Sunday, January 28, 2018

Sermon 28 Jan 18


In Tamworth we have a five-corner intersection, that can be a very dangerous place to find yourself. There are blind spots if you are turning certain ways & as you approach the intersection from the east it appears, to newcomers, that you should stop, even though there is no indication of a stop sign, thus at times it causes near misses should a person be driving to closely.
Similarly, in the Christian life we have been given great freedom, to live our lives as we see fit; with of course certain potential dangers intersections that can be dangerous if we are not careful.
I am referring today to the epistle text, which does lend itself to our focus last week on relationships.
Now Corinth was an important and wealthy Greek city. The Apostle Paul spent 18 months there on his Second Missionary Journey and established a church there. (Acts 18) gives us considerable detail about Paul’s work in Corinth during that time.
In chapters 1-6, of 1 Corinthians Paul dealt with problems brought to his attention by people from Corinth in their letters to him.
The question that Paul addresses today is whether it is acceptable for Christians to eat meat that has been sacrificed to idols. In Corinth, much of the meat available for human consumption had been sacrificed to idols. As a rule, part of the meat was burned on the altar, part was reserved for the priests, part was consumed by the people making the sacrifices, and the rest was available for sale. Of the meat available for purchase, some would be served, restaurant-style, in temples. The rest would be sold in meat markets throughout the city. While it was clear that meat served in temples had been sacrificed to idols, it would be more difficult—often impossible—to determine the origin of meat for sale in meat markets.
There were two aspects to the problem for Christians. One was whether they were allowed to eat meat served within the temple boundaries. The other was whether it was appropriate to purchase meat that had been sacrificed to idols and to eat it at home. Eating meat within the temple realm could be a particular problem, because a newcomer or rookie to the Christian faith seeing more experienced/seasoned Christians eating meat at a temple could certainly conclude that the experienced Christians were involved in idol-worship (8:10). Eating meat at home, even though it might have been sacrificed to idols, would be less accountable in that way. However, if someone happens to interpret it that way, Paul says that the one eating the meat should reconsider, put an end to this behaviour. (8:13; 10:28-31).
Corinth at this time in history was a typical/classic pagan town, where it would have been difficult for Christians living there to live in a way that was totally distinct from the world around them? That really is the case just about anywhere we live. We are influenced by those around us and by our surroundings. If anything today, we are less influenced by Christian society, as that is continuing to decrease Christians ,now  representing 67.3% of the population of Canada, followed by people having no religion with 23.9%[ of the total population .
I might suggest than, that the role of Christians is more important as the number of Christians is weakening.
What does a Christian look like today?  What separates us from the next person you may pass by on the street? How do we identify ourselves? By this I don’t mean we wear a sign, but one way we witness is the stance we take on issues, the way we offer and do things with others and are there for each other these actions are ways we make our beliefs visible.
What are some actions that could be harmful to us or to other who witness our behaviour: examples  might be


• Flirtatious behavior might be innocent but could lose its innocence in the presence of a vulnerable person who would misunderstand it. On the news for about two weeks, on a near daily basis there has been numbers of women, so far, that have spoken about sexual advances made by men in prominent positions. Again, what was the intent, what did the actions and words say & adhere too.  You can’t take it back or do it over. What is done is done and the result of it can be life altering for both sides and their families and so on.
• Careless attitudes toward money might attract a weaker vulnerable person to do something dishonest.
• Careless words might create a breach in a relationship—or might cause other problems. While we might believe that freedom of speech permits us to say whatever we feel like saying, James says, “1:26 Do any of you think you are religious? If you do not control your tongue, your religion is worthless, and you deceive yourself.”
Alcohol is another vulnerable topic. What we do or around someone who has a drinking problem and what we do around someone who has a drink to be social, requires we treat each situation accordingly.
There are Christians who feel strongly that the consumption of any alcoholic beverages is inconsistent with Christian discipleship. So again, we take these considerations into account. There are other situations where the principle would apply. The whole marijuana legalization and how that will work its way into our lives. How do we demonstrate its legalization from a Christian perspective? That leads me also to Assisted Dying – being legal now in Canada. How do we interpret and address this law from a Christian perspective? As Ecclesiastes 3:2 says: A time to be born, and a time to die.  We didn’t choose when to be born, do we have a right to choose when we will die? What is the suffering is intolerable?
Sometimes we just go with the flow in life and follow the crowd or the voice of someone we respect, but where then does our faith our beliefs fit into our day to day actions and words and choices.
Last example – what if we find ourselves in the presence of young children or youth? How do we alter our words and discussions for example? In many homes when young children are going to be living there what do parents do? They adapt their environment, their home to make it safe Some examples here might be: Inserts into electrical outlets to protect them from electrical shocks. Picking up all small objects on which they might choke, fence in a play area, sharp items put away, and always on the alert.
Paul would call the stronger person to consider the vulnerability of the weaker person and to defer to the weaker person’s sensibilities. The principle of love for the other person outdoes the principle of the personal freedom that comes with faith in Christ.
Paul calls us to that same kind of sensitivity to other people, both children and adults—anyone who might misunderstand our actions or our language—anyone who might be tempted to follow our behavior in ways that might do them harm—anyone whose faith might be damaged by seeing us do things that they might believe to be questionable morally.
1 Cor 8:1-3 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God.
Paul’s principle of love requires that we be alert and sensitive to those who we may influence, rightly or wrongly.
His message here is that knowledge is a good thing but be careful how you use it.
“Knowledge can inflate us with pride. This is Paul’s answer to the Corinthian statement, “we all have knowledge.” While knowledge in the service of others can be good, people who use their knowledge to establish their advantage over other people cannot expect to experience a good consequence. They are likely to get an inflated opinion of themselves that does nothing to help anyone.
But while knowledge puffs up, “love builds up”—enlightens—blesses—blesses both the one who loves and the one who is loved. Given a choice between knowledge and love, we would do much better to choose love. If we are blessed with knowledge, we need to mix it generously with love before putting it into use.
Jesus heals the man with the unclean spirit today in our gospel text. As Christian’s as disciples of Christ, we are given the opportunity again and again to renew ourselves in God’s Spirit and refresh ourselves in the Way the Truth and the life. May our lives be lived in love and faith and abounding in God’s grace.  Thanks be to God. Amen.
Sermon Writer Commentary 1 Cor. 8:1-13
Working Preacher Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 8:1-13: Arnold J. Hultgren, Frank L. Crouch, Israel Kamudzandu, Valerie Nicolet Anderson.


Monday, January 15, 2018

Sermon for January 14, 18


Have you ever had one of those days, or weeks that you would like to push rewind on, and start all over again?
Rather a day, a week or a second, I believe we can all recall a time that we wish we could do over. Maybe we would choose different words to say, change the actions we took, treat a relationship differently, given up sooner or tried a little harder.
X- Box devices are common among kids & youth today. Andrew has an X Box with a number of  X-Box games, & the ones that really come to mind when I think about how they work and rewind life’s moments are the race car games.  He will be driving along at 200 km/hour or so, and swerve and take out a fence or a few cars or a tree or end up over a bridge & all he has to do is press a button & it erases the entire segment & puts you right back where he were before the mishap, even the car’s dints and scratches are erased, car is even clean. We always try to emphasize with him, that this isn’t reality & you won’t be able to drive like that, there will be other people on the road in the real world. (But I hope it is his dad that will teach him to drive when the time comes.)
But life doesn’t work that way. We can’t just erase the words we uttered in rage or the actions we took in revenge for the hurt we felt or the muteness we held on to for way to long. We are responsible for what we do and what we say and who we are. Maybe you are in a relationship that you look back on, wondering what changed along the way? Wanting to go back to the way it used to be. But we can’t go back, but we can go forward in a new way. What can you & I do to change that relationship for tomorrow?
At times, we don’t like who we are and we want to be different people. We see in others what we want to be like and we long to be them. That was exactly what the minister said yesterday. (we were are a funeral for a hear friend yesterday in Ottawa & the minister when giving her message spoke about some of Margaret’s characteristics & than she said I wish  I was more like Margaret – her determination, her passion for injustice, etc.. ) We often see in others quality traits we wish we had. Well that is not going to happen. But we can begin to emulate positive qualities that others have into our lives
Being and doing are very intimately connected. “ Wishing is often a deeper feeling and we feel it deeper than the doing things, differently. Our doing arises out of and reveals our being, who we are, how we see ourselves, one another, and the world. Being and doing are intimately connected.”                        Father Michael K. Marsh -priest of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church – Uvalde, a parish in the Diocese of West Texas.
Wishing to do things differently and be differently really is the wish for the first day. Do you remember your first day at your job, your new vocation? The first day you were a married person? The first day you became a parent? The first day you really took your faith very seriously? Maybe your First day of retirement? First days are milestone moments, they are high moments, full of light and promise, newness, excitement, innocence. In those first moments we don’t think about the past, but only the present and the future.  First days are alive, and full of possibilities and hope and promise, mountain top experiences.  Just imagine the first day of creation, when God looked around and there was light, the light of love, the light of God. The peace and silence of no regrets, or guilt, no tears of sadness, or hurt feelings. There was only light; the light of life, of love, the light of promise and hope; and it was good. The first day is always a day of creation.
Stephen Hultgren also relates that today’s passages are about new beginnings. Mark writes of Jesus' baptism under the heading of the "beginning" of the gospel of Jesus Christ (1:1). This word recalls the reading from Genesis 1:1-5 today, "In the beginning," God's Spirit once hovered over the waters, while God spoke and called heaven and earth into being. So also at the baptism of Jesus, God's Spirit came over the waters and his voice declared Jesus to be his Son. That was the beginning of a whole new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17; Revelation 21:5). Through Jesus' death and resurrection, which his baptism already foreshadows, the new creation is fulfilled. For us, we are baptized into Christ, and we all have the possibility of sharing in the new creation that Christ brings. Through baptism, we have all been reborn. In Christ, and in our daily return to our own baptisms, there is a limitless source for the renewal and new beginnings of our lives as (Titus 3:5 states): “He saved us not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” .
Mark’s gospel account of Jesus baptism is a more personal account than Matthew& Luke’s appeared to be. In Mark’s account we her only of John & Jesus & the presence of God there. God’s voice says “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased. Matthew & Luke’s account, in which it is documented that others were watching says “This is my Son with who I am well pleased.” 

Stephen Hulgren N.T. Lutheran College, Australia – suggests that Mark is subtly telling us that already in His baptism, Jesus future course is laid before Him; He will be the servant of God, who will offer His life as a sacrifice. Like Isaac, He is the Son of promise, a promise that nothing, not even death can break. In fact, it is precisely through His death and resurrection that Jesus‘ Sonship & messiahship will be confirmed & God’s promises fulfilled.
… Jesus baptism signaled a beginning, a first day, a beginning as He was baptized and affirmed by God,
Infant Baptism and believer’s baptism (adult) have always caused a fundamental divide among the reform protestant churches. But what they do agree upon is that baptism is always done in faith. By faith of the parents or of the one being baptized. Baptism is a “means of grace”, meaning that this is one of the ways that God’s grace comes to us. Even though the rite may involve just a little bit of water it marks a whole new life the beginning of a new creation of forgiveness, of the presence of God’s Spirit, of our union with Jesus, and our becoming part of the world-wide Christian church!   Working Preacher - Michael Rogness is Alvin N. Rogness Professor Emeritus of Preaching and Professor Emeritus of Homiletics at Luther Seminary. 


Every time we return to the baptismal waters we return to the first day. Creation and baptism cannot be separated. They are intimately connected and mirror each other. Listen to what Genesis says and how St. Mark describes Jesus’ baptism.
  • In the beginning a wind (or breath, or spirit) of God swept over the face of the waters.
  • At Jesus’ baptism the spirit (or breath or wind) of God descended on Jesus as he is coming up out of the water.
  • In the beginning God said, “Let there be light.”
  • At Jesus’ baptism God said, “You are my Son, the Beloved.”
  • In the beginning “God saw that the light was good.”
  • At Jesus’ baptism God was “well pleased.”
Father Michael K. Marsh- “Interrupting The Silence” sermon
When life gets you down, when you look in the rear-view mirror and see what you should have done, or said, knowing you cannot go back, go to the waters of your baptism, where God claimed you and made you His own.  May you be reminded & renewed in the presence of God’s Holy Spirit abiding  with you &sustaining you through all of life’s experiences.  Thanks be to God. 


Sunday, January 7, 2018

Sermon for January 07, 2018


We are at the beginning of a new year and we are now in the season of winter officially, the length of light each days is now beginning to lengthen and are daylight time is gradually expanding. This in our church year puts us into the season of light-epiphany. We left the stable of Jesus birth, last week and we travelled to the temple with Mary & Joseph where Jesus was recognized by Anna & Simeon as the Messiah, now many more months have passed, the journey very long as today we travel with the wise men, guided on their journey by the light of the brilliant star.
At the time of Jesus birth, the glory of the Lord shone as the angels shared the good news of Jesus birth with the shepherds and once they had received the news they came down the hill sides and came to the manger. The good news of the Christ child  reached the shepherds first. Shepherds were, on an economic scale, on the lowest rung. The shepherds  were people at the bottom of the rung economically, working in the more rugged mountainous areas where crops could not grow. Shepherds were often wage earners, being paid to watch the sheep of others. Shepherds usually lived apart from society, being largely nomadic. It was mainly a job of solitary males without children. Shepherds were most often the younger sons of farming peasants who did not inherit any land. Working long and lonely hours; God’s good news came to them first.
But it didn’t stop there. As the news filtered out, hundreds and possibly thousands of miles away, in a whole other system of light, the message was brought to the highly skilled astrologers/scientists. They were researching and searching the skies and spotted the unusual light. They put together a caravan of supplies that included many animals to carry the food and tents and possession needed for an undetermined length of time. They rallied their servants – the cooks, the farmers, and the camels for transportation and set out to follow the light, knowing its destiny was of utmost importance and bringing with them, gifts for a king.
When we read the scriptures and piece the different passages together. Matthew never mentions a stable or a manger regarding Jesus birth. Matthew tells of the birth only through the  telling of what is to take place through the words of what the angel told Mary & through Joseph’s dream. The details of Jesus birth are not included. But what is included is the visit of the wisemen who came after Jesus was born & the flight to Egypt of Mary, Joseph & Jesus that would follow the visit of the wisemen.
 Mark begins with John the Baptist preparing the way.  Luke tells of the birth of Jesus and being laid in a manger & the news to the shepherds, the trip to the temple for Jesus Circumcision and then 40 days later for dedication and recognition by Anna & Simeon, but no wise- men. The gospel of John begins with The Word – the wisdom and power of God & precedes to John the Baptist.                                                                          So it takes many passages to receive the full array of events of Jesus birth and what followed it. Still leaving little said about His childhood and early years. But we understand they were in preparation for what was to come. 
When the caravan arrived as the words say that we sang this morning in The First Nowell state                                                                                                                     “This star drew nigh to the northwest,
O'er Bethlehem it took it rest,
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay
.”                                                             
We do not know how many Wise men there actually were. Three is often the number represented because of the 3 precious gifts they brought all gifts for a king. They may have, as is one speculation, travelled up to 1000 miles having brought provisions with them for an extended journey. So the number of people and animals may have even numbered in the 1000s in order to bring enough food for the people as well as the animals to see them through their extended travels. There was certainly no drive through or ride through restaurants or drive through barns where they could restock their supplies or even finding a comfortable place to sleep through the night would have been scarce.
Astrology in the ancient world was very big. Men believed they could foretell the future from the stars. They also believed a person’s destiny was settled by the star under which he was born. As the stars pursued their consistent courses; this obviously represented the order of the universe; so when suddenly this unwavering order of the heavens was broken by some brilliant marvel, some glorious light, it did appear to the astrologers-scientists that God was breaking in and announcing something miraculous.                                 So these Wise Men from the East were likely scientists. The Greek word "magi" (translated to "wise men" in the KJV bible) can be traced back to the Avestan language of Persia/ancient Iran. In fact, the word was used to describe the priestly class of the dominant religion of the region at the time, Zoroastrianism. The word originally used to describe those - Magi - indicates that they may have been Zoroastrian clergy. Well what was Zoroastrianism.  It was one of the world's oldest surviving religions, which combined a study of the universes origin with  death and afterlife and the belief in one God or, "combining a cosmogonic dualism and eschatological monotheism in a manner unique [...] among the major religions of the world".[ Ascribed to the teachings of Zoroaster the Iranian prophet it exalts a deity of wisdom, as its Supreme Being.[3]
a manner unique [...] among the major religions of the world". Ascribed to the teachings of the Iranian prophet Zoroaster,  it exalts a deity of wisdom, (Wise Lord), as its Supreme Being. (Wikipedia)
So in speculation, the Maji most likely practiced another religion and God used their faith and knowledge to bring them to the Christ. More ironic, God used scientists who practiced other religions to let King Herod and the chief priests and scribes of the people in on the news that Christ the Messiah had been born.
From the bottom of the rung the shepherds to the higher accomplished rung at the top, the good news of God’s Son spread. God reaches beyond people scared foolish by God’s glory to those who observe the glorious star at its rising, and persistently and sincerely follow it to a king. All along the way, God directs them, first by a star, through scripture and then finally in their dreams, coaching them to not heed to Herod’s request.
The wise men brought Christ their best gifts! They brought far more than a hastily grabbed bill out of the wallet. They used their TREASURES to make the long journey to see the King. They carried precious treasures of gold, incense, and myrrh from their far-away country as a gift to Christ. The Magi as well used the gifts of their TALENTS too! They were men who knew the heavens. They understood that the star they were seeing was a special sign and then acted on that knowledge. In all that they did they gave Jesus their gift of time too. They put their careers and their lives on hold, so that they could take a journey of several weeks - perhaps even months - to Bethlehem. The Wise Men listened to the Lord’s TRUTH – the prophecy of Micah – and acted upon that truth and they were successful in finding what God had sent to redeem the world. (Paraphrased from Sermon on Matthew 2:1-12 The Epiphany of Our Lord - Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church - Pastor A. Christie)
Our Lord God announces the birth of the Messiah to shepherds through angels on Christmas, to Magi via a star on Epiphany, and to the political and religious authorities of God’s own people in and through visitors from the East.  From a manger, where a child lies wrapped in bands of cloth, God’s reach, God’s embrace in Christ Jesus, extends further and further.  Jesus approaches and shares meals with the down and out. His loving touch, he places on those sick and weighed down and challenged with inabilities. Jesus even calls the dead back to life. Ultimately, Jesus draws all people to himself as he is lifted up on the cross. In Christ Jesus, no one is beyond God’s embrace.
God’s radical grace can be wondrously challenging and even frightening. The Magi as scientists who may have  practiced another religion, shows how God reaches out to people to announce good news in and through Christ and what it means for individuals to have faith and for gatherings of the faithful to be the church. With this New Year now before us, make it fruitful in faith, knowing God’s light and strength is present in every moment and God’s grace has no limits or boundaries or distance that it cannot reach.                                                                                                        
Influenced by: Barclay Comentary – Matthew 1-10,                                                                     Working Preacher -Craig A. Satterlee Bishop, North/West Lower Michigan Synod, Lansing, Mich.