22nd Sunday After Pentecost

This sermon was preached on Sunday, October 12, 2008. Because I left my voice recorder at home there will be no audio for this Sunday.

Rules to Live By

God’s invitation is free, but it is also demanding. God wants something from us more than blindly following him or prescribing ourselves to a doctrine. What does it mean to truly follow Jesus and be a disciple? What can we learn from this parable on following Jesus?

Do we hear the invitation? How then are we to live as disciples called to serve Christ and his kingdom in this age?

Applying the Text

Rules to live by as offered by St. Paul:

(1) “Be of the same mind in the Lord.”

In the struggle to find reconciliation we called to “help these women” for they have struggled besides me in the gospel. We struggle together and we need this togetherness in order to be confident in the witness we share.

(2) Rejoice in the Lord.

(3) Let your gentleness be known to everyone

(4) Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving your request made known to God.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus...Think then about these things.