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Worship in the World (January 24) 2010-01-21 by Mark Miller Submit a Question | Submit an Article In the first lesson from Nehemiah, it’s interesting the first thing the Israelites do when they return from exile is gather for worship. What is also interesting is the people (the community as a whole) wanted God’s word shared among them. You get a real sense of their community from this reading and the importance of God’s word being heard by not only those who had heard it before, but also by those who hadn’t. The prophet Ezra read from early morning until midday. Was that because the people couldn’t get enough of God’s word, or was it that Ezra just wouldn’t quit? I think it is the former rather than the latter, and I think the tears they wept were tears of joy.
So how does God’s word sink in?
Psalm 19 (verses 7-9) seems to shed some light on this mystery:
“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.”
If I had to take Paul’s lengthy and wordy passage and condense it into one sentence, it would be this, “it takes a village to understand God’s word.” I think at some point you realize you can’t study scripture in a vacuum. It was meant to be shared with and by all of God’s people. Finally, we get to Jesus’ proclamation. God’s word is no longer confined to a worship experience, but is now loose in the world. It makes me wonder about my own worship experience and how I need to take that into the world. It is one thing to worship God and a whole different thing to respond to God’s call to serve others. Keep me attentive to the words of Jesus calling me from worship to what it means to live with God’s presence in my life. Sense and Understanding (Jan 24) 2010-01-21 by Tim Norton Submit a Question | Submit an Article Its wonderful how each of these readings together support the homiletical feast events of this week – pastors coming together to renew and energize each other for the preaching of The Word. In Nehemiah, Ezra read from the law of God, offering interpretation, so the people could understand the reading. It seems he is saying that it is not the words themselves that are to be revered, but their meaning that is important. And more so, our response to the hearing of God’s word, is to celebrate the holy day of the Lord, and provide out of what we have been given, to those “for whom nothing is prepared.” – to spread the Word, the love, the care of God to all his children. Was this an early application of the concept of the modern “sermon”? Certainly care for victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti would represent an appropriate response to that word. This week our local ecumenical ministerium will sponsor an annual Unity Dinner, where parishioners and clergy from several area Christian denominations will come together for a potluck dinner and worship service filled with musical offerings from the different choirs represented. It is an exercise that celebrates our unity in the Spirit, as members baptized into the one body, through which we can offer the richness of diversity of customs and talents and interpretation while maintaining the respect of and support for each other as God’s own family. I can’t think of a more apt application of the Corinthians passage. In the Luke reading for today, the weighty power and impact of Jesus’ lifting up of a few passages of scripture must have astounded the people of the synagogue back then. Indeed, it stills astounds many of us today. Too often we focus attention on ourselves and miss the intent of the scripture. We’re more concerned with who’s got it right, that we miss the chance to bring the good news to those who sorely need it. Pastor, we look for the “sense”, the understanding. Help us interpret and understand scripture and to faithfully serve God by responding to his word. Help us to discern and reject the false prophet, who would subvert the word for personal or political gain, or would seek to prevent us from proclaiming release to the captives, support for the oppressed, providing food to the hungry, or care to those rightful members of God’s family who have suffered any disaster. Teach us about our connection, our unity in the Spirit and the Body. Help us celebrate our diversity and our variety of gifts while we maintain respect for the differences and unique qualities that God has given each of us. Help us to help one another. Show us that in Jesus Christ, “the scripture has been fulfilled in our hearing.”
Today... (January 24) 2010-01-20 by Andrea Hodges Submit a Question | Submit an Article I think people in the pews might wonder: If this Isaiah prophecy was already fulfilled in Jesus' day, what significance does it have for my life "today?" Also, I noticed that both Ezra & Jesus thought it terribly important to bring God's written word before the people, and help them interpret it. I think people in the pews think "it's the pastor's job to interpret this text for me right now, and I just have to sit and listen to it in a 15-minute sermon." But I think it's the pastor's job also to exhort the people to get involved with the text themself, through bible study, guided in a church body setting like the many gifts in the Corinthians text. This reminds me of Luther wanting the people to read the bible for themselves in their language and teach it to their children at home...
Caring For One Another (January 24) 2010-01-20 by Camille Alleyne Submit a Question | Submit an Article 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31a This passage to my mind is very important at this time given the situation in Haiti. It reminds me of my responsibility to all persons and our interdependence on one another in our daily lives. The passage points out that the body does not consist of one member but of many. These various members of the body, regardless of how small have to work together to be effective. Verse 12:28 further specifies: God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues.. I believe we are called upon to use the various gifts, whatever role or position we have to serve others, thus, the people of Haiti. Let the Oppressed Go Free (January 24) 2010-01-19 by Peggy Dillner Submit a Question | Submit an Article One cannot escape news of Haiti, and the enormity of it overwhelmes me. The NT readings jump out at me this week. We see Haiti all about us. How are we, the first world, the powerful, the "haves" able to justify our abundant meals, our sturdy homes, our luxuries with the devastation we see on TV? Surely these Haitians are among today's captives, today's oppressed. Is the money we send enough? Corinthians tells us we are all part of the same body, no part less valuable than another. I am brother/sister to hurting/dying Haitians and must respond as an equal in God's sight, not as heroes. I struggle to subliminate feelings of superiority as I assist others while still being able to use talents that my station's wealth has enabled me to develop. Yes, we give and must give - probably more than we already have - but the question of how we give and our attitude toward the recipient must be examined. Striving for Christ's humility is a struggle for many of us. [First Page] [Prev] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 [Next] [Last Page] Login - (This login is for administrators and bloggers. Usernames and passwords for GoodPreacher subscribers will not work here.) |
