Things to Ponder

Sermon Text: James 2

 

We continue in James, who reminds us that if we are to be faithful people, we must do, not just believe. The minute we ask, "How do I love God?" we are into the realm of religion.  Religion based in love requires discipline and sacrifice, but it also makes space for joy. If we would love God well, let us "lift our hands, that our hearts may follow."

 

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Sermon Text: James 3; Mark 9

 

Our desires are central to our identity, and to our faith. Jesus calls out the apostles because they wanted greatness, instead of relationship.  Jesus' brother, James, teaches us to pay attention to our desires that we might live a wise life.

 

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Sermon Text: Ephesians 4:17-32

 

We welcomed 5 new members at St. Mary's, and we reflected on Ephesians' call to be a certain kind of community.  Because God has blessed us with "every spiritual blessing in Christ," we commit to following him. In doing so, there are some things we do, and some things we don't. In doing so, we lean into the shared calling we have as a community of Christ.

 

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Sermon Text: Psalm 104

 

We all desire renewal, and that's certainly a healthy part of what it means to be human. But we can seek renewal and never consider God's place in it. The scriptures tell us that all renewal begins in God's work.  God is moving, we discern, and then we respond. If we are serious about real renewal in our lives, it begins by listening carefully to the Spirit, and planting our feet firmly in God's promises.

 

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Sermon Text: Psalm 70

 

The opening to Psalm 70 has been prayed more than any other scripture, "God, come to my assistance!"  Our need of God is at the core of our existence and our prayers. But then the psalm goes to pray against one's enemies. How can we understand this in light of Christ and his cross? Are we really supposed to pray against others, or is there a healthier, truer way to pray this prayer?

 

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Sermon Text: Isaiah 42:5-12; Matthew 9:14-17

 

We celebrated our students' return to school, and we wondered about God's work in new places. We asked the question:  where is God and what is God doing? God is not an old man on a throne judging, but is living and active, taking us to new places, making all things new.

 

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Sermon Text: Daniel 3; Matthew 16

 

When faced with grief, society gives us two options: succumb to fear, or puff out our chest in bravado. Perhaps there is a third way, a way that roots us in faith? The story of Sharach, Meshach, and Abednego tells a story of three guys who stood at a real hell and lived to tell the story. When in grief, we discover God is in it with us. And Jesus says that the Church is to be the place where we trust in God's presence always.

 

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Sermon Text: Matthew 5:20-26

 As we explore grief, anger seems to be a strange but constant companion. Anger reveals something about our desires, and if we aren't careful, we can use that anger to defend ourselves from others, when the spiritual reality is inside of us. So "lay your weapons down, there are no enemies in front of you."

 

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Sermon Text:  Matthew 14:22-33

 

From a religious point of view, "Totem" is a chaotic song, with all of its religious references. In this way, it's a lot like grief - in challenging times, we grasp for solutions to ease the pain. When we do that, we become spiritually confused. Where do we actually put our trust in times of grief?  In the story of Jesus walking on the water, we are invited to keep our eyes fully fixed on Jesus even in the most difficult moments of our lives. He's got us, and we can trust him.

 

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Sermon Text:  Psalm 77; Matthew 8:1-4

 

In Week Two of Turntable, we turned to the grief of others.  "Born in the USA" is the dark story of a Vietnam veteran. The beauty of the song is the in the tension of the struggle in the verses and the triumph in the chorus. When we encounter people with grief, what can we offer? Jesus shows us the gift of dignity, that our grief and suffering does not have to define us.

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