Read: The Book of James - When Cancer Met God - First of Five Sundays in the Series: Life Changes
Illness changes our lives. We are profoundly moved into a different existence by the devastating effects of illnesses such as Cancer, Muscular Dystrophy, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Arthritis, and many others. Our expectations for life, and how we will now begin to live in the midst of illness or the lingering conditions from illness is our constant human condition.
This sermon will rely heavily upon the resource, When God and Cancer Met, as a guide to the both the discussion and conclusion. The discussion is based in 19 persons reflections upon their cancer and the conclusion will be offered that God is meeting cancer as God meets any illness, with healing. That healing may however take different forms which are all God's way of offering healing. "I share Lyn's belief that God sometimes chooses to heal in different ways: physically, emotionally and spiritually. In the process of surviving a primary brain tumor, surgery, Chemo, and radiation, I gave my life to Christ, realizing that my physical health was not God's main concern, my Spiritual health was the biggest victim of a disease that needed attention and this was the way He FINALLY got my attention." --Chris Winand, cancer survivor . This quote captures the sermon focus designed to offer hope for our lives in change because of illness.
If you can review these books to prepare for this topic:
BOOK: When God and Cancer Met, Lyn Eib, 0842370153 Publisher: TYNDALE HOUSE
BOOK: It's Always Something, Gilda Radner, Simon and Schuster, June 1989
My hope is you will consider inviting a friend who needs to hear a honest word of comfort and maybe a chance to even laugh at our constant companion; illness. Yes, I believe we can move just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: James 5:13-16
Sermon Title: “When Cancer Met God”
Monday, December 24, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Thoughts for Sunday December 30, 2007
Matthew 1:18 – 2:23 The Magi Rescue Jesus First Sunday in Christmas
As you read though the passage for this week consider a couple of interesting facts. The Wise Men have come from the East to Jerusalem and are found asking this question, “Where is the child who has been born King of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2) This is the very first quote in the New Testament not coming from an angel or Old Testament prophet.
This question of where, may be the question of the entire Book of Matthew. Driving home the question further is the same question asked by King Herod, for entirely different reasons, in verse 4, “…he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.” Here we have it in plain view; the king does not know the Messiah, neither does the general population of the country. The Magi have to ask and ask before they find the answer from Herod’s advisors, “In Bethlehem of Judea.”
Also interesting is that the question of the Magi, in verse 2 quoted above, offers the inscription placed on the cross above Jesus at his death, “King of the Jesus.” At Christ’s birth and his death, he is accurately named. Matthew’s gospel offers this first clue of Jesus’ identity immediately following his genealogy, emphasizing his relationship to Abraham and David, listed in chapter one. Who, seems a pretty easy question for Matthew. Where, on the other hand, is worth a whole book to consider.
The question of where, should also be our question today. We struggle to find Christ in our relationships, in our work place, and in our homes. We look for signs of the presence of Christ, but many times, like Herod we do not see that which is plainly before us. It is the Magi who awaken us to the possibility of the Messiah in our lives. It is the Magi who ask the obvious child-like question, “Where is the child; where is the King of the Jews?” And all this is happening without our knowledge. Isn’t that just like our experience of God, who we continue to find mysterious, as we move just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18
Sermon Title: “Without Our Knowledge”
As you read though the passage for this week consider a couple of interesting facts. The Wise Men have come from the East to Jerusalem and are found asking this question, “Where is the child who has been born King of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2) This is the very first quote in the New Testament not coming from an angel or Old Testament prophet.
This question of where, may be the question of the entire Book of Matthew. Driving home the question further is the same question asked by King Herod, for entirely different reasons, in verse 4, “…he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.” Here we have it in plain view; the king does not know the Messiah, neither does the general population of the country. The Magi have to ask and ask before they find the answer from Herod’s advisors, “In Bethlehem of Judea.”
Also interesting is that the question of the Magi, in verse 2 quoted above, offers the inscription placed on the cross above Jesus at his death, “King of the Jesus.” At Christ’s birth and his death, he is accurately named. Matthew’s gospel offers this first clue of Jesus’ identity immediately following his genealogy, emphasizing his relationship to Abraham and David, listed in chapter one. Who, seems a pretty easy question for Matthew. Where, on the other hand, is worth a whole book to consider.
The question of where, should also be our question today. We struggle to find Christ in our relationships, in our work place, and in our homes. We look for signs of the presence of Christ, but many times, like Herod we do not see that which is plainly before us. It is the Magi who awaken us to the possibility of the Messiah in our lives. It is the Magi who ask the obvious child-like question, “Where is the child; where is the King of the Jews?” And all this is happening without our knowledge. Isn’t that just like our experience of God, who we continue to find mysterious, as we move just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18
Sermon Title: “Without Our Knowledge”
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Scripture Readings Leading to Sunday December 23, 2007
John 1 The Meaning of the Incarnation Fourth Sunday in Advent
We believe Jesus was fully human and fully God at the same time. For this to be reality means there had to be an act of incarnation; a bodily manifestation of a supernatural being. God became human and lived among us. We yearn for a relationship with this One who knows and understands us and yet still loves us.
Modern mythology in movies, sports, and fiction books are full of this same incarnation story image. We clamor to watch Superman, Spiderman, Batman, The Bionic Man, Indiana Jones, Lara Croft the Tomb Raider, Lassie, Roy Rogers, Harry Potter, The Matrix, Oprah, Michael Jordon, Dale Earnhardt, LeBron James, Barry Bonds, Tiger Woods, The Dirty Dozen (OK, maybe that last one was a stretch, but wasn’t Jim Brown’s character who died saving the “good” guys a Jesus’ figure?) See what I mean, we look for the Messiah everywhere, movies, books, sport figures.
The bottom line is that either we believe that Jesus was fully God and at the same time fully human or we do not. If we do believe, then we can stop our searching for the Messiah. Relax, Jesus is our all in all. If we do not understand and believe in Jesus, then we will keep searching and making kings out of talented and gifted people. Take a moment, center your thoughts on what you believe and are willing to stake your life on. Your contemplation is likely to move you just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: John 1:1-18
Sermon Title: “Start With Nothing”
We believe Jesus was fully human and fully God at the same time. For this to be reality means there had to be an act of incarnation; a bodily manifestation of a supernatural being. God became human and lived among us. We yearn for a relationship with this One who knows and understands us and yet still loves us.
Modern mythology in movies, sports, and fiction books are full of this same incarnation story image. We clamor to watch Superman, Spiderman, Batman, The Bionic Man, Indiana Jones, Lara Croft the Tomb Raider, Lassie, Roy Rogers, Harry Potter, The Matrix, Oprah, Michael Jordon, Dale Earnhardt, LeBron James, Barry Bonds, Tiger Woods, The Dirty Dozen (OK, maybe that last one was a stretch, but wasn’t Jim Brown’s character who died saving the “good” guys a Jesus’ figure?) See what I mean, we look for the Messiah everywhere, movies, books, sport figures.
The bottom line is that either we believe that Jesus was fully God and at the same time fully human or we do not. If we do believe, then we can stop our searching for the Messiah. Relax, Jesus is our all in all. If we do not understand and believe in Jesus, then we will keep searching and making kings out of talented and gifted people. Take a moment, center your thoughts on what you believe and are willing to stake your life on. Your contemplation is likely to move you just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: John 1:1-18
Sermon Title: “Start With Nothing”
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Reading Leading to Sunday Dec 16, 2007
I Corinthians 13 - Jesus’ Purpose - Third Sunday in Advent
Another sermon about love, give me a break. Maybe you are like me, I tire of hearing the same old message dressed up in new clothes and spun forth as if it is an entirely new concept. Love can be like this. Preachers have over-sold the idea for years on end that our God is love and our lives are only fulfilled when we mimic God. Sometimes when I hear there is another sermon on love, I feel like going and laying in the weeds until the sermon is over. Baa Humbug, woe is me, if I have to endure one more sermon on love.
Oh, wait, I am the preacher. And I chose this topic and scripture passage because the context of the season allows us to experience the message in a new way, a new light, with a new heart. Oh my goodness, what was I thinking? Perhaps I was thinking that you have just come through a tough year and your ears and eyes are now open to the new/old story of God’s love come to offer us hope. Perhaps, I was thinking that this topic can be more than ever before; more muscle, more alive, more transformative. Perhaps, I was thinking I might be inspired to “go off” on this subject the way I feel in the depth of my heart that it deserves. Perhaps, I was just dreaming of eggnog instead of a better sermon topic for the third week in advent.
We all need a sermon to help move us gracefully through the final days before the big celebration of Christmas. We need something on which to focus which is bigger than us, bigger than even the holiday it’s self. We need an idea to grasp our attention, move our hearts, and offer peace into our lives. Just maybe love is the only topic, the only idea, worth offering especially right now, to help our souls move gracefully a little closer to home. Funny, even when I am lying in the weeds, I still hear the voice of the preacher, and I even raise my head to listen more carefully to a few words. And I smile. But that is just me.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13
Sermon Title: “Love is …”
Another sermon about love, give me a break. Maybe you are like me, I tire of hearing the same old message dressed up in new clothes and spun forth as if it is an entirely new concept. Love can be like this. Preachers have over-sold the idea for years on end that our God is love and our lives are only fulfilled when we mimic God. Sometimes when I hear there is another sermon on love, I feel like going and laying in the weeds until the sermon is over. Baa Humbug, woe is me, if I have to endure one more sermon on love.
Oh, wait, I am the preacher. And I chose this topic and scripture passage because the context of the season allows us to experience the message in a new way, a new light, with a new heart. Oh my goodness, what was I thinking? Perhaps I was thinking that you have just come through a tough year and your ears and eyes are now open to the new/old story of God’s love come to offer us hope. Perhaps, I was thinking that this topic can be more than ever before; more muscle, more alive, more transformative. Perhaps, I was thinking I might be inspired to “go off” on this subject the way I feel in the depth of my heart that it deserves. Perhaps, I was just dreaming of eggnog instead of a better sermon topic for the third week in advent.
We all need a sermon to help move us gracefully through the final days before the big celebration of Christmas. We need something on which to focus which is bigger than us, bigger than even the holiday it’s self. We need an idea to grasp our attention, move our hearts, and offer peace into our lives. Just maybe love is the only topic, the only idea, worth offering especially right now, to help our souls move gracefully a little closer to home. Funny, even when I am lying in the weeds, I still hear the voice of the preacher, and I even raise my head to listen more carefully to a few words. And I smile. But that is just me.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13
Sermon Title: “Love is …”
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