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Luke 24:35b-48
1 John 3:1-7
INTRODUCTION
You and I have been called children of God—and that is what we are.
So let’s act like children and take time to play!
Find a partner and exchange, back and forth with one another, as quickly as possible. For example: I rejoice when I see the hummingbirds. I rejoice when I watch my garden grow. I rejoice when I can gather with others for worship. I rejoice when I see the young people.
Do you feel better?
Expressing joy encourages us and revives our spirits.
Even as children of God, sometimes we just need simple encouragement.
I want to express my deepest appreciation for your prayers during this last week. As you know, two funerals touched our congregation in the last few days—the service for M... F... and the service for C... H... I consider it a blessing and an honor when a family invites me to share this time with them. When that invitation comes to preside at the funeral service, the preparation for that service takes priority.
Everything else goes on hold until that service is complete. To meet with the family and prepare the eulogy or homily takes my undivided concentration—even more so than the weekly sermon preparation. So I appreciate you for understanding my need for an undisturbed block of time. In order to focus my thoughts for funeral preparation I may need to cancel meetings or postpone visits—and I appreciate your understanding in those matters.
Early last week I was not available in the office because that sort of preparation is best done at home. Deanna and I kept in telephone contact, and I believe, with her help and with your cooperation we have made it through the week without too much miscommunication. I am grateful that you trust me to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in my use of time and that you allow me to set priorities accordingly. You are a loving congregation and I appreciate you for that. We are that community of faith that reflects God’s future breaking into our present relationships. Our patience with one another and our trust of one another
becomes a witness to the world.
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"
HEART
I hope you are meditating on the scriptures that we have each week. And I hope the Lord uses these scriptures to speak to your heart and to your mind so that your faith is strengthened. Our scriptures last week and again this week give us a glimpse of the community that gathers around the risen Lord and the community that comes together when the good news of the resurrection is proclaimed. Today’s gospel reading from Luke is similar in many ways to the passage of scripture we read last week from the gospel of John—with one slight variation. And the variation is significant.
John’s gospel focused on internal relationships within the community of faith—the fellowship or koinonia shared in Christ. In our passages this week we see the emphasis expanding from relationships within the congregation—to the responsibility of this faith community to communicate their message to the world. Those gathered together because of their faith in Jesus Christ will, in word and deed, demonstrate God’s love, calling people back to a relationship with the Father. Because of the death and resurrection, Jesus says that repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to the nations in his name.
Those who saw the risen Lord with their eyes were literal witnesses to this new reality. And they were to bear witness, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Luke records this in his gospel and in his second volume that we call the Book of Acts, Acts of the Apostles. As the literal eye-witnesses began to die—as the first century was coming to an end—the old Apostle John calls for the church to be witnesses to what the Father has given to the church. You and I cannot testify as eye-witnesses to the resurrection but we can bear witness to the power and faithfulness of the Father. We can bear witness to the effectiveness of the power of the resurrection. We can proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins in Jesus name.
We do have a story to tell to the nations. But don’t forget, we are children of God
—and John says our lives will bear witness to that reality. Our life together as the church will bear witness to the reality that we are children of God.
CONCLUSION
We played a game at the beginning of this sermon—sharing with one another what brings us joy. Rejoicing with one another! What did we learn from this simple little game?
When we are rejoicing—we won’t be complaining! When we concentrate on the joy set before us—we can reflect the obedient heart of Jesus and we won’t harbor bitterness in our spirits. When we rejoice—when we see good even in the midst of misery—our faith is strengthened—and in sharing, we strengthen one another.
We have the honor of being called children of God because we have responded to the good news of resurrection—we have responded to the good news of repentance & forgiveness of sins. Jesus does save us! This is good news.
If you want to confess your faith in Jesus and prepare for baptism,
this is a good day to do that. If you have drifted away from God and want to come back to him, this is a good day to do that. If you want to join this congregation and cast your lot with us—this is a good day to do that!
Come, while we stand and sing.
HYMN Jesus Saves
BENEDICTION
God’s love is revealed in Jesus Christ.
God’s power is revealed in Jesus Christ.
God’s love is revealed in us.
God’s power is revealed in us.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The Living Lord's Supper
Maundy Thursday, April 9, 2009
On Maundy Thursday three congregations hosted "A Living Lord's Supper," in our sanctuary. This presentation included drama, narration and music. Host congregations were First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), United Methodist Church, and C.H.R.I.S.T. Missionary Fellowship. Eight denominations were represented in actors, musicians, and narrators.
The drama was a compilation of events from the gospels. After Jesus washed the disciples' feet he went to the table, explained his actions and then announced the betrayal before sharing the bread and cup with them. Communion by intinction was then offered to the gathered congregation. The evening concluded with the following homily.
On this night Jesus went to the table with dirty feet! It appears that not one of the persons in the Upper Room even thought to offer to wash the dust of the road from Jesus’ feet. No one had the humility or forethought to minister to Jesus on that night. So Jesus went to the table with dirty feet.
Actually, Jesus went to the cross with dirty feet! The dirt of betrayal and denial, the dirt of rejection and fear, the dirt of abuse and humiliation. Before his death Jesus will be forced to walk into places of power and take the dirt of false judgment upon himself. He will stand before the religious leaders of his day and receive their scorn, their false testimony, their accusations. Jesus will be brought before the political powers and asked to give an account of himself.
In a few minutes Jesus will leave this room, only to agonize in prayer in the garden while these men sleep, weary from waiting. Then he will be betrayed with a kiss, the traditional sign of friendship and peace! Then, condemnation and death—a shameful death—crucifixion on a Roman cross.
Jesus went to the cross with dirty feet, a bruised back and a bleeding brow. He was whipped and slapped and spit upon—and a crown of thorns was forced on to his head. He was mocked and bullied. Jesus endured the scorn and the shame. With the dirt of this world covering him, Jesus went to the cross.
Later the Apostle Peter would remember these events and write about them.
When they hurled their insults at him, Peter writes, [Jesus] did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to [the One] who judges justly. Jesus entrusted himself to the Father.
Think about this. When his message was rejected, Jesus could have shaken the dust off his feet and gone on to find a people more receptive to his message—but he didn’t. Jesus persevered and endured all that this world threw at him in order to demonstrate the Father’s love. 24 [Jesus] …bore our sins in his body on the tree, Peter writes, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness… 1 Peter 2:23-24
On this night Jesus went to the table with dirty feet—but a few nights earlier, in another room at another gathering, there was one who came and bathed his feet with a very expensive ointment and wiped them with her hair. Just as there was disapproval tonight when Jesus humbled himself and washed the feet of his friends, there was even more disapproval on that night. No one in the room approved of this woman’s extravagant gesture—no one except Jesus!
Jesus defended her extravagance—her use of this anointing balm that cost a year’s wages. He acknowledged her faith. So instead of rebuking her—as some of the men suggested—Jesus rebuked them! On that evening Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing… She has prepared my body for burial.”
It would seem that this woman understood that death waited around the corner for Jesus. She seemed to know that her opportunities to express her love for him were limited. So while the other disciples criticized and condemned her, Jesus received her.
And it is worth noting, it was this extravagant expression of faith and love that sent Judas to the chief priests to plot the betrayal. On that night as this woman caressed his feet and rubbed the ointment into his calluses Jesus drew strength from her simple gesture. Her forethought communicated to him that there was at least one person who had some understanding of what was happening. Fragrance filled the air on that night. But tonight Jesus came to the table with dirty feet. No one had had the forethought to minister to him.
Turn to go to the pulpit—then stop & turn back to the congregation.
But we have the opportunity to minister to Jesus—now—here in the 21st century, in El Dorado Springs—because Jesus said as you do a good deed for the least of these, you do it unto me! You and I still have the opportunity to minister to Jesus—if we have eyes to see Jesus in the face of the least of these who are in need!
Isn’t that amazing? An amazing opportunity! Amazing love!
Gospel accounts Anointing in Bethany: Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; Luke 7:36-50; John 12:1-8
On Maundy Thursday three congregations hosted "A Living Lord's Supper," in our sanctuary. This presentation included drama, narration and music. Host congregations were First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), United Methodist Church, and C.H.R.I.S.T. Missionary Fellowship. Eight denominations were represented in actors, musicians, and narrators.
The drama was a compilation of events from the gospels. After Jesus washed the disciples' feet he went to the table, explained his actions and then announced the betrayal before sharing the bread and cup with them. Communion by intinction was then offered to the gathered congregation. The evening concluded with the following homily.
On this night Jesus went to the table with dirty feet! It appears that not one of the persons in the Upper Room even thought to offer to wash the dust of the road from Jesus’ feet. No one had the humility or forethought to minister to Jesus on that night. So Jesus went to the table with dirty feet.
Actually, Jesus went to the cross with dirty feet! The dirt of betrayal and denial, the dirt of rejection and fear, the dirt of abuse and humiliation. Before his death Jesus will be forced to walk into places of power and take the dirt of false judgment upon himself. He will stand before the religious leaders of his day and receive their scorn, their false testimony, their accusations. Jesus will be brought before the political powers and asked to give an account of himself.
In a few minutes Jesus will leave this room, only to agonize in prayer in the garden while these men sleep, weary from waiting. Then he will be betrayed with a kiss, the traditional sign of friendship and peace! Then, condemnation and death—a shameful death—crucifixion on a Roman cross.
Jesus went to the cross with dirty feet, a bruised back and a bleeding brow. He was whipped and slapped and spit upon—and a crown of thorns was forced on to his head. He was mocked and bullied. Jesus endured the scorn and the shame. With the dirt of this world covering him, Jesus went to the cross.
Later the Apostle Peter would remember these events and write about them.
When they hurled their insults at him, Peter writes, [Jesus] did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to [the One] who judges justly. Jesus entrusted himself to the Father.
Think about this. When his message was rejected, Jesus could have shaken the dust off his feet and gone on to find a people more receptive to his message—but he didn’t. Jesus persevered and endured all that this world threw at him in order to demonstrate the Father’s love. 24 [Jesus] …bore our sins in his body on the tree, Peter writes, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness… 1 Peter 2:23-24
On this night Jesus went to the table with dirty feet—but a few nights earlier, in another room at another gathering, there was one who came and bathed his feet with a very expensive ointment and wiped them with her hair. Just as there was disapproval tonight when Jesus humbled himself and washed the feet of his friends, there was even more disapproval on that night. No one in the room approved of this woman’s extravagant gesture—no one except Jesus!
Jesus defended her extravagance—her use of this anointing balm that cost a year’s wages. He acknowledged her faith. So instead of rebuking her—as some of the men suggested—Jesus rebuked them! On that evening Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing… She has prepared my body for burial.”
It would seem that this woman understood that death waited around the corner for Jesus. She seemed to know that her opportunities to express her love for him were limited. So while the other disciples criticized and condemned her, Jesus received her.
And it is worth noting, it was this extravagant expression of faith and love that sent Judas to the chief priests to plot the betrayal. On that night as this woman caressed his feet and rubbed the ointment into his calluses Jesus drew strength from her simple gesture. Her forethought communicated to him that there was at least one person who had some understanding of what was happening. Fragrance filled the air on that night. But tonight Jesus came to the table with dirty feet. No one had had the forethought to minister to him.
Turn to go to the pulpit—then stop & turn back to the congregation.
But we have the opportunity to minister to Jesus—now—here in the 21st century, in El Dorado Springs—because Jesus said as you do a good deed for the least of these, you do it unto me! You and I still have the opportunity to minister to Jesus—if we have eyes to see Jesus in the face of the least of these who are in need!
Isn’t that amazing? An amazing opportunity! Amazing love!
Gospel accounts Anointing in Bethany: Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; Luke 7:36-50; John 12:1-8
Monday, April 6, 2009
Palm Sunday ~ April 5, 2009
A Celebration of Holy Week.
The Sixth Sunday of Lent was a celebration of Palm Sunday. In fact, the entrance of the children with palms as the congregation sang, "Hosanna, Loud Hosannas," was our call to worship. The remainder of the service was dedicated to the events of the week leading to the crucifixion. The service continued as Thomas and I read excerpts from the last chapters of Mark's gospel so that we felt the ebb and flow of the the events of that final week before the crucifixion.
We paused to gather our weekly offering when Jesus watched the widow give her offering of two copper coins. Then as Jesus gathered his followers around the table for the first time we stopped to remember the Lord's last supper as we shared communion.
To experience the dynamic of these days I would suggest you take time to thoughtfully read Mark 11 through 15 stopping when the body is laid in the tomb. Wait until early Sunday morning to read the rest of the story.
The Sixth Sunday of Lent was a celebration of Palm Sunday. In fact, the entrance of the children with palms as the congregation sang, "Hosanna, Loud Hosannas," was our call to worship. The remainder of the service was dedicated to the events of the week leading to the crucifixion. The service continued as Thomas and I read excerpts from the last chapters of Mark's gospel so that we felt the ebb and flow of the the events of that final week before the crucifixion.
We paused to gather our weekly offering when Jesus watched the widow give her offering of two copper coins. Then as Jesus gathered his followers around the table for the first time we stopped to remember the Lord's last supper as we shared communion.
To experience the dynamic of these days I would suggest you take time to thoughtfully read Mark 11 through 15 stopping when the body is laid in the tomb. Wait until early Sunday morning to read the rest of the story.
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