Date: 10 Jun 2002
Time: 15:16:10
"Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God. . ." I may title my sermon "Our Hidden War." As I read Rom 5, I am mindful that I'm not usually aware of being at war with God. It's sort of like this War on Terrorism--we know from the news and the various warnings that there's a war out there, but it usually seems unreal and even forgettable as I go about the mundane details of living. As a sinner, I am at war with God, in full flight rebellion in most of what I do and think. But somehow, this truth doesn't seem to square with my average level of comfort with my life as it is.
I would be interested in reading reflections/stories/experiences from others that speak of our conflict with God, and of the peace our justification by faith creates.
Jim in IA
Date: 11 Jun 2002
Time: 01:26:04
Title: Faith Dividends Theme: Being made right with God through faith pays divine dividends. Dividends of. . . 1. Peace. 2. Grace. 3. Hope. . . a) of sharing in the glory of God b) through sufferings suffering produces endurance - character - hope. c)which cannot be disappointed/let down because. . . i) of God's love poured into our hearts ii) of God's love demonstrated/proved Conclusion.
These is a sketch outline that I've come up with early in the week - so unusual for me. Hope it helps.
A Canandian in Scotland.
Date: 12 Jun 2002
Time: 09:21:24
Jim in IA- Yes, I was thinking about the war imagery for this passage, too, in the context of why would God make peace with an unjust world? How could God choose to accept our faulty planet with its pollution and terrorism and selfishness? Meanwhile- as to illustrations, I can only think of myself and my reluctance to start work on a sermon. God may be in control, however, my will is not with the plan. I am also thinking, though, of developing a sermon along the lines of starting from the acceptance, not the war. I am considering using the picture of royalty (maybe not the best image for getting close to God's glory- it will have to do, though) and asking, OK, what kind of life do you lead, then, as a "royal" person... AEA
Date: 12 Jun 2002
Time: 19:05:25
Funny that several of you are using a "war" theme.... as I am drawn to a "peace" theme. I'll use this passage and also MT 10:13 - "go to a house and offer your peace, and if it is refused, let it come back to you" (much paraphrased here. I am thinking about how peace, which so many of us wish or strive for, is fragile and weak unless it has a source or basis that is outside our own limited personal interest. In other words, seeking the peace based on Christ's gracious relationsip with people, and modeled on God's harmonious creation, is strong and allows us to will the good for others. It also allows the disciples to offer the traditional greeting of peace and not be overly offended or combative if the offer is rejected. This could be spun outward from personal relationships to world-nation relationships (I am trying to apply it to the Mid-East and terrorism...). Peace that is a gift that does not take or give offense is rare, but it is the kind that Jesus encourages the disciples to offer as they witness to the Good News. It also give us a deep foundation for being at peace and keeping peace within ourselves, whatever befalls us. Still in progress....peace..Jim in CT.
Date: 12 Jun 2002
Time: 19:13:03
Stories of conflict with God? It seems that describes my life, but for one of the most recent, here it goes! I kept feeling that God was pushing me toward the ministry, but like Moses, I kept telling God he must be talking to someone else. During this time, it seemed I was irritable and probably irritating everyone around me. I kept telling God that I was too busy to take on another responsibility. It seemed as though my prayers were just bouncing off the ceiling. Finally, I gave in and went to a lay speakers class last year. During the class, it hit me, I felt a peace that I had never had before. Although I am still busy, I find that have time to prepare a message for our contemporary service every week. God provides a way for us to do his will, but if we insist upon doing things our way, everything is much more difficult.
Melodee in Texas
Date: 13 Jun 2002
Time: 13:26:35
I'm working on how this fits in with Father's Day. Endurance builds hope. Father's may not feel they are in control or winning with their kids (examples abound, I found some good ones searching "father's day" and "jokes" on a search engine). But God is in control. God, and good, will win in the end. The trails lead to hope.
Craig in Miami
Date: 13 Jun 2002
Time: 19:31:37
A difficult passage...
but at least it gets my creative juices flowing a bit more than Matthew this week. I don't particularly care for the idea that sufferning produces hope... seems suffering doesn't produce much positive... other than when release comes for a loved one with Cancer... there is the certain hope that their suffering will be no more... still, I don't like to suffer... don't think many do....
Father's Day... many hurts... I had an absent father myself... earthly father wise... he was a pastor and married to the church... and here I sit on a Thursday night on the computer at the church and I wonder what have I become... it's tough to be a good father these days... it's only been in recent years that my "head" understands what my heart will never understand about the "attention" I receive from Dad... on the other hand I have several "Father" figures that minister to me and meet some of those paternal needs I think we all have from time to time.
Seems like Mother's Day is crowded and Father's Day... well, not many are in church. Mother's go to church, while Father's go fishin' or golfin'
How to reach the Fathers without sending them to a Promise Keepers convention... answer me that and well... I'll listen...
In God's care,
pulpitt in ND
Date: 15 Jun 2002
Time: 09:04:20
I get so tired of hearing downer sermons, and attitudes. Recapture the good news of Genesis... all that God does is Good! And if we are his ambassadors, we should be carring good news to the flocks we are placed in the care of. Here is part of my Sunday Message.
Our society has lost it's moral compass. Sin has slipped in and sin and wrong are not so recognized as such in today's view. We even have a tendencyto justify sin than to repent of it.
Through Paul's teaching, Jesus offers us another way. "Justification by Grace." This process I reffer to as the Domino Principle.
You see, Christianity has long been called a religion for weaklings. Even the Gov. of Minnesota got into hot water when he said it. And rightfully so, Jesus did not offer salvation to supermen and super women, but to super sinners. Perhaps that is one reason why women are taking such an active role in our churches today. Because men, traditionally have a hard time admitting/confessing that they are weak and vulnerable, while women can.
Our domino principle falls into place as we follow Paul's teaching: 1. (v3) Suffering (in Greek, according to Barclay, means pressure)produces endurance. 2. (v4) Endurance (in Greek, according to Barclay, the Spirit that can overcome the world) produces character. 3.(v4)Character produces hope. 4. (v5)Hope (in Greek, according to Barclay, is a challenge to greatness.) Hope does not disappoint us.
In Genesis God challenged us to greatness, to have dominion over all the world God created. In the last of Matthew 28, Jesus challenges us to greatness in proclimation to make him known. Today we are challenged to greatness again as the body of Christ, to use our creativity, our talents, and our gifts, to lift others into greatness.
If you don't want that dirty theiving little gang menber in your neighborhood, teach him about the right way to live and get along in relationships. If all we do is fight fire with fire, anger with anger, no one wins, but total destruction can happen. Lift up those who pursicute you and threaten you, love you enemies until they turn around and repent. Chances are on one ever has. When we use Paul's Suffering to Endure, to produce Character to develop hope to the Glory of God, then we can visualize the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Then the reading of Matthew 9:35-10:8 takes on richer meaning. Domino's anyone?
The Southern Circuit Riderfrom Louisiana
Date: 15 Jun 2002
Time: 21:55:37
I have long loved this verse, especially in hard times. It rings true. I used it as a chaplain for an annual Chaplain's Challenge Run. On the most difficult hill on the course each year I would post this like the old Burma Shave signs as they ran up the hill until hope was at the top.
It also reminds me that each decision in life builds on the next, and the choices I make when I am suffering can be redemptive if I hang in there (endurance) long enough and continue to make "right choices" that build character. The character borne of suffering can be redemptive if the result is hope in Christ, and faith in our justification.
B Rock in HI
By the way, the theme of long-suffering plays well with Genesis and Abraham, and the peace that results in giving peace ties it all up. I bet I end up pulling one part from each lesson.