Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday February 04, 2007
Ephesians 6 The Whole Armor of God
The Platt River has been described as, “an inch deep and mile wide.” Unfortunately, this is also a fitting description of much that passes for Christian Spirituality these days. So much talk about not much of anything lasting and profound. Our life in Christ should be an iceberg with 90 percent beneath the surface. Rather than a slippery patch of ice on my sidewalk which will dry up quickly as the sun begins to shine.
The Apostle Paul is writing in Ephesians about the idea of protecting our lives and learning to withstand the winds which will surely blow as we grow in our Spirit. I believe depth of Spirit is a function of growing and allowing that growth to bear fruit. For years I have encouraged myself to be faithful. Only recently I have encountered a new focus of being fruitful. To bear fruit is to be faithful, but feels to me to be the next step in our faith journey. If my goal is to simply be faithful, then I do not need take responsibility and also find I cannot be held accountable. If on the other hand, my Spiritual goal is to bear fruit, then it is fairly easy to identify my responsibilities and I also can be held accountable. Christ said we are known by our fruit, not just our faithfulness.
Roots become very important. Depth is essential when bearing fruit so that we can endure the dry seasons. There is a bridge to this place of Spiritual depth. It is not quick or particularly easy route to follow. Yet, the path of discipleship proves over and over to produce the very fruit we celebrate as the life of Christ. So it is to this place of the methodical practice of time honored means of Grace that we will focus this coming week. Rather than living our lives an inch deep and mile wide, lets go deep with Christ Jesus and bear fruit in all seasons; moving us just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19
Sermon Title: “Spiritual Fresh Start”
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Thoughts for January 14, 2007
Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday January 14, 2007
1 Timothy 6 Some Final Directions for Timothy
I hope this sermon is different. When I have spoken about financial issues in the past, there has been a lot of anxiety. It seems many church members do not care to hear about Biblical standards as they relate to our personal finances. Guilt appears written over many faces and I usually hear some comments asking that I not speak about money ever again. Gee, I thought my job was to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. However, this particular topic pulls folks through the cracks of both of those definitions to the point where we are neither afflicted nor comfortable. We as a society are so private with our money, it is so sacred, that we may feel violated if a sermon even refers to the subject. Yet this is my task. I hope this sermon is different.
As a society we are in financial ruin. Bankruptcies have increased to a crisis level. In 2005 the largest increase was in young families under the age of 35. School loans, car loans, home loans, credit cards, high interest and child care issues all combine to put every young family at risk. Even the very best money managers struggle to make ends meet and keep their financial heads above water. Some young families work two, three, or even four jobs and still fall further behind.
Our society does not reward and empower savings, only spending. In 2005 the average US household spent 122% of every dollar it made. The balance goes on credit with little hope of every paying off the entire balance. How do we begin to find a financial fresh start in the midst of this reality? I believe we must get back to basics. We must re-learn fruitful and God honoring concepts about money. We must gain a fresh understanding of our role as managers of God’s resources. We are not the owners, we are the managers. We have been acting as if we own the money flowing through our bank accounts. We must put God in God’s rightful place. We will then see ourselves as the caretaker of God’s resources. This shift allows us to focus towards our financial future with hope and moves us all just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19
Sermon Title: “Financial Fresh Start”
Sunday January 14, 2007
1 Timothy 6 Some Final Directions for Timothy
I hope this sermon is different. When I have spoken about financial issues in the past, there has been a lot of anxiety. It seems many church members do not care to hear about Biblical standards as they relate to our personal finances. Guilt appears written over many faces and I usually hear some comments asking that I not speak about money ever again. Gee, I thought my job was to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. However, this particular topic pulls folks through the cracks of both of those definitions to the point where we are neither afflicted nor comfortable. We as a society are so private with our money, it is so sacred, that we may feel violated if a sermon even refers to the subject. Yet this is my task. I hope this sermon is different.
As a society we are in financial ruin. Bankruptcies have increased to a crisis level. In 2005 the largest increase was in young families under the age of 35. School loans, car loans, home loans, credit cards, high interest and child care issues all combine to put every young family at risk. Even the very best money managers struggle to make ends meet and keep their financial heads above water. Some young families work two, three, or even four jobs and still fall further behind.
Our society does not reward and empower savings, only spending. In 2005 the average US household spent 122% of every dollar it made. The balance goes on credit with little hope of every paying off the entire balance. How do we begin to find a financial fresh start in the midst of this reality? I believe we must get back to basics. We must re-learn fruitful and God honoring concepts about money. We must gain a fresh understanding of our role as managers of God’s resources. We are not the owners, we are the managers. We have been acting as if we own the money flowing through our bank accounts. We must put God in God’s rightful place. We will then see ourselves as the caretaker of God’s resources. This shift allows us to focus towards our financial future with hope and moves us all just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19
Sermon Title: “Financial Fresh Start”
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