tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33389858103758326512024-03-12T18:34:25.374-07:00Caffeinated LutheranPastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-34073674010029511932010-05-30T16:12:00.001-07:002010-05-30T16:12:16.439-07:00Waterville Lutheran – Church Newsletter / June 2010<span xmlns=''><p><span style='font-size:24pt'>The Waterville Witness June 2010<br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #cbe5ff'><colgroup><col style='width:886px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 29px'><td style='padding-left: 11px; padding-right: 11px' vAlign='middle'><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Georgia'><strong><em>The monthly newsletter of Waterville Lutheran Church</em></strong></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Georgia'>Pastor's Note:</span></p><p>Many of you are very busy and the summer only adds to this. Those of you who are farmers know that there is never a quiet or even less a dull moment when it comes to living out your vocation. What ever happened then to the lazy long hot afternoons enjoying the sunshine? The opportunities to wave a flag while watching a parade seemed endless. With the advent of a down economy and the need to supply for our families most basic needs the enjoyment seems to have died in the memories of summers past. <br /></p><p>What I am most aware of is that changes in the economy and in the demographics of our area have adversely affected our congregation. I am not sure if we can stem the tide of declining membership because this is a trend evident in many of our neighboring congregations. What I do know is that if we do not do something we will slip into the memory of this community. The mission of our congregation is clear – proclaim the Word and receive the sacraments. We do this together and therefore we need each and every member of this church. <br /></p><p>Consider how you can contribute to continuing the life and witness of Waterville Lutheran. Be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit and indeed the reality that we have run the risk of change in order to find new life. It may mean that we need to rethink how we do church – which involves evaluating the needs of our community as well. <br /></p><p>Enjoy the summer and it is my hope to see you in church this summer!<br /></p><p>Peace, Pastor Kris<br /></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #cbe5ff'><colgroup><col style='width:886px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 29px'><td style='padding-left: 11px; padding-right: 11px' vAlign='middle'><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Georgia'><strong>Dates for the Calendar</strong></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p><br /> </p><p style='margin-left: 72pt'><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>June 2 <span style='text-decoration:underline'><strong>7:00 p.m WOW meeting at the home of Jean Huffey (</strong>NOTE CHANGE OF TIME<strong>)</strong></span></span><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'> 6 10:30 a.m. - Worship Service with Holy Communion</span><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'> 11:00-1:00 - St. John's Luana BBQ Chicken Dinner</span><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'> 9 7:00 p.m. - Church council meeting</span><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'> 11-13 NE IA Synod Assembly at Wartburg College in Waverly</span><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'> 13 10:30 a.m. - Worship Service</span><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'> 19 Women's Synod Convention at Wartburg College in Waverly</span><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'> 20 10:30 a.m. - Worship Service with Holy Communio<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'> 27 10:30 a.m. - Worship Servic</span><br /> </p><p>30 – July 10 <em>Pastor Continuing Education – Liberty University, VA<span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><br /> </span></em></p><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #cbe5ff'><colgroup><col style='width:886px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 29px'><td style='padding-left: 11px; padding-right: 11px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Georgia'><strong>Birthdays and Anniversaries</strong></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>06 - Paul/Wendy Ebner 18 - Bryan Hamm 22 - Jim/Wanda Christianson<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>24 - Ann White 29 - Alvina Sickels<br /></span></p><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #cbe5ff'><colgroup><col style='width:886px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 29px'><td style='padding-left: 11px; padding-right: 11px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Georgia'><strong>Council Meeting Highlights from May 2010</strong></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>Council meeting was held on Wednesday, May 12 with 8 members and Pastor Snyder present.</span><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>The NE IA Synod Assembly will be held on June 11-13 at Wartburg College in Waverly. Each church can send 2 delegates to this assembly. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>Pastor informed the council that he will be gone from June 30-July 14th. He will find a supply minister for those Sundays.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>There was no new information on shared ministry.</span><br /> </p><p> <br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #cbe5ff'><colgroup><col style='width:886px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 29px'><td style='padding-left: 11px; padding-right: 11px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Georgia'><strong>Women of Waterville (WOW) Meeting Notes May 2010</strong></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>WOW meeting held on May 11 at the home of Pastor/Randi Snyder</span><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>Devotions were given by Marilyn Hamm</span><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>All members participated in the lesson "Wise in What is Good" </span><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>The Synodical Convention will be held on June 19th at Wartburg College in Waverly. The theme is "Growing in Faith" A motion was made by Linda Halvorson and seconded by Randi Snyder to give $50 as an offering to the convention. Motion carried.</span><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>Plans were made for Senior Recognition Sunday on May 16th with a coffee fellowship at 9:30 a.m. Lunch was served by our hostesses, Pastor and Randi. Meeting closed with The Lord's Prayer and Table Prayer.</span></p></span>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-22108482350261314262010-03-22T19:55:00.000-07:002010-03-22T19:56:21.049-07:005th Sunday in Lent<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKRISSN%7E1%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKRISSN%7E1%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKRISSN%7E1%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> 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mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:252710604; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:-1876761644 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l0:level2 {mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >A Matter of Perspective<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:";" >Lessons from Paul for Gaining a Humble Heart / Gaining the Prize Jesus Christ<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >At the end of the day what truly matters?<span style=""> </span>Will it be the size of your home, the amount of acres you combine, the size of your heard, or the status you hold within your community or congregation?<span style=""> </span>Where will all these gains lead you?<span style=""> </span>What if you lose it all?<span style=""> </span>When life smacks you in the face with a rotten sardine and you can barely pick yourself off the floor.<span style=""> </span>Paul gained so much in his life.<span style=""> </span>He had notoriety as a student of the law, an obedient persecutor of the early Christian church.<span style=""> </span>Yet in all this he was missing something.<span style=""> </span>In order for him to see this he had to loose everything to gain the one thing he lacked.</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="bodytext"><span style="font-size:100%;">An English professor wrote the words “Woman without her man is a savage” on the blackboard and directed his students to punctuate it correctly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="bodytext"><span style="font-size:100%;">The men wrote: “Woman, without her man, is a savage.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="bodytext"><span style="font-size:100%;">The women wrote: “Woman! Without her, man is a savage.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Were one saw Jesus wasting and indeed an opportunity for his own pursuits, <sup>5</sup>“Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” <sup>6</sup>(He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.)”<span style=""> </span>Jesus saw it as, <sup>7</sup>Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. <sup>8</sup>You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”<span style=""> </span>Perspective friends – it is indeed a matter of perspective.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >hree preachers sat discussing the best positions for prayer while a telephone repairman worked nearby. "Kneeling is definitely best," claimed one.
<br />
<br /> "No," another contended. "I get the best results standing with my hands outstretched to Heaven."
<br />
<br /> "You're both wrong," the third insisted. "The most effective prayer position is lying prostrate, face down on the floor."
<br />
<br /> The repairman could contain himself no longer. "Hey, fellas, " he interrupted, "the best prayin' I ever did was hangin' upside down from a telephone pole.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >What can we gain from the text today?<span style=""> </span>What lessons can be harvest and apply to our daily lives?<span style=""> </span>As we prepare ourselves to receive Christ what is God asking of us?<span style=""> </span>To be real, to be authentic, to see how our lives can be truly lived free from the weight of sin and our desperate attempts at looking the part – as Paul suggests that he was all things to all people – but he was humbled so Christ would receive the glory.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><u><span style=";font-family:";" >Applying the Text</span></u></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Perspective begins with seeing what truly matters.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">a.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;">If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: <sup>5</sup>circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; <sup>6</sup>as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. <sup>7</sup>Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. <sup>8</sup>More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">b.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Ever loose everything? My first time in a casino at age 18 I thought I was going to win a new car or something.<span style=""> </span>With 20 bucks in my pocket I was set for a great time with my friends.<span style=""> </span>What I latter realized that what little I gained it was lost in the end.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">c.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >To be humbled causes us to see with perspective.<span style=""> </span>Suffering the loss of all things in order to gain Christ.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">d.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >It happened with Paul, with Judas, with me – and to us all.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Perspective calls us to see things from a new point of view.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">a.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><sup><span style=";font-family:";" >18</span></sup></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. <sup>19</sup>I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">b.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><sup><span style=";font-family:";" >7</span></sup></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial.</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">c.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Judas and Jesus</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Perspective refocuses our minds and brings about change.</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">a.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><sup><span style=";font-family:";" >9</span></sup></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">b.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><sup>13</sup></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, <sup>14</sup>I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.</span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:14pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-9751519842189291402010-03-22T19:52:00.000-07:002010-03-22T19:54:27.790-07:004th Sunday in Lent<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKRISSN%7E1%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" 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mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Ministry of Reconciliation<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><i style="">Do we truly get it – that this is a place where grace is found?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">What is true reconciliation?<span style=""> </span>What is it to be reconciled?<span style=""> </span>According to our trusted friends at Merriam-Webster to be reconciled is to restore a relationship.<span style=""> </span>To bring back to completeness – for us in the church we see this as confession and absolution.<span style=""> </span>We come together and in the words of the confession – together we hear that we are sinners in need of a solution for our fallen nature and that solution is Jesus Christ.<span style=""> </span>Jesus is that reconciliation.<span style=""> </span>Our ministry then is to be a place where that can happen.<span style=""> </span>But to do this effectively we need to know this reconciliation personally, we have to know what scripture teaches, and find ways that we practically be that place of forgiveness and grace.<span style=""> </span>Maybe it comes in killing fatted caves and putting the best rings on those who have in our best estimation squandered a life’s savings – but in God’s grace and love even the sinners find grace and a place of welcome right?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A ministry familiar with reconciliation and its power to transform would be Prison Fellowship.<span style=""> </span>Not everyone they come in contact with is a success story.<span style=""> </span>There are plenty of examples of failed transformation and reconciliation.<span style=""> </span>But listen here to this story of reconciliation.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style=";font-size:100%;color:red;" >'The man I ate dinner with tonight killed my brother." The words, spoken by a stylish woman at a PF banquet in Seattle, amazed me. She told how John H. had murdered her brother during a robbery, served 18 years at Walla Walla, then settled into life on a dairy farm, where she had met him in 1983, 20 years after his crime. Compelled by Christ's command to forgive, Ruth Youngsman had gone to her enemy and pronounced forgiveness. Then she had taken him to her father's deathbed, prompting reconciliation. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style=";font-size:100%;color:red;" >Some wouldn't call this a success story: John didn't dedicate his life to Christ. But at that PF banquet last fall, his voice cracked as he said, 'Christians are the only people I know that you can kill their son, and they'll make you a part of their family. I don't know the Man Upstairs, but He sure is hounding me." <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style=";font-size:100%;color:red;" >John's story is unfinished; he hasn't yet accepted Christ. But just as Christ died for us regardless of our actions or acceptance, so Ruth forgave him without qualification. Even more so, she became his friend. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Regardless of our actions, acceptance of God’s grace, or even acknowledgement of God’s action to bring about reconciliation God is still acting.<span style=""> </span>God is at work in the prayers of mothers praying for their sons who are caught up in sin.<span style=""> </span>God is moving through his spirit in the hearts of troubled women and men who have found themselves knee deep in the criminal court system because of drugs or violence.<span style=""> </span>Can anything ever separate us from the love of God?<span style=""> </span>Not according to Romans 8<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0in;"><span class="versetext" style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><u>? </u></b></span><span class="versenum" style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><u>33</u></b></span><span class="versetext" style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><u> Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. </u></b></span><span class="versenum" style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><u><span style=";color:red;" >34</span></u></b></span><span class="versetext" style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><u><span style=";color:red;" > Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. </span></u></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a name="w"></a></span><span class="versenum" style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><u><span style=";color:red;" >35</span></u></b></span><span class="versetext" style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><u><span style=";color:red;" > Who will separate us from the love of Christ?</span></u></b></span><span class="versetext" style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><u> Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? </u></b></span><span class="versenum" style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><u>36</u></b></span><span class="versetext" style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><u> As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered." </u></b></span><span class="versenum" style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><u>37</u></b></span><span class="versetext" style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><u> No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. </u></b></span><span class="versenum" style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><u>38</u></b></span><span class="versetext" style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><u> For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, </u></b></span><span class="versenum" style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><u>39</u></b></span><span class="versetext" style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><u> nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.</u></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >These are words of POWER.<span style=""> </span>These are words of GRACE.<span style=""> </span>Can you hear them today?<span style=""> </span>Where is your heart beloved?<span style=""> </span>Listen to the Savior today who calls out to you in your distress, in your moments of sin and regret.<span style=""> </span>Have you been in the shoes of the prodigal son – on your knees believing that you are not worthy to be called a child of God?<span style=""> </span>Is that the end of the story?<span style=""> </span>By no means.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >So how do we make this a place of grace?<span style=""> </span>How do we establish the church as a place for reconciliation to happen?<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><u><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";" >Applying the Word<o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >A matter of perspective – Christ’s perspective.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">a.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="cc" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";" >15</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. <sup>2</sup>And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “<span style="color:red;">This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them</span>.”<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">b.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><u><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";" >Careful beloved</span></u></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >.<span style=""> </span>We too can be caught up in this as well.<span style=""> </span>Some sinners are in while others are not.<span style=""> </span>We are all sinners who have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.<span style=""> </span>If Jesus was sitting and eating with tax collectors and sinners – well shoot, he’s sitting with me.<span style=""> </span><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">c.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >If we see the world through the eyes of Jesus what do we see?<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">d.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><sup><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";" >16</span></sup></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >From now on, therefore, <span style="color:red;">we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way</span>.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">e.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >A man in a bar sees a friend at a table, drinking by himself.
<br />Approaching the friend he comments, "You look terrible. What's the problem?"
<br />
<br />"My mother died in June," he said, "and left me $10,000."
<br />
<br />"Gee, that's tough," he replied.
<br />
<br />"Then in July," the friend continued, "My father died, leaving me $50,000."
<br />
<br />"Wow. Two parents gone in two months. No wonder you're depressed."
<br />
<br />"And last month my aunt died, and left me $15,000."
<br />
<br />"Three close family members lost in three months? How sad."
<br />
<br />"Then this month," continued, the friend, "nothing!"<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">f.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Do we get it?<span style=""> </span>Truly?<span style=""> </span>It is a matter of perspective.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Be intentional and authentic to create a safe place.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">a.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Can you be real and authentic with the person sitting next to you in the pew.<span style=""> </span>Could you tell them the deepest and perhaps darkest sins that you struggle with?<span style=""> </span>If not what would it take?<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">b.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Relationships.<span style=""> </span>We sometimes take this for granted in the rural church.<span style=""> </span>Everyone KNOWS everyone, or do we?<span style=""> </span>Do we know truly what struggles our brother or sister may be going through?<span style=""> </span>How can we build such relationships of authenticity?<span style=""> </span>Where we can truly bear each others burdens, honestly hear each other and listen, offer guidance and love, and give to each other pardon and peace.<span style=""> </span>This is grace and this is the place I believe God is leading his church to be.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">c.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >You create a safe place for us pastors to make MANY mistakes.<span style=""> </span>Take the people of Marion Lutheran in Gunder, Iowa.<span style=""> </span><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">d.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >! <sup>18</sup>I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; <sup><span style="color:red;">19</span></sup><span style="color:red;">I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands</span>.”’ <sup>20</sup>So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. <sup>21</sup>Then the son said to him, ‘<span style="color:red;">Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ <sup>22</sup>But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. <sup>23</sup>And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; <sup>24</sup>for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.<span style=""> </span></span><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">e.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >The son expected to find hostility and would be happy with “being a slave” and “eating the pods pigs eat”.<span style=""> </span>Expectations were very low.<span style=""> </span>But the father did what was unexpected.<span style=""> </span>Instead of judgment he found grace.<span style=""> </span>A place of celebration because – “the lost has come home”.<span style=""> </span>This is our Heavenly Father’s response – grace.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >God will instruct us in His ways and lead us in the way of grace.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">a.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><sup><span style=";color:red;" >8</span></sup></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-size:100%;color:red;" >I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you</span><span style="font-size:100%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">b.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><sup><span style=";color:red;" >17</span></sup></span><!--[endif]--><span style=";font-size:100%;color:red;" >So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new</span><span style="font-size:100%;">! <sup>18</sup>All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and <span style="color:red;">has given us the ministry of reconciliation</span>; <sup>19</sup>that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. <sup><span style="color:red;">20</span></sup><span style="color:red;">So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God</span>. <sup>21</sup>For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">c.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><u><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";" >If God has rolled away the disgrace from our eyes then why do we hang our heads so low?</span></u></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="">d.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >This is a place of grace – amazing grace.<span style=""> </span>A place of transformation, and place of new life.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >1.<span style=""> </span>Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span>grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span>Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured, <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span>there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Refrain:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span>Grace, grace, God's grace, <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span>grace that will pardon and cleanse within; <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span>grace, grace, God's grace, <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:16pt;" ><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">grace that is greater than all our sin! </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-2414230379372283632010-03-22T19:50:00.000-07:002010-03-22T19:51:45.009-07:003rd Sunday in Lent<div style="text-align: center;">The Reality of the Christian Life<br /><br /></div>What happens? We do so well for so long and then the shoe drops. We stop coming to church. Our lives get busy. How do we persevere in the midst of great challenges? What about facing the inner demons that seek to pull us down?<br /><br />Someone has calculated how a typical lifespan of 70 years is spent. Here is the estimate:<br />Sleep................23 years...........32.9%<br />Work.................16 years...........22.8%<br />TV....................8 years...........11.4%<br />Eating................6 years............8.6%<br />Travel................6 years............8.6%<br />Leisure.............4.5 years............6.5%<br />Illness...............4 years............5.7%<br />Dressing..............2 years............2.8%<br />Religion............0.5 years............0.7%<br />Total................70 years............100%<br /><br />We are consumed by the desire to find the cure for sleeplessness (thank goodness for Lunesta), we pass legislation to spur jobs and keep the economy afloat, I cannot begin to tell you how much energy is spent on the consumption of food – dieting – and equality when it comes to food, we love to travel thanks to Travelocity.Com … but at the end we hear about religion. <br /><br />Priorities have run amuck. I wouldn’t be so quick to blame those who find themselves sleeping in on Sunday morning. We have done little to discourage such a hurried life in America. <br />On a recent day off I spent some time with a spiritual director in La Crosse. A person whose sole responsibility is to listen, pray, offer some guidance, but mostly pray. This was at the Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse. While touring the facility I was shown the chapel where the nuns pray 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I asked, “They seriously pray all the time?” “Yes, that is their vocation.”<br /><br />As we examine ourselves and our lives during Lent we see that we have it all wrong. When it comes to sin we see it that “living in sin is the new thing” according to the gospel of Britney Spiers. We are burdened by the quest to have it all but now see the great failure in that comes when the shoe drops. <br /><br />A minister was planning a wedding at the close of the Sunday morning service.<br /><br />After the benediction he had planned to call the couple down to be married for a brief ceremony before the congregation.<br /><br />For the life of him, he couldn't think of the names of those who were to be married.<br /><br />"Will those wanting to get married please come to the front?" he requested.<br /><br />Immediately, nine single ladies, three widows, four widowers, and six single men stepped to the front.<br /><br />It is a time for us to remember that we are dust and to dust we shall return. Remember our sins are forgiven and remembered no more. Remember that Lent is a time for us to embrace a God who is merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. We forget often the grace of God. We also forget that our life as Christians is not without challenge, not without hard times, not without moments of doubt, but is enfolded by the God who spreads a banquet before us today.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Applying the Word<br /><br /></div>1. Seek the Lord during those moments of doubt, regret, sin, and frustration.<br />a. 6Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; 7let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon<br />b. 12So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. 13No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.<br /><br />2. Cling to the hope and promises God offers to you today<br /><br />a. 8My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.<br />b. Word and sacrament.<br /><br />3. This is a season of pruning.<br /><br />6Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ 8He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. 9If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-438097776057207262010-03-22T19:43:00.000-07:002010-03-22T19:48:12.486-07:002nd Sunday in Lent<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKRISSN%7E1%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CKRISSN%7E1%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" 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*/ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">Reaching for the Goal<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>The Power of Transformation - The Power of the Gospel</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Is change really possible?<span style=""> </span>Can a person knee deep in the muck of sin find release and new life?<span style=""> </span>How can Paul be so confident in the power of the Gospel to transform lives?<span style=""> </span>To go from humiliation to glory?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Think of what brings about change.<span style=""> </span>You may have a life altering medical emergency.<span style=""> </span>Heart attack, stroke, a bad health report - maybe emotional stress in your home with a spouse or child.<span style=""> </span>You know in your heart that change is needed.<span style=""> </span>But what now?<span style=""> </span>How can I move from humiliation to glory?<span style=""> </span>From sin to becoming healed, renewed, and forgiven?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Change is hard beloved.<span style=""> </span>Making that move to change takes courage.<span style=""> </span>Real courage.<span style=""> </span>It takes making the first move, stepping out in faith - realizing that there is no going back.<span style=""> </span>To grasp the glory Christ offers means embracing the freedom of that the cross gives and knowing that life lived in this freedom is what Christ intends for us.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">For we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves.<span style=""> </span>We say it but do we believe it?<span style=""> </span>That we have sinned against God in thought, word and deed by what we have done and what we have left undone.<span style=""> </span>We have not loved God with our whole heart, we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.<span style=""> </span>This is the journey of Lent.<span style=""> </span>That we realize our sin and that which distances us from God and know the glory that awaits us - the heavenly prize as Paul declares.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>
<br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Two construction workers had taken a lunch break and opened up their lunch boxes. One of them looked inside his box and said, "Not baloney again! I can't believe it. I hate baloney. This is the third time this week I've had baloney. I can't stand baloney!"<span style=""> </span>The other one said, "Why don't you just ask your wife to make you something different?"<span style=""> </span>He replied, "I don't have a wife. I made these myself." <o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Its hard not to keep serving up the same old baloney.<span style=""> </span>We are creatures of habit and masters of comfort.<span style=""> </span>It is counter cultural to break from the idea that in our sin that we can be who we are and not who God would want us to be.<span style=""> </span>What is it that God sees in us?<span style=""> </span>If we are “made in the image of God” what now?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;">Applying the Texts to Daily Life<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">(1)<span style=""> </span>Press on towards the goal of the heavenly goal.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God <span style=""> </span>in Christ Jesus. 15Let those of us then who are mature be of the same <span style=""> </span>mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will <span style=""> </span>reveal to you.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>So often we hold on to what is comfortable. <span style=""> </span>We want to look <span style=""> </span>forward to what may be possible but catch ourselves looking over our <span style=""> </span>shoulders at the past.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>What can we hold onto when faced with change?<span style=""> </span>One word, <span style=""> </span>covenant.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>18On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To <span style=""> </span>your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great <span style=""> </span>river, the river Euphrates<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>The same God who made a promise of a future for Abram wants to <span style=""> </span>grant to you and to me a new life.<span style=""> </span>A life lived beyond the grasp of <span style=""> </span>sin, death, and the devil.<span style=""> </span>A life of glory - the heavenly crown, the <span style=""> </span>salvation promised.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>Take that first step today.<span style=""> </span>Know that when we press on towards the <span style=""> </span>heavenly goal Christ will be with us every step of the way. We need to <span style=""> </span>be on the same page when it comes to sin and the reality of a new life <span style=""> </span>lived in grace.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">(2)<span style=""> </span>Never under estimate the power of influence.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>16Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.<span style=""> </span>17Brothers and <span style=""> </span>sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to <span style=""> </span>the example you have in us. 18For many live as enemies of the cross <span style=""> </span>of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with <span style=""> </span>tears. 19Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory <span style=""> </span>is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20But our <span style=""> </span>citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a <span style=""> </span>Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>You hold the power to change lives in your hands.<span style=""> </span>In your voice, <span style=""> </span>your heart, and within your reach.<span style=""> </span>Years ago in an effort to engage <span style=""> </span>the congregation in the confirmation journey I required students to <span style=""> </span>find a mentor in the congregation, someone they are not related to.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Hard in a rural community.<span style=""> </span>But what happened was nothing short of <span style=""> </span>transformation.<span style=""> </span>Elder men having influence to encourage and engage <span style=""> </span>the lives of younger men setting examples in being fathers, leaders in <span style=""> </span>the church, and finding forgiveness in the cross.<span style=""> </span>Elder women <span style=""> </span>showing younger women the power of humility and grace, on being <span style=""> </span>wives and mothers.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>Be fully aware beloved of the other kinds of influence afoot.<span style=""> </span>Glory is <span style=""> </span>In their shame?<span style=""> </span>Minds set on earthly things?<span style=""> </span>Where is our <span style=""> </span>citizenship?<span style=""> </span>Is it in heaven?<span style=""> </span>Then we need to live like it is and hold <span style=""> </span>fast to what we have obtained.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">(3)<span style=""> </span>Stand firm in the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>21He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be <span style=""> </span>conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables <span style=""> </span>him to make all things subject to himself.<span style=""> </span>4Therefore, my brothers <span style=""> </span>and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm <span style=""> </span>in the Lord in this way, my beloved.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen <span style=""> </span>gathers her brood under her wings<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Create in me a clean heart O God.</span><span style=""> </span></span></p> Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-6821923917887866432010-02-21T07:56:00.000-08:002010-03-05T07:57:54.999-08:001st Sunday in Lent<p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">Dealing with Temptations</span></p><p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"><i> </i></span></p><p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.</span></p><p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">The story is told of four high school boys who couldn't resist the temptation to skip morning classes. Each had been smitten with a bad case of spring fever. After lunch they showed up at school and reported to the teacher that their car had a flat tire. Much to their relief, she smiled and said, 'Well, you missed a quiz this morning, so take your seats and get out a pencil and paper." Still smiling, she waited as they settled down and got ready for her questions. Then she said, 'First question, which tire was flat?"<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">How do we deal with temptations? What will be our response? This goes beyond just falling into a food craving or spending too much time watching TV or spending time on the internet. When faced with life altering temptations which could bring harm to others, change the lives of others, or cause us to turn from what God would want us to do what will our response be?<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"><i> </i></span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">We can think of countless leaders who have fallen into temptation. Some of us have been down the road of temptation and now find ourselves on the road to recovery. During this time of Lent we are called to contemplate our sins and seek a God who forgives, renews, and grants new life. A God who gives grace beyond measure to see life past our current temptations and sins.</span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"><u>Applying the Word</u></span></p><p style="margin: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">Know your enemy</span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">What is temptation?</span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">Temptation happens when the opportunity is presented to do </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">what we know is wrong, whether against God, ourselves, or </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">others. Being tempted is not wrong - it's the </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"><i>decision</i></span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> to do </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">wrong and the corresponding action that follows. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" > </span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" >Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. </span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">1 Peter 5:8</span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">“</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">Jesus full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he for forty </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">days was tempted by the devil.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" >”</span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">2.</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span><span style=";font-size:100%;" >Know the Word.</span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">Confession and believing.</span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span><span style=";font-size:100%;" >“</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">If you confess with your lips and believe in your heart that </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">God raised him from the dead you will be saved.</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">”</span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span><span style=";font-size:100%;" >“</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">Because you have made the Lord your refuge.</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">”</span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">3.</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span><span style=";font-size:100%;" >Know the promise.</span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">The Lord acted to bring salvation to the people of Israel. </span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">Covenant with God.</span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:100%;">The promise given in the sacraments.</span></p><p style="margin: 0pt;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span></span></p>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-65593838798869995312010-02-07T07:53:00.000-08:002010-03-05T07:54:24.371-08:005th Sunday After Epiphany<p style="text-align: center;"><u><b>Unlikely Preachers</b></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Using the Ordinary to do the Extraordinary</i></p><br />We are full of excuses when faced with a challenging situation. Forget homework at home. Forget to mail a payment. Miss an important appointment. <p><br /></p><p>One in five admit to making up fake excuses to explain their tardiness. Hiring managers provided the following 10 examples of the most unusual excuses employees offered for arriving late to work:</p><p><br /></p><p>1. I dreamed that I was fired, so I didn't bother to get out of bed.</p><p>2. I had to take my cat to the dentist.</p><p>3. I went all the way to the office and realized I was still in my pajamas and had to go home to change.</p><p>4. I saw that you weren't in the office, so I went out looking for you.</p><p>5. I couldn't find the right tie, so I had to wait for the stores to open so I could buy one.</p><p>6. My son tried to flush our ferret down the toilet and I needed to tend to the ferret.</p><p>7. I ran over a goat.</p><p>8. I stopped for a bagel sandwich, the store was robbed and the police required everyone to stay for questioning.</p><p>9. A bee flew in my car and attacked me and I had to pull over.</p><p>10. I spilled coffee on my pants and went home to change.</p><br />We have met some of the excuse bearers in the Word today. Unlikely preachers. Unlikely leaders. They would of failed any call committees test. Certainly the bishop would see them as unfit for ministry. Moses wants to shift the work to Aaron who has better public speaking skills. Isaiah fears his own sins have stained him from being pure to proclaim the word of grace and peace. Peter stands in awe of the glory of God as it reveals his own humanness. Paul realizes that he is the least of all apostles, the last person anyone would expect to be a Christ bearer to others. Yet God works through all these men to bring about real change. Real transformation. The proof as they say is in the pudding. The proof that God is active and real comes out in how their lives mirror the Gospel itself. The revelation of God's pure light and grace come down in the ordinary revealing the extraordinary.<br /><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Moses</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">(Exodus 4)</p><p style="text-align: left;"><sup class="ww">10</sup>But Moses said to the <span class="sc">Lord</span>, “O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now that you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” <sup class="ww">11</sup>Then the <span class="sc">Lord</span> said to him, “Who gives speech to mortals? Who makes them mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the <span class="sc">Lord</span>? <sup class="ww">12</sup>Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak.” <sup class="ww">13</sup>But he said, “O my Lord, please send someone else.” <sup class="ww">14</sup>Then the anger of the <span class="sc">Lord</span> was kindled against Moses and he said, “What of your brother Aaron, the Levite? I know that he can speak fluently; even now he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you his heart will be glad. <sup class="ww">15</sup>You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do. <sup class="ww">16</sup>He indeed shall speak for you to the people; he shall serve as a mouth for you, and you shall serve as God for him. <sup class="ww">17</sup>Take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs.”</p><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Isaiah</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">(Isaiah 6)<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><sup class="ww">5</sup>And I said: “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the <span class="sc">Lord</span> of hosts!” <sup class="ww">6</sup>Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. <sup class="ww">7</sup>The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.” <sup class="ww">8</sup>Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”</p><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Peter</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">(Luke 5)</p><p style="text-align: left;">And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. <sup class="ww">8</sup>But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” <sup class="ww">9</sup>For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; <sup class="ww">10</sup>and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” <sup class="ww">11</sup>When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Paul</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">(1 Corinthians)</p><p style="text-align: left;"><sup class="ww">9</sup>For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. <sup class="ww">10</sup>But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them—though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. <sup class="ww">11</sup>Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.<br /></p><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><u><b>Applying the Word</b></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Hearing the Call to Be Christ Bearers in and for the World</i><u><b><br /></b></u></p><br /><ol><li><b>Hearing the call to preach good news begins with learning, knowing, and growing in the Word.</b></li><ol><li><sup class="ww">4</sup>When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” <sup class="ww">5</sup>Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” <sup class="ww">6</sup>When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break.</li><li><b>Jesus teaches then seeks a way to practically apply the Word to daily life. <br /></b></li><li><span style="font-family:times new roman,helvetica;">A friend was in front of me coming out of church one day, and the preacher was standing at the door as he always is to shake hands. He grabbed my friend by the hand and pulled him aside.<br /><br /> The Pastor said to him, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!"<br /><br /> My friend replied, "I'm already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor."<br /><br /> Pastor questioned, "How come I don't see you except at Christmas and Easter?"<br /><br />He whispered back, "I'm in the secret service. </span></li><li>How important it is to hear the Word weekly in worship, to participate in the life of this faith community, and to watch how God uses us to do the work of ministry in the here and now.</li><li><span class="cc">5</span>Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, <sup class="ww">2</sup>through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you—unless you have come to believe in vain. <sup class="ww">3</sup>For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures</li><li>Remember the good news - see how important then this weekly encounter with the Word is. That you and I may hold firmly to the message - "that Christ died for our sins in accordance to the scriptures."</li></ol><li><b>Hearing the call to bear the Word begins with knowing who and whose we are</b>.</li><ol><li><sup class="ww">9</sup>For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. <sup class="ww">10</sup>But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them—though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. <sup class="ww">11</sup>Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe. </li><li><u>A story about Josh McDowell</u> (Evangelist and Writer) <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:garamond;"> One day I was in Newport Beach, California riding on a motorscooter with a friend. We were zipping along having a great time, laughing, when two women pulled up beside us in a brand new Continental (that's a Newport Beach Chevy). After staring at us for about three blocks the woman on the passenger side rolled down her window and yelled, "What right do you have to be so happy?" Well, I couldn't see anything wrong with being happy. I love to laugh. What's wrong with wanting to be one of the happiest individuals in the whole world? Not only did I want to be happy and have meaning and purpose in life, but I also wanted to be free. See, most people know what they ought to do, but they don't have the capacity, the strength, to do it. They're not free. They're in bondage. To me, freedom is having the capacity to do what you know you ought to do.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:garamond;">Peter was aware of his own human nature. Often times I have said myself - 'Who am Lord but a man of unclean lips, a sinner - what right do I have to proclaim your Holy Word? I am the least of the apostles. Go away from me Lord I am a sinful man."</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:garamond;">We proclaim - others believe.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:garamond;">Hearing and believing go hand in hand.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:garamond;">They were amazed!</span></span></li></ol><li><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:garamond;"><b>Hearing the call and answering requires us to take up our cross and follow.</b></span></span></li><ol><li>Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” <sup class="ww">11</sup>When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him. </li><li>And I said, “Here am I; send me!”</li></ol></ol><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-70692953392759511262010-01-30T18:09:00.000-08:002010-03-04T18:10:31.817-08:004th Sunday After Epiphany<p style="text-align: center;">Confidence and Conviction</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Knowing and Preaching the Good News can lead to trouble</i></p><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">As a seminary student in our entry level preaching class we talked about nervous habits we have during Sunday services. Stepping into the pulpit brings with it certain fears. Some of us were paper shufflers, some of us tapped the pulpit, others sweat - and badly, for one her voice would get higher pitched as she went. Could we overcome these habits brought on by nerves? I was terrified of making eye contact with anyone for fear of loosing my place in my sermon. It was my job to preach it WORD FOR WORD.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:times new roman,helvetica;">The preacher was wired for sound with a lapel mike, and as he preached, he moved briskly about the platform, jerking the mike cord as he went.<br /><br />Then he moved to one side, getting wound up in the cord and nearly tripping before jerking it again. After several circles and jerks, a little girl in the third pew leaned toward her mother and whispered, "If he gets loose, will he hurt us?"<br /></span></p><br /><p style="text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"><sup class="ww">6</sup>Then I said, “Ah, Lord <span class="sc">God</span>! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” <sup class="ww">7</sup>But the <span class="sc">Lord</span> said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you, <sup class="ww">8</sup>Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the <span class="sc">Lord</span>.” <sup class="ww">9</sup>Then the <span class="sc">Lord</span> put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the <span class="sc">Lord</span> said to me, “Now I have put my words in your mouth. <sup class="ww">10</sup>See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”</p><br /><p style="text-align: left;">Jeremiah was a preacher called to reveal and plant God's Word in the hearts of a nation polarized and paralized by fear and difficult political times. Mirrors much like our own times eh?</p><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><sup class="ww">17</sup>But you, gird up your loins; stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not break down before them, or I will break you before them. <sup class="ww">18</sup>And I for my part have made you today a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall, against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests, and the people of the land. <sup class="ww">19</sup>They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the <span class="sc">Lord</span>, to deliver you.<br /></p><br /><p style="text-align: left;">Jeremiah was aware that even God's own children would fight against hope and promise - presence and revelation. Hearts were hardened to the possibility of hope and God being present. How is this different than our own present time? Who is God sending us to? Will the people of our community be receptive to a message of hope - a call to hear both law and Gospel? What do you see people of God?<br /></p><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">A MISSION!</p><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u>Applying the Text to Daily Life</u></p><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Having the Confidence and Conviction to Share that:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><ol><li>Love is foundational for us as Christians.</li><ol><li>John Denver:</li><ol><li> Perhaps love is like a resting place<br />A shelter from the storm<br />It exists to give you comfort<br />It is there to keep you warm<br />And in those times of trouble<br />When you are most alone<br />The memory of love will bring you home</li></ol><li><sup class="ww">4</sup>Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant <sup class="ww">5</sup>or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; <sup class="ww">6</sup>it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. <sup class="ww">7</sup>It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.</li><li>Agape love verses romantic love. Often when we hear these words from Corinthians we travel back to a wedding - the dashing bride the stressed out groom, the wedding party who is tired from all the pre-wedding preparations, and the nervous parents - romantic love. These words can speak to that - but Agape love is the love that God has for humankind. The love that we hear in these words comes from God to us and we are called to reflect that with the confidence we have received from God.</li><li>Loving Agape style takes courage, it takes trust and believing that we may not see a return of it, that we do it for the sake of being God in the world.<br /></li></ol><li>God is up to building up and replanting, rebirth and renewal!</li><ol><li><span style=";font-family:Humanst521 BT,Arial;font-size:130%;" >"Great tragedy has come to us, and we are meeting it with the best that is in our country, with courage and concern for others because this is America. This is who we are."<p>{radio address, September 15, 2001} President Bush.</p></span></li><li><sup class="ww">21</sup>Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” <sup class="ww">22</sup>All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.</li><li>Yet in their amazement could they truly hear and go where Jesus was taking them? Would they be blinded by their hopes, not God's, their ideas about what a messiah ought to be - he was just Joseph's son right?</li><li><sup class="ww">23</sup>He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.’” <sup class="ww">24</sup>And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. <sup class="ww">25</sup>But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; <sup class="ww">26</sup>yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. <sup class="ww">27</sup>There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” </li><li>Their implied hopes of a messiah - militant King - were dashed. But nothing stops the power of God to rebuild with real hope, plant real seeds of renewal and new life - let us go with Jesus in the word and watch what happens.</li><li>God can take the greatest of all human failures and bring new life!</li></ol><li>This might get you into trouble.</li><ol><li>8When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. <sup class="ww">29</sup>They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff.</li><li>We live in a nation in which we are not persecuted. Christians have a free voice most everywhere. But this is not a reality in other nations.<br /></li><li><sup class="ww">9</sup>For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; <sup class="ww">10</sup>but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. <sup class="ww">11</sup>When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. <sup class="ww">12</sup>For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. <sup class="ww">13</sup>And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.</li><li>We know in part that God who began a good work in you will bring it to completion on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. That the convictions of our faith might indeed upset someone - that we are given the courage to speak the truth in love, to open the Word to our neighbor, and see how God can move mountains.</li><li>When faced with opposition Jesus passed right through and onto his set course - a course never imagined.<br /></li></ol></ol><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:times new roman,helvetica;"><br /></span></p><table class="zeroBorder" border="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="left" valign="top"><br /></td><td align="right" valign="top"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-10167496645981701532010-01-24T18:06:00.000-08:002010-03-04T18:06:58.002-08:003rd Sunday After Epiphany<div style="text-align: center;">Today Scripture is Fulfilled in Your Hearing<br /><i>The Importance of Weekly Worship and Engaging Daily in the Word.<br /><br /></i><div style="text-align: left;">What are our earliest memories of hearing the Word in worship? For me these memories are woven together within the liturgy of the Lutheran Book of Worship. "Alleluia Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, Alleluia, alleluia." Then seeing Pastor Harley Schmidt step into the pulpit, the spot light turning on (which always seemed to give off a bright glow with his receeding hairline), and the sanctuary lights being dimmed as the sermon begins. Why would they turn down the lights? Surely it wasn't to encourage napping, or maybe it was discourage balancing the checkbook or other activities that took us away from giving complete focus to the sermon, to hearing the word. <br /><br />Maybe our earliest memories take us back to a missionary who visited our congregation sharing stories and slides (of course slides!) of far off lands and encounters with the Word that changed lives and brought real transformation. <br /><br /><b>"The eyes of the assembly were fixed on him." </b>They were astonished and without words. This was Joseph's son, he had common blood, how could he be anything special? Do you remember the first time you felt this way in church? Maybe it was listening to a powerful sermon - like ya know that Dr. Billy Graham? <br /><br /><h2>You may be a member of a choir. I don't know who you are or what you are, but you want to give your life to Christ on this opening Sunday afternoon. I'm going to ask you to do a hard thing, because coming to Christ is not easy. So many people have made it too easy. Jesus went to the cross and died in your place. Certainly, you can come a few steps from where you are sitting and stand here, quietly and reverently, and with bowed head. And say, "I need God; I need Christ. I want to be forgiven of my sins. I want a new life, and I want to start a new direction today." Billy Graham, 1958.</h2>Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Final Sermon, April 3, 1968.<br /><br /><b>What compels us to be caught up in such rhetoric? To feel our spirits move to answer, to be captivated? To remember such a sermon? </b><u>Conviction</u>. Billy Graham held a great conviction that every person sinner or saint, choir member or staunch atheist needed to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Every person needed to be given the chance to come to Christ, to embrace the promise of salvation and the gift of grace that comes through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Dr. King was convicted in his spirit to proclaim a Gospel that rose beyond racial and class boundaries and stood in opposition to the laws of man.<br /><br />Maybe you won't remember a single sermon I preach but it is my hope that you treasure these weekly encounters with the Word enough to share them with your neighbor. That you feel compelled to invite your friends, neighbors, coworkers, former members, classmates, stranger on the street to come and see that God has something to say to this world caught up in pain, suffering, loss, hopelessness and sin. Indeed beloved today scripture is being revealed in your midst - do you hear it? <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Applying the Text to Daily Life<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><ol><li><u>The Lessons make clear the importance of hearing the Word in the assembly and together in study</u>. <br /></li><ol><li>Come to a place where everyone knows your name and you will be always glad you came!Well at least God knows your name. We remember perhaps with fondness the lyrics to the TV show Cheers. Wouldn't you like to get away to a place where everyone know your name? There is power in this community beloved. <br /></li><li><sup class="ww">8</sup>So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.</li><li><b>They read from the book (hearing the Word as recorded in Holy Scripture), the Holy Spirit moves in the assembly through the preacher to bring a message to the people (interpretation), and the people understood it.</b></li><li>Preaching the best sermon involves a lot of work - but one can still miss the boat.<br /></li><li>The elderly pastor was cleaning up his office one Friday morning. In the back of the office, he found a small box containing 3 eggs and 100 $1 bills. He showed his secretary the box to ask her about the box and its contents. Embarrassed, she admitted having hidden the box there for the last 25 years. Disappointed and hurt, the pastor asked her, "WHY?" The secretary replied that she hadn't wanted to hurt his feelings. He asked her how the box could have hurt his feelings. She said that every time that he had delivered a poor sermon, she had placed an egg in the box. The pastor felt that 3 poor sermons in 25 years was certainly nothing to feel bad about, so he asked her what the $100 was for. She replied, "Each time I got a dozen eggs, I sold them to the neighbours for $1."</li><li>You and I we may never remember every public occasion with the Word. Be it at a prayer service, a funeral, a wedding, confirmation, Sunday worship - but we need to hold fast to a weekly encounter with the Word. To hear the Word, hear its interpretation, and then understand it. This then gives birth to change and transformation.</li></ol><li><u>The Lessons today make clear the importance of the giftedness of each member and how we truly need each other!</u></li><ol><li> 2For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. <sup class="ww">13</sup>For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. <sup class="ww">14</sup>Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. <sup class="ww">15</sup>If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. <sup class="ww">16</sup>And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. <sup class="ww">17</sup>If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? <sup class="ww">18</sup>But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.</li><li>Sven and Ole went hunting for deer one day. As good hunters always do, they stopped to ask the farmer permission to hunt. The farmer agreed to let the two hunt, but warned them that he had a very large farm and it was easy to become lost. He told the two hunters that if they got lost to fire three shots into the air and he would come get them. This sounded like a good plan and they were off. About a half hour later the two found themselves totally lost. Sven said, "Ole, I beleive ve be lost, you better fire three shots into de air." "Ya, I tink you're right, Sven," said Ole. "Ve better get dat farmer going." So Ole fires three shots into the air with great expectations of seeing the farmer. A half hour passes and no farmer. Sven says, "Ole, I tink you better fire three more shots into the air, the farmer has not come yet." "I can't," said Ole, "I run out of arrows."</li><li><sup class="ww">28</sup>And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. <sup class="ww">29</sup>Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? <sup class="ww">30</sup>Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? <sup class="ww">31</sup>But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. </li><li>Some to be hunters, some church secretaries, some council presidents, others to be teachers - you all are important to this congregation in some way and without you the task of revealing the glory of God in the lives of others.</li><li>Jesus was among his own when the scriptures"were fulfilled in their hearing." How is this happening in the lives of our youth? What can we do to encourage the revelation of God's Word in this place?</li></ol><li><u>The Lessons make clear the importance of engaging daily with God's Word</u>.</li><ol><li><sup class="ww">16</sup>When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. </li><li>"We live in a culture that does not value concentration. Distraction is the order of the day. Many will, for example go through all the activities of the day and evening with the radio on. Some will read a book and watch TV at the same time." Richard John Foster, Celebration of Discipline.</li><li>What is the first thing that we do when we walk into a empty house? Turn on some noise! In the car do we value the quiet or crank up the music? <br /></li><li>Could we engage ourselves daily in the quiet study of God's Word? To reflectively give to God time in the morning or at night to read without distraction God's promises and love offerings to us revealed in the Holy Scriptures?</li></ol></ol><br /><ol><li>If we are Christians we have the Holy Spirit within us. Everywhere we go, He goes. When you are in church with other Christians you have more power from above. </li><li>When we go to church we sing praises and thank God for His goodness to us.</li><li>As Christians we are all one body; we need to fellowship with each other.</li><li>When you go to church faithfully you are a witness to others. Your neighbors and relatives see you go to church.</li><li>We are one in spirit. The Holy Spirit activates our worship.</li><li>We are one in hope. When we gather at church we give each other hope and encouragement.</li><li>As we go to church we become more fulfilled in the Spirit and become closer to God.</li><li>We show support and love to each other.</li><li>We stand strong when we are together.</li><li>We gather strength for the rest of the week. Our lives can be hectic and difficult sometimes. We need the strength we get from being with other Christians.</li></ol><br /><sup class="ww">8</sup>So they<u><b> read from the book</b></u>, from the law of God, <u><b>with interpretation</b></u>. They <u><b>gave the sense, so that the people understood</b></u> the reading.<sup class="ww"> 9</sup>And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the <span class="sc">Lord</span> your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. <sup class="ww">10</sup>Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared,<u><b> for this day is holy to our <span class="sc">Lord</span>; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the <span class="sc">Lord</span> is your strength.”<br /></b></u><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-family:Garamond;"><br /></span>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-11394870996480518842009-12-13T17:11:00.000-08:002010-01-23T17:13:40.410-08:003rd Sunday in Advent - WL/SJ Dec. 13, 2009<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Proclaiming the Good News<br />Discovering a Heart for Praise and Proclamation<br /></b></div><br /><span style="font-family:Garamond;">John ascended into the pulpit near the Jordan river, cleared his throat, offered a prayer, and then said:</span><br /><br /><b style="font-family: Garamond;"><sup class="ww">7</sup>John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? <sup class="ww">8</sup>Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. <sup class="ww">9</sup>Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” <sup class="ww">10</sup>And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” <sup class="ww">11</sup>In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” <sup class="ww">12</sup>Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” <sup class="ww">13</sup>He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” <sup class="ww">14</sup>Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”<br /><br /></b><span style="font-family:Garamond;">Wow now I don't know about you but I believe John may of had some issues in entry level preaching classes at seminary. The "brood of vipers" and slamming the pulpit hell fire and brimstone preaching may feel a bit of place in Lutheran circles at least. It would catch most of us off guard if I began the sermon with the charge of the law - the condemnation of sin that we are all under. John begins with the problem and points to a solution. In Lutheran preaching we see this as the introduction of the law and the proclamation of the Gospel as the solution. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Comic Sans MS;" > A local pastor asked his sexton to post the title of his sermon on the signboard outside the church to read "Are Ministers Crazy?" Not hearing this as a question, the sexton posted, "Our Minister's Crazy" much to the amusement of the community.<br /><br />Advent is a time for us a the people of God to prepare for the Light of Christ. We see it in the process of light today, the lighting of the 3rd Advent candle, the story of St. Lucy, and the longing we have for a Savior. It is in this time that we hear about the problem - the human condition that we find ourselves in - and how the Advent readings guide us and point most assuredly to the birth of the Messiah Christ the Lord.<br /><br /></span><div class="productDetails"> <h1 id="ctl00_Content_ArticleTemplate_Title">Top Ten Signs You Are In For A Long Sermon</h1> </div> <div class="articleContent"> 10. There's a case of bottled water beside the pulpit in a cooler. <p>9. The pews have camper hookups. </p><p>8. You overhear the pastor telling the sound man to have a few (dozen!) extra tapes on hand to record today's sermon. </p><p>7. The preacher has brought a snack to the pulpit. </p><p>6. The preacher breaks for an intermission. </p><p>5. The bulletins have pizza delivery menus. </p><p>4. When the preacher asks the deacon to bring in his notes, he rolls in a filing cabinet. </p><p>3. The choir loft is furnished with La-Z-Boys. </p><p>2. Instead of taking off his watch and laying it on the pulpit, the preacher turns up a four-foot hour-glass. </p><p>And The Number One Sign You Are In For A Long Sermon </p><p>1. The minister says, "You'll be out in time to watch the Super Bowl" but it's only September!</p><br /><p><br /></p>In all seriousness the task of proclamation and praise for the Advent of our God is both of our hands, hearts, and voices. Be it at the water cooler (well most break rooms now have pop dispensers and everybody brings in there own bottles), at the mall, or even after services we are given the charge to be in likeness (well in a Lutheran sorta way - lets not get too crazy) to John the Baptist and join the ranks of others who have prepared the way for Christ the Messiah.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Going About the Task of Preaching and Praise<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><ol><li>Know what you are talking about.</li><ol><li>Always a good idea. Installing a facet...</li><li>Reading the text, study the original language (thanks to Pastor Hahn), read it in the community of others who offer their insights, read it again, pray over the text - see the pattern?<br /></li><li><sup class="ww">15</sup>The <span class="sc">Lord</span> has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the <span class="sc">Lord</span>, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. <sup class="ww">16</sup>On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. <sup class="ww">17</sup>The <span class="sc">Lord</span>, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing <sup class="ww">18</sup>as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it.</li><li>“It is wrong to assume that on the one hand there is a word, or a truth, and on the other hand there is a community existing as two separate entities, and that it would then be the task of the preacher to take this word, to manipulate and enliven it, in order to bring it within and apply it to the community. Rather, the Word moves along this path of its own accord. The preacher should and can do nothing more than be a servant of this movement inherent in the Word itself, and refrain from placing obstacles in its path.” Bonhoeffer on preaching.</li><li>As a pastor it is my charge to be the called leader in this congregation to take care of this task. We work together in the movement of the Word from the preached Word to the hearers hearts. It is my earnest prayer that I do not put any obstacles in the way of this movement.<br /></li><li>What can we do to be proclaimers and help others discover a heart of praise? The movement of law to Gospel? From the pain of sin to the joy of absolution?</li><li>Know the story, live the story, and proclaim the story with me. Follow the weekly readings and join the conversation.<br /></li></ol><li>Take confidence not in your own abilities but in the confidence the Word assures and grants us.</li><ol><li>Sermon trapped in the parsonage office.</li><li>When I first arrived on internship I was married to my notes. I wanted to be sure that all the thoughts, word for word, came across as I preached. I was nervous I would say something wrong, skip over something important, making a theological fupa, or worse, cause ill harm on someones faith. But hear these words:</li><li> <sup class="ww">6</sup>Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. <sup class="ww">7</sup>And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.</li><li>The task of preaching did not belong to me it was God using me as a vessel. It was a change in my heart to be humble, open, and willing for the Holy Spirit to use me to speak to the congregation.<br /></li><li>How could John proclaim such words without some kind of guidance if not power? Can we not claim that power as we approach the Word and promise of Advent today?</li></ol><li>Embrace the power of the Good News as it comes to us anew every day as it drives us to proclaim.<br /></li><ol><li><sup class="ww">15</sup>As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, <sup class="ww">16</sup>John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. <sup class="ww">17</sup>His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” <sup class="ww">18</sup>So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. </li><li>A sermon can be as simple as a song:</li><li><pre>God is so good, God is so good,<br />God is so good, God's so good to me.<br /></pre></li><li><pre>God loves us so, God loves us so,<br />God loves us so, God's so good to us.</pre></li><li>Preach the good news that love comes down in human form, born in a manger, to bring peace and salvation to all. That God indeed is so good that he answers the cries of his people Israel by sending a Savior - Jesus he will answer the cries of our hearts today.<br /></li></ol></ol></div></div> </div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Comic Sans MS;" ><br /></span><br /><br /><p style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: Garamond;"><br /></p>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-36046809046760258362009-12-07T15:44:00.000-08:002009-12-07T16:00:30.570-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-aVchzDj7jrD1MGhv3gKzkpy7gxKsDMVv78NOfuDwgcl1ZQ1kP9Hkz-z-vTtC1UoY-Q_cOOQXJWmgRORYX1zMQsiD83nYaYST13CbMDQ9FLdTz13GWcLOP4L8BTM0Y786Qbv0_25BRI/s1600-h/hopeclosed.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 156px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-aVchzDj7jrD1MGhv3gKzkpy7gxKsDMVv78NOfuDwgcl1ZQ1kP9Hkz-z-vTtC1UoY-Q_cOOQXJWmgRORYX1zMQsiD83nYaYST13CbMDQ9FLdTz13GWcLOP4L8BTM0Y786Qbv0_25BRI/s320/hopeclosed.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412645748719389234" /></a>What are our motives? In our home we have a new puppy who often I wonder what her next move will be. I am not as young as I once was and not able to leap tall buildings and scale furniture as once I did - maybe I never could but love thinking that I once had the potential to do so. <div><br /></div><div>There is such hope and delight in her delicate puppy spirit. She bounds around taking secret treasures to hide and later devour when her puppy parents are not looking. We may call it her little POW camp of toys, pieces of paper, food, socks, shoes, and the occasional missing set of keys under the bed or table but she sees it as hope. </div><div><br /></div><div>What some in the church call hopeless do others see hope? I was a bit discouraged to see that our synod and national church took press in the Cedar Rapids Gazette. It may be a win for some but I fear it is a loss for the church. When the very essence of the Gospel would compel us to move forward and onward in ministry together these actions move us back to the decisions already made in August. (CR Gazette <a href="http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/12/04/council-opposes-elca-decision-to-allow-homosexual-clergy"> Newslink here</a>)</div><div><br /></div><div>If we have the inability to work together for a common mission being the Gospel of Jesus Christ then we can no longer be a church - honestly. How can two groups or more work against each other and somehow advance the cause of Christ? </div><div><br /></div><div>Some to think about on the eve of the largest storm in Iowa history - or close to it.</div><div><br /></div>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-36607336269866909312009-12-07T15:41:00.000-08:002009-12-07T15:42:41.375-08:002nd Sunday in Advent - WLC/SJ<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 19px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><b>Preparing the Way for the Lord</b></p><br /><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Three boys are in the schoolyard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, "My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50."</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">The second boy says,<i> "That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100."</i></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><i><br /></i></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">The third boy says,<i> "I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon. And it takes eight people to collect all the money!"</i></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><b><span class="cc">3</span>See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the <span class="sc">Lord</span> of hosts. <sup class="ww">2</sup>But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; <sup class="ww">3</sup>he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the <span class="sc">Lord</span> in righteousness. <sup class="ww">4</sup>Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the <span class="sc">Lord</span> as in the days of old and as in former years.</b></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">We do much to prepare - from washing walls and scrubbing before painting to cleaning our homes to make ready for guests during this holiday season. Much of what we do in life is centered in the theme of preparation. Think of the many thinks you prepare for. ACT tests to enter college, a job interview, a catechism review with the pastor, throughout the many milestones in life there are stages of preparation. Many of you today can recall (or perhaps you have blocked out) the stressing weeks and months before your wedding day. How important is good preparation and planning? <br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><b><br /></b></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><b>Advent is a time for us to center ourselves in a time of preparation. We are to be ready for Christ not only at the coming of Christmas but as a future event when He will return as He has promised in the Holy Scripture. Are you ready - can you endure the day of his coming? <br /></b></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">A Sunday school teacher asked the children just before she dismissed them to go to church,<i> "And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?"</i></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Annie replied,<i> "Because people are sleeping."</i></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Awake O sleeper and rise from your slumber. Greet the new morning that has dawned - do not be caught off guard as will be the case for some. May we endeavor to use this time of Advent to prepare our hearts, our homes, and our congregation to be a place for God Emmanuel to dwell in us richly. <br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><i><br /></i></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><i>How can we prepare the way for the Lord?</i></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><br /></p><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b>Ground yourselves in prayer and thanksgiving.</b></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww">3</sup>I thank my God every time I remember you, <sup class="ww">4</sup>constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, <sup class="ww">5</sup>because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. <sup class="ww">6</sup>I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ</p></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">Are we discouraged, do we have trails and temptations, is there trouble anywhere? Take it to the Lord in prayer.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">I thank my God for the ability to serve as pastor, teacher, and fellow worker with you in the kingdom of God. Bathe yourselves in the task of praying for the members of this parish, your family, and for the work of the Gospel yet to take place here.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">Pray specifically for the task of preparation. <br /></li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b>Salvation is revealed to us - do not be full of fear.</b></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. <sup class="ww">5</sup>Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; <sup class="ww">6</sup>and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">The power of music during this season of Advent and Christmas.</li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b>Become a messenger of the Gospel.</b></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><sup class="ww">78</sup>By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, <sup class="ww">79</sup>to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">What is "good news this season?<br /></li><div><br /></div></ol></ol></span>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-92151320948295900052009-11-29T15:37:00.000-08:002009-12-07T15:39:36.880-08:00First Sunday in Advent - WLC/SJ<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 19px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; ">Missing the Point</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><i>Consumed by Worry, Fear, and Lack of Faith</i></p><br /><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; ">How many of us drove out to Wal-Mart, Best Buy, or another store to brave the crowds to grab that "one in a lifetime" price? Some of you I know are good at making lists - you are methodical about after Thanksgiving shopping. It becomes an art form truly to be appreciated. In your pocket or purse you have a master list, a map, a schedule which may include breakfast - and one little deviation from this list could spell disaster. There is no room for fear, worry, or defeat. In the end you will have a shoppers prize. You mastered the art of driving through parking lots, avoiding shopping cart accidents, and you kept your cool even though you really wanted to say something to that person that just cut in front of you. <br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; ">The text leading up to Christmas bring with an advent of themes - the promised second coming, judgment, the fear of the end times. And with these readings comes a certain amount of fear, worrying, and in some cases lack of faith. The term advent means a time of preparation for the coming of Christ. Christians believe that the season of Advent serves a dual reminder of the original waiting that was done by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrews" title="Hebrews">Hebrews</a> for the birth of their <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messiah" title="Messiah">Messiah</a> as well as the waiting that Christians today endure for the second coming of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ" title="Christ">Christ</a>.</p><br />We await the arrival of many things. Many of us spent time awaiting the arrival of guests for thanksgiving. Much work was to be done before our homes would be ready. There was cleaning to be done, food to be made, and in the end it was worth it. Fellowship was had, break was broken, and bounds between families members were continued. <br /><br />Advent is a time for us as a church and as individuals to "get ready" for the coming of Christ into our lives and our homes not only this Christmas but every day of our lives. We keep watch and stand guard to meet our Lord - "awake awake for night is flying" indeed.<br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center; "><u>Applying the Text</u><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">Do not be consumed by worry - be caught up in the hope and reality of God's promised revealed in Jesus Christ.</li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww">14</sup>The days are surely coming, says the <span class="sc">Lord</span>, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. <sup class="ww">15</sup>In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. <sup class="ww">16</sup>In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The <span class="sc">Lord</span> is our righteousness.”<br /></p></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">Fresh out of business school, a young man answered a want ad for an accountant. Now he was being interviewed by a very nervous man who ran a small business that he had started himself.<br />"I need someone with an accounting degree," the man said. "But mainly, I'm looking for someone to do my worrying for me."<br />"Excuse me?" the accountant said.<br />"I worry about a lot of things," the man said. "But I don't want to have to worry about money. Your job will be to take all the money worries off my back."<br />"I see," the accountant said. "And how much does the job pay?"<br />"I'll start you at eighty thousand."<br />"Eighty thousand dollars!" the accountant exclaimed.<br />"How can such a small business afford a sum like that?"<br />"That," the owner said, "is your first worry."</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">If we lift our souls to God let us then put aside our worries, our shortcomings, and our sins and know that God "will take care of us"</li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">Fear can blind us from seeing the true glory that awaits us. <br /></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><sup class="ww">34</sup>“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, <sup class="ww">35</sup>like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. <sup class="ww">36</sup>Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><sup class="ww">13</sup>And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.</li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">It takes faith to be open to the revelation of Jesus Christ - the one who came and the one who is to come.</li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww">8</sup>Good and upright is the <span class="sc">Lord</span>; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww">9</sup>He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww">10</sup>All the paths of the <span class="sc">Lord</span> are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.<br /></p></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><sup class="ww">10</sup>Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith. <sup class="ww">11</sup>Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. <sup class="ww">12</sup>And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.</li><div><br /></div></ol></ol></div></div></span>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-79660965490581322862009-11-26T15:35:00.000-08:002009-12-07T15:37:20.284-08:00Thanksgiving Eve - Waterville Lutheran<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Garamond;font-size:19px;"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving...<br /><br /></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A man in Phoenix calls his son in New York the day before Thanksgiving and says,"I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough.<br /><br />"Pop, what are you talking about?" the son screams. We can't stand the sight of each other any longer," the father says. "We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Chicago and tell her."<br /><br />Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. "Like heck they're getting divorced," she shouts, "I'll take care of this,"<br /><br />She calls Phoenix immediately, and screams at her father, "You are NOT getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?" and hangs up.<br /><br />The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. "Okay," he says, "they're coming for Thanksgiving and paying their own way."</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* Thanksgiving Dinner on the run. A woman called 1-800-323-4848 to<br />find out how long it would take to roast her turkey. To answer<br />the question, the Talk-Line home economist asked how much the<br />bird weighed. The woman responded, "I don't know, it's still<br />running around outside."<br /></span></b></p><p align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* Then there's the time a lady was picking through the frozen<br />turkeys at the grocery store, but couldn't find one big enough<br />for her family. She asked a stock boy, "Do these turkeys get<br />any bigger?" The stock boy replied, "No ma'am, they're dead."</span></b></p><p align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />It is hard to even settle ourselves on such a night when there is SO MUCH on our minds. Who is going to stay up to bake the last pies, prepare the turkey - WAIT the turkey was suppose to be out 2 days ago... As hard as it may be to divorce ourselves from the present realities of turkeys, sweet potatoes, visiting relatives, hours on the road with the family and the advent of at least one kitchen disaster I want you to join with me this night and gather your hearts together in the Word tonight.<br /><br />What can we learn from these texts and take to heart as we gather around tables tomorrow? It isn't about the turkey whether you like it bloody or to be like jerky. It isn't about whether or not your cousin is going to introduce a new friend to the family and stir up a chaos like never seen before. It is about "giving thanks" and with that we begin.<br /><br /></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Applying the Texts<br /><br /></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Begin not only this day with thanksgiving but everyday.</span></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span><span class="cc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.</span></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Whether it be a time set aside for "saying what we are thankful for" make every intention to give thanks for food, fellowship, family and friends.<br /></span></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We have munch to be thankful for this year.</span></span></li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God provides!</span></span></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Garamond;"><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">25</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">26</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">27</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">28</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">29</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">30</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">31</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">32</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">33</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">34</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.</span></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Turkey popped out of the oven<br />and rocketed in to the air;<br />It knocked every plate off the table<br />and partly demolished a chair.<br />It ricocheted into a corner<br />and burst with a deafening boom,<br />Then splattered all over the kitchen,<br />completely obscuring the room.<br />It stuck to the walls and the windows,<br />it totally coated the floor,<br />There was turkey attached to the ceiling,<br />where there had never been turkey before..<br />It blanketed every appliance,<br />it smeared every saucer and bowl;<br />There wasn't a way I could stop it;<br />that turkey was out of control.<br />I scraped and I scraped with displeasure<br />and thought with chagrin as I mopped,<br />That I would never again stuff a turkey<br />with popcorn that hadn't been popped.</span></b></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Whether your Thanksgiving dinner becomes a complete disaster or goes off without a hitch God provides. Hum the tune - Be not dismayed what er' betides, God will take care of you.</span></li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Strive then for the kingdom of God and al these things will be added unto you.</span></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Offering a blessing, a hymn, and bring the Word and prayer to your table tomorrow. Strive to remember who has provide these great things that we devour.</span></li></ol></ol><br /></div></div></span>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-86020337107057735822009-11-22T15:33:00.000-08:002009-12-07T15:34:55.298-08:00Thank Offering Sunday - November 22 (Waterville)<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Garamond;font-size:19px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And what does God ask of us?</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Women in this congregation have quietly went about the task of ministry for well over 100 years. It was the men who goofed things up right? We had some great leaders over the years - women who for the sake of the Gospel strove to be confident in faith, leading with authority and love, and have left a legacy in our hearts.<br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We are thankful today and bring an offering of praise for the great leaders of the past and look for the leaders of the future who will lead in confidence and grace. Whether our offering come in the form of Krumkake or through the gifts of our tithe we are thankful for the work of God in this place.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Be ready for the task of ministry!</span></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The call goes out for...</span></li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Draw near to God and he will draw near to you!</span></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">8</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And Moses said, “When the </span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the </span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> has heard the complaining that you utter against him—what are we? Your complaining is not against us but” against the </span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">9</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, ‘Draw near to the </span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, for he has heard your complaining.’“ </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">10</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the </span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> appeared in the cloud. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">11</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The </span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> spoke to Moses and said, </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">12</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">“I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the </span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> your God.’“</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God has answered prayer through the community of this church, through the meeting of the Women of Waterville, and through authentic love for each other.<br /></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"I thank my God for you."</span></li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Be ready for the day to come.</span></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">18</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">19</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">20</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">21</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What are we passing on to our young women in this parish? Why are these things that we do important? Really it isn't about baked goods, the gatherings, but it is far more importantly about living in the community of faith and living out together our calling.</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The world is changing, the world is hurting. Are we up for the challenge?</span></li><div><br /></div></ol></ol></span>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-82971112773516401542009-11-22T15:14:00.000-08:002009-11-22T15:27:25.648-08:00Closed Sundays?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhladGqT4ZTdZKlzhquUm-XLxRxyNEBF_rF7FH2foomT-lC0NpX76lhY21kG6DbjvgrXoZtnMl4f5epjbN6OqAMKdPjNbunjb_LBrNjbF_HnodcEiSkOEISSKPTGLjyYw52JUzuVwytUP0/s1600/church-closed-sundays.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhladGqT4ZTdZKlzhquUm-XLxRxyNEBF_rF7FH2foomT-lC0NpX76lhY21kG6DbjvgrXoZtnMl4f5epjbN6OqAMKdPjNbunjb_LBrNjbF_HnodcEiSkOEISSKPTGLjyYw52JUzuVwytUP0/s320/church-closed-sundays.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407070476606925074" /></a><br /><div>I saw this on another blog and just could not resist. Are we closed on Sunday's as a church or should we be when we consider the cost effective nature of our budgets bursting at the seems? In a down economy should the church speak its own language in live in the hardness of a reality which is looming on the horizon for many of us? </div><div><br /></div><div>It is in this understanding and from this that I draw on our need to become fiscal stewards of not only resources but buildings, people and their gifts, and the very nature of how we be church in this age. Certainly one would be foolish to think that the models of ministry that barely survived the 1950's and 1960's would make any sense even in this age. To repackage the same Sunday school, the same way we encounter younger families, and the way we conduct ourselves as a church gathered on Sundays would miss the boat and the chance to minster to a group of people who are hungry for belonging and good news. </div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe perhaps if people cannot attend services on Sunday what about offering services on a different day and in a different place? To evangelize in this new era of ministry before us will be a challenge - to think outside the box and the wall of the church. If the people are not coming to church for whatever reason the church will have to go out where the people are. This is risky business but well worth it when we consider that if we do nothing as a church body we will fade into the sacred memory of the past and cease to exist. Our heritage and witness as Lutheran Christians matters - and we have something to offer even post <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Churchwide</span> Assembly.</div><div><br /></div><div>Most often I dart the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">CWA</span> discussion and leave that for the pros. Whether I agree with the decisions or not is a mute point. What I am absolutely committed to and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">convinced</span> of is that it is a great time to be the church. We can walk around with our heads in the sand and be full of shame - but in doing so we throw out the baby with the bath water. We dismiss the resurrected Christ who has the ability to bring hope out of darkness. </div><div><br /></div><div>I see real hope for rural ministry and the ministry of our church the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ELCA</span>. Some days are better than others, but sisters and brothers in Christ let us tear down the walls that divide us and declare to the rest of the world that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ELCA</span> is open for the Gospel and open for business. </div><div><br /></div><div>Peace,</div><div>Pr. Kris</div>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-62564126418439903462009-11-22T14:56:00.001-08:002009-11-22T14:57:39.667-08:00Christ the King Sunday - St. John Lutheran<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 19px; "><div class="bibletext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; ">The Problem with Authority</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; ">Christ the King?</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Sunday Readings (<a href="http://www.textweek.com/yearb/christb.htm">click here</a>)</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; ">So who is in charge really? <br /></p><br /><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">In a McDonald's world I could not imagine not having "someone" be in the position of authority. The McDonald's world runs on authority - and I have lived in the aftermath of chaos when managers fail to assume that position. <br /></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">What happens when parents try to be "friends" to their children rather than an authority figure in their children's lives?</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">In government we have seen this happen - authority is challenge daily. <br /></li></ul><br />In this modern world we as much as those in the ancient world struggle with who really is in charge. Depending on who you are some would thrive on a militant king. Others seek the peaceful presence of someone who rules with justice and kindness. How do we approach Jesus as King? "For this reason I was born - and for this reason I came into the world to testify to the truth." <br /><br />Maybe we learn about Jesus as king in the prayers he offered - "Not my will Father but your will be done." Perhaps it is in the example of grace that extends to the sinner, the outcast, the tax collector. The strength and magesty of our Lord Christ comes not in earthly terms which often become confused with terms like dominance, dominion, and unbalanced approach to authority. <br /><br />We believe beloved in a savior and a king who comes and breaks into the chaos of this world were authority runs a muck, fearful monsters and visions cloud our view of hope, and the reality of God's promise may be overshadowed by our thoughts of despair. Do we believe in such a king and savior that would exchange his own life to grant us complete and everlasting pardon for our sins? What shall we say about these things? Are we confident or fearful of the images and words declaring Christ's return? If all "eyes shall see him" will we be cowering in the corner shivering in fear or be standing with our bags packed assured in the blessed grace and promise God has given to us through Jesus?<br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center; "><u>Applying the Text<br /><br /></u><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">From the beginning to the end of the ages God is ultimate King of the universe and our lives.</li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">"I am the Alpha and the Omega"</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">"You throne is establish from old and you are from everlasting"</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">Do not be full of fear and trembling - see the Lord descending.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">Do we see the fingerprints of God in human history? <br /></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Garamond; "><span style="font-size:130%;">"There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with God. Those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it." ... Brother Lawrence</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Garamond; "><span style="font-size:130%;">Examining our own lives how has God moved through our own history? Baptism, confirmation, communion, marriage, and yes even in the sad moments of losing loved ones...</span></li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Garamond; "><span style="font-size:130%;">Embrace the Savior who gives to us ultimate guidance, loved, peace, and the promise of life everlasting.</span></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Garamond; ">Pilate entered the headquarters<sup class="fnote">*</sup> again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ <sup class="ww">34</sup>Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’ <sup class="ww">35</sup>Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’ <sup class="ww">36</sup>Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Garamond; ">To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, <sup class="ww">6</sup>and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. <sup class="ww">7</sup>Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. <sup class="ww">8</sup>“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Garamond; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Pius the 9th in 1925 hoped the institution of the feast would have various effects. They were:</p><blockquote style="padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: dashed; border-right-style: dashed; border-bottom-style: dashed; border-left-style: dashed; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">1. That nations would see that the Church has the right to freedom, and immunity from the state (<i>Quas Primas</i>, 32).<br />2. That leaders and nations would see that they are bound to give respect to Christ (<i>Quas Primas</i>, 31).<br />3. That the faithful would gain strength and courage from the celebration of the feast, as we are reminded that Christ must reign in our hearts, minds, wills, and bodies (<i>Quas Primas</i>, 33).</p></blockquote></li></ol></ol></div></div></div><div class="bibletext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><br /><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p>3. As we draw the church year to a close may we be confident in the hope that awaits us in glory.<br /> <br />Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)<br /><br /><sup class="ww">37</sup>Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’<br /><br /><b>Listen to the voice of the Savior today who declares he is the alpha and the omega - the beginning and the end. Leaders come and go - authority is challenged in many ways - yet I savior stands fast forever.</b></div></span>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-35507565753013528782009-11-15T15:04:00.000-08:002009-11-22T15:05:26.611-08:0024th Sunday After Pentecost<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 19px; "><h2 class="passageref" style="font-size: 14pt; ">Daniel 12:1-13</h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><span class="cc">12</span>“At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. <sup class="ww">2</sup>Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. <sup class="ww">3</sup>Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.<br /><br /><h2 class="passageref" style="font-size: 14pt; ">Hebrews 10:11-25</h2><div class="bibletext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww">11</sup>And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. <sup class="ww">12</sup>But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, “he sat down at the right hand of God,” <sup class="ww">13</sup>and since then has been waiting “until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet.” <sup class="ww">14</sup>For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. <sup class="ww">15</sup>And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying, <sup class="ww">16</sup>“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds,” <sup class="ww">17</sup>he also adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” <sup class="ww">18</sup>Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww">19</sup>Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, <sup class="ww">20</sup>by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), <sup class="ww">21</sup>and since we have a great priest over the house of God, <sup class="ww">22</sup>let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. <sup class="ww">23</sup>Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. <sup class="ww">24</sup>And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, <sup class="ww">25</sup>not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.<br /></p><br /><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></p><h2 class="passageref" style="font-size: 14pt; ">Mark 13:1-8</h2><div class="bibletext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="cc">13</span>As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” <sup class="ww">2</sup>Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww">3</sup>When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, <sup class="ww">4</sup>“Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” <sup class="ww">5</sup>Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. <sup class="ww">6</sup>Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. <sup class="ww">7</sup>When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. <sup class="ww">8</sup>For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birthpangs.<br /></p><br /><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><b>"Do ya know what I heard?"</b><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><i>Rumors, Fear Speak, and Finding the Gospel</i></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; ">Women have the beauty shop, men have depending on if you live near Waukon - then its the barber shop or the implement dealer, and indeed if you live long enough in a rural community our lives can be turned inside out by rumors. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have heard this sentence begun as I walked into a room - "Do you know what I heard?" No, please tell me - what did you hear?</p><br /><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; ">We will hear about awful things - but where does our hearts rest? Do we live for the next word or do we live for the very Word that quiets our weary souls? There will be times of anguish - "There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book." But within this and the words of the Gospel we know that God's continued presence will remain. "Your people shall be delivered." Do we believe this?</p><br /><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; ">If the promise of salvation and redemption regardless of the perils of this present age comes to us in the Word today - then why are we shaking in fear? He's got the whole world in his hand - He's got you and me brother in His hands. Do we believe this?</p><br /><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; ">Do you know what I heard? Let's walk then into the Word today and hear about the good Word - the Gospel today. This is not a rumor but it is the truth - the whole truth - nothing but the truth - so God helps us.</p><br /><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><u>Applying the Word</u></p><br /><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><br /></p><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">Do not be miss lead!</li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><sup class="ww">4</sup>“Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” <sup class="ww">5</sup>Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. <sup class="ww">6</sup>Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">But wait with patience for God to finish his work.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">Fear this! (t-shirts and salvation) Tell fear to taking a flying leap. Are we people grounded in hope or fear?</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">Be clear and cleaver. Know the signs of being mislead. <br /></li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">Take refuge in God.</li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">See the signs of destruction - is the savior coming soon?</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><sup class="ww">19</sup>Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, <sup class="ww">20</sup>by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), <sup class="ww">21</sup>and since we have a great priest over the house of God, <sup class="ww">22</sup>let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. <sup class="ww">23</sup>Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.</li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">Be transformed through the experience of community found in this place.</li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">3Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. <sup class="ww">24</sup>And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, <sup class="ww">25</sup>not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.<br /></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span style="font-family:times new roman,helvetica;">A Baptist missionary was walking in Africa when he heard the ominous padding of a lion behind him. "Oh Lord," prayed the missionary, "Grant in Thy goodness that the lion walking behind me is a good Christian lion." And then, in the silence that followed, the missionary heard the lion praying too: "Oh Lord," he prayed, "I thank Thee for the food which I am about to receive."<br /></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span style="font-family:times new roman,helvetica;">Thank God for each other. Thank God for this place of mission and ministry. Thank God for the reality of community - not manufactured - but honest to God love for each other. <br /></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span style="font-family:times new roman,helvetica;">Do you know what I heard - "God is here!"</span></li></ol></ol></div></div></span>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-49287720898914545122009-11-08T15:02:00.000-08:002009-11-22T15:03:48.281-08:0023rd Sunday After Pentecost<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Garamond;font-size:19px;"><h2 class="passageref" size="14pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1 Kings 17:8-16</span></h2><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">8</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Then the word of the </span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> came to him, saying, </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">9</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">“Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">10</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink.” </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">11</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">12</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But she said, “As the </span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">13</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">14</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For thus says the </span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the </span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> sends rain on the earth.” </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">15</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">16</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the </span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> that he spoke by Elijah.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><h2 class="passageref"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hebrews 9:24-28</span></h2><div class="bibletext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">24</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">25</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">26</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">27</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">28</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.<br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><h2 class="passageref"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Mark 12:38-44</span></h2><div class="bibletext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">38</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">39</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">40</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">41</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">42</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">43</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">44</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”<br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A Matter of the Heart</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">True Discipleship Take 2</span></i></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We could simply say the Gospel lesson is nothing more than Jesus scolding those who gave out of abundance and duty over against the poor widow who gave all that she have. We could say that this sermon will be another stewardship sermon so pull out those checkbooks day planner - think about the pot roast that could get a little too done if the pastor preaches too long. To me its much more than just what we see lying on the surface. These texts take yet another heart examination of what it means to be completely heart dedicated to God. What it means to live out lives of crazy faith in our Lord Jesus. Whatever side of the table we are on - either poor or rich - we learn a lesson by these texts.<br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Take away the notion of rich means bad and poor mean good. That misses the point. What matters here is the HEART. We can appear to be religious as Jesus points us and where does it get us? A line in the Gospel about whom Jesus doesn't what his followers to be like. You can look the part, act the part, but to BE the person of faith full of humility and discipleship intentions takes a heart dedicated to God and the life of a Christ follower - that is what it means to be truly rightous.<br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p face="Garamond" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></p><span><p type="listnumber" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Thank you Waldo Weaning for bringing some clarification to the table when it comes to giving and matters of the heart. We have heard dozens of stewardship sermons over the years. This is not one of them. So if you were hoping to hear a sermon about stewardship I am sorry to disappoint you. Studies have shown attendance drops and ears turn off when pastors preach about money. Let me explain Waldo's thoughts and guidance that we can apply to the Gospel today.<br /></span></p><p type="listnumber" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p type="listnumber" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1. You have to (law)</span></p><p type="listnumber" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2. You ought to (obligation)</span></p><p type="listnumber" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3. You want to (grace)</span></p><p type="quote" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p type="quote" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The widow who had nothing more to give because she knew that she and her boy were facing their last meal - how dare this so called prophet ask for what they had left? What is half of nothing? NOTHING. "I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and little oil in a jug. I am now gathering sticks so that Y may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die." Sounds like a perfect candidate for the local optimism club eh? </span></p><p type="quote" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p type="quote" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">To believe that God can provide out of such nothing it takes faith. Elijah had to be thinking - OK Lord this better work or I am in a lot of trouble. Faith beloved! "Do not be full of fear. go and do as you have said, but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for your son. For thus says the Lord the God of Isreal, The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth. She went and did as Elijah said, so that she was well as he and her household ate for many days." A matter of faith and a pinch of perspective.</span></p><p type="quote" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center; "><span><p type="quote" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Applying the Text</span></u></p><p type="quote" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span><p type="quote" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></span><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hate to break it to you - appearances mean NOTHING</span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></u></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If you wear jeans to church you will be evaporated in a cloud of smoke right in the pew.</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues, and places of honor at the banquets! They will receive greater condemnation."</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Whether you wear your farm jeans on Sunday by accident or you were the only jeans you have what matters to God is your heart.<br /></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The temple system of that day took this widows whole life rather than praising her incredible crazy faith.<br /></span></li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">See God as the great provider.</span></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Praise God from whom all blessings flow...</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"The jar of meal was not emptied neither did the jug fail according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We give Thee but Thine own,<br />Whate’er the gift may be;<br />All that we have is Thine alone,<br />A trust, O Lord, from Thee.</span></li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our hearts lead us to give and to live through lives of humility.</span></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">One man said to another at a school function: "I've been racking my mind, but I can't place you. You look very much like somebody I have seen a lot - and for some reason I get the feeling you're somebody I don't LIKE - but I can't remember why. Isn't that strange?"</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"There's nothing strange about it," said the other man. "For the last two years I've passed you the collection plate in church!"</span></p></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If what we have belongs to God to begin with - that he has blessed us beyond our means - then how now shall we live?</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">How we approach ministry comes through this new found sense of humility as well.</span></li></ol></ol></div></div></div></div></div></div></span>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-23557605490943577212009-11-01T14:59:00.000-08:002009-11-22T15:01:45.227-08:00All Saints Sunday<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 19px; "><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(1, 0, 0); "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; "><u><b>Sunday Readings</b></u><br /><br /></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;color:#000000;"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><u>Isaiah 25:6-9</u><br /><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww">6</sup>On this mountain the <span class="sc">Lord</span> of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. <sup class="ww">7</sup>And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. <sup class="ww">8</sup>Then the Lord <span class="sc">God</span> will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the <span class="sc">Lord</span> has spoken.</p><sup class="ww">9</sup>It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the <span class="sc">Lord</span> for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.<br /><br /><u>Revelation 21:1-6a</u><br />Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. <sup class="ww">2</sup>And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. <sup class="ww">3</sup>And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; <sup class="ww">4</sup>he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” <sup class="ww">5</sup>And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” <sup class="ww">6</sup>Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end<br /><br /><u>John 11:32-44</u><br /><sup class="ww">32</sup>When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”<sup class="ww"> 33</sup>When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. <sup class="ww">34</sup>He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” <sup class="ww">35</sup>Jesus began to weep. <sup class="ww">36</sup>So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” <sup class="ww">37</sup>But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” <sup class="ww">38</sup>Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. <sup class="ww">39</sup>Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.” <sup class="ww">40</sup>Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” <sup class="ww">41</sup>So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. <sup class="ww">42</sup>I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” <sup class="ww">43</sup>When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” <sup class="ww">44</sup>The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”<br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center; ">Marked by the Cross of Christ - Sealed by the Promise<br /><i>What is it that defines us in the end?<br /><br /></i><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; ">What we leave behind can tell a story. For some it is gruesome, for others it is the stuff of legends. What will be the imprint of our lives left for others to cherish? On this day in which we honor the lives of those who have gone before us what do we remember? Perhaps for me it would be such saints as Hazel Jacobson. She would with a twinkle in her eye and a smile on her face to you exactly what she thought - but packaged it with love and endearment for her pastor and those around her. She was a master organizer, a force to be reckoned with when it came to the church basement - we give you thanks O God for these and countless others who have left a mark on this place and in our hearts forever.<br /><br />Jesus guides in this process of "giving thanks" so that others may know of the glory of God. We hear it in his prayer before Lazarus comes to life again. May we be unbound and able to hear, believe, and act on the promises of God revealed in the Word and Sacrament today.<br /><br />What is it then that defines us? Try these on for size:<br /><br />For over 45 years she ministered to the poor, sick, orphaned, and dying in the slums of India often putting aside her own needs and ill health for the sake of those around her. Who am I?<br /><br />He was the first prolific and popular English hymnwriter, credited with some 750 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hymn" title="Hymn">hymns</a>. Many of his hymns remain in active use today and have been translated into many languages. Accredited to him would be hymns such as Joy to the World, Marching to Zion, and Jesus Shall Reign. Who am I?<br /><br />Implementing a "Henry Ford" assembly line in the production of his food products this man standardized the family night out meal. Whether you were in Minneapolis or Memphis you would get the same food made the same exact way to insure quality. Who am I?<br /><br /><p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Who am I? This or the other?</p><p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Am I one person today and tomorrow another?</p><p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Am I both at once? A hypocrite before others,</p><p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">And before myself a contemptibly woebegone weakling?</p><p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Or is something within me still like a beaten army,</p><p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Fleeing in disorder from victory already achieved?</p><p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.</p><p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Whoever I am, Thou knowest, 0 God, I am Thine!</p><p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Dietrich Bonhoeffer</p><p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><u>Applying the Text</u></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><br /></p><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">We are defined by the grace, love, and mercy of God.</li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">"Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth." <br /></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">In the end what defines us is not our misdeeds but the final victory of Christ over sin, death, and the devil.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">What is it like to be "unbound" and "let go".</li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">We must be willing to take the blinders off and see past our own limitations.</li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">"Lord there is already a stench of death because he has been in there for four days."</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">"Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">What keep us from seeing the glory of God? <br /></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">The importance of living our lives out in the Christian faith - someone is watching.</li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">What defines us and leaves a mark is the story we love to sing.</li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega - the beginning and the end. <br /></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">Psalm 121 as a lasting impression. <br /></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">What defines us in the memory of others is seeing the Christ of faith in our actions, our service, and in our hearts. Do we love to tell the story? Is it our theme not only in glory but in the here and now? <br /></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">Becoming a church that is surrounded by "such a great cloud of witnesses" let us through down that which bind us and run the race with perseverance the race set before. <br /></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">Can you hear the voices of the saints around you today?</li></ol></ol></div></div></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;color:#000000;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;color:#000000;"></span><p></p>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-9329318268939984482009-10-25T19:07:00.000-07:002009-10-25T19:09:06.144-07:00Reformation Sunday<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Garamond;font-size:19px;"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><div class="bibletext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">These Things Matter</span></b></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Grace Alone, Word Alone, Faith Alone</span></i></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: bold; ">You Might Be a Lutheran If...</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">...you only serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color for the season.<br /><br />...you didn't know chow mein noodles were a Chinese food.<br /><br />...when someone mentions red and green (in terms of Christmas), you immediately think of a battle over hymnals.<br /><br />...during the entire service you hold your hymnal open but never look down at it.<br /><br />...during communion you hum the hymns so you can see who's at church that Sunday.<br /><br />...rather than introducing yourself to a visitor at church, you check their name out in the guestbook.<br /><br />...you think Garrison Keillor's stories are totally factual.<br /><br />...you have your wedding reception in the fellowship hall and feel guilty about not staying to help clean up.<br /><br />...a midlife crisis means switching from the old hymnbook to the new one.<br /><br />...you forget to put water in the baptismal font but never forget to put water in the coffee pot.<br /><br />...the pastor skips the last hymn to make sure church lasts exactly 60 minutes.<br /><br />...you make spaghetti at your house with the little macaroni noodles because they're not so messy then.<br /><br />...you don't make eye contact when passing someone in the hall because you think it's impolite.<br /><br />...your choir believes volume is a fair substitute for tonality.<br /><br />...you don't know what was sooo funny about dat movie "Fargo" then.<br /><br />...in response to someone jumping up and shouting "Praise the Lord!", you politely remind him or her that we don't do that around here.<br /><br />...you think a meeting isn't legitimate unless it's at least three hours long.<br /><br />...peas in your tuna noodle hotdish add too much color.<br /><br />...you make change in the offering plate for a ten.<br /><br />...your dad's name is Luther N., your brother is Luther Hahn and you are Lew Theran.<br /><br />...you think butter is a spice.<br /><br />...the church is on fire, and you rush in to save the coffee pot.<br /><br />...you have more than five flavors of Jell-O in your pantry.<br /><br />...you know what a "dead spread" is.<br /><br />...you talk to someone else and look at their shoes first.<br /><br />...you have more than three friends whose first names have the letter "j" as the second letter.<br /><br />...the only open pew is up front, so you volunteer to shovel the sidewalk.<br /><br />...Ole and Lena are really the names of your relatives.<br /><br />...you know what a Lutheran Church Basement Woman is.<br /><br />...you give a party and don't tell anyone where it is.<br /><br />...you think hotdish is one of the major food groups.<br /><br />...http://www.luthbro.com is one of your bookmarks.<br /><br />...your five-year-old recites the Old Testament books as Genesis, Exodus, Lutefisk...<br /><br />...someone asks you after church if there's any "decaf coffee" and you laugh because you KNOW that if it doesn't have caffeine, it can't be coffee!<br /><br />...you think anyone who says "casserole" instead of "hotdish" is trying to be uppity (or maybe even Episcopalian!)<br /><br />...you think the term "Jell-O salad" is redundant.<br /><br />...you freeze the leftover coffee from fellowship hour for next week.<br /><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In all seriousness beloved - do we know WHAT we believe when it comes to being Lutheran and a Christian in this day and age? What matters to us as we live our lives in faithfulness to the call that Jesus has given us?<br /><br /></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(As we celebrate the heritage of this church - East Paint Creek synod Lutheran Church can we close our eyes and hear the voices of the past, Pastor's who out of duty to their calling to serve spent hours instructing us in the Christian faith, the teachings and guidance of Martin Luther. The cloud of witnesses that gather today may they be of encouragement to us as we gather around the Word and go forth in service to Christ.)<br /><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We Lutheran are an intentional bunch. Look around the sanctuary today. The design of our buildings says much about what matters.<br /><br /></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do our children and grandchildren know what matters? Have we passed on the richness of the gifts that are ever present in the gathering of Word and Sacrament? Do we live as people who bring our children to the services of God's house, teach the things that matter and enrich the faith, and place into the hands of hungering people God's Word? Reformation day is a time for us to pull out a package of brats, taste the greatness of a God who loved us so much as to send His own Son to suffer a brutal death for our sake. A God who makes salvation as clear as the thick black cloud of Asian beatles that gather on my house day after day.<br /><br /></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center; "><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Applying the Word<br /><br /></span></u><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sole Scriptura / Word Alone</span></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Bible Ownership</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Most Americans own a Bible. In fact, 92% of households in America own at least one copy. Of those households that own a Bible, the average number of Bibles is three. This includes not only the homes of practicing Christians but hundreds of thousands of atheists as well. </span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Bible Reading</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Although most Americans own a Bible, use of the Bible varies significantly. In a poll taken by the Gallup Organization in October, 2000, 59% of Americans reported that they read the Bible at least occasionally. This is down from 73% in the 1980s. The percentage of Americans who read the Bible at least once a week is 37%. This is down slightly from 40% in 1990.</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> 3</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> According to the Barna Research Group, those who read the Bible regularly spend about 52 minutes a week in the scriptures. </span><sup><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Barna, "The Bible," data is from 1997.<br /><br /><br />Which gender is more faithful at reading the Bible at least weekly? The prize goes to the women. Women (42%) are more likely than men (32%) to have read the Bible in the past week. What version do people prefer? As of 1997, those who read the Bible preferred the King James Version to the New International Version by a 5 to 1 margin. </span><sup><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Bible Study</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />When it comes to going beyond merely reading the Bible to actual study of the Bible, the numbers decline sharply. Only one in seven Americans report an involvement that goes beyond just reading the Bible. Fourteen percent of Americans currently belong to a Bible study group. </span><sup><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">6</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> This is down a full one-third from 1990 when 21% said they were involved in a Bible study group. </span><sup><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">7</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Bible Knowledge</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />How about knowledge of the Bible? According to Gallup, "Despite the impressive statistics concerning Bible reading and study, it is apparent that ignorance about its contents is widespread." </span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">8</span></sup><table class="zeroBorder" id="AutoNumber3" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="571" style="line-height: inherit; border-collapse: collapse; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: gray; border-right-color: gray; border-bottom-color: gray; border-left-color: gray; "><tbody><tr style="text-align: left; "><td colspan="2" width="571" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: gray; border-right-color: gray; border-bottom-color: gray; border-left-color: gray; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">He gives evidence for this conclusion:</p></td></tr><tr style="text-align: left; "><td valign="top" width="16" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: gray; border-right-color: gray; border-bottom-color: gray; border-left-color: gray; ">--</td><td width="555" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: gray; border-right-color: gray; border-bottom-color: gray; border-left-color: gray; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Only half of adults interviewed nationwide could name any of the four Gospels of the New Testament.</p></td></tr><tr style="text-align: left; "><td valign="top" width="16" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: gray; border-right-color: gray; border-bottom-color: gray; border-left-color: gray; ">--</td><td width="555" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: gray; border-right-color: gray; border-bottom-color: gray; border-left-color: gray; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Just 37% of those interviewed could name all four Gospels.</p></td></tr><tr style="text-align: left; "><td valign="top" width="16" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: gray; border-right-color: gray; border-bottom-color: gray; border-left-color: gray; ">--</td><td width="555" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: gray; border-right-color: gray; border-bottom-color: gray; border-left-color: gray; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Only 42% of adults were able to name as many as five of the Ten Commandments correctly.</p></td></tr><tr style="text-align: left; "><td valign="top" width="16" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: gray; border-right-color: gray; border-bottom-color: gray; border-left-color: gray; ">--</td><td width="555" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dotted; border-right-style: dotted; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-left-style: dotted; border-top-color: gray; border-right-color: gray; border-bottom-color: gray; border-left-color: gray; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Seven in ten (70%) were able to name the town where Jesus was born, but just 42% could identify him as the person who delivered the Sermon on the Mount. <sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">9</span></sup></p></td></tr></tbody></table></li></ol></ol></div></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Bible</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> is the cradle wherein Christ is laid. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Martin Luther</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.<br /></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Treasure the Word of God in your hearts. Live in the promises offered in these pages. Dwell richly in the Christ we encounter who declares freedom!<br /></span></li></ol><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Grace alone<br /><br /></span></b><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">21</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">22</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">23</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">24</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">25</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith.</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ephesians - WRITE IT ON YOUR HEART TODAY. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">8</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">9</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">not the result of works, so that no one may boast. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">10</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.<br /></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And its all because of God's amazing grace.<br /></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Martin Luther ran smack into the face of his own frail nature. No matter how hard he tried to be perfect, how hard he tried to find attonment for his own sins - the Word of God came to his heart in a powerful way.<br /></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Remember beloved when these words of scripture became real in your own life.<br /></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">PAID IN FULL.</span></li></ol><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Faith Alone<br /></span></b><ol face="Garamond" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Three frogs sat on a lilly pad. One decided to jump off. How many were left?</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Three. He only decided to jump off, but never took the leap.<br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It's not enough to make a decision. You've got to take a leap of faith and follow through with it.</span></span></div></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"For we hold that a person is justified (made right in the eyes of God) by FAITH part from works prescribed by the law."</span></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It takes faith to believe that God can move mountains!</span></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Faith is the assurance of things hoped for....</span></span></li></ol><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">These things matter - scripture alone, grace alone, faith alone.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Everything else is well, everything else. We are a church that is built on these three things. Now go live it!</span></span>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-11142479256965854212009-10-11T15:05:00.000-07:002009-10-25T18:12:33.469-07:0019th Sunday After Pentecost - St. John Luana and Waterville Lutheran<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Garamond;font-size:19px;"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><h2 class="passageref"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Amos 5:6-15</span></span></h2><h2 class="passageref"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal; font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Seek the </span></span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and live, or he will break out against the house of Joseph like fire, and it will devour Bethel, with no one to quench it. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ah, you that turn justice to wormwood, and bring righteousness to the ground! </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The one who made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns deep darkness into the morning, and darkens the day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out on the surface of the earth, the </span></span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> is his name, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">who makes destruction flash out against the strong, so that destruction comes upon the fortress. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They hate the one who reproves in the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks the truth. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore because you trample on the poor and take from them levies of grain, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not live in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For I know how many are your transgressions, and how great are your sins— you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and push aside the needy in the gate.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time; for it is an evil time. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the </span></span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, the God of hosts, will be with you, just as you have said. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the </span></span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.</span></span></span></span></h2><h2 class="passageref"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal; font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Psalm 90</span></span></span></span></span></h2><h2 class="passageref"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal; font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Who considers the power of your anger? Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Turn, O </span></span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">! How long? Have compassion on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us, and as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be manifest to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the work of our hands— O prosper the work of our hands!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h2><div class="bibletext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><h2 class="passageref"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hebrews 4:12-16</span></span></h2><div class="bibletext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.<br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Mark 10:17-31</span></span></p><div class="bibletext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”</span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p></div></div></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Who then can be saved?</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Discovering the True Path to Salvation<br /><br /></span></span></i><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In the words of Waylon Jennings:<br /><br />I was looking for love in all the wrong places<br />Looking for love in too many faces<br />Searching your eyes, looking for traces<br />Of what.. I'm dreaming of...<br /><br />Are we Looking for salvation in all the wrong places? Endlessly overdoing ourselves to be sure that we are saved:<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Pathway to Salvation which seems perfected according to the law - doing the right things at the right time for all the wrong reasons.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.”</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Pathway to Salvation through reminding God about our sacrifices.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Our attempts to find salvation through whatever means possible may leave us empty in the end. We may try our best but in the end find ourselves hopelessly lost and empty like the young man and Peter in the Gospel. The prosperity Gospel of Joel Osteem and others leads us down a pathway of finding salvation through the greatness of success and not through the "eye of needle" as Jesus sees it. Ever see hurse pulling a trailer? We cannot take this greatness that we gather in this world with us - the calling to sit down and chew the texts today is ever important. Salvation and the means to the throne of grace is ever important and critical. We Lutherans have a grasp on this salvation stuff. We have a great means of preaching Gospel that is real and resounds with hope. We don't keep a salvation score card but an identity with the Word of God that points to true salvation through a life lived by "taking up ones cross, dying to self each and every day, claiming the grace found through daily diving into the waters of Holy baptism - "that in holy baptism our gracious heavenly Father liberates us from sin and death by joining us to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ." It is time to claim our Lutheran identity with confidence and understanding - knowing that we have something to offer to the conversation. Sometimes I think we here in church are at an AA meeting when it comes to owning our identity, "I my name is Kris, and.....and.... I am a Lutheran."<br /><br />We got lost at times I feel in the conversation over religion - what it is suppose to do for us. Let's face it - some of you are here at church today burnt out because you have been given the task of carrying the torch, the weight of the church, the mission and continuance of ministry here. In desperation we cry out - if it isn't about knowing the law, remembering the creeds, the Lord's prayer, the catechism, the Bible - then what? If it isn't about keeping the letter of the law and dropping our nets to follow - sacrificing all for Jesus - what then are we doing? It is in desperation that we come to Jesus crying out with desperation and perhaps a tinge of anger - "Who then can be saved - it seems impossible." And then Jesus dives into the realm of images - symbolism.<br /><br />Jesus, O Jesus:<br /><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jesus, </span></span><u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">looking at him, loved him</span></span></b></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” </span></span></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” </span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” </span></span></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, </span></span></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”<br /><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Then WHO can be saved?</span></span></b></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center; "><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); "><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Applying the Scripture to Daily Life<br /><br /></span></span></u></b></span></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The preacher just finished his sermon for the day and proceeded toward the back of the church for his usual greetings and handshaking as the congregation left the church. After shaking a few adult hands he came upon the seven year old son of one of the Deacons of the church.<br /><br />"Good morning, Jonathan," the preacher said as he reached out to shake Joanthan's hand.<br /><br />As he was doing do he felt something in the palm of Jonathan's hand. "What's this?" the preacher asked.<br /><br />"Money," said Jonathan with a big smile on his face, "It's for you!"<br /><br />"I don't want to take your money, Jonathan," the preacher answered.<br /><br />"I want you to have it," said Jonathan. After a short pause Jonathan continued, "My daddy says you're the poorest preacher we ever had and I want to help you." </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Realize that Jesus looked at him, loved him - and it is through this love that Christ confronts us.</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He was dead wrong. It's not the commandments we follow or don't follow, the sermons we listen to or balance our checkbook through, its not the things we do or don't do - "we confess our bondage to sin and we cannot free ourselves, we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone." He went away grieving for he had many things.</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Missing the mark - try these "trick" driver's license questions:</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When you are merging onto the freeway, you should be driving:</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">At or near the same speed as the traffic on the freeway. </span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5 to 10 MPH slower than the traffic on the freeway.</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The posted speed limit for traffic on the freeway.</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Visualizing the point through everyday images. Camels and needles. Sinners in need of grace. Jesus knows our every weakness, take it to the Lord in prayer. The assurance of salvation comes not in our greatness but in the greatness of the triumph that happened on Easter morning. Not in the things we can say or do or fail to do. Embrace the fact that by ourselves we cannot earn or gain eternal salvation - but with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.</span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They were greatly </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” J</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">esus looked at them and said, “For </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” </span></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Peter began to say to him, “Look, </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">we have left everything and followed you.” </span></span></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">esus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">news, </span></span></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">children, and fields with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But many who are first will be </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">last, and the last will be first.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Seek the </span></span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and live</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">True greatness comes not in who we are but through gaining a proper perspective of WHOSE we are. As Jesus laid down his life freely and abundantly for the sake of others - to gain salvation for the world we come face to face with the call to take up our crosses and follow Him who has lead the way."for the sake of the Good news." True greatest comes in knowing that we may be last, we may face persecution, and we will find grace! Stand in the amazing presence of a Savior who grants salvation to the gravest of all sinners, a savior who meets us in our weakness and challenges us to see that it is not our looking good, doing good, or being good that accomplishes salvation - it is knowing and believing in the one who grants eternal life through the words, "I am the way the truth and the light, no one comes to through the Father but by me."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></span>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-66790240935345207862009-10-11T14:47:00.000-07:002009-10-11T15:05:02.014-07:0018th Sunday After Pentecost - St. John and Waterville Lutheran<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Garamond;font-size:19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:19px;"><span style=" color: rgb(1, 0, 0); font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">First Reading / </span></b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Genesis 2:18-24</span></b></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The </span></span></span></span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. </span></span><span style=" color: rgb(1, 0, 0); font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And the </span></span></span></span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; </span></span></span></span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">17</span></span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.” </span></span><span style=" color: rgb(1, 0, 0); font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">18</span></span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Then the </span></span></span></span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” </span></span></span></span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">19</span></span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So out of the ground the </span></span></span></span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. </span></span></span></span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">20</span></span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. </span></span><span style=" color: rgb(1, 0, 0); font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">21</span></span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So the </span></span></span></span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.</span></span></span></span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">22</span></span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And the rib that the </span></span></span></span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. </span></span></span></span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">23</span></span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of Man this one was taken.” </span></span></span></span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">24</span></span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;color:#000000;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;color:#000000;"><span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Psalm</span></b></span><span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></span><span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">8 </span></b></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;color:#000000;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1</span></span></sup><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">O </span></span><span class="sc"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2</span></span></sup><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3</span></span></sup><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established;</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4</span></span></sup><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5</span></span></sup><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">6</span></span></sup><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet,</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">7</span></span></sup><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">8</span></span></sup><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">9</span></span></sup><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">O </span></span><span class="sc"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!</span></span></p></span></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Second Reading / </span></b></span><span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12</span></b></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span><span style=" color: rgb(1, 0, 0); font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, </span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. </span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,</span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. </span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;color:#777777;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. </span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">6</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But someone has testified somewhere, “What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them? </span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">7</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honor, </span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">8</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">subjecting all things under their feet.” Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, </span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">9</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. </span><span style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">10</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. </span></span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">11</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, </span></span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">12</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”</span></span></span></span></span></p></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Gospel / </span></b></span><span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Mark 10:2-16</span></b></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><span style=" color: rgb(1, 0, 0); font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” </span></span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” </span></span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” </span></span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. </span></span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">6</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ </span></span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">7</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, </span></span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">8</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. </span></span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">9</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">10</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.</span></span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">11</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; </span></span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">12</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Garamond;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”</span></span></span></p></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 0); "><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">13</span></span></sup><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. </span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">14</span></span></sup><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. </span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">15</span></span></sup><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” </span></span><sup class="ww" style="color: rgb(119, 119, 119); "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">16</span></span></sup><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ring of Fire or a Pile of Ashes?<br />Moving from hardness of heart to discover God's intention in Marriage<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"Ring Of Fire"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />Love is a burning thing<br />and it makes a firery ring<br />bound by wild desire<br />I fell in to a ring of fire...<br /><br />I fell in to a burning ring of fire<br />I went down,down,down<br />and the flames went higher.<br />And it burns,burns,burns<br />the ring of fire<br />the ring of fire.<br /><br />The taste of love is sweet<br />when hearts like our's meet<br />I fell for you like a child<br />oh, but the fire went wild..<br /><br /></span><span><span style="font-family:Garamond;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But then what happens? We discover our partner snores, leaves towels on the floor, forgets to take the hamburger out for supper, leaves the TV on, falls asleep while reading the newspaper, balances the checkbook like a game of darts...<br /><br />We idealize relationships. Men and women envision marriage to be something it can never be. As pastor I witness the greatest tragedy and triumph on wedding days. The tragedy of human emotions coming together - the let down after months of planning - and the triumph that beyond this day we have what it takes at least for now to make it.<br /><br />Have we struggle lately in our relationship with our spouse? How about with others? What is God saying to us today?<br />Hardness of heart creeps in and clouds our view. The anger and resentment over past hurts, failures, and disappointments leaves rooms for distance to develop and before we know it we are signing papers and labeling things like a supermarket gun.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center; "><u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Applying Scripture<br /><br /></span></b></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God's Intention</span></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">v.18 "Not good for man to be alone so a helper is to be made."</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We are built for relationships - with others, with our world, and with our pets - yet sometimes are pets get better treatment than our partners.</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A man clings to his wife and they become one flesh - something repeated later by Jesus.</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What did you learn about God today - "His name is Andy." "Andy walks with me."</span></li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Human condition</span></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Moses allowed a certificate of divorce because of the hardness of heart.</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A judge was interviewing a woman regarding her pending divorce, "What are the grounds for your divorce?"</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">She replied, "About four acres and a nice little home in the middle of the property."</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"I mean," he continued, "What are your relations like?"</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"I have an aunt and uncle living here in town, and so do my husband's parents."</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">He said, "Do you have a real grudge?"</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"No," she replied, "We have a two-car carport and have never really needed one."</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"Please," he tried again, "is there any infidelity in your marriage?"</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"Yes, both my son and daughter have stereo sets. We don't necessarily like the music, but the answer to your question is 'yes'."</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"Ma'am, does your husband ever beat you up?"</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"Yes," she responded, "most days he gets up earlier than I do."</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Finally, in frustration, the judge asked, "Lady, why do you want a divorce?"</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"Oh, I don't want a divorce," she replied. "I never wanted a divorce. It's husband. He says he can't communicate with me."</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Divorce was never God's intention. The pharisees see a trap for Jesus to fall into.<br /></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hebrews 1:1 declares that the new revelation of God's love and perfect power comes to us through Jesus - the same Jesus that declares marriage and human divorce a sad tragedy and result of our human sinfulness.</span></li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The solution</span></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Unfortunately like it or not divorce is a reality in our nation, our community, and in our church.<br /></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"Receive the kingdom of God as a child would - a child comes as one who is seen as week and unimportant."</span></li></ol></ol><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><a name="notes3"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div></a></div></span>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-59416366582233951962009-09-27T16:41:00.001-07:002009-09-27T16:41:55.505-07:00What does it mean to be the Church - Waterville Lutheran 9/27/09<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 19px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center; "><span style="font-family:Garamond;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What does it mean to be the Church?</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><table class="" id="y4l:" border="1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="line-height: inherit; border-collapse: collapse; "><tbody><tr style="text-align: left; "><td width="100%" style="text-align: center; "><u>Key Point:<br /><br /></u>The Church can be defined as:<br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">A building - when asked what church you go to people are asking where you go to church. This is not a Biblical understanding of the church - but it is the definition that has evolved over time. We have become a people defined by our space, our buildings, and in some respects have limited ourselves by being only a building.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">A people - The word church comes from the root word ekklesia in Greek meaning "the called out ones, the assembly". Here the Bible defines the church as people. <a target="_blank" class="lbsBibleRef" href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/niv/Romans%2016.5">Romans 16:5</a> says “… greet the church that is in their house.” Paul refers to the church in their house—not a church building, but a body of believers.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">The body of Christ - <a target="_blank" class="lbsBibleRef" href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/niv/Ephesians%201.22-23">Ephesians 1:22-23</a> says, “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” The body of Christ is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ from the day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2) until Christ’s return.</li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ">The place for Word and Sacrament - "The Church is the congregation of saints, in which the Gospel is rightly taught and the Sacraments are rightly administered." Augsburg Confession.</li></ul></div><u><br /></u></td></tr></tbody></table></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ole and Sven went fishing one summer and decided to rent a boat from the resort instead of fishing from the shore. They rowed out a ways and started to fish. They caught one fish after the other. Ole says to Sven, "I wish we could mark this spot. It's the best fishing I've seen since I was a boy." Sven replied, "I got some chalk in my tackle box, so why don't I put an X right here on the bottom of the boat?" Ole laughed, "You goofy brother of mine...What if we don't rent the same boat next time."<br /><br />Sometimes we wish that we could mark the spot and return to those days when attendance was high, Sunday school children were filling the basement, and our budget was within reach. We want to stay in the comfort of knowing that things were going to be "just fine". But this another summer - and perhaps like Ole and Swen we have to figure out how to find the best fishing spot - for catching the hearts of those hungering and thirsting for the Gospel in our own backyard. <br /><br /></span><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Applying the Scripture to Daily Life<br /></span></b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Three Steps Toward Obtaining New Life as a Church</span></i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Be a church that listens to what God asks of us.</span></b></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">does the </span><span class="sc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lord</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We can be a church that makes a real difference when we listen to the needs of our neighbors, evaluating the changes around us, and when we wait quietly on the Lord as His Holy Spirit directs and guides us.</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">After the service a young couple talked to a church member about joining the church. He hadn't met the husband before, and he asked what church he was transferring from.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">After a short hesitation, he replied,</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">"I am transferring from the Municipal Golf Course."</span></i></p></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">People are drawn to congregations that are actively pursuing justice, kindness, and walking humbly with God. It is evident in what we do in this place. This congregation has been a place of mission, a family embracing each other in good and in ill. <br /></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What is God asking of us in the future? <br /></span></li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Be open to the direction and invitation of scripture.</span></b></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It is nothing magical in the formula given in Acts chapter 2. We can own that same model and reality in our own situation. <br /></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Fellowship, worship, teaching, and awe came upon them. <br /></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The importance of gathering around Word and Sacrament.</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4All who believed were together and had all things in common; </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">45</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">46</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">47</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">How can we live out the calling to hold things in common and distribute as need arises?</span></li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Embrace the power we have in the Great Commission.</span></b></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">19</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">20</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”</span></li></ol></ol><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-family:Arial;color:#0066ff;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What a man does for himself, dies with him; what he does for his community, lives long after he is gone."</span></span></b><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Garamond; "><b><span style="color:#0066ff;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Theodore Roosevelt</span></span></b></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0066FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div></div></div></span>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3338985810375832651.post-11553567537386395392009-09-27T16:39:00.001-07:002009-09-27T16:40:05.714-07:00St. John Lutheran - 17th Sunday After Pentecost<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Garamond;font-size:19px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">How to Deal with Temptation and Sin</span></b></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Key Verse:<br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><sup class="ww" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">19</span></sup><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, </span></span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">20</span></sup><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. </span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sin can leave us feeling like we are "caught in a trap" and "can't let go". When we are knee deep in our own misdeeds, when we have fallen into sin - what leads us back? Jesus' words today are harsh, radical, and down right scary. We hear today in the Gospel promise and warning to those who bear his name. Whether we cause one to sin or put ourselves in the way of sin this becomes a stumbling block to participating in the life of the kingdom. Jesus wants our total and complete commitment.<br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The sins of others can bring ill effect on us as well. Families left in crisis over the sins of another. Sin is all around us even in the church. How do we deal with those even in our own body of have sin and fallen away? What words of grace can we speak to them - how shall we live as the body of Christ in a world consumed by sin?</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!<br />What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!<br />O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,<br />All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?<br />We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.<br />Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?<br />Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This hymn brings guidance and comfort to the weary soul. We realize the importance of prayer, of listening to the Word of God, and trusting in the grace of God which will forgive sin and grant new life.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p face="Garamond" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></b></p><b><span><p type="bodytext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A Sunday School teacher had just concluded her lesson and wanted to make sure she had made her point. She said, 'Can anyone tell me what you must do before you can obtain forgiveness of sin?"<br /></span></p><p type="bodytext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p type="bodytext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There was a short pause and then, from the back of the room, a small boy spoke up. 'Sin," he said.<br /></span></p><p type="bodytext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></span></b><b><span><p type="bodytext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Through the Gospel we have a plan. God grants to us complete forgiveness because of the saving death of his only Son Jesus. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that all who believe in him may not die but have eternal life." We hear the plan to salvation from sin throughout the story of the Gospel - from Jesus declaring sins forgiven and life granted to people choosing because of this new life to walk away from lives once ruined by sin.<br /></span></span></p><p type="bodytext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p type="bodytext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So how to we deal with sin day to day? What are we to do with others around us who are trapped in sin and cannot free themselves? How now shall we live as Christians called to this new life?</span></span></p><p type="bodytext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></span></b><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center; "><b><span><p type="bodytext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-weight: normal; "><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Applying the Scripture</span></u></span></p><p type="bodytext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></span></b><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; "><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><b><span><p type="bodytext" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God gives to us power through His name to accomplish mighty things!</span></span></p></span></b></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">13</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">14</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">15</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">16</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Bear with one another the burdens of the every day and those burdens which seem unbearable. Some sins however bring shame upon the one caught up in sin and those around. Speaking the truth in love let us confront each other, comfort each other, and bring the gifts of the Gospel to each other.</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">41</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You and I are we are conduits for the grace of God. God uses you and I to communicate the grace and freedom given through Christ. The reality of "go and sin no more."</span></li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In dealing with sin may we remove all stumbling blocks.</span></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Radical amputation!<br /></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">42</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">“If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">43</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">45</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">47</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">48</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Are we daring enough to help others remove stumbling blocks - to see sin as it is and help one who has stumbled come back to the body?<br /></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">7</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The king rose from the feast in wrath and went into the palace garden, but Haman stayed to beg his life from Queen Esther, for he saw that the king had determined to destroy him. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">8</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman had thrown himself on the couch where Esther was reclining; and the king said, “Will he even assault the queen in my presence, in my own house?” As the words left the mouth of the king, they covered Haman’s face</span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do we see others in their begging for life and freedom from sin? Have we turned a deaf ear and eye to those who honestly wish to seek life?<br /></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">May this be a place where stumbling blocks are removed and road maps given.</span></li></ol><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sins forgiven and new life granted we must continue in confidence the call to commitment.</span></li><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">49</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">“For everyone will be salted with fire. </span><sup class="ww"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">50</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”<br /></span></p></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Purification - to live a new life apart from sin.<br /></span></li><li style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Confession embraces two parts: the one is, that we confess our sins; the other, that we receive absolution, or forgiveness, from the confessor, as from God Himself, and in no wise doubt, but firmly believe, that our sins are thereby forgiven before God in heaven.</span></li><div><br /></div></ol></ol></div></div></div></div></span>Pastor Kris Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13615769854499725117noreply@blogger.com0