Epiphany: Friday, February 9, 2007

Old Testament Lesson

Isaiah 61:1-9

This is the passage that Jesus quoted from when He preached in His hometown and almost go thrown off a cliff. We see here that God longs to bring salvation and hope, that God longs to deliver His people, that He will come and will bring help to those that are in need.

But, notice, it is only to those that are in need. The rich have their wealth, and they run to it to salvation. The proud have their pride, and their run to it for salvation. The self righteous have their self righteousness, and they run to it for salvation. But, none of these things will bring salvation. Only God will. And, He can only give salvation to those that understand that they need it.

Today, He offers grace and love and hope and peace. And, you (and I) need that grace and love and hope and peace. The question is, do we realize it? Or do we think that we are strong enough to do it on our own.

New Testament Lesson

2 Timothy 3:1-17

There is a frightful image within this passage. Paul tell us that in the last days, that people will hold to the outward form of godliness, but deny its power. Here in the south, we call that "playing church." That means that people my have the little fish on the back of their car, but still be lost. They may listen to Christian music, but not know God. Years ago, they may have worn WWJD bracelets or read Left Behind, but still not known God.

Our faith is not about what folks see on the outside. It is what in real on the inside. Lots of folks would rather just look religious, or talk about church, or complain about church, than they would actually give their heart to Jesus. Is that you and me today? Would we rather have a false form of godliness than give our lives to Jesus?

Well, Andy, of course not, why would we do that. If we have a false form of godliness, we are in control. If we give our lives to Jesus. He is in control. And we would rather be in control than allow Jesus to be in control. Today, are you truly Christian, or are you just going through the motions.

Gospel Lesson

Mark 10:32-45

We see here Jesus teach us that great truth. It is not about us. It is about Him. He came not to be served, but to serve. And, if our Lord and Savior came not be served, but to serve, why do we think that our live is about being served by others.

Jesus came to to serve. Should not you and I do the same thing?