This Sunday for Children's Time we will hear the beginning of the story of Pentecost, often called the "birth of the church". You can read it here.
The other Scripture Reading for this week is 1 Corinthians 12:1-13
The Sermon title is Spirit-Gifted
Early Thoughts: What gift has the Spirit of God stirred in you? When the breath of God stirs the embers of the fire in your belly what do you feel driven to do?
Maybe your gift is found in the list that Paul lays out. Maybe it is different (I doubt that Paul was claiming this is an exhaustive list of gifts, more like these are some of the gifts that the folks in Corinth are claiming and/or fighting about).
On Pentecost Sunday we remember that the Church is made alive when God's Spirit blows through our communities. The same wind that, in the beginning of our faith story, blew life into the lungs of Adam and Eve blows life into our faith, into our churches.
It is my belief that with that wind comes gifts. We all have gifts that we offer for the growth and benefit of the whole community (both inside and outside the church walls).
And so the question remains: With what gifts/talents/strengths has God gifted you? As the fire of the Spirit burns in your soul what do you feel called to do?
--Gord
Showing posts with label Year 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Year 2. Show all posts
Monday, May 9, 2016
Monday, May 2, 2016
Looking Forward to May 8, 2016 -- Easter 7, Paul Teaches About Resurrection
This Sunday we will celebrate the sacrament of Baptism.
The Scripture passage for this week is 1 Corinthians 15:1-26, 51-57
The Sermon title is L'Chaim
Early Thoughts: 6 weeks ago we began the Easter Season with the story of women visiting the tomb, finding it empty, being told of Resurrection and then fleeing in terror. Now, on the last Sunday of the Easter Season we listen to Paul tell the Corinthians what Resurrection means.
Part of me would like to read the whole 58 verses of chapter 15. I think we miss out on the full strength of Paul's argument when we skip those central verses (we miss the spiritual body and the physical body as well as the seed imagery-- although that does tend to lead into a dualistic approach to body and soul/spirit). But then there would be even more options to choose from as a sermon hook. As it is there are plenty to choose from. In fact I suspect one could use 1 Corinthians 15 as your primary text for the whole Easter season...lots of sermons in that chapter.
One of the themes in this chapter is the idea of victory. Conquering the last enemy. This idea of victory is an ancient understanding of Easter. In opening the tomb and raising Christ God shatters the power of death. I suggest that we still live in a culture where death and dying are sources of terror. Maybe we are afraid of the death of our loved ones or ourselves. Maybe we fear for the death of our church, or our service club, or some other organization. But theoretically as people of Easter faith we should no longer be afraid of death because we know that life wins. In the end life still wins. How do our lives show that we believe that death no longer has the victory, that death has lost its sting?
Not to mention that this is the passage where we find "The last enemy to be destroyed is death", which is inscribed on the tombstone of James and Lily Potter. When they find this Harry and Hermione have a discussion about what it means, about how death is destroyed.
The sermon title is a Hebrew toast, literally meaning to life. As we stand in the Easter season, as we proclaim that God has conquered death, what other statement of faith could we share but l'chaim?
--Gord
The Scripture passage for this week is 1 Corinthians 15:1-26, 51-57
The Sermon title is L'Chaim
Early Thoughts: 6 weeks ago we began the Easter Season with the story of women visiting the tomb, finding it empty, being told of Resurrection and then fleeing in terror. Now, on the last Sunday of the Easter Season we listen to Paul tell the Corinthians what Resurrection means.
Part of me would like to read the whole 58 verses of chapter 15. I think we miss out on the full strength of Paul's argument when we skip those central verses (we miss the spiritual body and the physical body as well as the seed imagery-- although that does tend to lead into a dualistic approach to body and soul/spirit). But then there would be even more options to choose from as a sermon hook. As it is there are plenty to choose from. In fact I suspect one could use 1 Corinthians 15 as your primary text for the whole Easter season...lots of sermons in that chapter.
One of the themes in this chapter is the idea of victory. Conquering the last enemy. This idea of victory is an ancient understanding of Easter. In opening the tomb and raising Christ God shatters the power of death. I suggest that we still live in a culture where death and dying are sources of terror. Maybe we are afraid of the death of our loved ones or ourselves. Maybe we fear for the death of our church, or our service club, or some other organization. But theoretically as people of Easter faith we should no longer be afraid of death because we know that life wins. In the end life still wins. How do our lives show that we believe that death no longer has the victory, that death has lost its sting?
Not to mention that this is the passage where we find "The last enemy to be destroyed is death", which is inscribed on the tombstone of James and Lily Potter. When they find this Harry and Hermione have a discussion about what it means, about how death is destroyed.
The sermon title is a Hebrew toast, literally meaning to life. As we stand in the Easter season, as we proclaim that God has conquered death, what other statement of faith could we share but l'chaim?
--Gord
Friday, April 22, 2016
Looking Ahead to May 1, 2016 -- 6th Sunday of Easter, Paul's Hymn to Love
This being the first Sunday of the month we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Communion.
The Scripture reading for this week is 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13
The Sermon title is: Love -- The Greatest Gift
Early Thoughts: Just before this (and again just after it as it happens) Paul spends time talking about Spiritual Gifts. In chapter 12 he has outlined a number of them, even as he has also reminded the divided (possibly even fractious) congregation in Corinth that they are not to lord their gifts above others, that all gifts are needed. Then we have this beloved passage [one of my favourite pieces of Scripture].
This passage suffers, I suspect, from being overly associated with Weddings. And I get it, what better time to share Paul's great hymn to love than a wedding. But we need to go deeper with it.
In the Gospels Jesus makes it clear that the greatest commandment we have is to LOVE. Love God, Love neighbour, love each other as Jesus has loved us. Love is the gift that makes all the other gifts possible. Love, so they say, is what makes the world go round (or is that money???). All we need is love the Beatles told us so many years ago (before some of us were born).
It is in love: deep abiding love, love that sees each other clearly, love that pushes us to do the impossible that we are able to be the people God has called us to be. And even more, if we don't have that deep abiding empowering love we are nothing. Without love our gifts are useless. Love is what completes us.
Another writer of the Christian Scriptures, the writer of the letters of John, will later tell us that God is love.
The whole of Christian tradition tells us that LOVE is the center of how we are able to be who we are called to be. The whole of Christian tradition tells us that living that love is our primary task. [And the whole of Christian history tells us how hard that has been to actually do.] SO we stand with Paul and say....THe Greatest of these is LOVE.
--Gord
The Scripture reading for this week is 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13
The Sermon title is: Love -- The Greatest Gift
Early Thoughts: Just before this (and again just after it as it happens) Paul spends time talking about Spiritual Gifts. In chapter 12 he has outlined a number of them, even as he has also reminded the divided (possibly even fractious) congregation in Corinth that they are not to lord their gifts above others, that all gifts are needed. Then we have this beloved passage [one of my favourite pieces of Scripture].
This passage suffers, I suspect, from being overly associated with Weddings. And I get it, what better time to share Paul's great hymn to love than a wedding. But we need to go deeper with it.
In the Gospels Jesus makes it clear that the greatest commandment we have is to LOVE. Love God, Love neighbour, love each other as Jesus has loved us. Love is the gift that makes all the other gifts possible. Love, so they say, is what makes the world go round (or is that money???). All we need is love the Beatles told us so many years ago (before some of us were born).
It is in love: deep abiding love, love that sees each other clearly, love that pushes us to do the impossible that we are able to be the people God has called us to be. And even more, if we don't have that deep abiding empowering love we are nothing. Without love our gifts are useless. Love is what completes us.
Another writer of the Christian Scriptures, the writer of the letters of John, will later tell us that God is love.
The whole of Christian tradition tells us that LOVE is the center of how we are able to be who we are called to be. The whole of Christian tradition tells us that living that love is our primary task. [And the whole of Christian history tells us how hard that has been to actually do.] SO we stand with Paul and say....THe Greatest of these is LOVE.
--Gord
Monday, April 11, 2016
Looking Forward to April 17, 2016 -- Easter 4, Paul in Corinth
The Scripture Readings this week are:
Early Thoughts: What does it take to build a church?
It takes a vision, and possibly a visionary. It needs a person or a group of people who see what is possible. People who are willing to pony up the support needed as the new community coalesces and grows.
It takes a sense of mission, a clarity of the Gospel.
It takes a willingness to work together despite differences.
Sometimes it seems that last one can be the hardest to find...
As we follow Paul through the book of Acts, supplemented by what he himself says in his letters, we see him planting and building churches. We see a visionary with a firm grasp of the Gospel he is called to share. We see a preacher who is not dismayed by early "failures" and obstructionist behaviour but shakes himself off and tries again. We see a man who is able to form a core community of faith who will carry on after he has moved on. And when it comes to Corinth, we see that differences withing the community can cause trouble from the beginning.
The overarching theme of the letter we call 1 Corinthians is unity in (or despite?) diversity. This will come up over and over. But in this first chapter the problem appears to be that the community is divided by who they see as the best teacher of the faith. In response Paul reminds them that the teacher is not the point. The one to whom the teachers point is the center of attention.
THe process of church building never really stops. We don't get to the point of being able to point at it and say "There! Done!". And so we continue to need that core group of vision-keepers (and vision-casters). And we still need that clarity of mission, that understanding of the Gospel/Evangel/Good News that we have to share. And we still need to be ready to look at and deal with the differences of opinion and understanding that come up.
How do we continue to build/renovate/re-build the church?
--Gord
- Acts 18:1-11 1
- Corinthians 1:10-18
Early Thoughts: What does it take to build a church?
It takes a vision, and possibly a visionary. It needs a person or a group of people who see what is possible. People who are willing to pony up the support needed as the new community coalesces and grows.
It takes a sense of mission, a clarity of the Gospel.
It takes a willingness to work together despite differences.
Sometimes it seems that last one can be the hardest to find...
As we follow Paul through the book of Acts, supplemented by what he himself says in his letters, we see him planting and building churches. We see a visionary with a firm grasp of the Gospel he is called to share. We see a preacher who is not dismayed by early "failures" and obstructionist behaviour but shakes himself off and tries again. We see a man who is able to form a core community of faith who will carry on after he has moved on. And when it comes to Corinth, we see that differences withing the community can cause trouble from the beginning.
The overarching theme of the letter we call 1 Corinthians is unity in (or despite?) diversity. This will come up over and over. But in this first chapter the problem appears to be that the community is divided by who they see as the best teacher of the faith. In response Paul reminds them that the teacher is not the point. The one to whom the teachers point is the center of attention.
THe process of church building never really stops. We don't get to the point of being able to point at it and say "There! Done!". And so we continue to need that core group of vision-keepers (and vision-casters). And we still need that clarity of mission, that understanding of the Gospel/Evangel/Good News that we have to share. And we still need to be ready to look at and deal with the differences of opinion and understanding that come up.
How do we continue to build/renovate/re-build the church?
--Gord
Monday, April 4, 2016
Looking Forward to April 10, 2016 -- 3rd Sunday of Easter
This Sunday we will celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism.
Over the Easter Season we will be hearing stories from the Early Church in the book of Acts and some Passages from Paul's letters. The Scripture Reading for this week is Acts 3:1-10.
The Sermon title is Get Up And Walk.
Early Thoughts: Immediately before this story is the account of Pentecost. The church has just been inaugurated. The apostles have received the blessing and gift of the Holy Spirit. ANd they go out and start building the church!
Imagine, no strategic planning sessions, no vision and mission statements, they just go out and do it.
And in the first outing that we hear about Peter and James meet a beggar. Now there are choices. Ignore him and walk around. OR just say "sorry can't help you". How many of us would do those things? But Peter has another option. He can't give what is being asked. But he can give something else. Wholeness.
That is what the church is about. Offering wholeness. It may or may not take the form that people ask for, but we are called to offer wholeness. We are called to share the God we meet in Christ Jesus, to offer wholeness in the name of Christ, to meet the people at the gates of God's kingdom and invite/help them come in and join the community.
Can we do that? Can we challenge people to get up and walk? Do we know what it is we have to offer? Are we willing to offer it? Even when it is not what people are directly asking for?
--Gord
Over the Easter Season we will be hearing stories from the Early Church in the book of Acts and some Passages from Paul's letters. The Scripture Reading for this week is Acts 3:1-10.
The Sermon title is Get Up And Walk.
Early Thoughts: Immediately before this story is the account of Pentecost. The church has just been inaugurated. The apostles have received the blessing and gift of the Holy Spirit. ANd they go out and start building the church!
Imagine, no strategic planning sessions, no vision and mission statements, they just go out and do it.
And in the first outing that we hear about Peter and James meet a beggar. Now there are choices. Ignore him and walk around. OR just say "sorry can't help you". How many of us would do those things? But Peter has another option. He can't give what is being asked. But he can give something else. Wholeness.
That is what the church is about. Offering wholeness. It may or may not take the form that people ask for, but we are called to offer wholeness. We are called to share the God we meet in Christ Jesus, to offer wholeness in the name of Christ, to meet the people at the gates of God's kingdom and invite/help them come in and join the community.
Can we do that? Can we challenge people to get up and walk? Do we know what it is we have to offer? Are we willing to offer it? Even when it is not what people are directly asking for?
--Gord
Monday, March 21, 2016
Looking Ahead to March 25, 2016 -- Good Friday
The Scripture for this service will be:
Early Thoughts: Is this a coronation? Or is it a parody of a coronation?
"King of the Jews". That is the accusation brought before Pilate. This is the crime for which Jesus is executed--for claiming to be a king not authorized by Rome.
Is this his coronation?
Maybe.
Given that the Kingdom of which Jesus speaks is not like the Kingdoms of the earth, given that in this Kingdom the last will be first and the first last, given that you enter the Kingdom by denying yourself and following the one who hangs on the cross then maybe this is a throne.
SO as we gather beside the throne do we jeer and ridicule like the crowds do? Or are we alert to what is really happening, like the centurion is? Or do we watch and wait from a distance, trying to decide what to do next?
--Gord
- Mark 15:1-39
- Mark 15:40-47
Early Thoughts: Is this a coronation? Or is it a parody of a coronation?
"King of the Jews". That is the accusation brought before Pilate. This is the crime for which Jesus is executed--for claiming to be a king not authorized by Rome.
Is this his coronation?
Maybe.
Given that the Kingdom of which Jesus speaks is not like the Kingdoms of the earth, given that in this Kingdom the last will be first and the first last, given that you enter the Kingdom by denying yourself and following the one who hangs on the cross then maybe this is a throne.
SO as we gather beside the throne do we jeer and ridicule like the crowds do? Or are we alert to what is really happening, like the centurion is? Or do we watch and wait from a distance, trying to decide what to do next?
--Gord
Looking Forward to March 24, 2016 -- Maundy Thursday
This Thursday we will have a combined potluck-worship service at 6:00 in the Small/West Basement. Communion will be included as a part of this service.
The Scripture Readings we will hear are:
Early Thoughts: A meal of memory. Or rather 2 meals of memory form our scripture reflection.
First we have the central meal of Jewish faith. The meal of freedom. The meal that reminds people of what God has done but also that God is still working for freedom and liberation.
Then we have another meal. A meal that launches from the meal of liberation but takes on a whole new life and understanding without losing all of the old. From that meal we head deeper into the story. The clouds grow darker and the tone more somber.
AS we prepare for the darkest part of our faith story, can we watch and wait and pray?
--Gord
The Scripture Readings we will hear are:
- John 13:3-17, 34-35
- Exodus 12:1-14
- Mark 14:22-42
Early Thoughts: A meal of memory. Or rather 2 meals of memory form our scripture reflection.
First we have the central meal of Jewish faith. The meal of freedom. The meal that reminds people of what God has done but also that God is still working for freedom and liberation.
Then we have another meal. A meal that launches from the meal of liberation but takes on a whole new life and understanding without losing all of the old. From that meal we head deeper into the story. The clouds grow darker and the tone more somber.
AS we prepare for the darkest part of our faith story, can we watch and wait and pray?
--Gord
Looking Ahead to March 27, 2016 -- Easter Sunday
This year we will read the Easter story as told in Mark 16:1-8
The Sermon title is Now What?
Early Thoughts: It seems to be missing something, that story from Mark. No appearance of the Risen Christ. No joy. No promise that the story will even be told to anyone. Instead we have fear and amazement and flight an silence. And it appears that this indeed may have been the original ending of the Gospel:
Now what happens????
In some ways it is the question that has been hanging in the air every since Jesus was arrested in the Garden. The One we have followed, the One we have believed would change the world has been arrested. Now what do we do?
The One we thought was God's Chosen One has been convicted and crucified. Are we next? Now what?
The tomb is empty?!?!? Where could the body be? What do we do with the rest of our lives?
What better question to ask on Easter?
What difference does it make in our lives to know that life wins, that God's yes outdoes the loudest NO the world can muster, that the Kingdom is born here among us? "Now What" indeed.
But you see the story doesn't end there, with fear and amazement and flight and silence. One might say it only begins there. Because now we start to live out the "now what".
The world has been changed. Easter is one of those things after which nothing will ever be the same again. Eyes that have seen the resurrection can not see the same again, the lenses have been changed. Hearts that have felt the power of resurrection can not feel the same way about the world ever again.
So I guess the answer to the question is in large part up to us. How will we live now that we have met the reality of Easter? How will we share the Good News of this day, of this new reality, of the Kingdom? How will we move past fear and amazement and flight and silence?
Now what.....
--Gord
The Sermon title is Now What?
Early Thoughts: It seems to be missing something, that story from Mark. No appearance of the Risen Christ. No joy. No promise that the story will even be told to anyone. Instead we have fear and amazement and flight an silence. And it appears that this indeed may have been the original ending of the Gospel:
That’s a fairly literal, inelegant English rendering of Mark 16:8. Could the evangelist have ended his Gospel like this? What kind of victor is vindicated from death, yet no one gets to see it? You might as well ask, what kind of Messiah dies crucified (15:16-39)?“They said nothing to nobody -- they were afraid, you see.”
Although various manuscripts add endings to Mark (including 16:9-20, best known from the KJV), there’s no question that our earliest texts of this Gospel end at 16:8. Did the author continue beyond 16:8 with an ending that was lost? Did he intend something beyond 16:8 but was prevented from writing it? Neither alternative is impossible, but both are speculative: they lack any biblical or traditional basis for verification. Is it preposterous that Mark deliberately ended his Gospel at 16:8? Some think so. I think not. (from the folks at Narrative Lectionary.org)
Now what happens????
In some ways it is the question that has been hanging in the air every since Jesus was arrested in the Garden. The One we have followed, the One we have believed would change the world has been arrested. Now what do we do?
The One we thought was God's Chosen One has been convicted and crucified. Are we next? Now what?
The tomb is empty?!?!? Where could the body be? What do we do with the rest of our lives?
What better question to ask on Easter?
What difference does it make in our lives to know that life wins, that God's yes outdoes the loudest NO the world can muster, that the Kingdom is born here among us? "Now What" indeed.
But you see the story doesn't end there, with fear and amazement and flight and silence. One might say it only begins there. Because now we start to live out the "now what".
The world has been changed. Easter is one of those things after which nothing will ever be the same again. Eyes that have seen the resurrection can not see the same again, the lenses have been changed. Hearts that have felt the power of resurrection can not feel the same way about the world ever again.
So I guess the answer to the question is in large part up to us. How will we live now that we have met the reality of Easter? How will we share the Good News of this day, of this new reality, of the Kingdom? How will we move past fear and amazement and flight and silence?
Now what.....
--Gord
Monday, March 14, 2016
Looking Forward to March 20, 2016 -- Palm Sunday
Our service this week will begin with the annual Palm Parade. Gather in the Narthex if you want to be a part of the parade
The Scripture Readings this week are:
Early Thoughts: A parade and a rather strange story about costly perfume. Is this how we start on the road to the cross?
Yes. At least in part.
We come in triumph but suddenly we hear about a plot and betrayal. Then we watch as Jesus' feet are anointed in preparation for his burial. And we are challenged to consider the cost.
What are the costs of following Jesus? What are the costs of sharing his passion? When sharing his passion leads to a conflict of what the best use of resources are how do we respond?
A large part of me sides with the crowd in this story. It seems like a terrible waste to use all this expensive ointment in such a way. But sometimes we make other choices. Tomorrow we can go back to supporting the least among us (Jesus never says this is a bad idea) but today we choose to celebrate the one who is among us, if only for a short period of time.
Because we know that the feet of doom are coming. The plot is underway. But the Kingdom is also coming. That plot has yet to reach its conclusion--even 2000 years later.
What are the costs? What are we willing to pay?
--Gord
The Scripture Readings this week are:
- Mark 11:1-11
- Mark 14:1-9
Early Thoughts: A parade and a rather strange story about costly perfume. Is this how we start on the road to the cross?
Yes. At least in part.
We come in triumph but suddenly we hear about a plot and betrayal. Then we watch as Jesus' feet are anointed in preparation for his burial. And we are challenged to consider the cost.
What are the costs of following Jesus? What are the costs of sharing his passion? When sharing his passion leads to a conflict of what the best use of resources are how do we respond?
A large part of me sides with the crowd in this story. It seems like a terrible waste to use all this expensive ointment in such a way. But sometimes we make other choices. Tomorrow we can go back to supporting the least among us (Jesus never says this is a bad idea) but today we choose to celebrate the one who is among us, if only for a short period of time.
Because we know that the feet of doom are coming. The plot is underway. But the Kingdom is also coming. That plot has yet to reach its conclusion--even 2000 years later.
What are the costs? What are we willing to pay?
--Gord
Monday, March 7, 2016
Looking Forward to March 13, 2016 -- Lent 5, Mark's Apocalypse
This week we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Communion.
The Scripture Reading is Mark 13:1-8, 24-37. (Though I do encourage folks to read the whole chapter instead of just the beginning and ending verses)
The Sermon Title is The End is Near!
Early Thoughts: Is that the image those words bring to mind? The annoying street preacher telling passers-by to repent, to "turn or burn"?
Possibly.
And yet this week we stand within sight of the end. The end of Lent. The end of the walk to Jerusalem. The end of the earthly ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. With Mark 14:1 (the verse immediately following our reading for this week) the series of events leading to betrayal and trial and execution begins. Indeed the end is near.
But also the end of an age, the end of "how things are". And that can be a terrifying thing to face.
Jesus warns his friends that changes are coming, changes that will shake the earth, that will bring destruction and so they should be ready. (It sort of reminds me of the end of every episode of the Dead Dog Cafe Comedy Hour where we were told to "Stay calm! Be brave! Wait for the signs!".) The end is coming. Might be imminent, might be near, might be a few years off. But it is coming, so be ready -- keep awake.
But it isn't really the end. Or at least not only the end. It is also a beginning.
One age ends so that a new age, the age of the Kingdom, can begin. Some things need to end so that God's promise and hope can be fulfilled. Which is not necessarily any less frightening....
In just a few weeks we will stand and proclaim that Christ has been raised. We will sing alleluias and announce the beginning of the new age. But in order for that to happen there also has to be an end. The path to New Life is through death and turmoil. What needs to end so that God's beginnings can take root?
--Gord
The Scripture Reading is Mark 13:1-8, 24-37. (Though I do encourage folks to read the whole chapter instead of just the beginning and ending verses)
The Sermon Title is The End is Near!
 |
| Photo Credit |
Early Thoughts: Is that the image those words bring to mind? The annoying street preacher telling passers-by to repent, to "turn or burn"?
Possibly.
And yet this week we stand within sight of the end. The end of Lent. The end of the walk to Jerusalem. The end of the earthly ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. With Mark 14:1 (the verse immediately following our reading for this week) the series of events leading to betrayal and trial and execution begins. Indeed the end is near.
But also the end of an age, the end of "how things are". And that can be a terrifying thing to face.
Jesus warns his friends that changes are coming, changes that will shake the earth, that will bring destruction and so they should be ready. (It sort of reminds me of the end of every episode of the Dead Dog Cafe Comedy Hour where we were told to "Stay calm! Be brave! Wait for the signs!".) The end is coming. Might be imminent, might be near, might be a few years off. But it is coming, so be ready -- keep awake.
But it isn't really the end. Or at least not only the end. It is also a beginning.
One age ends so that a new age, the age of the Kingdom, can begin. Some things need to end so that God's promise and hope can be fulfilled. Which is not necessarily any less frightening....
In just a few weeks we will stand and proclaim that Christ has been raised. We will sing alleluias and announce the beginning of the new age. But in order for that to happen there also has to be an end. The path to New Life is through death and turmoil. What needs to end so that God's beginnings can take root?
--Gord
Monday, February 22, 2016
Looking Forward to February 28, 2016 -- Lent 3
Just a reminder that our Annual Congregational Meeting will take place following the service this Sunday.
The Scripture readings this week are:
Early Thoughts: But which are which? That is the key question....
During the last week of his life Jesus is asked a question about taxation. It could be a no-win situation. Support paying the tax to an oppressive regime and lose favour with the crowds or speak out against the tax and commit a crime....
Out of the exchange we get one of the phrases that echoes through the ages, particularly in the King James Version wording: "Render unto Caesar those things that are Caesar's and to God those things that are God's". The coin is claimed by Caesar, it has his name and face, so give it back to him. But what is God's? What are we supposed to give (back?) to God?
In part this is a story about loyalty, about choosing which side we are on. Do we align with the kingdom(s) of the Caesars or the Kingdom of God?
I think it is also about ownership and debt. We live in a world where we are (often overtly) encouraged to live by maxims like "what's mine is mine" and "I just want what I am entitled to". Are such claims compatible with being a follower of Christ? How? How are they problematic?
Given a chance there are forces (governments, individuals, even our own psyches) that will lay claim to everything in our world. Jesus comes from the religious tradition that gives us the Creation stories in Genesis, that gives us those opening words of Psalm 24 "The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it". Competing claims of ownership to be sure.
So what do you think are "those things that are God's"?
--Gord
The Scripture readings this week are:
- Psalm 24 (VU p.751)
- Mark 12:13-17
Early Thoughts: But which are which? That is the key question....
During the last week of his life Jesus is asked a question about taxation. It could be a no-win situation. Support paying the tax to an oppressive regime and lose favour with the crowds or speak out against the tax and commit a crime....
Out of the exchange we get one of the phrases that echoes through the ages, particularly in the King James Version wording: "Render unto Caesar those things that are Caesar's and to God those things that are God's". The coin is claimed by Caesar, it has his name and face, so give it back to him. But what is God's? What are we supposed to give (back?) to God?
In part this is a story about loyalty, about choosing which side we are on. Do we align with the kingdom(s) of the Caesars or the Kingdom of God?
I think it is also about ownership and debt. We live in a world where we are (often overtly) encouraged to live by maxims like "what's mine is mine" and "I just want what I am entitled to". Are such claims compatible with being a follower of Christ? How? How are they problematic?
Given a chance there are forces (governments, individuals, even our own psyches) that will lay claim to everything in our world. Jesus comes from the religious tradition that gives us the Creation stories in Genesis, that gives us those opening words of Psalm 24 "The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it". Competing claims of ownership to be sure.
So what do you think are "those things that are God's"?
--Gord
Monday, February 8, 2016
Looking Forward to February 14, 2016 -- Love and Wealth, Lent 1
This Sunday marks the first Sunday of Lent, as we prepare to walk with Jesus towards Jerusalem and the cross.
The Scripture reading this week is Mark 10:17-31
The sermon title is Where is your Heart?
Early Thoughts: Linnea Good has a song where the chorus sings:
It is an age-old quandry. Where does money and wealth fit in with the Kingdom Jesus proclaims? Does being a follower of the Way mean renouncing all possessions? Is it possible to be wealthy and be a faithful follower of Christ (and what is the cut off that makes one wealthy)?
Maybe the question is actually what gets in the way of our ability to follow the commandments. Are our many possessions a help or a hindrance in that task? In 1 Timothy we are told that the love of money [not money itself as is often mis-quoted] is the root of all evil. The full verse (1 Timothy 6:10) actually reads: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. So yeah, it appears that money can get in the way of following The Way laid out by Christ.
It has been said in many various places that if you want to know the priorities of any organization (from the smallest household to the largest nation or corporation) look at the budget. Follow the money is not just an criminal investigative mantra (a favourite of Inspector Thomas Brackenreid of Station House 4 [Murdoch Mysteries]) it is a way of examining how well we are following the narrow path of faith.
I am reminded of a joke. A rich man dies and turns up at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter asks if he has anything to declare. "Just these," says the man, opening up his trunk to reveal a shining stack of gold bricks. "You brought paving stones!?" an amazed St. Peter replies.
In the Kingdom of God the world is turned upside down. Last will be first, first will be last. Those things we are taught have great value may indeed be almost worthless. The challenge for us as people of faith is to determine what the really valuable things are.
And where are our hearts?
--Gord
The Scripture reading this week is Mark 10:17-31
The sermon title is Where is your Heart?
Early Thoughts: Linnea Good has a song where the chorus sings:
Lay your burdens downIt seems to resonate with this passage.
Sing you own life's part
And there where your treasure lies
There is your heart
It is an age-old quandry. Where does money and wealth fit in with the Kingdom Jesus proclaims? Does being a follower of the Way mean renouncing all possessions? Is it possible to be wealthy and be a faithful follower of Christ (and what is the cut off that makes one wealthy)?
Maybe the question is actually what gets in the way of our ability to follow the commandments. Are our many possessions a help or a hindrance in that task? In 1 Timothy we are told that the love of money [not money itself as is often mis-quoted] is the root of all evil. The full verse (1 Timothy 6:10) actually reads: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. So yeah, it appears that money can get in the way of following The Way laid out by Christ.
It has been said in many various places that if you want to know the priorities of any organization (from the smallest household to the largest nation or corporation) look at the budget. Follow the money is not just an criminal investigative mantra (a favourite of Inspector Thomas Brackenreid of Station House 4 [Murdoch Mysteries]) it is a way of examining how well we are following the narrow path of faith.
I am reminded of a joke. A rich man dies and turns up at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter asks if he has anything to declare. "Just these," says the man, opening up his trunk to reveal a shining stack of gold bricks. "You brought paving stones!?" an amazed St. Peter replies.
In the Kingdom of God the world is turned upside down. Last will be first, first will be last. Those things we are taught have great value may indeed be almost worthless. The challenge for us as people of faith is to determine what the really valuable things are.
And where are our hearts?
--Gord
Monday, February 1, 2016
Looking Ahead to February 7, 2016 -- Transfiguration Sunday
The Scripture reading this week is Mark 8:27-9:9
The Sermon title is The Path to Glory
Early Thoughts: Where does glory lie? That is a question this passage raises.
If we jumped from Peter's confession of Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah straight to the glory of the Transfiguration we would get one answer. Glory lies in recognizing that God is present. Glory is what faith is about.
The only problem is that is not what Mark (nor Matthew and Luke who tell the story in the same order) does. The path between confession and transfiguration is interrupted with a reminder of suffering and struggle and the costs of discipleship. In short the path to glory is decidedly not glorious.
One commentary describes this passage as a sequence of Confession, Confrontation, Confusion. This commentary ends with the suggestion that if Peter (and we) stops and listens to the hard words he (and we) might end with clarity instead of confusion.
It is tempting to jump from recognizing who Jesus is to the search for awe and glory. But that is not the path Jesus offers us. Jesus offers us the foolishness of glory through struggle, life through death. Like Peter we might want to "correct" Jesus on these things.
AS we seek the path of glory, lets not forget that it leads through places we might not want to go...
--Gord
The Sermon title is The Path to Glory
Early Thoughts: Where does glory lie? That is a question this passage raises.
If we jumped from Peter's confession of Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah straight to the glory of the Transfiguration we would get one answer. Glory lies in recognizing that God is present. Glory is what faith is about.
The only problem is that is not what Mark (nor Matthew and Luke who tell the story in the same order) does. The path between confession and transfiguration is interrupted with a reminder of suffering and struggle and the costs of discipleship. In short the path to glory is decidedly not glorious.
One commentary describes this passage as a sequence of Confession, Confrontation, Confusion. This commentary ends with the suggestion that if Peter (and we) stops and listens to the hard words he (and we) might end with clarity instead of confusion.
It is tempting to jump from recognizing who Jesus is to the search for awe and glory. But that is not the path Jesus offers us. Jesus offers us the foolishness of glory through struggle, life through death. Like Peter we might want to "correct" Jesus on these things.
AS we seek the path of glory, lets not forget that it leads through places we might not want to go...
--Gord
Monday, January 25, 2016
Looking Ahead to January 31, 2016
The Scripture reading this week is Mark 3:13-19; 6:7-16
The Sermon title is Where Are You Sent?
Early Thoughts: Spreading the Good News takes a lot of people. Proclaiming and growing the Kingdom is a group task.
It has always been true. Being the people of God is a collective effort. Early in the journey across the desert Moses is overwhelmed by the task of leading the people and appoints assistants. And here Jesus shares the load by first appointing 12 apostles (those who are "sent out") and then later sending them out to teach and preach, to heal and cast out demons.
ANd as a result the fame and knowledge of Jesus (which has already been growing steadily as Mark tells the story -- despite the number of times Jesus tells people not to say anything about his healings) grows even more. The work of the sent reflects the work of the sender. Which leads Herod to start to wonder who this rabble-rouser is. The suggestion that it is a resurrected John shows how concerned Herod is about this many and his disciples/apostles. In Jewish thought resurrection is a sign of how God is working to correct the wrongs of the world.
What was true then is still true now. Proclaiming and growing the Kingdom is still a collective task. As members of the body of Christ we are not just around to learn how to be "good" people, we are part of the body of Christ so that we can participate in the changing of the world. Faith is a participation sport.
We gather together to grow in discipleship and to be sent out. Maybe we are not called to cast out demons or heal people. But we are all called to proclaim the Good News. We are called to share the possibility of the kingdom.
Jesus points out that this action is not always well-received. There are times when we need to know that it is time to cut our losses, to try a new audience. But the challenge the church faces is being willing to chance the rejection. If we wait until we are sure the message will be received we will never share it. On the other hand, sometimes we share a message we know to be unpopular over and over again to allow it to work into the consciousness of the listeners (every parent will recognize this tactic--both by using it and by having it used on them). The important part is that we fulfill our calling to take part in proclaiming and growing the Kingdom.
As followers of Christ we too are disciples--learners. As followers of Christ we are sent to live our faith in the world. So where are you sent?
The Sermon title is Where Are You Sent?
Early Thoughts: Spreading the Good News takes a lot of people. Proclaiming and growing the Kingdom is a group task.
It has always been true. Being the people of God is a collective effort. Early in the journey across the desert Moses is overwhelmed by the task of leading the people and appoints assistants. And here Jesus shares the load by first appointing 12 apostles (those who are "sent out") and then later sending them out to teach and preach, to heal and cast out demons.
ANd as a result the fame and knowledge of Jesus (which has already been growing steadily as Mark tells the story -- despite the number of times Jesus tells people not to say anything about his healings) grows even more. The work of the sent reflects the work of the sender. Which leads Herod to start to wonder who this rabble-rouser is. The suggestion that it is a resurrected John shows how concerned Herod is about this many and his disciples/apostles. In Jewish thought resurrection is a sign of how God is working to correct the wrongs of the world.
What was true then is still true now. Proclaiming and growing the Kingdom is still a collective task. As members of the body of Christ we are not just around to learn how to be "good" people, we are part of the body of Christ so that we can participate in the changing of the world. Faith is a participation sport.
We gather together to grow in discipleship and to be sent out. Maybe we are not called to cast out demons or heal people. But we are all called to proclaim the Good News. We are called to share the possibility of the kingdom.
Jesus points out that this action is not always well-received. There are times when we need to know that it is time to cut our losses, to try a new audience. But the challenge the church faces is being willing to chance the rejection. If we wait until we are sure the message will be received we will never share it. On the other hand, sometimes we share a message we know to be unpopular over and over again to allow it to work into the consciousness of the listeners (every parent will recognize this tactic--both by using it and by having it used on them). The important part is that we fulfill our calling to take part in proclaiming and growing the Kingdom.
As followers of Christ we too are disciples--learners. As followers of Christ we are sent to live our faith in the world. So where are you sent?
Monday, January 11, 2016
Looking Forward to January 17, 2016 -- Seeds Flying
The Scripture Reading this week is Mark 4:1-34
The Sermon title is Wild Oats
Early Thoughts: Who sows seeds like that? Who tosses them around so carelessly that only some land where the growing is good?
I am reminded of a line from 1 Corinthians. Paul is discussing the fact that some in the Corinthian church are followers of Apollos and some of Paul. He says:
So what are we to do?
Shine like a lamp on a lamp stand. Be the seed that produces in abundance. Spread the seed so that God can give growth. All of the above?
At the beginning of the Gospel Jesus announces that the time is now, that the Kingdom is at hand. Given that reality, how can we help but share this good news -- even if not all ears are ready to hear it, even if some of the soil is less than optimal for growth?
--Gord
The Sermon title is Wild Oats
Early Thoughts: Who sows seeds like that? Who tosses them around so carelessly that only some land where the growing is good?
I am reminded of a line from 1 Corinthians. Paul is discussing the fact that some in the Corinthian church are followers of Apollos and some of Paul. He says:
6I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. [1 Corinthians 3:6-7)Is this how the kingdom grows? Not by careful selective planting and pruning and watering but by casting the seed widely and profligately and allowing God to work? It appears so. And it appears that in this process results can exceed expectations (along with the times when results are crushingly disappointing).
So what are we to do?
Shine like a lamp on a lamp stand. Be the seed that produces in abundance. Spread the seed so that God can give growth. All of the above?
At the beginning of the Gospel Jesus announces that the time is now, that the Kingdom is at hand. Given that reality, how can we help but share this good news -- even if not all ears are ready to hear it, even if some of the soil is less than optimal for growth?
--Gord
Monday, January 4, 2016
Looking Forward to January 10, 2016 -- Entering the Gospel of Mark
The way that the Narrative Lectionary is built is that between Christmas and Easter we explore one of the Gospels, working our way through it in order. This year we work through Mark. And since Easter is on the early side (March 27, almost the earliest it can possibly be) our journey through Mark will hop skip and jump along to get to Chapter 16 by Easter Sunday. This means we will have some relatively long passages. But it also means that most passages will appear to have multiple sermon possibilities. Mark is a Gospel writer in a hurry, everything happens fast, and so when you read longer passages you likely have two or three discrete events recounted.
Technically the cycle began on December 27 but we were doing other things the last 2 weeks. So we jump in on week 3 of Mark and a reading from Chapter 2. More specifically our reading for this week is Mark 2:1-22.
The Sermon title is New Wine New Skins
Early thoughts: I see about 5 distinct, though inter-related sermon starters in these 22 verses.
You could focus on the opening story and the conflict over words of forgiveness.
You could look at the second story and talk about inclusion, bringing in the outsider.
You could take the third section and talk about fasting and feasting.
You could look at the whole and talk about the growing conflict between Jesus and the powers-that-be, a conflict that will eventually lead directly to a cross on a hill.
But I am not following any of those paths. I think the unifying piece to the passage is in the last few verses. Patching cloth and having it tear, using old wine-skins and heaving them burst.
Mark’s Jesus begins his ministry by proclaiming that the Kingdom is at hand. The time is now, the day has come. Does this perhaps mean that it is time for new cloth and new wine-skins? Are the healings and the teachings and the conflict signs that there needs to be a new way of looking at things? Even more, is there a hint that it is difficult to live the new way using old patterns?
It seems to me that this is the challenge of Christian faith. Mark has been clear thus far that interacting with Jesus changes life completely and immediately. And yet human nature, particularly within faith communities perhaps, tends to resist major change. We tend to try to slow it down, to make it incremental and reforming rather than sudden and revolutionary. We want to patch the hole, to make use of the old containers. This seems to be common sense. This seems to be prudent. This seems to be making best use of what has been handed down to us. Unfortunately it also seems that it often doesn’t work.
What cloth in our midst has been patched but is about to tear? What wine-skins have been used one or two times too many? Is there a need to punch a hole in our ceiling to allow wholeness to come in? Where is the new trying to break through?
--Gord
Technically the cycle began on December 27 but we were doing other things the last 2 weeks. So we jump in on week 3 of Mark and a reading from Chapter 2. More specifically our reading for this week is Mark 2:1-22.
The Sermon title is New Wine New Skins
Early thoughts: I see about 5 distinct, though inter-related sermon starters in these 22 verses.
You could focus on the opening story and the conflict over words of forgiveness.
You could look at the second story and talk about inclusion, bringing in the outsider.
You could take the third section and talk about fasting and feasting.
You could look at the whole and talk about the growing conflict between Jesus and the powers-that-be, a conflict that will eventually lead directly to a cross on a hill.
But I am not following any of those paths. I think the unifying piece to the passage is in the last few verses. Patching cloth and having it tear, using old wine-skins and heaving them burst.
Mark’s Jesus begins his ministry by proclaiming that the Kingdom is at hand. The time is now, the day has come. Does this perhaps mean that it is time for new cloth and new wine-skins? Are the healings and the teachings and the conflict signs that there needs to be a new way of looking at things? Even more, is there a hint that it is difficult to live the new way using old patterns?
It seems to me that this is the challenge of Christian faith. Mark has been clear thus far that interacting with Jesus changes life completely and immediately. And yet human nature, particularly within faith communities perhaps, tends to resist major change. We tend to try to slow it down, to make it incremental and reforming rather than sudden and revolutionary. We want to patch the hole, to make use of the old containers. This seems to be common sense. This seems to be prudent. This seems to be making best use of what has been handed down to us. Unfortunately it also seems that it often doesn’t work.
What cloth in our midst has been patched but is about to tear? What wine-skins have been used one or two times too many? Is there a need to punch a hole in our ceiling to allow wholeness to come in? Where is the new trying to break through?
--Gord
Monday, November 30, 2015
Looking Forward to December 6, 2015 -- Advent 2
This being the first Sunday of December we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Communion.
The Scripture Readings this week are:
The Sermon title is A Miraculous Birth, A Special Child
Early Thoughts: Christmas is about birth. In fact as Luke tells the story it includes 2 births. This week we look at the often overlooked birth, the cousin who will later baptise Jesus in the Jordan.
AS the story goes, John should not have been born. Everyone believed his parents were infertile (or at least that his mother was). Zechariah has trouble believing the angel and for that is rendered speechless for the duration of the pregnancy.
But this is a special baby for reasons beyond the miracle of his conception. This child will be a prophet. This child will turn people's hearts back to God. This child will be, even in utero, filled with the Holy Spirit. So the angel promises.
Then we jump to his birth. There is a bit of confusion and possibly even scandal about what his name will be, but out of that scene Zechariah gets his voice back. And he sings.
John, his father sings, will be the one to prepare the way. John will remind the people to take responsibility for their sins. John will, in his own way, lead the people in the path of peace.
When we next meet John the peace will seem a little absent. His preaching is not the style one would find in the line of "How to Win Friends and Influence People". But he does influence people, he does gain a following -- so much of one that he becomes a threat to public order and so is killed. But maybe that is one of the ways we get to Peace. Maybe we have to be ready to be offended and be offensive to get to the Reign of Peace and Justice. Maybe we have to face the realities that are uncomfortable if we are actually going to change how we work, how the world works.
Some thoughts as we prepare for the birth of the Prince of Peace.
--Gord
The Scripture Readings this week are:
- Luke 1:5-20, 57-66
- Luke 1:67-80 (VU p.900)
The Sermon title is A Miraculous Birth, A Special Child
Early Thoughts: Christmas is about birth. In fact as Luke tells the story it includes 2 births. This week we look at the often overlooked birth, the cousin who will later baptise Jesus in the Jordan.
AS the story goes, John should not have been born. Everyone believed his parents were infertile (or at least that his mother was). Zechariah has trouble believing the angel and for that is rendered speechless for the duration of the pregnancy.
But this is a special baby for reasons beyond the miracle of his conception. This child will be a prophet. This child will turn people's hearts back to God. This child will be, even in utero, filled with the Holy Spirit. So the angel promises.
Then we jump to his birth. There is a bit of confusion and possibly even scandal about what his name will be, but out of that scene Zechariah gets his voice back. And he sings.
John, his father sings, will be the one to prepare the way. John will remind the people to take responsibility for their sins. John will, in his own way, lead the people in the path of peace.
When we next meet John the peace will seem a little absent. His preaching is not the style one would find in the line of "How to Win Friends and Influence People". But he does influence people, he does gain a following -- so much of one that he becomes a threat to public order and so is killed. But maybe that is one of the ways we get to Peace. Maybe we have to be ready to be offended and be offensive to get to the Reign of Peace and Justice. Maybe we have to face the realities that are uncomfortable if we are actually going to change how we work, how the world works.
Some thoughts as we prepare for the birth of the Prince of Peace.
--Gord
Monday, November 23, 2015
Looking Ahead to November 29, 2015 -- First Sunday of Advent
The Scripture Reading this week is Isaiah 40:1-11
The Sermon Title is Promised Hope Conquers Lived Despair
Early Thoughts: What are the words of comfort that we need to hear? What is the lived despair that needs hope to come in and conquer it in 2015?
Have you noticed that there is almost never a shortage of despair? Just like there is always something to worry about, there always seems to be plenty of signs that all is lost.
Maybe a close friend or family member has been "downsized".
Maybe you have had to stop reading news about refugees, or terrorist attacks, or bombing strategies.
Maybe you or someone close to you has had to deal with racism, or sexism, or some other ism.
Maybe it is the crime rates in town lately.
What robs you of hope? What makes you wonder if God is still active? What makes it hard to see the road through the wilderness?
This is the world into which Christ is born. This is the world into which God speaks words of comfort and hope and promise.
These verses from Isaiah were spoken first to captives, exiles, a long way from home. Exiles removed from the place where, they had always been told, God lived, the place where they could meet God. And then the Word comes to them speaking of comfort, of pardon, of return, of home, of Good News. Into the midst of their despair came hope and renewal.
What is the Good News we need to hear? What is the word of hope and comfort that will rebuild the highway? What will defeat the despair we see around the world every day in our news feeds and lead us to the the top of the mountain to shout out good tidings (which shall be for all people, for unto us is born this day...)
Highway building is a lot of work. Maybe there is muskeg and swamp to be dug out, dirt and gravel to be moved around, chasms to be bridged, blockages to be worked around or blown apart, but in the end...
What will start us seeing the roadway where once was only wilderness and mud and rock?
--Gord
The Sermon Title is Promised Hope Conquers Lived Despair
Early Thoughts: What are the words of comfort that we need to hear? What is the lived despair that needs hope to come in and conquer it in 2015?
Have you noticed that there is almost never a shortage of despair? Just like there is always something to worry about, there always seems to be plenty of signs that all is lost.
Maybe a close friend or family member has been "downsized".
Maybe you have had to stop reading news about refugees, or terrorist attacks, or bombing strategies.
Maybe you or someone close to you has had to deal with racism, or sexism, or some other ism.
Maybe it is the crime rates in town lately.
What robs you of hope? What makes you wonder if God is still active? What makes it hard to see the road through the wilderness?
This is the world into which Christ is born. This is the world into which God speaks words of comfort and hope and promise.
These verses from Isaiah were spoken first to captives, exiles, a long way from home. Exiles removed from the place where, they had always been told, God lived, the place where they could meet God. And then the Word comes to them speaking of comfort, of pardon, of return, of home, of Good News. Into the midst of their despair came hope and renewal.
What is the Good News we need to hear? What is the word of hope and comfort that will rebuild the highway? What will defeat the despair we see around the world every day in our news feeds and lead us to the the top of the mountain to shout out good tidings (which shall be for all people, for unto us is born this day...)
Highway building is a lot of work. Maybe there is muskeg and swamp to be dug out, dirt and gravel to be moved around, chasms to be bridged, blockages to be worked around or blown apart, but in the end...
What will start us seeing the roadway where once was only wilderness and mud and rock?
--Gord
Monday, November 9, 2015
Looking Forward to November 15, 2015
The Scripture reading this week is: Hosea 11:1-9
The Sermon title is The God Who Will Not Let Go
Early Thoughts: Grace. Mercy. Forgiveness. Reconciliation. Words that describe the God we meet in Scripture. Words that resonate strongly with this passage.
Israel has turned away from God. God reaches out but they keep turning away. They are even unable to recognize and name that God is with them, protecting them, healing them. So God will give them up to their enemies. And if the passage ended at verse 7 then all those nice words I listed up above would be totally absent.
But we have more. God changes God's mind. God realizes God can NOT give up on the people. As a loving parent whose child has gone astray God wants to give up. God may even believe the child needs to fall in order to learn. But God can simply not give up, God can not let go, God can not forget God's people.
Elsewhere in Hosea we have the object lesson of a man married to an unfaithful wife. But the husband can not give up and cast her away.
That is who God is. God is gracious, forgiving and merciful. God continuously strives to be reconciled with God's (often recalcitrant and stiff-necked) people. At various points in the prophets we hear about how God will allow Judah and Israel to be destroyed, this is true. But also at various point in the prophets God promises redemption and renewal. For example this song based off of Isaiah 49:
In the event that lies at the center of our faith, the life death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ, we meet this God, the God who will not let go, who will not forget, who will not abandon. This is the God who appeared in a bush to Moses, who led the people out of slavery, who gave the people a Rule of Life. This is the GOd of Grace, of Mercy, Of Reconciliation. This is the God who we continue to meet in our lives.
And that is a good thing. THanks be to God.
Amen.
--Gord
The Sermon title is The God Who Will Not Let Go
Early Thoughts: Grace. Mercy. Forgiveness. Reconciliation. Words that describe the God we meet in Scripture. Words that resonate strongly with this passage.
 |
| A Colleague shared this image made based on the Hosea passage |
But we have more. God changes God's mind. God realizes God can NOT give up on the people. As a loving parent whose child has gone astray God wants to give up. God may even believe the child needs to fall in order to learn. But God can simply not give up, God can not let go, God can not forget God's people.
Elsewhere in Hosea we have the object lesson of a man married to an unfaithful wife. But the husband can not give up and cast her away.
That is who God is. God is gracious, forgiving and merciful. God continuously strives to be reconciled with God's (often recalcitrant and stiff-necked) people. At various points in the prophets we hear about how God will allow Judah and Israel to be destroyed, this is true. But also at various point in the prophets God promises redemption and renewal. For example this song based off of Isaiah 49:
In the event that lies at the center of our faith, the life death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ, we meet this God, the God who will not let go, who will not forget, who will not abandon. This is the God who appeared in a bush to Moses, who led the people out of slavery, who gave the people a Rule of Life. This is the GOd of Grace, of Mercy, Of Reconciliation. This is the God who we continue to meet in our lives.
And that is a good thing. THanks be to God.
Amen.
--Gord
Monday, November 2, 2015
Looking Forward to November 8, 2015
This week the Scripture will be presented in dramatic form by the Youth Group. The reading they are working with is 1 Kings 18:20-39
The Sermon title is Have Trust, Have Faith
Early Thoughts: So one of the heroes of Hebrew Scriptures is a bit of a jerk...again.
I mean really Elijah doesn't seem the most likable in this story does he? He is a bit of a braggart (to say the least). He insults the faith of his neighbours (and rivals). And then in the next verse after this reading he has all the prophets of Baal killed.
Sometimes you have to wonder what it means to be a hero.....
On the other hand....
Elijah should not succeed. In the numbers game he is terribly outnumbered. And he seems bound and determined to create a situation where success is impossible. But he has faith. But he trusts in YHWH. But he knows in his heart the YHWH has called him to this place, the YHWH is the one who will succeed.
And guess what? Elijah is right.
God is with Elijah. And God is at work in the story. And so Elijah is vindicated (well maybe other than the killing that follows but maybe that is why our reading stops at verse 39). This story proves (at least to the people of Israel) the "my God is better than your God".
But why do we read it today? Do we still feel the need to prove that "our God is better"? Or do we read it to remind ourselves that we have a God who is with us and is active in the world? I don't quite believe that all things are possible with God. I do believe that there are things that seem impossible that are possible when we remember that we are not alone.
AS George Micheal once told us "ya gotta have faith-a faith-a faith"
--Gord
The Sermon title is Have Trust, Have Faith
Early Thoughts: So one of the heroes of Hebrew Scriptures is a bit of a jerk...again.
I mean really Elijah doesn't seem the most likable in this story does he? He is a bit of a braggart (to say the least). He insults the faith of his neighbours (and rivals). And then in the next verse after this reading he has all the prophets of Baal killed.
Sometimes you have to wonder what it means to be a hero.....
On the other hand....
Elijah should not succeed. In the numbers game he is terribly outnumbered. And he seems bound and determined to create a situation where success is impossible. But he has faith. But he trusts in YHWH. But he knows in his heart the YHWH has called him to this place, the YHWH is the one who will succeed.
And guess what? Elijah is right.
God is with Elijah. And God is at work in the story. And so Elijah is vindicated (well maybe other than the killing that follows but maybe that is why our reading stops at verse 39). This story proves (at least to the people of Israel) the "my God is better than your God".
But why do we read it today? Do we still feel the need to prove that "our God is better"? Or do we read it to remind ourselves that we have a God who is with us and is active in the world? I don't quite believe that all things are possible with God. I do believe that there are things that seem impossible that are possible when we remember that we are not alone.
AS George Micheal once told us "ya gotta have faith-a faith-a faith"
--Gord
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)