Sermon for 11/7/10
All Saint’s Sunday
“reCommit”
Luke 19:11-27
Sermon for World Communion Sunday
“The Body of Christ for the World”
Sermon for 10/24/2010
“reFOCUS”
Luke 18:9-14
Youth Service
Youth Service for September 19, 2010
Luke 16:19-31
“Land of the Lost”
Sermon for September 12, 2010
Luke 15:1-10
“Sitting at the Table”
August 29, 2010
Luke 14:1, 7-14
Trusting God
This past week I attended Renew “U”niversity at Simpsonwood.
During the two days of this seminar we were reminded of many of the things that we already know but often forget.
We are wonderfully made of multiple and interconnected spheres of health.
We are physical, emotional/mental, social, financial, and spiritual beings. To be well is to be whole and balanced in each of these areas. To suffer in one aspect of ourselves is to suffer in each of them in turn.
While, there were many other lessons learned, the one I want to share with you is a simple one.
We are continually stretched and pulled in many directions. But we also need time to be alone with God.
How can we possibly be still with so much going on. The answer is simple and yet equally difficult and profound.
We can trust God to hold all of our worries for us for a little while. We don’t have to ask God to take away all our struggles and burdens, but just take the weight off our shoulders for a time of worship.
Can you trust God to hold on to your cares for a while? Of course the answer is yes. The deeper question is will you.
This week I have started trusting God to hold things for me so that I can catch my breath and really be present to God in times of worship and prayer. As a result God has been faithful and has usually given me back that which I have placed in God’s care. But I haven’t gotten everything back. Somethings God has chosen to keep at least of now and what I have received back has not seemed nearly as heavy or as daunting as when I laid it down.
May you be restored in all aspects of your health.
May you be made whole and filled with peace.
May you be filled with the boldness to trust God to hold your worries so that you may be cleanse and healed.
In Christ,
John
Sermon for August 22, 2010
“Healing on the Sabbath”
Luke 13:10-17
Lent -Day 28
Lent 2010: A Season for Listening
3/20/10 – Day 28
The First Day of Spring
Listening to The Teachings of Jesus: Part 16
Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” – Luke 21:29-33
For most of us in the Southeast spring came a day early this year. Friday was the first day that we were able to turn off the heater and leave the doors and windows open all day long. I was amazed at two things on this sunny day. First I was amazed at how quickly a house that has been so cold can become uncomfortably hot. At the same time I was surprised at how sweet and clean the fresh air (undoubtedly filled with allergens) smelled. We had not noticed how stale and used up the air in the house had become. The fouling of our air was not an over night phenomenon rather it was a slow and gradual process over weeks of bitter cold.
Likewise this time in Lent usually provides a breath of fresh air for our spirits. As creatures of habit, we need season of refreshment, renewal, and growth. What a gift that our spiritual calendars should be in sync with the natural rhythms and weather patterns. We know that there is still a threat of frost in the coming weeks, but we now know for certain that the longer days and warmth of spring are upon us. Similarly, we are reminded of the nearness of the kingdom of God, while not completely present in our lives. We may still have battles and struggles between here and Easter, but we have tasted the sweet air and sunshine of what is to come.
Today we will spend some time in the sunlight. We will listen for God in the explosions of life that surround and fill us. We will meditate on the gospel of resurrection in the midst of colors quickly overcoming the greys of winter. Once more we will discover all that has been eagerly waiting in dormancy for the first golden rays of spring. Tomorrow we will carry this excitement and joy with us into our places of worship. Tomorrow we will allow our hearts to bud and bloom in unrestrained joy as we sing praise to the God of the fig trees and willing servants. Today and tomorrow we will strain to lift our voices above the hymns of creation in honor of our Lord. – Rev. John Mattox
Let us pray,
O God, in mystery and silence you are present in our lives,
bringing new life out of destruction,
hope out of despair, growth out of difficulty.
We thank you that you do not leave us alone but labor to make us whole.
Help us to perceive your unseen hand in the unfolding of our lives,
and to attend to the gentle guidance of your Spirit,
that we may know the joy you give your people. Amen.
- Ruth Duck, 464 UMBOW
Lent – Day 27
Lent 2010: A Season for Listening
3/19/10 – Day 27
Listening to The Teachings of Jesus: Part 15
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Luke 12:32-34
If we wanted to trace our spiritual history back to its beginnings it would be a simple statement, “God heard the cries of his people in captivity and acted with an mighty hand to deliver them from the house of bondage.” Over and over throughout Scripture and human history this simple story is rehearsed and repeated. God hears the voices of God’s people and enters into the fray setting the oppressed free. It happened for Israel repeatedly, and it happens for us. This is the source of our patterns of behavior and the basis of our trust during this season of Lent.
But have you ever listened long enough to these stories to hear the full explanation as to why God would do such acts of power on behalf of such a miserable and ragtag bunch of folks? Moses told Pharaoh to let the Children of Israel go so that they might…SERVE THE LORD. The simple fact and beauty that we often miss is that we are not only saved from something terrible (slavery to sin and death) but we are also saved for something much better (freedom to choose to serve God and others). God forgives the past so that we might have the present as a new day complete with a fresh choice to serve God free from the baggage and sin that clings so tightly to us.
God not only wants to make us free, God wants to give us a new land of opportunity and prosperity. God wants to create a new people and create a fresh start. Only when we are free from fear can we truly choose to serve God and others.
Today Jesus tells us that God wants us to have the kingdom. God fully intends to give us the riches of eternal life that begins today and never ends. We do not have to worry about tomorrow and what worlds might await beyond this. We can place our trust in God for all these things. What we are then left with is today. Today we find ourselves freed of the shackles and liberated to do what is good and just and right. Knowing that we are heirs to the unimaginable and eternal wealth of God makes us free to share the things we now hold in trust with a generous and joyful spirits and thankful hearts! Do you trust in the promises of a Holy and Righteous God? Today is your chance to show it! Live as free children of the Living God. Today you have been set free! Thanks be to God! – Rev. John Mattox
Let us pray,
O Lord, our treasure
Help us not to be afraid of the
slings and arrows that are all about us.
Help us to put our trust only in you.
Amen.
-Rev. Katie Mattox
