Fourth Sunday after Epiphany: Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Genesis 21:1-21

One of the things that we don't always think about in the Old Testament is the mercy of God. We see that fully on display here. On one hand, God tells Abraham that it is OK to send Hagar and Ishmael away, but on the other, He take care of them. What at one point looks like God is letting them be abandoned actually turns into God's plan of hope for them. God was merciful to Ishmael, and while the promise would not be carried through him, God would still take care of him.

We don't always understand God's plan. Hagar weeps today because she thinks that God has abandoned them and they are in the dessert to die. God had something else in mind. Sometimes, when we think we are lost in the wilderness, we are right where God would have us to be. Sometimes the wilderness is part of God's plan that will lead us to life, for it is there we see that are totally dependant upon God and His strength. Sometimes the place that we do not want to be is the very place that God needs us to be.

New Testament Lesson

Hebrews 11:13-22

This is one of my favorite passages of scripture in the Bible and perhaps the best sermon I've ever heard was preached off of it. It says that because of their faith, God was not ashamed to be called their God. Think about that, how is God often made know in the Old Testament, "the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob." He is identified by His people. Think about that. He is not ashamed to be identified with His children. He is not ashamed to be known as the God of Andy Stoddard. If you're a child of God He is not ashamed to be known as the God of (your name here). Wow, how great is His love for His children?

So often, we think we are unworthy of His grace, we think that we are undeserving of His mercy (which we are). But, God pours it out on His children and He delights in us. Think about this today, if you have placed your full faith in Jesus (you must first do this), then He is not ashamed to be called your God. If you have faith in Him, He is not ashamed of you, He is proud proud of you. Today, live you life in such away where your faith in Him is as strong as His faith in you.

Gospel Lesson

John 6:41-51

One of the most powerful things we can do as a church and as God's children is receive holy communion. Today, Jesus said that part of what leads to eternal life is that we eat the living bread of heaven, which is His flesh. Jesus gave Himself for us that we could live, and through Holy Communion, we receive God' grace, and that grace empowers us to live more as Jesus commanded. Wesley said Communion was a "means of grace," something that gives us grace and helps our faith to grow. But, he said there were otters Means of Grace: prayer, searching the scriptures, and fasting we some of these. The point is that God gives us things such as these that can strengthen our faith and help us to grow. Are you seeking after these things? Are you spending time in the Word of God? Are you praying? Do you attend Holy Communion when it is offered in your church? Do you live with discipline. In these things, God give us grace. We cannot grow apart from prayer, from scripture, and Wesley would say that we cannot grow apart from receiving Holy Communion. Are you partaking in things that will help your faith to grow, or are you partaking in things that will drive you away from God?