Pentecost: Monday, May 12, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Ezekiel 33:1-11

One of the great phrases of the Bible comes form Cain when asked God, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Today, God tells Ezekiel that he is his brother's keeper. God has made Ezekiel a prophet for Israel, and being that, he is supposed to speak God's word to them, and give them warning about danger that is to come.

Part of loving someone is sometimes giving them a warning. The Lord gives us warnings all the time, and through all different people. And He warns us because He loves us. Today, He says that He doesn't want to see even the wicked harmed. God's desire is for us each to live happy peaceable lives. So, in times when we are headed in the wrong direction, He will warn us. May we listen to that warning, when it comes.

New Testament Lesson

1 John 1:1-10

This is one of the passages for most of my life I've kept coming back to over and over again. It says that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. We all have sin, we all commit sin, we all do things that are wrong. But, if we will confess those sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive. All that is standing between us and the forgiveness of our sins this morning is our confession and repentance of sin. Because one this is true.

God will forgive our sin! All we have to do is ask. Today, you don't have to carry the burden of sin around with you. God will forgive!

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 9:27-34

What did Jesus do in this passage? He allowed folks to see and to talk. He gave folks that ability to see what He is doing and gave them the ability to tell others about it. Those are two great miracles. And they are miracles that we may need for ourselves this morning. Today, i n this day, if we allow, He will open our eyes to see what He is doing. This doesn't have to be and ordinary day. This can be a divine day, a wondrous day, a day where we see the Handy work of God. He will open our eyes!

And then He will open our mouths to proclaim what He has done. He will open our mouths to talk and give us the words to say. Today, He allowed folks to talk and speak. May He do the same for us!