Taking Sin Seriously

Matthew 18:21-35

Forgiveness is a defining feature—in fact, the defining feature—of the Christian faith. Of the many systems of justice in the world, across the many nations and peoples and governments, Christianity stand unique in this one respect: “Christian" justice is designed to end up in forgiveness.

We are commanded by Christ to forgive, placing no limits on that forgiveness. But Jesus knew such forgiveness doesn’t come naturally to persons; scars remain, wounds linger, and the impulse to forgive serious infractions remains far off to many of us who’ve been injured. So Jesus told a parable linking forgiveness to gratitude: our ability to forgive flows from our own sense of blessedness and our own experience of forgiveness extended to us.

Forgiveness is taking sin, and sinners, seriously. Christian forgiveness is not the same as permissiveness, moral ambiguity, or acceptance of wrongdoing. Forgiveness assumes the reality of sin, takes it seriously, and extends the grace of God through the community of the forgiven.

Bringing Faith to Life: Part 2

Romans 12:9-21

Today concludes a two-part sermon series—based on the twelfth chapter of Romans—titled “Bringing Faith to Life.”  Today we hear the author of Romans plead with his readers, “by the mercies of God, present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God…do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds…”

In modern times we have tended to over-personalize these words, seeing our relationship with God and our “living sacrifice” as private matters only. But Paul is writing these words to the entire Body of Christ, making clear that our “living sacrifice” involves taking part in the life and mission of Christ’s church by humbly serving where the Holy Spirit directs us.

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement in England, once observed “there can be no holiness apart from social holiness.” He meant that while a “Lone Ranger” approach to living the Christian life might take us far in this world, but it cannot take us home. For our faith to truly come to life, we must humbly take our place within the whole Body of Christ. The Body of Christ is where true transformation occurs.

Bringing Faith to Life: Part 1

Romans 12:1-8

Today begins a two-part sermon series—based on the twelfth chapter of Romans—titled “Bringing Faith to Life.”  Today we hear the author of Romans plead with his readers, “by the mercies of God, present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God…do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds…”

In modern times we have tended to over-personalize these words, seeing our relationship with God and our “living sacrifice” as private matters only. But Paul is writing these words to the entire Body of Christ, making clear that our “living sacrifice” involves taking part in the life and mission of Christ’s church by humbly serving where the Holy Spirit directs us.

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement in England, once observed “there can be no holiness apart from social holiness.” He meant that while a “Lone Ranger” approach to living the Christian life might take us far in this world, but it cannot take us home. For our faith to truly come to life, we must humbly take our place within the whole Body of Christ. The Body of Christ is where true transformation occurs.

Change of Heart

Matthew 15:10-28

What makes a person righteous? How does a person become defiled, or unclean, and how can a defiled person be restored? How far can the compassion of Christ extend? Are there any limits to God’s grace? These are among many questions that Matthew and the early church struggled to understand following Jesus’ ministry among them.

Today’s gospel lesson tells of a remarkable time when Jesus himself was confronted by a bit of his own blindness and prejudice. Jesus had just finished explaining to his followers that true righteousness flows from the heart of God, rather than from strict adherence to religious traditions and practices. Just then he was confronted by an “outsider,” a Canaanite woman who begged him to show compassion and free her daughter from demonic possession. Jesus first ignored her, then talked about her with his disciples, then actually insulted her. But she would not go away until he truly saw her and answered her plea.

There is no way to explain what happened next except to say that Jesus had a change of heart. The One who had showed such abundant compassion when he healed and fed the multitudes by the lakeshore was now reciting a list of reasons why this stranger should NOT receive his compassion. It was within his power to help, but Jesus said no…until through truly meeting her face to face he had a change of heart.

The church in every generation since has struggled to become like Jesus in this one essential aspect: having the humility before God to change our hearts—to alter the disposition of our hearts toward those we so easily call “enemy,” or “outsider,” or “unclean”. To banish hatred, and seek love, so that strangers and enemies may also receive the grace and love of God.

The Turbulent Place Between Fear and Faith

Matthew 14:22-33

After the miraculous feeding of the multitude Jesus put the disciples in a boat and made them go to the other side of the lake—it was the first time since they were called that Jesus would not physically be with them. So Jesus dismissed the crowd and went off alone to pray, and the disciples set sail for the other side.

The lake—indeed all waters and seas—were considered by the people in Jesus’ time to be places of spiritual disorder and chaos. To the mind of the gospel writer, to be at sea is to encounter danger, exposing oneself to spiritual assault and even the threat of death. And so the long night wore on, fraught with spiritual doubts and dangers, while a strong wind battered the boat pushed the disciples further and further from the shoreline, further from their Master.

Then suddenly, in the coldest, darkest part of the night, Jesus came to them again, his appearance generating in Peter (and all of them) an whole spectrum of doubts, fears, awe, worship, and a taste of the power that will lead to resurrection. It is a scene that believers will reenact again and again throughout the history of the church—as we encounter a world of evil and call to God from that turbulent place between our doubts and fears.

Take Up the Remnants of Christ's Compassion

Matthew 14:13-21

Jesus had just been told that his cousin, John the Baptist, was dead.  That he’d died a brutal, senseless, unnecessary death at the hands of a petty and small-minded king. Who could blame Jesus for withdrawing from the crowds and taking a boat to a lonely place? Sometimes we all need to create a place of refuge and silence in order to think things through…to put our priorities in order and our lives in perspective.

The crowds were determined, however, to find Jesus, because the problems of this world never seem to take a holiday. The crowds walked all night and were there to meet Jesus in the morning. And so Jesus, full of grief, spent the entire day serving the needs of the people who thronged to see him. And Matthew’s testimony to all of us about that day is this: the only thing in this world more relentless and unyielding than our suffering and troubles is the compassionate love of God revealed in Christ Jesus.

At the end of the long day the disciples had had enough. They told Jesus, “send these people away.” But Jesus only had compassion. Blessing five small loaves and two fish, he broke and gave them out. And after everyone was filled, sated, and satisfied, says Matthew, there were enough pieces of bread and fish remaining to fill twelve baskets with the leftovers. It’s just the same for Christ’s followers in today’s world. How blessed we are, each time we share communion, to find ourselves filled, satisfied, and taking up the remnants to carry home!

Kingdom Seeds: From Small Things

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Why do some followers of Christ seem deep, able to bear much fruit in their lives, while others seem to struggle in the shallows of faith, dissipated and distracted by many things? How is it that enemies of the gospel can live so closely alongside Christ’s committed followers, and it is nearly impossible to tell them apart? What is the explanation for those tiny, almost-insignificant steps of faith that lead to mighty ministries over time?

In a short series titled “Kingdom Seeds” we will look at three important parables from the 13th chapter of Matthew, along with the interpretations that Jesus gave to his followers.  Taken together, these parables reveal how consistently God’s grace is poured out upon us—regardless of our circumstances or resources.  From small beginnings come great faith. Even when surrounded by enemies we can still bear fruit that the harvester will recognize.  Though all manner of circumstances and “soil” exist, the heart of God sow’s liberally and consistently, until the seeds find space to grow.

Our lives may be challenging and demanding at times, but God continues to sow the seeds of Christ’s kingdom in our midst…even today!

Kingdom Seeds: Weeds and Seeds

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Why do some followers of Christ seem deep, able to bear much fruit in their lives, while others seem to struggle in the shallows of faith, dissipated and distracted by many things? How is it that enemies of the gospel can live so closely alongside Christ’s committed followers, and it is nearly impossible to tell them apart? What is the explanation for those tiny, almost-insignificant steps of faith that lead to might ministries over time?

In a short series titled “Kingdom Seeds” we will look at three important parables from the 13th chapter of Matthew, along with the interpretations that Jesus gave to his followers.  Taken together, these parables reveal how consistently God’s grace is poured out upon us—regardless of our circumstances or resources.  From small beginnings come great faith. Even when surrounded by enemies we can still bear fruit that the harvester will recognize.  Though all manner of circumstances and “soil” exist, the heart of God sow’s liberally and consistently, until the seeds find space to grow.

Our lives may be challenging and demanding at times, but God continues to sow the seeds of Christ’s kingdom in our midst…even today!