Thoughts for November 05, 2006

Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday November 05, 2006
1 Kings17, 18, 19               Elijah’s Witness
Luke 7:18-35                    What Jesus Saw in John             

Sin likes to hide.  It finds a way to lay dormant for days and weeks and then strikes like a viper when we are weak or unaware.  Sin is cunning and willing to wait without being nurtured for long periods.  Sin can appear from a clean slate we assumed had been fully cleansed, like the weed patch which quickly grows after a slab of concrete has been overturned after many years. Sin likes to hide.

Perhaps closer to the truth is that we like to hide our sin.  At least in respectable circles and in places of societal advantage we like to appear sin-less.  And so we stuff our sin into a pair of baggy pants, attempting to hide that which is a constant and painful reminder that we are only human.  

However, I have noticed that as of late it is becoming the fashion statement to display sin, boldly.  The current culture offers sin on display at every corner.  We seem proud to watch Madonna strut, or the pro athlete attempt to remember the number of children they have propagated.  Our culture feasts on visual depravity, physical abuse, and verbal profanity in a mind-numbing quantity in a variety of unfortunate contexts.  No one feels safe.  No place is sacred.

In some strange way, God is now more powerful than before.  When we kept everything hidden, sin still lurked, but was more difficult to discern.  Today we can easily tell who has Christ and who stands in need.  Actions and language easily and functionally separate those who are humble before God and those who are calling out for attention.  You see that is just the issue.  These sinful actions out in the open are “not so subtle” cries for help.  

It would seem to me that our task is not to condemn and pass some sort of hokey “I got Jesus and you don’t” religious judgment, but rather we are called to bring Christ in love to those most in need.  Jesus said, “It is the sick who need the doctor.”   And that radical love which brings all things into the light also brings us all together and just a little closer to home.    
Blessings, Dave Weesner
  
Sunday Worship
Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-24
Sermon Title: “Stronger Than Sin”

Thoughts for October 29, 2006

Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday October 29, 2006
Galatians 5:1-6:10               Fruits of the Spirit
Luke 6:27-49                    Love Your Enemies             

To love is to risk.  Allowing the Holy Spirit of God to have control of our lives is risky.  Love is required by the Holy Spirit.  Relationships are always risky.  Mostly we shrink away from the Spirit because of the unknown risk involved.  We would rather retreat into unhealthy attempts to follow laws and regulations rather than fly with the freedom of love.  
It is curious; that we believe that there is less risk, less pain with the path that avoids a full movement within the Spirit.  And yet the truth of Gospel message is that the opposite is true.  When our lives are filled with Spirit and we move to God’s call of love our lives will be less painful, less uncertain.  

The Church is no different.  A dead church attempts to control everything and everyone.  Demands are made to put everyone and everything in their proper place to align with the law of the local church law-giver.  This may be the pastor or it may be a controlling family or dysfunctional group usurping Spiritual presence and power for building up personal identity and ego.  We have all seen it.  Too many times.  

The Spirit –filled church will feel chaotic at times, maybe even out of control.  However the church alive in Spirit will also be offering the fruits of the Spirit as testimony.  Love will abound.  Grace and peace will follow.  Justice will be demanded by the Spirit.  The voice of the one bent low by the forces of this world will be heard singing praise to the King of Heaven.  Outward expressions of gratitude and fellowship will prevail.  It may be messy at times.  Tears of joy may flow.  Unrehearsed shouts of joy and hands raised as a banner toward heaven may be experienced in the presence of the gathered body.  Even quiet reverence, not a stuffy shushed down quiet, will be offered.  

This Spirit-filled church is the one I want to serve.  I believe it is also the church to which you seek to build as we all move just a little closer to home.     Blessings,  Dave Weesner
  
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Galatians 5:13-14
Sermon Title: “Love-Able”