Ordinary Time: Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

1 Kings 1:38-2:4

We often wonder, if I had one last thing to say, what would it be. Sometimes we preachers wonder, if I had one last sermon to preach, what would I preach? What words would you leave behind before those that would come after? What would you say?

David has these words for his son Solomon, who is now the king. He's words are not about leadership, or taxes, or military plans. It's not about how to run the kingdom. It's this — follow the Lord's decrees. Follow what the Lord has commanded. Follow His way and all else will work out as it ought to be.

Those are good words. We can't control everything in life. There are some things in life, many things in life, that we have no control over. But, I believe, if we follow the Lord, as best we can, all else will work out. That's what David told Solomon. I think its good words for each of us today.

New Testament Lesson

Acts 26:24-27:8

Paul is able to preach to the kings and rulers of that part of the world. Paul tells us in Romans that all things work to the good of those that love God. We see this happen in Paul's life. God is using the chains he is wearing as a powerful way to testify to the grace and glory of God. Paul's imprisonment allows him to preach the good news in places that he would have never had the chance before.

God can use anything. There's no part of your life, no part of your history, no part of who you are that God can't use for His glory and for your good. God can use it all. May we allow Him to do so.

Gospel Lesson

Mark 13:28-37

Jesus tells us about His second coming, no one knows the hour or the day. No one. Not even those that have wrote best selling books about it. Not even preachers. Not even people on the internet. No one knows when the second coming will be. No one.

So, I've always felt like it'd be a better use of our time to worry about the stuff we do know — foreignness and service and grace and love. Let's focus on what we do know, and let's leave the rest to God.