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WPC Sermons

Throwing Shade

·24 min·2 clips
Dr. Mao explains how to navigate immigration debates in purple churches where political divides run deep.
The episode begins with Pastor Dave sharing a personal anecdote about attending a lunch with Presbyterian leaders, where Dr. Mao, president emeritus of Fuller Theological Seminary, spoke on handling immigration issues in politically diverse congregations. Dave then recalls a past meeting with Dr. Mao involving Malawian friends and partnership dreams. The sermon proper starts with a prayer before diving into the Book of Jonah, summarizing the first three chapters where Jonah flees to Tarshish, encounters a storm and fish, and eventually goes to Nineveh. Chapter four is read aloud, detailing Jonah's anger at God's mercy toward Nineveh, his shelter under a plant, and the plant's destruction by a worm. Dave emphasizes that Jonah's resentment reveals his limited understanding and childish disappointment. He references theologian Eugene Peterson's book on Jonah, which describes anger as a diagnostic tool and critiques Jonah's immaturity. The sermon connects Jonah's story to modern life, discussing how resentment manifests in micromanaging others, idolizing the past, or fearing the future. Dave shares personal examples from parenting and coaching youth sports, noting that adults often hold onto resentment longer than children. Biblical parallels are drawn, including Peter's rebuke by Jesus for trying to control outcomes and Paul's letters about learning contentment. The message concludes that gratitude grows when we release control and trust God, with a closing prayer asking for help in letting go of resentment.

As heard by us

A sermon on the worm, the shade, and the resentment control cannot keep covered.

Jonah's worm becomes the sermon's sharp little pressure point, shifting attention from the more familiar fish to the shade that briefly lets Jonah feel in control.

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Why you'd press play

Press play when a ruined patch of shade feels like a personal crisis.

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