Sermons

On The Way

Jesus responded to the lepers who called out to him by saying “go and show yourselves to the priests”. Likely somewhat bewildered at first, they must have been ecstatic to see the transformation occuring even as they were on the way. As we are on our way through life, let us remember how precious was our cleansing from sin the hour we first believed. And like the one leper who came back, let us praise, and give thanks to God for Jesus The Way. Alleluia!

Rebuking to the Point of Forgiveness

“Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

The Gospel of Moses & the Prophets

Both Law and Gospel appear throughout both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, hope of salvation is portrayed not only as the expectation of deliverance from earthly afflictions, enemies, and captivity, but with a deeper eschatological hope centered on the coming Messiah who would redeem us from sin and restore our relationship with God. This lends special significance to the final sentence Abraham spoke in the parable of the the rich man & Lazarus: “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” If the five brothers of the rich man would not “hear” the hope of salvation promised through Moses & the Prophets, neither would they be convinced by the resurrection of Salvation Himself!

Let us pray.

In this time of turmoil, confusion and polarization, we must remember to pray for others, including those with whom we disagree, We know that God desires all people to come to the knowledge of the truth. Let us therefore make supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings on behalf if all, including those in authority over us.

Joy in Heaven

For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I – I myself will search for my sheep…I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak…And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David…

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…

There is joy before the angels of God over even one sinner who repents!

The Salt of Our Salvation

Consider carefully: if we are to be disciples, the Lord must take priority over all we have – possessions, family, our very lives. To lose sight of this is to lose the salt of our salvation, and with it our effectiveness as His witnesses.

Miraculous, Not Mundane

We must not allow familiarity with the things of Christ to render the miraculous mundane in our sight. Let us read the scriptures, especially the gospels, with fresh eyes – meditating on their time, place and circumstance; taking the viewpoint of his enemies, not just his friends, that we may better understand how intentionally surprising, shocking and sometimes offensive was Jesus Christ to those who heard Him.

Strive!

And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”

Not Peace But Division

The peace Christ brought to the earth was peace between man and God. With his birth the angels declared “Peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased,” which means those who trust in Christ as the Son of God, and so are covered by his righteousness.

By contrast there is no peace among the peoples of the earth, but division. From the worldly wise to the pagan hedonist, to the hypocritical religious, all are in conflict with the Christian believer.

Let us reach across the divide, speaking the truth in love to all we encounter, (even family!). God grant us the courage to share the gospel, regardless of the discomfort we may feel.

Do not be anxious.

Knowing that God so cared for our eternal well being that he died for us, we must believe that he cares for the smallest of our daily needs. Therefore we pray “Give us this day our daily bread,” and look for His hand in every circumstance, eager to discover all that we have to be grateful for (even sometimes fleas?). In all situations, we can trust Him. This is a profound truth – good news to be shared far and wide. When we feel anxious, let us pray with boldness in Jesus name, trusting ourselves and others to the God who is faithful.