Shouting from the rooftop part 2

As I am preparing for Sunday service and as Omaha was once again in the midst of hurricane force winds, I am reflecting on two differing ideas about what was said in Matthew 10:40-42. Especially focusing on verse 42 "whoever gives even a cup of cold water, to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple--truly I tell you, none of these will lose their award." This Sunday we will be blessing our youth as they prepare to leave for a mission trip in South Dakota. Part of the blessing is reminding each of us that if we take on the name of Christ we are called into mission also. Mission that is not just words but deeds as well.
In our bible study we talked about putting our faith in action. One person related that two of her co-workers made sandwiches and took bottled water to people in Iowa following the worst of the floods. I got thinking about that and what that says about the scripture today. We as disciples are called to be examples of hospitality to those we meet treating them like messengers from God. We are to especially welcome and care for those who are unlikely to be able to return the favor.
As a church we are beginning to collect items for flood buckets and for health kits. We can also begin to look at collecting school kits for those who have been so affected by the weather we have been having here locally and across the world. As church I would like to begin to have our children participate in sharing their resources as well as adults. I would propose that we have the children bring an offering for children's message to share with other children. We can never be too young to learn about true evangelism in word and deed.

Shouting from the rooftop

Sunday I preached from Matthew 10:24-39. I wanted to help remind all of us as to what are we here for and why we are so hesitant to proclaim that. I used the song from "The Sound of Music, These are some of my favorite things." I asked the people gathered to write down and share some of their favorite things that make life worthwhile. Several responded with family, friends, sunsets and sunrises, vacations, gardening, etc. I then asked what were some of their favorite things about church. The responses were an extended family, caring, support, music, worship, communion, fellowship, bible studies. Last I asked what are some of their favorite things about being a Christian. Responses included peace, assurance, healing, grace, forgiveness.
I had used an article found in Homiletics to help with this idea. I wanted to make the point that too often many think of Christians as stoic, unemotional, stiff, and judgmental people. It seems that when we look at what Jesus was saying that we are to be a people shouting the glory of what we responded in our favorite things and being willing to share that with others. Jesus also reminded us even when we share the good news not everyone will be pleased to hear it. In fact, many will respond with anger, condemnation, and criticism. It is amazing that people will respond negatively to God's grace that is extending to them. Maybe it is because of the way we have presented grace to others or have not extended grace.
In our bible study of Matthew, we were studying Matthew 8:1-13. The scripture is about two healings that Jesus did for a leper and a centurion. Both involved stepping out of the box based on the culture of that time. One was actually touching someone who was excluded from the community and judged to be unclean. The very act of touching such a person would make yourself unclean and you would be excluded from church, family and community. The other was healing a pagan or gentile who was not included in the church family. We discussed how important it is for us to be willing to risk reaching out to those who are not part of the community and may today be the new lepers. That if our message of God's love and grace holds any credibility, we need to put our faith in action. So to speak shouting from the rooftop.
My challenge for myself and maybe for the readers is how am I willing to risk proclaiming and acting my faith.

running marathans

Sunday I preached on the covenant that God made with Abram in Genesis 12:1-9. I wanted to summarize for those who may want to have some of the information. I talked about what it takes to prepare for such a marathan journey of faith. More than a marathan but rather an ultra-marathan. The magazine Homiletics talked about ultra-marathans which are 100-200 miles. This would be like Abram's journey to the promised land.

I started talking about how each marathan training has to begin with a first step. One thing I did not include in the sermon was the idea that being disciplined and being a disciple are the same thing. The image that I used was a toddler who takes his or her first step. What encourages them to make that risky attempt is a parent with outstretched arms ready to catch you if you should fall and to pick up so that you can try again. That is exactly what God does for us. God's outstretched arms of grace are there for us if we are willing to risk the first steps of faith.

Our faith journey continues much like when we leave the comfort of our families and venture out to the world. Much like the first day of school, a young child steps forward to the unknown and now is surrounded by others who are there to help teach and guide the child. God puts into our lives those who are also on the journey to help support and build one another. Marathan runners are surrounded by other runners and usually are willing to help teach others so that they too can be able to complete the race.

Another image is that there are times that we are not aware of the goal but know that God is with us. Also we cannot anticipate all the obstacles that occur in our life. But God does and God sees the big picture. What we have to concentrate on is not the end but the path that we are running now. Abram was able to do that and is the example. Our lives are not a dash but are an ultra-marathan that we are to complete knowing that there is a great blessing for us.