne Lamott has that great line: When we get to heaven, we're going to be very surprised to see who's sitting next to us. (She also says she hopes she gets a seat near the desert table.)

And once again, Jesus isn't talking about seating charts. He's talking about hospitality. About mercy. About including the excluded. He's talking about your heart. Who do you see as worthy of your time? Who's worthy of your kindness? Who's worthy of your attention? Who's worthy of your tax dollars?

God's guest list is… a bunch of weirdoes. God's guest list has pretty much anyone who I'd never invite to my house. God's table has seats for the overlooked, the underpaid, the awkward, the inconvenient, the immigrant, the addict. The people the world ignores or exploits or just doesn't know what to do with so it treats them like dirt.

And God says, "Yep. Them. Front row. Head table. Prime rib. The good wine."

---

Labor Day started as a way to recognize the dignity of people whose work often goes unnoticed. You know, the ones who during COVID, we called "essential." For a while. Why is it that the "essential" workers are often the ones that come with the least respect and the lowest pay, and the highest danger. Like, teachers. The ones you can't hear from way down at the other end of the table.

But not in God's kingdom.

In God's kingdom, every honest job is holy. The bus driver. The teacher. The trash collector. The person stocking shelves at 3 a.m. The PA cleaning hospital beds. As well as the neurosurgeon, the police officer, the jet pilot. Maybe even the politician. 

Not when we all get to heaven and everything's peachy. Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy kingdom come." When? Can't think of a better time than today. Hopefully, Jesus didn't want us to have to wait to get to heaven to have a seat at the big people's table.

Jesus says, "The ones on the bottom matter just as much as the one on top. Just show up. Accept the invite. Do your work. Your holy work of treating people like they're a child of God. Because they are.

Maybe the most radical thing we can do this Labor Day weekend is to stop rushing to the head of the table… and start pulling up more chairs.

---

So… Where's your seat?

That's the question Jesus leaves us with: Where are you sitting? Where do you stand?

Are you elbowing your way forward, worried someone might get ahead of you?

Are you sitting in the back, hoping someone notices?

Are you guarding your seat, afraid someone else might take it?

Are you looking around to see who's not seated at all?

Where you sit says a lot.

But maybe what really matters is where you make room.

Maybe the most blessed dinner table words we can say are, "Come over here. Sit by me."

---

So this weekend, as you fire up the grill or float in the pool or just enjoy the peace and quiet of an extra day off — remember this:

God doesn't care where you sit. God cares who's sitting next to you.

God cares who you notice.

And when we stop scrambling to prove ourselves, we might just find that the best seat… is the one we offer someone else.

In the kingdom come, it's not, "Hey, that's my seat." 

It's, "Here, take my seat.

Jesus: Breaker of Rules and Healer of Back Pain

Lk 13:10-17

2025-08-17 Jesus: Breaker of Rules and Healer of Back Pain

Trinity Presbyterian Church

 

¹⁰ Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. ¹¹ And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. ¹² When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." ¹³ When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. ¹⁴ But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the Sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured and not on the Sabbath day." ¹⁵ But the Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it to water? ¹⁶ And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the Sabbath day?" ¹⁷ When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame, and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things being done by him.

--

 

Exodus 20 says:

"Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor and do all your work. ¹⁰ But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and consecrated it.

"Remember the Sabbath." That's the Fourth Commandment. Right after not taking the Lord's name in vain and just before "Honor thy father and thy mother."

So, keeping the Sabbath is pretty near the top in God's Top Ten. In Exodus 35:2, it's actually Number One. The Bible's tricky like that.

And yes, I work Sundays so you don't have to. You're welcome. And it IS true that at age five I announced I wanted to become a minister because they only work one day a week. (Ryan, that's definitely true.) That's me. A life of broken commandments and the sin of sloth.

Why is it that the ONE day you always want Chick Fil-A, they're closed? After a long hour's labor of preaching a sermon AND doing a Benediction, nothing would go down better than waffle fries and a frozen lemonade. "Would," I say. They could have picked another commandment. Don't murder. Just as good if not better. Instead of, "Closed Sunday." Their signs could say, "Our food won't kill you. That's McDonald's."

You would think. That of all people. Jesus – the Son of God – would remember – would remember and keep – every single one of the Ten Commandments. All the time. Because he's Jesus. He's perfect. You'd think he'd keep all the other essential church rules, too. Like, "No running." And, "Silence your phone." (BEFORE the funeral.)

Turns out, Jesus might have lobbied for Sunday Chick Fil-A, too. I mean, to feed someone really deserving. Like -- a preacher. Because today's scripture proves Jesus didn't mind breaking the Fourth Commandment, or the other rules, if greater things were at stake. He'd definitely work on the Sabbath. If -- for example -- your ox or your donkey needed a water break. Or a woman with spondylosis needed healing. Or some other back-bending demon had her down. And not only would Jesus break the commandment, he'd do it right under the noses of the authorities.

Maybe he was counting on a pardon. Or maybe, he thought being kind is more important than being right.

Which one IS more important? To you? Being right? Or being kind? That's the Jesus issue in this scripture. And that's the Jesus issue in our lives, too.

 

--

 

For many years I was the Stated Clerk for a Presbytery. Which meant I was the Parliamentarian, the chief scribe and Pharisee at all the meetings. I would sit up front, with the Presbyterian Book of Order under one hand, and the latest edition of Robert's Rules under the other. Their energy flowing through me. My face shone with light.

Now, you might think I really enjoyed keeping commandments. Sure. It's a thrill. But what I really enjoyed was telling other people they were wrong. Especially other pastors. "Thou shalt not amend the main motion when an unperfected substitute is on the floor. Where did you go to seminary?"

It's fun to be a Pharisee. Imagine how super-cool would it would have been, for the OG Pharisees. They got to rightfully wag a finger at Jesus himself!

"Citizen's arrest! Citizen's arrest!" Barney Fife never had it so good.

So, in today's scripture, I know which side of the aisle I would have been on. The right side. The Fourth Commandment side. God's side.

I might say something like, "That lady's been bent over for 18 years! She can wait one more day for the paperwork to be processed." Even with O-JesusCare, there are rules. And rules are rules. Otherwise, God would not have carved them in stone and posted them in classrooms. It's just law and order, Jesus. Come back tomorrow, lady.

 

Maybe Jesus anticipated the authorities would say something like that. Maybe he knew they had itchy tablet fingers. And were just looking for a reason to use those fingers to poke Jesus in the eye.

Maybe. But scripture says Jesus didn't wait for the objections. He didn't ask permission. Didn't lawyer up. Didn't say, "Wait. Is today the Sabbath? I never have a calendar." He sees the woman. Calls her over. Heals her. And that's that.

For Jesus there was no hesitation. Keep it legal? Or keep it kind? Keep his Father's rules? Or share his Father's healing love? This is Jesus. So we know where he stands. Before anyone could voice any objection, he rendered his opinion. He "erred on the side of grace." And this woman, after 18 years of being ignored, being put off, being told it's all in her head. After all that time, Jesus -- because of Jesus, because he always – always, always, always chose mercy, because Jesus was always gonna be who Jesus was, this woman – for the first time in decades -- could stand up tall and stand up proud.

And then it says: "all his opponents were put to shame, and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things being done by him." Amen and amen.

 

--

By healing on the Sabbath, Jesus did the right thing. It's just that he did it on the wrong day. What day would have been better? If you needed healing – if you need healing – today? What day would be better than today?

If you've got some kind of demons on your back, if you've got pressures weighing you down – What day would be better than today – to get them off your shoulders?

If you know someone who needs a phone call. If you know someone whose day would be truly improved by the gift of a casserole, properly wrapped and left on a porch? Smiles cost nothing. A friendly hug costs nothing. A "thank you," a "good job," a "tell me about it," an "I was just thinking about you" – every single one of these all cost nothing. People's doors are surprisingly open – open to them every day of the week. Shouldn't these be a few of the top ten commandments written on your heart?

If our opinions of ourselves – if our image of how tall we stand – if it depends on pointing out how much lower someone else seems to be because you've caught them – finally – doing something wrong – if that's what it takes to make us feel straightened out, to feel good, to feel big and tall – exactly which commandment is it we're keeping? Whose commandments are we following?

Love God. And love your neighbor as yourself. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. We can all remember these without having to lug around stone tablets to bang people over the head. The Bible is not a weapon.

But it's also true that being merciful isn't always popular. Being a peacemaker, being a caregiver to whoever needs care, seeing society's invisible people – it can get you in trouble. It got Jesus into trouble, big time. They thought they could shut him up and put him down, down in the ground. That would stop him.

But it didn't.

Jesus rose in three days to prove that love is greater than even death. To prove that mercy and forgiveness and justice and humility endure. Even after the grave.

 

--

 

After this. After Jesus heals the woman. After the crowds rejoice. After his critics hush their mouths and put away their pointy fingers. After all this, the very next thing Jesus talks about – is heaven.

I'll bet the woman who'd been staring at the ground for 18 years, I'll bet when she stood up and lifted her eyes to see the sky for the first time in a lifetime – I'll bet she felt like she must have been in heaven.

Jesus's critics must have thought they could earn their way into up heaven by keeping commandments, by climbing to the top of the leaderboard.

But instead, Jesus brought heaven down to earth. One broken person at a time. One perfectly good day at a time.

And now, it's our turn. It's our turn to heal whatever hurts we stumble into headfirst and not looking. Oh wow, is it Sunday already? You know, they also call it The Lord's Day. We can decide that every day is the Lord's Day. We can decide that every day is the day we bring mercy, and kindness, and love. Not just because it's a commandment. But because it's the Jesus thing to do.

Be right when you can. But you can always be kind. Any day. Every day. Open 24/7, 365, for that good business.

 

Who's Watching YOUR House?

Luke 12:32-40  

  

 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  

"Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.  

"But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour." 

 

 

Who's Watching YOUR House? 

 

Because we watch way too much HGTV, "staging" has become part of our vocabulary.  

If you're selling or buying a home, you know how important staging is.  

Staging is when you take your house and pretend someone better lives there.  

A decorator comes in and makes it look like Barbie's Dream House.  

You put in new drapes and pillows and lamps.  

You create a sim house 

with stuff you'd never buy for yourself because it clashes with juice stains and cat hair.  

They're not your household effects. 

They're special effects.  

It's all staged. 

 

 

 

 

A while back, my wife and I went to a Model Home showing.  

It was a weekend and nobody was around, not even the realtor. 

You know how model homes are.  

Staged to perfection.  

Living plants out front.  

The new house smell greets you at the door and reminds you - your house will never again smell this good.  

This realtor had really put on the dog.  

The living room had lovely knick-knacks.  

Like simulated family photos.  

Embroidered pillows.  

An aquarium with live fish. 

By the kitchen there was a little desk, with telephone and an appointment calendar.  

With appointments.  

And a stack of mail. 

And a coffee cup.  

With coffee still in it.  

 

It was right about then that we looked at each other and realized:  

The Model Home was NEXT DOOR.  

This was somebody's REAL home.  

Oh... sh.....oot. 

 

And that's the true story of the time your preacher and his wife committed a home invasion. 

 

We'll never know.  

We'll never know  

We'll never know 

if the owner of the house was out walking his dog,  

or quivering in a closet loading a shotgun. 

All we know is that the owner failed -- on a biblical basis to pay heed to scripture.  

So it was really his or her fault. 

 

For Jesus says, 

"...know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into." 

He warns (in direct quote in the King James), "Be ye therefore ready." 

 

Not staged. Ready. 

Not suited up in simulated saintliness. 

"Be ye therefore ready." 

For the Lord is coming to your house. 

And the Lord is NOT one who knocks. 

 

-- 

 

 

There's a distinction between staging and preparation.  

The two are easily confused.  

Especially in religious life. 

Staging is pretend.  

Staging is counterfeit.  

Staging is an imitation of life.  

Staging is the illusion of a real Good life. 

 

I once got an email from a Christian Magician who wanted us to pay him to come perform at our church.  

He would amaze people into following Jesus.  

However, he wanted us to know he himself was NOT Jesus.  

His website had the disclaimer, "The Amazing [Kevin?] does not perform miracles.  

"He merely performs illusions." 

"Illuuuuusions, Michael." 

I have to tell you: I was tempted. 

If The Amazing [Kevin?] can turn water into wine, that's worth investigating. 

 

But, no, by his own admission, he is neither a miracle-worker nor a sorcerer, hopefully, because Revelation 21:8 says "those who practice magic arts will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur" – and that is NOT kid-friendly. 

Staging.  

Staging is so much easier than having to be truly amazing. 

 

 

Every so often I get behind a car with a bumper sticker that says, "Read the Bible." Or 

"Keep the Ten Commandments." 

They don't even say, "Please."  

No explanation.  

Not enough room.  

Keep 'em. Just do it, y'all.  

 

Surely, keeping the Ten Commandments is a very good thing. 

Everyone should do it.  

But why stop there?  

 

A careful reader of scripture would know that God was just getting started with those tablets.  

Jewish teachers will tell you there are 613 commandments in the Old Testament.[1]  

Christian scholars have counted one thousand five hundred commandments in the New Testament.[2]  

Together, that's one-thousand six-hundred and sixty-three commandments.  

1663 boxes to tick.  

But I think you know -- that even if you could keep all those commandments, so what?  

Would that get you into The Good Place? 

Or just make you paranoid? 

Or arrogant. 

That like Lebron James, you were setting records every time you suited up? 

"I've kept one-thousand-four-hundred-fifty-one." 

"Beat that, hoser." 

 

My dog  

My dog obeys far less than ten commands - two, maybe three if I have a treat in my hand - but that's not what makes him a good boy.  

Rote obedience – or being bribed with treats – or being threatened with a newspaper (if you can find one) – is just spiritual staging.  

You're just arranging the furniture in order to negotiate a better price. 

 

 

So, when Jesus speaks about the man whose house was broken into, he's talking about something more than staging. 

More than putting up a sign saying, Open House, in the yard of your neighbor you don't like. 

Jesus is talking about preparation. 

 

Preparation, is an act of hope.  

Preparation is not amazing.  

Preparation can be kind of boring. 

Preparation is the unpleasant act of doing your homework (kids).  

Homework today will not make your life feel real good.  

Homework is dreaded preparation in the hope that someday you might have a good, real life.  

See the difference? 

Jesus did. 

 

Jesus preached all the time about the difference between a real good life and a good, real life.  

One is staged, an illusion.  

The other is hopeful, true.  

A good, real life takes preparation - because you never know who or what's going to be walking in your door.  

Sometimes literally.  

A good, real life takes preparation because events good and bad WILL invade your personal sanctuary. 

And when they do, which do you want?  

A pretty, staged faith?  

Or good, real faith? 

 

-- 

 

 

I think the end of today's scripture is really at its beginning. 

Jesus is apparently talking to people who are afraid.  

Afraid of what?  

We don't know.  

Afraid of intruders?  

Afraid of terrorists?  

Afraid of active shooters?  

Or immigrants? 

Or trans people beating your children in sports? 

It's a long list getting longer every day. 

Nearly 1663 items long. 

 

Fear is fear. 

Fear makes you stockpile whatever makes you feel safe.  

Jesus says to the fearful ones: 

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  

 

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." 

 

You see, even though Jesus uses illustrations about theft it's not about the thieves.  

It's not about the loss.  

 

The stuff that can be taken from you?  

The physical stuff?  

Your possessions, some of which came at great price?  

Jesus says, sell 'em.  

Sell them and give the money to the poor.  

I don't think he's saying it as a commandment.  

Although if you can pull it off, good for you.  

 

I think Jesus is trying to make a bigger point.  

If your life is just staged,  

if your life is about looking real good, or feeling real good,  

or ticking off the boxes real good, then,  

you get what you pay for.  

And that's all. 

 

If your life is about the fear of losing things, then, you might get to keep what you've paid for – but for how long? 

 

But, if your life is about the people who make life worth living, then, you're stumbling into something better. 

 

If your life is a work of preparation,  

if your life is good because it is real, real in Christ,  

real in spirit,  

real in love and  

real in mercy,  

...if your life is true to Jesus's spirit of holiness, then, 

you will find treasure inside your doors and out.  

You will find your treasure in your heart.  

You will find your treasure in the things you love, in those people you love, who are with you now, and in those whose spirit is with you always. 

 

-- 

[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/613_commandments 

[2]https://www.cai.org/bible-studies/1050-new-testament-commands