Mark 2:13-17

Mark 2:13-17 

The Message 

  In the eyes of many, the church has become very political over the past 20 years.  Many in society see the church as a political body, working to secure its power in the world.  People used to look at the Catholic church in this way in the Middle Ages, when the church owned so much land and was intertwined with emperors, kings, and queens of the day.  

  It's important for the church to remember its role.  The church is certainly called to be involved politically, but political power is never the end.  The church is, as Augustine described it, a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.  It is a collection of people who have come to realize that the ultimate solution for the sin and brokenness in the world lies not within ourselves, but in Christ, who then empowers us to go into the world carrying the Gospel, which is a light to dark times.  The church should go out in such a way as to invite others in.  The church should be interwoven into the community, often in small ways.  Supporting the sick and caring for the homeless and lifting up the broken in prayer.  It's slow work, investments that compound over time as the church supports the entire community.  

  It is my fervent hope and prayer that the church will continue to be faithful to Christ's calling to tend to the sick and the lost and the poor and the rich and the proud and the broken and everyone else -- and that the church will do so in a gracious and winsome way, clinging to the Truth of the Gospel and patiently and humbly depending on the work of the Holy Spirit to lead us forward.

Mark 2:1-12

Mark 2:1-12 

The Message 

  Jesus had three years of public ministry.  I don't think he wasted a lot of time -- when the crowds were gathered around him he taught them the Word, and it was clearly compelling, because people streamed around him to hear it -- so many that new ones had to come in through the ceiling!  

  If you knew you had three years, how would you live it?  What would you do?  Would you pursue Truth relentlessly, desperate to discover what is True and what isn't?  Would you seek pleasure, seek relationship, seek wealth?  We'd likely all make different choices.  

  I saw a notice that someone I volunteered with in Chattanooga passed away suddenly.  Life happens fast.  As we are reminded all too often, we don't always get to pursue our plans.  

  Thinking about this election, there is so much anger directed at other people.  Everything seems to be comprised of people yelling at each other anymore.  

  I don't have a problem with people being upset about situations.  I think it's good to care enough about things to get upset about them.  There are things going on that should upset you, and that should motivate you to work to change them.  That's how things are supposed to work.

  But to yell and scream at other people?  It's unlikely to change anyone's mind, and is that really the best way to build community, to build consensus?  Does it help?  I don't think so.

  I keep a sign above my desk at work that says 'Blame the Problem, not the person'.  I hope that it will remind me that when I get upset, the best thing to do is to work towards a solution, not to attack the person who seems to be responsible for the problem.  

  You have limited time on this earth.  Invest it in the things you care about.  Seek to be committed and gracious and filled with Truth.  Don't waste your time shouting at other people -- rather invest your time in acts of mercy, in the pursuit of justice, and let your life be a demonstration of how an eternal Kingdom has taken root inside your heart and will not let go for all of eternity.  

  You are living your life, here and now, on a much larger plane of existence.  Death is a defeated enemy.  But it can still be a mentor, teaching us to value our time and our relationships, and reminding us not to waste the precious gifts we have.

  

Mark 1:1-8

Mark 1:1-8 

The Message 

  I have so much admiration for John.  Here he is, preaching in the desert, and the crowds are streaming out to hear him.  Rather than get caught up in believing his own press, however, he continues to point to Christ.  It never becomes about John -- it remains about Christ.  

  It's easy to think now about what we would do with ten million dollars if we won the lottery.  It's easy to make those commitments now.  But when the check hits your hand, it's suddenly a lot harder to fulfill those promises -- it's easier to cling tightly once it's yours.

  It's so important to practices disciplines now.  When we do the small things, they become habits that are ingrained in our personalities.  They become part of who we are.  And they allow us to shape our ways of living so that as we grow in responsibility, we continue to stay true to those habits. 

  Don't wait, putting things off until later.  Practice small habits of faithfulness and discipline now, that you may continue to grow into faithfulness, growing into the life God has prepared for you.

Sermon for November 1, 2020 from Exodus 36