Hospitality

Christians are called to move far beyond mere friendliness and engage in active acts of intentional hospitality.

The Prodigal could find no hospitality until he returned home; his older brother could not bring himself to offer hospitality. Both missed the love and grace that was poured out by the extravagant hospitality of the father.

As human beings, we have all experienced loneliness and rejection when wonderfully friendly people are so engrossed with their friends that they do not notice the stranger in their midst.

As children of God, we know the extravagant hospitality of God’s love and grace.

As Christians, we are called to share the hospitality we have received.

Hospitality (July 12, 2009)

Magnificat

Tradition tells us that when Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, she experienced the quickening of the life growing within her womb. Luke records the event and Mary’s soaring prayer hymn – the Magnificat.

We explore how Mary’s Song can be our hymn of praise for the birth of the living Christ deep within our own spirits.

Like Mary, we offer praise and gratitude that God has taken notice – even of us. God notices even though we are not the rich and powerful, the rulers of this world. We celebrate that God’s love grows within all human beings beginning with the lowliest.

Like Mary, we see our values and lives turned upside down, especially during the time of year when our culture worships at the malls and kids prepare for the coming of a different God. The rich are toppled, the poor are exalted.

Like Mary, the growing spirit of Christ within assures us that our God – the God of Abraham and Sarah, the God of Miriam and Moses – keeps promises. Modern Commercialism does not deliver its promise of an easy life surrounded by material possessions. Despite the extravagance of our holiday giving, love comes not from the cultural celebration of Christmas. Instead, we affirm and celebrate that life and love comes only from the God we know through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Magnificat (December 13, 2009)

Abundance

It is all too easy to see scarcity all around us. We never seem to have enough. Life in Christ offers a radically different view: God’s abundance overflows for the earth and all who make their home here.

We explore the Parable of the Sower, Psalm 24:1, and the call of Peter as lessons in abundant living.

Abundance (November 15, 2009)

1 of 10

Lives of those who are outcasts of society are transformed by Jesus proclamation of God’s extravagant and unconditional acceptance. 10 Samaritan lepers – rejected because of ethnic identity and rejected because of disfiguring disease – 10 are healed and Jesus proclaims them clean and acceptable to God and to the people of God.

Only one accepts a transformed life, returns to glorify God and express gratitude to Jesus.

Today we think of members of the gay community with aids. Rejected for their sexual orientation – rejected for their disease. How many return to the very church that has rejected them over and over again? We may understand the reasons that only one came back and glorified God.

1 of 10 (November 1, 2009)

Celebration

One lost sheep. One lost coin. One lost son. All three are found and great partying, feasting and partying ensue. This is true Christian worship — a celebration of the love and grace of God.

Celebration (October 25, 2009)

Reconciliation

Few can argue of the importance of reconciliation for those of us who follow Jesus Christ. Paul writes that we are called to a ministry of reconciliation. But can we be reconcilers without first being reconciled – with God – with ourselves – with others.

Perhaps the most important, yet most difficult part of a mission and ministry of reconciliation is honest self reflection. We confess our part in breaking the relationship and accept ourselves as fully forgiven by God and by our own deepest spirit. Only then are we set free from the guilt and shame and burden of responsibility for our own sins through forgiveness.

First take the log out of your own eye, and then take on the task of removing the speck from the other.

Reconciliation – a vocation and calling as important to Christian mission as Social Justice and Christian Charity.

Reconciliation (October 18, 2009)

 

“What do you mean by ‘justice?’” The question came from a member of the Bible Study class. We were discussing the relationship of Christian Mission to ministries of justice. This Sermon is one response to that question.

 

Jesus’ central message was one of change and transformation – not just of individuals, but of societies. “Repent,” he proclaimed. Change your way of life. God wants something different than the world as you find it. “The Kingdom of God is in your midst,” he went on. A society based on love, compassion, peace, goodwill among all people, and equality of access to God’s benevolence and grace.

 

To do justice is to join with Jesus in proclaiming the social transformation necessary for God’s Kingdom to be realized “on earth as it is in heaven.” The mission of justice is nothing less that engaging in social activism that promotes health, welfare, safety and peace for all of God’s creatures. It is joining with God in Jesus Christ to work for the common good.

Justice (October 4, 2009)

Praying Through Your Anger

 

Pray your way through anger and use all that bottled up energy for good rather than harm.

Praying Through Your Anger (September 20, 2009)

Christian Response to Threat

“Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again.” So begins the 4th chapter of the letter of James.

We explore some answers to this provocative question by moving beyond James assertion that we start things out of our preoccupation with self. We explore basic and traditional Christian teachings regarding acting in defense.

We pray “Lead us not into temptation” that we not become the aggressor and the initiator of wars and quarrels. We continue to pray “deliver us from evil” that we not suffer when others sin against us. Who will part the red sea waters when we are under attack?

Fight or Flight (September 9, 2009)

Generosity

Generosity is the act of giving all of our time, all of our talents and skills, all of our treasure and resources to proclaim the love of God in Jesus Christ.

Traditionally, Christians consider the tithe as a measure of generosity when in fact, God is not satisfied when we keep 90% for ourselves. Instead, just as the poor widow was commended for giving “all that she had,” those of us who consider ourselves people of faith are also challenged to give everything we are and have for living and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything – our time, our talents, our treasure.

The tithe can then become a small portion that we intentionally and deliberately use for the love and sake of others beyond ourselves. Within this tithe, where does the church fit in your personal generosity? How do you spend your time, your talents, your treasure so that a portion is directed beyond yourself?

Generosy (August 23, 2009)