The Parable Without a Twist: How Humility Opens the Kingdom

In this thought-provoking sermon, we explore a gospel passage where Jesus breaks the mold of traditional parables. Instead of a dramatic twist, He offers a wisdom story rooted in everyday experience—one that challenges our cultural obsession with status, recognition, and reward. What happens when we stop seeking the place of honor and instead allow ourselves to be lifted up? What if true spiritual transformation begins not with achievement, but with surrender?

This video unpacks two stories from Jesus: one about choosing humility at a banquet, and another about giving without expecting anything in return. The second story flips our assumptions upside down—warning us not to seek reward, even from acts of generosity. Why? Because the Kingdom of God is not transactional. It’s built on grace, not gain.

Through vivid storytelling and honest reflection, we’re invited to examine our motives, our relationships, and our spiritual posture. Are we giving to be seen, or giving to join God’s radical generosity? The sermon reminds us that God gives without repayment—and that we are called to mirror that divine generosity, even imperfectly.

Perfect for seekers, skeptics, and believers alike, this message offers a fresh lens on humility, grace, and the surprising entryway into the Kingdom. Watch now and discover how a parable without a twist might just be the most shocking of all.

This sermon was preached on the 12th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 17C), August 31, 2025, at Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Kenmore, Washington. The preacher was Fr. Mark Miller, a retired priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia.All are welcome at Redeemer.✅All races.✅All religions.✅All countries of origin.✅All sexual orientations.✅All genders.