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Remember Greg McMahon in your prayers today
Shorter blogging today, only the Gospel Lesson
John 8:12-20
To know the father, we must know Jesus. Those in the text today did not understand that, and so they missed Jesus. They were expecting Jesus to be someone or somewhere else. We see that notion a lot in scripture. In Matthew 25 in the parable of the sheep and the goats, the goats are cast aside because when they did not do to the least among them, they did not do to Jesus. They were not expecting to see Jesus among the least, but there he was. The religious leaders did not expect Jesus to come as he did, but there he was. Do you expect to only encounter Jesus in church? What about in your job? Your conversations? Your family life? The promise we celebrated in Christmas a couple of months ago was this, Emmanuel, God is with us. There were no conditions place on where God was with us, simply God was with us. Will you find Jesus in your life today? He is there. What is he calling you to? And will you follow? They missed Jesus because they weren't looking for Him. Will you and I do the same?
Wednesday, February 8, 2006
Tuesday, February 7, 2006
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, Tuesday, February 7, 2006
Old Testament Lesson
Genesis 26:1-6, 12-33
Today in the text Isaac's first choice was to go down to Egypt. After all, during this time of famine, Egypt would have enough food, and his family would survive. But, the Lord told him to stay in the land he was in, and he did. In that obedience to God, the Lord blessed him. God kept the promise that he had made to Abraham and Isaac was blessed. In his obedience, the Lord blessed him.
I know that this a dead horse that I beat a lot, but our obedience to God is essential. It is not just enough to say that we love God, we must obey Him. Even when it doesn't make sense. Today, it would have made for sense for Isaac to go down to Egypt, he knew that there he would be OK. But, the Lord willed for him to stay in the Land, and he obeyed. In that obedience, the Lord blessed him. Now, if we obey, we will grow rich and powerful like Isaac? Maybe, maybe not. I know a lot of obedient folks that are barely getting by. But, if we obey, we will have something better than worldly possessions. We'll have the peace and the joy of God, and that is of infinite worth.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 13:17-25
The ending of Hebrews reminds us that while we are called to obey (as mentioned above), it is God that equips us and gives us the grace to obey. There is that relationship between God's grace and our obedience. The closer we are to God the more we obey, and the more we obey, the closer we are to God. We can only obey through God's grace. We can't do it on our own. Now, we can do somethings right, I guess, but we can't be very good on our own. We see it in Scripture. Time after time when folks obey God, He uses them, and we when it is over, they wander from God, and fall into sin. That is what happened to Noah after the flood, that is what happened to Abraham when he and Sarah went down to Egypt. That is what happened to David. And Peter. And so many others. If this happened to these folks, will it not happen to you and me? That is why we must stay close to the God that equips us, so that we can obey, and in that obedience, we find the love and joy of God.
Gospel Lesson
John 7:53-8:11
This is a text we have read many times; the women caught in adultery. A couple of things. First, as the old saying goes, it takes two to tango. I've always wondered what happened to the "man caught in adultery." She is the only brought to Jesus. We don't know who the man is, but God does. Our sin might not always be made known in public, but that doesn't mean that God's doesn't know. Just because you aren't caught doesn't mean that you aren't guilty.
Second, he tells her that she is no condemned. Jesus tells those that brought her to him, if there are any without sin, let them cast the first stone. Jesus forgives. His grace is amazing. He longs to forgive us our sin and restore us to right relationship. And the story ends there, right?
No, the last thing Jesus says is to go and sin no more. Grace is not a black check to sin. Grace is not a permission slip to sin. Grace is empowerment to live for God, not just forgiveness of sin. Today, Jesus forgives us, if we repent. And He tells us the same thing he told her. Go and sin no more. You are forgiven (if you ask). Go and sin no more.
Genesis 26:1-6, 12-33
Today in the text Isaac's first choice was to go down to Egypt. After all, during this time of famine, Egypt would have enough food, and his family would survive. But, the Lord told him to stay in the land he was in, and he did. In that obedience to God, the Lord blessed him. God kept the promise that he had made to Abraham and Isaac was blessed. In his obedience, the Lord blessed him.
I know that this a dead horse that I beat a lot, but our obedience to God is essential. It is not just enough to say that we love God, we must obey Him. Even when it doesn't make sense. Today, it would have made for sense for Isaac to go down to Egypt, he knew that there he would be OK. But, the Lord willed for him to stay in the Land, and he obeyed. In that obedience, the Lord blessed him. Now, if we obey, we will grow rich and powerful like Isaac? Maybe, maybe not. I know a lot of obedient folks that are barely getting by. But, if we obey, we will have something better than worldly possessions. We'll have the peace and the joy of God, and that is of infinite worth.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 13:17-25
The ending of Hebrews reminds us that while we are called to obey (as mentioned above), it is God that equips us and gives us the grace to obey. There is that relationship between God's grace and our obedience. The closer we are to God the more we obey, and the more we obey, the closer we are to God. We can only obey through God's grace. We can't do it on our own. Now, we can do somethings right, I guess, but we can't be very good on our own. We see it in Scripture. Time after time when folks obey God, He uses them, and we when it is over, they wander from God, and fall into sin. That is what happened to Noah after the flood, that is what happened to Abraham when he and Sarah went down to Egypt. That is what happened to David. And Peter. And so many others. If this happened to these folks, will it not happen to you and me? That is why we must stay close to the God that equips us, so that we can obey, and in that obedience, we find the love and joy of God.
Gospel Lesson
John 7:53-8:11
This is a text we have read many times; the women caught in adultery. A couple of things. First, as the old saying goes, it takes two to tango. I've always wondered what happened to the "man caught in adultery." She is the only brought to Jesus. We don't know who the man is, but God does. Our sin might not always be made known in public, but that doesn't mean that God's doesn't know. Just because you aren't caught doesn't mean that you aren't guilty.
Second, he tells her that she is no condemned. Jesus tells those that brought her to him, if there are any without sin, let them cast the first stone. Jesus forgives. His grace is amazing. He longs to forgive us our sin and restore us to right relationship. And the story ends there, right?
No, the last thing Jesus says is to go and sin no more. Grace is not a black check to sin. Grace is not a permission slip to sin. Grace is empowerment to live for God, not just forgiveness of sin. Today, Jesus forgives us, if we repent. And He tells us the same thing he told her. Go and sin no more. You are forgiven (if you ask). Go and sin no more.
Monday, February 6, 2006
Super Sunday and Sunday night worship
Yesterday was the Super Bowl and now all will be sad until next August when football comes back. I know my wife is happy at least. She won't have to put up with football for several months, and I think she is secretly plotting ways to rid the world of football games forever. Super Bowl Sunday always brings up an interesting question. What do we do with Sunday night worship?
I don't know how many churches still do Sunday night worship. Growing up in south
There are complications and blessings to Sunday night worship. First, as a preacher, that's one more sermon! You sometime think you may run out of stuff to preach about. And, it is hard to sometimes find a theme for Sunday night worship. At Coy, I use it for different sermon series. I find it is helpful to do some teaching sermons that would really fit within the flow of our Morning worship. Right now I'm preaching on the fruit of the Spirit, previously, I've the membership vows of the UMC, things such as that.
And I find that to be the blessing. You have a committed group of folks on Sunday night that really take the Word of God seriously, that really do want to grow in their faith, that really do want to learn. I was very pleased with the crowd we had last night for worship. We had basically our normal Sunday Night crowd, which thrilled me to know that there were these folks that want to spend time worshiping God, even on the night of the Super Bowl.
So, would I cancel Sunday night service for the Super Bowl? No way. Not if we normally have it. Remember the fuss over canceling church on Christmas? Now, this is different, but in some ways the same. Do we rearrange our schedule as the church for other things, or do we say, this is who we are, and we will not conform the world. Part of the identity of my church is Sunday night worship. Canceling that for the Super Bowl would have been giving up part of who we are to conform.
Is this is a life or death issue? Is this a salvation issue? Of course not, but I have found here, and I have found in myself, that it is important. It comes back to who we understand ourselves to be, and much of that understanding will we give up to conform to the world. For too long, the church has given up too much of that identity. Do we start with Sunday night worship and the Super Bowl? I don't know. But, it was on my mind this morning.
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, February 5, 2006
Old Testament Lesson
Genesis 25: 19-34
Jacob and Esau are two complicated folks. When you look at them, Jacob was a scoundrel, and we think, how could God pass down the promise through this sorry joker. But, two things to notice. First, once again the promise of God is not dependant upon the person, but rather upon God. Jacob was sorry, but his sorriness did not cancel out the promise of God. All throughout the Bible, God used imperfect people to do His will. The same holds true today. God uses imperfect people like me and you to do His will. We must strive and seek after Him, but if God is going to use only the perfect ones, then there would be no one left for God to use.
Second as much as Jacob was a scoundrel, Esau just didn't' care. He the birth rite, and he sold it for food. He chose his own pleasure over the higher thing. So often, we choose what we want instead of what God needs us to do. If we will do God's we will be satisfied. Now, we may not every everything we want, but we will have what we need and will be satisfied in God's grace. So often we chase the things of the world, thinking they will make us happy, and we find ourselves empty. Only in God can we be full, and only is His will can we find not what we think we want, but what we really need.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 13:1-16
These are the concluding remarks of Hebrews. Most New Testament letters end with similar thought, which basically can be summed up in this, do what is right. Today, we see words of encouragement to hold to sound doctrine, care for the less fortunate, love both friend and stranger, stay away from lust (both sexual and of money). In all these things, do the things that you know are right. Christianity is not complicated; Jesus said we are to love God and love neighbor. That is not hard to understand, it is just hard to do. CS Lewis said no one knows how bad they are until they try very hard to be good. The faith we are to live is not hard to understand, but we cannot do it on our own. We need God's grace each day. That is why we must read the Word, pray, and spend time with God' children. We need the grace that we receive in this things. We need His grace to live as He wants. We cannot do it on our own. We cannot do the things God wants us to with Him. But with Him, we can. Are you spending enough with Jesus that you can do the things that He will? Apart from Him, we can do noting, with Him, all things are possible.
Gospel Lesson
John 7:37-52
This text has one of the more famous verse in scripture "Thus the people were divided because of Jesus." That's not an image we always think of with Jesus. We think of Him in terms of unity and peace. But, the Word also says that He will bring division, because He forces us to make a choice. Are we with Him, or against Him. Jesus does not settle for second in our heart, either. We cannot be lukewarm, we must either be hot or cold for Him. What are we today? Are we obedient to Him, is He Lord our lives, or is Jesus just a Sunday thing. They were divided because of Jesus. He makes us choose. Do you chose to follow Him today? That is the choice that we must make, today. Which way will we choose?
Genesis 25: 19-34
Jacob and Esau are two complicated folks. When you look at them, Jacob was a scoundrel, and we think, how could God pass down the promise through this sorry joker. But, two things to notice. First, once again the promise of God is not dependant upon the person, but rather upon God. Jacob was sorry, but his sorriness did not cancel out the promise of God. All throughout the Bible, God used imperfect people to do His will. The same holds true today. God uses imperfect people like me and you to do His will. We must strive and seek after Him, but if God is going to use only the perfect ones, then there would be no one left for God to use.
Second as much as Jacob was a scoundrel, Esau just didn't' care. He the birth rite, and he sold it for food. He chose his own pleasure over the higher thing. So often, we choose what we want instead of what God needs us to do. If we will do God's we will be satisfied. Now, we may not every everything we want, but we will have what we need and will be satisfied in God's grace. So often we chase the things of the world, thinking they will make us happy, and we find ourselves empty. Only in God can we be full, and only is His will can we find not what we think we want, but what we really need.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 13:1-16
These are the concluding remarks of Hebrews. Most New Testament letters end with similar thought, which basically can be summed up in this, do what is right. Today, we see words of encouragement to hold to sound doctrine, care for the less fortunate, love both friend and stranger, stay away from lust (both sexual and of money). In all these things, do the things that you know are right. Christianity is not complicated; Jesus said we are to love God and love neighbor. That is not hard to understand, it is just hard to do. CS Lewis said no one knows how bad they are until they try very hard to be good. The faith we are to live is not hard to understand, but we cannot do it on our own. We need God's grace each day. That is why we must read the Word, pray, and spend time with God' children. We need the grace that we receive in this things. We need His grace to live as He wants. We cannot do it on our own. We cannot do the things God wants us to with Him. But with Him, we can. Are you spending enough with Jesus that you can do the things that He will? Apart from Him, we can do noting, with Him, all things are possible.
Gospel Lesson
John 7:37-52
This text has one of the more famous verse in scripture "Thus the people were divided because of Jesus." That's not an image we always think of with Jesus. We think of Him in terms of unity and peace. But, the Word also says that He will bring division, because He forces us to make a choice. Are we with Him, or against Him. Jesus does not settle for second in our heart, either. We cannot be lukewarm, we must either be hot or cold for Him. What are we today? Are we obedient to Him, is He Lord our lives, or is Jesus just a Sunday thing. They were divided because of Jesus. He makes us choose. Do you chose to follow Him today? That is the choice that we must make, today. Which way will we choose?
Friday, February 3, 2006
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany: Friday, February 3, 2006
Old Testament Lesson
Genesis 24:1-27
Boy, if getting married was only as easy in this text today. One of things we know and believe, but do not fully understand is God's plan in things. We know he is at work, doing something for our good. We don't always understand why things happen the way they do; we don't always understand what role our choices make in God's plan, but we know they are all working for our good and for God's plan. That is what Wesley believed in sharing your faith. All you can do is do the best you can do, and then leave the rest up to God. We are not they Holy Spirit, we don't get folks saved, but we can do our best and put forth our efforts, and the Lord will bless it. Today, God had a plan for Issac. Now, everyone had to do their part, but God had a plan. Today, God has a plan for each of us as well.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 12:3-11
I don't like disciplining my daughter. She cries, and it is bad. But, the job a parent is not to always make their children happy, but to do what is in the best interest of that child and help that child to grow into responsible adulthood. If we as human parents feel that way, how much more must our God feel that way? Is His job as God to always make us happy? No, sometimes He must discipline us to help us to grow into the child of God that He needs us to be. We don't enjoy the discipline, and I'm sure it is something God would rather not do, but there are times for our good and for the ultimate purpose God had for us, that He must discipline us. It shows just how much He loves us, though. Just like a loving parent wants the best for their child, so does out God want the best for His children.
Gospel Lesson
John 7:1-13
One of the things that Jesus dealt with was lack of faith from those closest to him. Today, His family did not believe. Often times, His disciples didn't believe. But, he keeps faithful to the mission that God has sent him for. Today He knows the time is not right, so he does not go publicly to the feast. His mission was primary for Him. As Christians, are we the same? Do have our mission from God as the primary focus of our life? Do we even know what our mission is? Do we have a purpose, or do we just float around, wondering why nothing make sense for us. We must know our purpose and must be faithful to God through it. What are you here for? God has something for you. Do you know what it is? Have you spent time in His word and in prayer seeking it? When we know that purpose, and are faithful to it, things will fall into place. Do you know your purpose today? If so, are you faithful to your purpose today?
Genesis 24:1-27
Boy, if getting married was only as easy in this text today. One of things we know and believe, but do not fully understand is God's plan in things. We know he is at work, doing something for our good. We don't always understand why things happen the way they do; we don't always understand what role our choices make in God's plan, but we know they are all working for our good and for God's plan. That is what Wesley believed in sharing your faith. All you can do is do the best you can do, and then leave the rest up to God. We are not they Holy Spirit, we don't get folks saved, but we can do our best and put forth our efforts, and the Lord will bless it. Today, God had a plan for Issac. Now, everyone had to do their part, but God had a plan. Today, God has a plan for each of us as well.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 12:3-11
I don't like disciplining my daughter. She cries, and it is bad. But, the job a parent is not to always make their children happy, but to do what is in the best interest of that child and help that child to grow into responsible adulthood. If we as human parents feel that way, how much more must our God feel that way? Is His job as God to always make us happy? No, sometimes He must discipline us to help us to grow into the child of God that He needs us to be. We don't enjoy the discipline, and I'm sure it is something God would rather not do, but there are times for our good and for the ultimate purpose God had for us, that He must discipline us. It shows just how much He loves us, though. Just like a loving parent wants the best for their child, so does out God want the best for His children.
Gospel Lesson
John 7:1-13
One of the things that Jesus dealt with was lack of faith from those closest to him. Today, His family did not believe. Often times, His disciples didn't believe. But, he keeps faithful to the mission that God has sent him for. Today He knows the time is not right, so he does not go publicly to the feast. His mission was primary for Him. As Christians, are we the same? Do have our mission from God as the primary focus of our life? Do we even know what our mission is? Do we have a purpose, or do we just float around, wondering why nothing make sense for us. We must know our purpose and must be faithful to God through it. What are you here for? God has something for you. Do you know what it is? Have you spent time in His word and in prayer seeking it? When we know that purpose, and are faithful to it, things will fall into place. Do you know your purpose today? If so, are you faithful to your purpose today?
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany: Wednesday, Febuary 1, 2006
Old Testament Lesson
Genesis 22:1-18
Søren Kierkegaard was a Dutch philosopher and wrote on of the most powerful books ever written about this text of Abraham being tested by God. He asked what do we make a God that could ask Abraham to do this? How do we handle a God that would do this? He is only answer was with Fear and Trembling, which was the name of that book. God is not human, and He demand things of us the we don't understand or like. After all He is God. I think that is the best way to understand this passage. In this passage, though, Issac was not going to be sacrificed. If Abraham would not do it, then his life was spared. If he followed through, God had a ram in the bush. Either way he was going to be fine.
We don't know what God will ask us to give up. We don't know what God will ask us to do. We don't know where God will send us. We cannot control God. We live an age where everything seems computerized and controlled, but God is not. God gave Abraham and Sarah this son, and then He tells Abraham to sacrifice him. God does not play by our rules. We are supposed to play by His. We should never totally lose our fear and trembling of Him.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 11:23-31
By faith, they did this things. Notice, the text didn't say that Moses had faith, so he didn't do anything. He decided to kick back and relax because he has faith. Faith is the beginning of our walk with God. Faith is what starts everything. It is by faith that we do stuff, because that faith calls us to do stuff. If we have faith and we feel like we're re done, we have nothing else to do for God, then we need to look again at the Word. It is by faith that they were obedient to God. It is by faith we work for God. Our works are not the point, but the faith is. That faith, however, will produce those works. By faith, what do you and I do?
Gospel Lesson
John 6:52-59
Jesus tells them that he is the way. Their forefathers ate manna, today, they can eat the true bread from heaven. It is through Jesus that life comes. He tells them that in eating and drinking His body and blood, they will have eternal life. That once again shows the importance of Holy Communion. But, it also shows the importance of Jesus. It is through Him that life comes. Not through what was done in the past, not through the traditions of the past, but through Jesus. The question is not do we keep all the traditions of our ancestors, but do we have Jesus. In the text, they were faithful to the past, but refused Jesus. Let us not make the same mistake. He is the way to heaven, not by works, not by tradition, not by anything else.
Genesis 22:1-18
Søren Kierkegaard was a Dutch philosopher and wrote on of the most powerful books ever written about this text of Abraham being tested by God. He asked what do we make a God that could ask Abraham to do this? How do we handle a God that would do this? He is only answer was with Fear and Trembling, which was the name of that book. God is not human, and He demand things of us the we don't understand or like. After all He is God. I think that is the best way to understand this passage. In this passage, though, Issac was not going to be sacrificed. If Abraham would not do it, then his life was spared. If he followed through, God had a ram in the bush. Either way he was going to be fine.
We don't know what God will ask us to give up. We don't know what God will ask us to do. We don't know where God will send us. We cannot control God. We live an age where everything seems computerized and controlled, but God is not. God gave Abraham and Sarah this son, and then He tells Abraham to sacrifice him. God does not play by our rules. We are supposed to play by His. We should never totally lose our fear and trembling of Him.
New Testament Lesson
Hebrews 11:23-31
By faith, they did this things. Notice, the text didn't say that Moses had faith, so he didn't do anything. He decided to kick back and relax because he has faith. Faith is the beginning of our walk with God. Faith is what starts everything. It is by faith that we do stuff, because that faith calls us to do stuff. If we have faith and we feel like we're re done, we have nothing else to do for God, then we need to look again at the Word. It is by faith that they were obedient to God. It is by faith we work for God. Our works are not the point, but the faith is. That faith, however, will produce those works. By faith, what do you and I do?
Gospel Lesson
John 6:52-59
Jesus tells them that he is the way. Their forefathers ate manna, today, they can eat the true bread from heaven. It is through Jesus that life comes. He tells them that in eating and drinking His body and blood, they will have eternal life. That once again shows the importance of Holy Communion. But, it also shows the importance of Jesus. It is through Him that life comes. Not through what was done in the past, not through the traditions of the past, but through Jesus. The question is not do we keep all the traditions of our ancestors, but do we have Jesus. In the text, they were faithful to the past, but refused Jesus. Let us not make the same mistake. He is the way to heaven, not by works, not by tradition, not by anything else.
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