“It’s not of the letter, but of the Spirit,” shared someone with me about my sermon from 2 Corinthians 3:6. Yes! I appreciated hearing that summary. See how it fit my take on the Lectionary C Gospel Reading for the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, from Luke 13:10-17. Today’s sermon called “When Rules Matter More than People” was about the religious leader’s ‘narrow’ reading of avoiding work on the Sabbath, which Jesus disrupts – again and again. What’s going on here? Check out my sermon to find out!

I preached this sermon as a pulpit supply pastor filling in for the first time at Lutheran Sunset Ministries worship service in lieu of their campus pastor and hospice chaplain who was out this Sunday. Lutheran Sunset Ministries is located in Clifton, Texas, about an hour’s drive from my home in Temple. Hear more about how I was called upon to fill in here for today in my ‘After Sermon Preaching Tips’ video.

Scroll down below to watch a recording of the sermon and some of my prayers from this service. Scroll down even further to watch my ‘After Sermon Preaching Tips‘ video where I’m keeping up my routine of sharing a few thoughts after I preach (right before I walk back into my home from my car!).

I am always hopeful that these offerings would bless and encourage you in your own journey with God and in your ministry of service to others. Feel free to reach out to me or leave a comment below, anytime. Blessings and peace!

Luke 13:10-17 (NIV)

¹⁰ On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, ¹¹ and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. ¹² When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” ¹³ Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

¹⁴ Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”

¹⁵ The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? ¹⁶ Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”

¹⁷ When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.

Preaching Tips Background Video

In this quick video, I talk about keeping connections and being responsive to requests for support from previous churches/leaders who reach out for help. I also talk about the beauty of an online faith community group I call Scripture Lectio which helped me in my preparation. I presented this sermon text last week to the group and this focus helped me to expand my thinking about this Scripture and to begin thinking with God about what might God want me to share. Finally, I talk about the encouragement that I received from a friend, when I needed it, and how I was clearly distracted the day before I preached. Check it out!

I’d love to hear what resonates with you, in your particular roles of ministry (or however you’ve come to find this particular video)!

You can watch my After Preaching Tips video playlist here.

You can find the rest of my Sermons here! https://sejanashines.com/preaching and my Sermons playlist here.

Here’s a new link with all kinds of ways to connect with me! https://lnk.bio/sejanashines.

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