Category: Sermons

September 1, 2019
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 17
Year C

First Reading: Jeremiah 2: 4-14
Psalm 81:1,10-16
Second Reading: Hebrews 13:1-8,15-16
Gospel: Luke 14:1,7-14

Today’s readings; is about Humility 

 A leader of the Pharisees, had invited Jesus to his home, to share a meal on the sabbath, watching him closely, they view him with great suspicion, because, “he is always breaking rules and traditions.” 

In earlier chapters, pharisees have seen him cure someone on the sabbath. 

Jesus has also called them hypocrites! This put them to shame; and the entire crowd rejoiced, when it happened. 

As the pharisees are watching Jesus, Jesus is watching the guest “chose” the places of honor, they are trying to get the best seat in the place.

He takes this opportunity to teach humility.

“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited, by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, Friend, move up higher’; then you will be “honored” in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 

For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 

In the days of Jesus, gathering around the table sharing a meal and drinks with each other was an important part of their day. The most prominent come first, then others of less importance.

Many were left outside and not invited at all. This is why Jesus points it out, that everyone is important and equal in Jesus’ eyes and in The Kingdom of God. 

No one should feel marginalized and unimportant, God has given us all good things, caring for us helps us to care for others, it is taking our faith to another level.

When talking about being humble, it does not mean you are this meek shy person walking around with your head down, not talking or being assertive. 

Humility is how you act towards other people. It comes from the heart, a caring and a compassionate heart, knowing not everyone can be someone’s favorite, but to make sure they feel better about themselves, by putting yourself in a low position and elevating them to a higher position. Therefore, to be humble inwardly and outwardly. 

Let’s take the behavior of children and later adults.

We all know what children are like! God calls children a blessing and a gift! Their spirits are filled with innocence, joy and laughter.

Jesus actually tells us to be like children and to come to Him full of “faith” and “trust.”

Children want to be first at everything, they want to be first in line, sit next to grandmother at the table, be the teachers favorite, put dibs on the front seat in the car, or dibs on the window seat.

They like showing off to their friends how they can swing the highest and hit the ball the furthest, or climb the highest. 

Story:

This might surprise you, but I was a tomboy (smiling) and I loved to show off. I liked to climb trees and look down on my neighborhood friends.

One day while playing with them, I climbed a tree that overhung the street, I somehow got up the tree with a pillow. I found the perfect spot, and so I thought! a fork in the limb, awe! Put the pillow there and sit down, perfect! 

Guess what happens when you put a pillow on a forked limb and sit down? You fall through!! Yes, I fell down on the street… on my back, and when I could catch my breath again, I picked up my pillow. Humiliated in front of my friends, and went home. Serves me right!

Pride is not good! as a matter of fact it is dangerous, we need to get “our” minds off of ourselves.

Remember where we’ve come from as children, all the help, correction and encouragement we’ve received from people along the way, it has taught us to be thankful, grounded, and able to help others. 

When you’re a child, it’s common to have these self-indulgent behaviors.

But as an adult your supposed to grow out of it, what happens to some adults, is they continue to be self-absorbed, never thinking of anyone but themselves. 

Remember this song…… “it’s hard to be humble, when you perfect in every way” 

Jesus said “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Conclusion:

Don’t sit on the highest seat or sit on a forked limb looking down upon the people. Take the lowest seat.

True humility is not having a low self-esteem, according to the word, it is the greatest accomplishment of honor and an avenue to glory. Iit gets real to us when we draw closer to God and grow into God and realizing the great gifts he has given to us.

(Philippians 2: 3-5)

Don’t do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble toward one another, always considering others better than yourselves. And look out for one another’s interests, not just for your own. The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had.

We have all been given talent, serve God with your gifts and talent and then…give God the glory

The greatest way to show how good God has been to us, is to help lift up someone else in society.

Amen
Rev. Lola Culbreath

Sermon
August 18th, 2019
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost:
Year C

First Reading: Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm 80:1-2,8-18
Second Reading: Hebrews 11:29-12-2
Gospel: Luke 12:49-56

Your Faith and Hope are in God (1 Peter 1:21)

Our lessons today are about, judgement, suffering, faith and salvation. 

Our Gospel reading today reminded me about my childhood and listening to preachers that preached fire and brimstone. They left me with a bad taste in my mouth and I always felt that, the same people who showed up for church on Sunday, we were never good enough, no matter what we did, we had to fear God, or else.

(Luke: 12:49)

“Bringing fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled.”

Jesus said, “I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth?

This verse is about judgement and our salvation. When Jesus says, I wish it were already kindled, it sounds like Jesus wants it to be over. He is going to be baptized and it represents both judgement and purification. So, he is saying let’s get on with it.

Jesus knows by his coming, teaching, death and his resurrection, there will be conflict and division among all people, family against family and friends against friends.

He is explaining, that they can predict the weather and all kinds of weather, from every direction and something that will happen tomorrow! But they can’t see what’s in front of their faces. He has been healing and teaching and after returning back to them, he brings peace. And yet they still have not realized, that the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God represents a new order. 

Our scriptures today are difficult to hear, we want to hear the warm fuzzy scriptures that fill us with hope and joy and make us feel good. But we need to hear the other side of the story, the other side of the Gospel, because in today’s world there is still division among families, friends and people across the world.

Religion and your belief are on the attack.

• Christians and Jews are still being persecuted every day in other parts of the world. Also, India, China and parts of Africa, continue to face oppositions.
• We see where churches are being burned in the south. Jewish synagogues and Mosques being bombed.
• People everyday protest, when we send out our thoughts and prayers for victims of violence.
• Certain groups of people want free standing crosses removed or taken down, because it is not what they believe or want to see.
• The Ten Commandments, In God we Trust, the pledge, One Nation under God, all being challenged.

We know following Christ will not always be easy or painless, but reminding us of hope and salvation and not losing sight of the world that is to come. The Apostle Paul reminds us of our Faith when he writes to the Hebrews.

“Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not apart from us, be made perfect.”

“Looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfected of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Conclusion:

“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life“ (John 8:12)

Have you had some challenges that were unpleasant and for whatever reason, you just wish it was all over? Have you ever had to defend God and your faith? What would you say or do, if you were asked not to wear your cross?

Good News:

God loves us all and we don’t have to fear God. God does not take pleasure in our suffering; this is why he sent Jesus to be the light to our world. And when there is darkness, he wants our faith to grow stronger.

“Blessed are those who turn to me in their trouble, for I am a God of mercy and compassion.”

Our faith and hope are in God, keeping our eye on the Kingdom of God and our salvation. 

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)

August 4, 2019
Eight Sunday after Pentecost
Year C

First Reading: Hosea 11:1-11
Psalm 107:1-9,43
Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-11
Gospel: Luke 12:13-21
“Eat, Drink and be Merry”

I “said” What? 

This is in the Bible? As a matter of fact, something similar appears in several places in the Bible.

Story:

My parents, like many of you probably had similar situation, they were born during the depression years and grew up with fear and anxiety.

Family’s had to work hard to provide for their children, everyone worked on the farm and all had a hand in storing up food. 

It makes perfect sense that in the spring and summer you plant and grow and harvest and store your goods for the winter and to make sure it last until you can plant and harvest again. 

God wanted them to do this, he provided for them and He is the creation of all that we have, it was something handed down for 100’s of generations, from the immigrants to the Americans and big farms to little family farms grew. Nothing to be ashamed of.

Huge silos towered the farms and they still do today, not so much to feed just their families, but today…. to feed the world.

I still remember how mom loved her gardens, she always started a garden wherever they lived and dad would ignore her AND her garden for the first week, then he would go out and see what she had done. 

Of course, he could do it better and would tell her…that…. is not how you do it!! 

…and before long, it was his garden.

So, sweet mom would let him take over and then when it came to the harvest it was a sight to behold. 

She worked hard at canning and storing all the vegetables. Tomatoes, peppers, onions, okra, all kinds of squash, green beans and so on. 

Like a proud artist admiring her paintings, she would stand back and show off the shelves of beautiful colors of jarred vegetables.

Today’s scriptures:

In prior verses, Jesus has been teaching the disciples about fear and anxiety.

Chapter 12 begins! with warnings and encouragements. 

And out of know where (Luke: 12:13), Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?”

Jesus doesn’t want any part of this…he doesn’t want to get between two brothers, he does take the opportunity to tell a Parable of the Rich Fool!

“The land of a rich man who produced abundantly and he thinks to himself, what should I do? I have so much and not a place to store my crops.”

I will pull down the barns I have and build larger ones and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; so, eat, drink, and be merry.’

But…God, calls him a fool!

This rich man, that Jesus gives an example to his disciples, says the I and My words 5 or 6 times.

What should I do? for I have no place to sore my crops? I will do this, I will pull down my barns, I will store all my grain and all my goods, I will say to my soul…you have plenty, eat drink and be merry!

Not once! did the farmer give thanks to God for his abundance, he didn’t think of anyone else… but himself. And this my friends are the warnings that God is telling people about.  In the book of Hosea The key concepts are:

1. Loving God and being compassionate and merciful to those around you, they are the values most desired by God.

2. Injustice.

3. The key theme in the book regarding the prophet’s concerns, whether the people will respond to God’s warnings and instructions?

The rich fool, has more than enough to meet his needs and even more than he needs to live a good life.

We all have moved from one place to another and when we start packing, we realized how much stuff we have, crammed into every corner, drawer, closet and shelf. 

As you move you vow, never again! But you do!

How does a loving God see us and the world?

In this last month we had a week of celebrating the 50 anniversary of going to the moon, a successful walking on the moon and more importantly making it back to earth.

We saw images of earth from the moon… the images the astronauts had. 

I looked at the pictures of earth and all continents: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America.

“Is this how God see’s the earth?”

“That” we are all together as one people, with the mountains and blue oceans. 

You could not distinguish between people from that distance!

(Galatians 3:28) there is neither Jew or Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

It was beautiful to see, when you imagine the creation that God has given to us.

God wants us to treasure His Creation…according to Jesus “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions”.

Here is what is important to God, that the Christian has a “Worldview” Think of the earth in the pictures from the Lunar Space Mission. Picture it as your “Worldview”. We need to understand the world around us in accordance with Gods mission and our Christian faith.

The Bible has told us that while this life on earth is important, the next life is better.

Conclusion:

1. What does God want us to treasure? His Word, His Creation, not just the earth itself, but everyone and everything and our families and friends.

1. God also wants us to have fine things and know that all that we have has been given to us, is by Him. 

1. And remember to be careful about me and I in your everyday living.

1. Give Thanks to God!

1. Our treasures here on earth should not take the place of God, he has to come first, and we should be able to walk away from it all and follow him.

I believe that Christians today “are” a very giving people. All around the world today you see where the Christians are helping those in need. From our own community to states across the American’s, Christians are giving to those in need.

You here at St. Martins in the Desert, I know would give all you have to help others and you my friend’s, are a perfect example of how God wants us to live.

Amen
Rev. Lola Culbreath

Sermon 
Healing Service 
July 17, 2019

When the Holy Spirit came in the Middle of the Night

On July 3, 2019 I had an appointment with the oncologist, my first visit after being diagnosed in the hospital with a cancerous mass. 

You hear the words CANCER! You are not sure you believe what you heard! But… I came to the hospital with an unexplained discomfort in my abdomen and lower back! I am not sick; this can’t be true.

Then I told my partner Jayne, when she returned from the bathroom. Jayne, he said, I have cancer. What? Was her response, just as taken back as I was with the news.

After he left the ER stall, we had our cry. I would say off and on for that day and into the next day. We talked about our future plans and also that we have to take each day at a time. We will do whatever it takes. We have our faith and we can reach out to God he will be with us. We felt a good attitude and spiritual strength was important.

After being discharged on July 2, 2019, I already had the appointment with Dr. Gupta. He sat with both of us and went over all the tests, line by line, explaining the details of the small mass in the mesentery about 2 inches and that is was a rare, but they do see this tumor from time to time. It is a slow growing tumor he explained. 

Treatment is an injection once a month in his office, it does not make it go away, but it slows it down even more. 

Then we hear the words…it is not the primary and we need to do more testing to see if something else shows up.

IT IS NOT THE PRIMARY! These words were on my mind for hours.

I pray a lot and as I have told some people, I pray all the time, especially if it’s quite or I am alone.

My mind goes to God…I might think of him, how he loves me. How Jesus loves me and how much I love Jesus. I am in constant thanks of things given to us and how we are blessed. 

After the news I was praying for healing for strength, for courage, asking God to be with us and to be able to except the news good or bad.

I read and re-read the 23rd Psalms and found comfort in these words. I prayed the Lord’s Prayer over and over.

I read a prayer…

Loving God, I pray that you will comfort me in my suffering, lend skill to the hands of my healers, and bless the means used for my cure. Give me such confidence in the power of your grace, that even through our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

On July 4, 2019, it was the night after visiting with Dr. Gupta. I awaken at 12:30 am and I could not go back to sleep.

The Holy Spirit came to me that night, not as a vision, but a profound presence and a voice. 

As I sit up on the bed,

The Holy Spirit said “I am” the Primary in you! And anything else is secondary.

Of course, God is the primary!

It was then I felt calmness come over me and knew everything was going to be okay. I sit up in the front living room the rest of the night praying to God and giving thanks for sending the Holy Spirit down to be a comfort to me.

John: 16:7 says

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

and

John: 16:13

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 

We will face what we have too, with a positive attitude and our spiritual strength.

Our faith is always tested and we reach deep inside our souls and follow our faith. By the grace of God, we have been given our strength, by believing and following Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit will be God’s Advocate and he will come to us, but we need to be open and listening.

It is a deep feeling of love and calmness that we will experience and it will move us to a greater and stronger belief.  

(1 Corinthians: 2:3-5)

I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. 

We do not have all the answers, but God knows our heart, he knows our fears; because he dwells within us and he will provide for us, we just need to go to his altar with grace and mercy, praying and trusting him. All our problems may not go away, but he will help us deal with them.

When God’s love fills our hearts, it will be the entire heart, all of it will be his love and mercy and there will be no room for fear. 

Amen
Rev. Lola Culbreath

Sermon 
June 16, 2019 
Trinity Sunday 
First Sunday after Pentecost:
Year C

First Reading: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
Psalms 8
Second Reading: Romans 5:1-5
Gospel: John 16:12-15
Romans 5:5

God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Trinity Sunday

God our Heavenly Father, God is in us all around us, in everything that is seen and unseen, He is the creator of Heaven and Earth. And as the earth breaths and moves…. we are dancing around with it; and WE are divinely connected to Heaven and Earth.

Jesus the Christ, the Son transformed from God born to be the savior of the world, to bring light into darkness. The promised Messiah, who was promised by God to bring salvation to the world.

The Holy Spirit has been written about throughout the Bible. In (Genesis 1:2), the Holy Spirit is moving about the surface of waters. From the beginning of the Bible to the end of the Bible, in Revelations, The Holy Spirit, flowing around and through us, tending to us, to help show us the way, to guide us and comfort us, to be Gods advocate. Helping us and reminding us and teaching us, moving along the side of us, counsels us and intercedes, because He is God’s advocate

I have had many experiences with The Holy Spirit sometimes it is a visual feeling, sometimes it’s a profound spiritual feeling and sometimes it is a gut feeling.

One day I had this strong desire to contact a friend, I had a gut feeling something was wrong…I emailed her, just saying are you doing OKAY? It turns out the ambulance was at her house getting ready to take her to the hospital for unexplained chest pain. Early in my ministry, while anointing a person with Holy Oil, I felt the Holy Spirit, leave me and enter her. I knew then, I was doing what I was called to do.

“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”(Romans 8:16)

The Holy Spirit will connect with your internal human spirit, the question is being aware of it. Knowing that the Holy Spirit is communicating with you, is and will be life changing.

Gospel: (John 16:12-15)

This Gospel is packed with wonderful messages!

Jesus said to his disciples, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

All that the Father has is mine. For this reason, I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

Jesus has been with his disciples for 3 years and they have been taught many things during that time, throughout the John’s gospel, he focuses on The Holy Spirit many times.

John the Baptizer gives witness to the fact that, after baptizing Jesus, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove” (John 1:32).

Jesus introduced the Spirit into his conversation with the Pharisee… Nicodemus….” he declares “no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3-5) 

Jesus explained to the unnamed Samaritan woman “God is spirit….” (John 4:24) 

And finely

In Jesus’ farewell message “He breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’ (John 20:22)

******************************************************************
Jesus tells his disciples “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 

In (John 15:15) he had told them that he no longer calls them a servant, because a servant does not know his master’s business, instead Jesus said, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

The disciples are his friends! He wants to tell them and maybe he feels a little bad about it, because he can’t. Just like we would if we wanted to tell our friends something, but we can’t tell them for some reason.

Jesus…says…so listen to me! When the Spirit comes, he will guide you into all the truth.

The Spirit!!! They need to listen to Jesus now pay attention to the Spirit…he will declare to you the things that are to come!

AND, He will glorify me, Because! He will take what is mine and declare it to you.!

So, The Holy Spirt will take what is in Jesus and declare it to them!
All that the Father has is mine.
For!! This reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

Wow! You see…. we are left with this message years and years later. We just have to trust in what we have been taught through the living Word!

We are told that, in the future; in the unfolding of time, we will be told and we will hear what the sprit is saying to us, the Spirit will guide us, speak to us, and declare all to us all that we need to know! We are given a picture of the three persons of the Trinity. Jesus speaks of himself, of the Spirit’s activities and of the Father. 

Conclusion:

The Holy Trinity is an invitation to a relationship with God, Christ Jesus and The Holy Spirit and internal and external relationship.

It is okay to be a Christian and not know everything, believe me I for-one have worried about not knowing as much as I think I should know.

The Good News:  

We have been given an invitation to continue to dance our way through all that he has created in and around us. To learn to love and expose ourselves again and again to the presence of God in our lives, to listen to the teachings of Christ Jesus and to be aware and open to The Holy Spirit, guiding and leading us to be good disciples for Christ Jesus.

Amen
Rev. Lola Culbreath

Sermon 
May 19,2019 
Fifth Sunday in Easter 
Year C

First Reading: Acts 11:1-18
Psalm 148
Second Reading: Revelations 21:1-6
Gospel: John: 13: 31-35

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you.”

Gospel: John 13: 31-35

Jesus’ farewell to the disciples, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. The final dimension of our salvation, which includes eternal life in heaven and our eternal glory of God.

We are glorified with Christ, and the promise of sharing in Christ’s heavenly glory given to us through his death and resurrection.

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.”

This commandment has to be one of the more famous bible verses and even people not active in a church, knows this verse (John 13: 34-35.) Or one maybe similar.

Loving one another is part of the Jewish tradition and as we see in our first reading today,

(Acts 11:1-18)

We see how the Lord has shown Peter the way in preparation for his going to the house of Cornelius.

At the time, No Jew would think of going into a Gentile home, much less eating with Gentiles.

Jesus has clearly told the apostles to go into all the world to preach the gospel to every creature.

But in the apostles thinking and their centuries-old Jewish way of thinking, they thought that Jesus meant for them to go and preach to Jews who were scattered all over the world.

The thought of preaching the gospel to pagan Gentiles coming to salvation without first becoming religious Jews was simply unthinkable.

But it happens for Peter, he has taken six Jewish believers with him to Cornelius’ house, who witnessed what God was doing.

They all say the Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentiles in just the same way as He had fallen upon the believing Jews on the Day of Pentecost.

And Peter has to go back and explain to the Jewish people.

He says: “And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning’ He remembers how John had said, I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. “Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.”

Not just in our time, but for century’s we try to separate certain groups of people from God. But Jesus teaches us that we love one another just has he loved us.

We love because God first loved us.

We love because Jesus commands us with a new commandment to have love for one another.

We love because we have been loved in Christ.

How to love others? Does this mean we have to love…embrace everyone and tell them how much we love them? No… although it wouldn’t hurt, but people today have trouble loving others that are not like them.

Loving people we know…. can come easy to a lot of us. I was fortunate to grow up with a very loving family. We can say it’s in our DNA and I do love people.

I have several friends that didn’t come from parents that would show them any affection at all. Their parents never told them that they loved them or showed them any kind of affection.

So, guess what? when I say to them “I love you” …in response… I get kind of a muffled… awe-hum! They do care…it’s just harder for them to express it. I found out, that the more I say, I love you the more and more they become receptive to it and start showing signs of saying “I love you back.”

Loving those with who we agree with or those we feel are like us, is the easy part.

But loving the rest of the people we come in contact with, is much harder and the opposite of love is hated and it is harder to hate someone then it is to love them.

At President George Bush funeral, the former Senator Alan Simpsom stated that President Bush would say that hatred corrodes the contain it’s carried in.

Conclusion:

For Jesus, love did not mean a sweet sentimental feeling, it meant action in our everyday lives. It meant actively loving and putting our love into the world, community and loving everyone as Jesus wants us to do.

We have an opportunity as Christians and disciples of Christ to learn, talk, live the requirements that have been given to us.

To strive for justice and peace and love for all people we meet. You may have heard, read or you have gone to The Episcopal website, if not you should. 

Our presiding Bishop Curry has The Way of Love is a way of life. It is more than a program or curriculum; it is an intentional commitment to a set of practices. It’s a commitment to follow Jesus: Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, Rest. It is a Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life.

We so often draw lines in our lives on just who we will love and who we will be tempted to cast out or loving them less for what they look like or who they are, if they are not like us.

It is an interesting thing to note in the verse today, is that Jesus is reminding the disciples that they will be known to others by their actions of loving (verse 35).

It’s important to listen to this commandment, because we are called to love others as a mark of our own discipleship.

There is one more thing I want to say…. I love you all! Let’s practice a Jesus-Centered Life.

Amen

Rev. Lola Culbreath

Sermon 
April 28, 2019 
Second Sunday of Easter 
Year C

First Reading: Acts 5:27-32
Psalm 118:14-29

Second Reading: Revelation 1:4-8
Gospel: John 20:19-31

The first verse of Hymn 508

Breath on me, Breath of God, fill me with life a – new, that I may love what thou dost love, and do what those wouldst do.

Gospel (John 20:19-31)

Jesus didn’t just walk through the door he appeared among them.

Mary had just told them what Jesus had said to her.

Jesus see’s that they are “still” surprised and they are hiding in fear of the Jews,

He offers them the Hebrew greeting “Peace be with you”

Jesus is back with them, the Resurrection has happened, He holds out his hands, shows them the wounds from the nails and His pierced side.

He repeats “Peace be with you”

As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

When He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them

“Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus is telling them…now it’s your turn and

if you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.

Jesus is breathing new life into his disciples and telling them, they have a job to go and teach and do has he has done.

In (Act: 1:8)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Jude’s and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

They are filled with the “Holy Spirit”

controlled and empowered by their faith.

By these words, Jesus was suggesting,

“Though you have been with Me for 3 years and more, it is not enough that you have heard Me teach the multitudes, and have Me heal the Sick and even raise the dead.

You need to be empowered with the Holy Spirit in order to be effective and fruitful as My witnesses throughout the world.”

We know that it’s obvious we cannot on our own… have the power to accomplish these great works.

It is Christ Himself living in us and through the resurrection power.

Living in our minds, in our hearts speaking with our lips…he will impower us…

through the Holy Spirit, to accomplish these things.

The other story in this Gospel,

we all know the story of Thomas, the disciple that was not there when Jesus came the first time.

Thomas had trouble believing. Its not because he lacks faith and love for Jesus…he has defended Jesus before and is one of those who needs to see for himself.

Jesus comes again a week later and has Thomas

“Put your finger here and see my hands.

                                   Reach out your hand and put it in my side.

Do not doubt but believe.

                                  “My Lord and my God!”

Have you believed because you have seen me?

                       Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit places a believer into permanent union with Christ and with other believers in the Body of Christ.

Story:

Years ago, my father had developed Macular Degeneration, it is a devastating disease that robs people of their central vision. He had lost vision in one eye and now his other eye was showing signs of a problem, one of the signs is distortion in his vision, straight lines become crooked or waved.

They lived in Kingman, Arizona and I had moved to Las Vegas and had become acquainted with a Retina doctor (whom I later went to work for) I was bring dad to see him. I tried not to show my concerns to dad, but I knew if he lost the central vision in his other eye, it would be so hard for him to do the things he loved to do.

So, while driving through Vegas, just before we got to the doctor’s office, I prayed that God would please spare my dad’s central vision, I continued to pray for his help and suddenly at a red light, a white dove appeared out of know where and landed on the car in front of me, it wasn’t there long, but I felt my prayers had been answered.

The doctor did laser on my dad’s eye and the next day, my dad told me he could see, I “said” that’s impossible it does not work that fast dad! He “said” well, I don’t know, but I can see.

When dad saw the doctor for a follow up visit, the doctor “said”, I can’t believe it, the blood clot has moved away from his central vision, that is why he can see.

Did the Holy Spirit descend down as I prayed for healing?

The power of the Holy Spirit

Through Prayer and discernment, we listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit

seeking out God’s truth in our lives and in the world around us, asking the Holy Spirit to guide us in whatever we need.

Conclusion:

In the consecration of the Bread and Wine, we call the Holy Spirit down upon the sacraments, sanctifying them and sanctify us also.

God loves us, and he sent his only Son to die on the cross for our sins. And now that we have the resurrection, we are given new life and hope for the world.

In our Gospel today; The Holy Spirit takes center stage and reminds us of the unique function of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit connects the believer to Christ. A Divine and Human connection and makes Jesus present to the church today.

Good news:

I believe that Unless our hearts are conditioned by the Holy Spirit to receive and reflect the warmth of God’s compassion, we cannot love others as we ought too.

So, as we Breath in the Holy Spirit of God…we can exhale the Compassion and Love that Christ has taught us.

Breath on me, Breath of God, fill me with life a – new, that I may love what thou dost love, and do what those wouldst do.

Amen
Rev. Lola Culbreath
April 28, 2018  

Sermon 
April 14, 2019 
Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday 
Year C

First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31: 9-16
Second Reading: Philippians 2:5-11
Gospel: Luke 22:14-23:56 or Luke 23: 1-49

Palm Sunday is the Sunday of Passion:

We have been in the season of Lent leading towards the comment in our baptism.

“Lent” a beginning a spiritual journey with prepares for a worthy celebration.

A journey, that means we go with Jesus as He travels to Jerusalem, the place where the mystery of His Passion, Death and Resurrection is to be fulfilled.

It reminds us that Christians is a ‘road’ to be traveled, consisting not so much in a law to be observed as in the person of Christ Himself.

Our Gospel today is shorter version of the Passion, my Homily is a little of the entire Passion

Gospel: Luke 22:14-23,56
When the hour came…. Jesus took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them. “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

They gathered at a table…He will be leaving his friends and he tells them, after I am gone and I am in the kingdom of God…then my mission here is fulfilled but not before I suffer!

We all at some time in our lives had to discuss some very serious and important events that have taken place or will take place.

The table becomes important to a lot of families, because this is where you gather for food, conversations, games. Places each family remembers, sometimes for generations…. it will be passed down.

Story:

There was a time when my father asked us to all gathered around the table.
He had something important to tell us. He was going to sell all his Indian artifacts, about 50 corn grinders, coffee cans of arrow heads, guns, knives, baskets and many more items. “At a Yard Sale” but the most difficult part was these beads that came from the Spaniards, they would bring them to trade with the Indians about 300 years ago.

Dad had found them while trapping on horseback in an ant hill as large as a car. Since he was on horseback, he had to go back with something to sift the dirt out and leave just the beads. There was a lot!

One day, dad had taken some of the beads and made a necklace with a bear claw on it.and was going to sale them for $25.00 each. At a Yard Sale!
I remember saying OH “No” dad, you can’t do that!! He just looked at me and put them all away for about 15 years, never revealing where they were.
BUT! at least he didn’t sale them. Yes, I still have them.

I also remember many nights my parents and friends sitting around the table for hours playing canasta. The table is an important place in history.

Jesus had something important to tell his disciples.

This was going to take place at the table…At the Passover Meal
But he also knew that he needed to do something other than just telling the disciples how import this night would be “because” possibly word of mouth would not last and would soon be forgotten, Jesus needed to make it something special. Something between Heaven and Earth, Devine and Human And Something, they would do and do again… over and over… teaching and repeating his Words… until it becomes part of history. The Holy Eucharist.

Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you Do this in remembrance of me.”

First, He gave thanks , Jesus wanted us to remember His sacrifice.

The Eucharist the Church’s sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, is the way by which the sacrifice of Christ is made present, and in which he unites us to his one offering of himself.

He continues to explain to the disciples what will happen following.
He wants them to continue to teach and they will be tempered by Satan.

Jesus said, but I prayed for them, that their own faith would not fail; and strengthen your brothers.

Jesus…prayed for them! Jesus was just a stone throw away, and prayed for them.

He also went and prayed to the Father. “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; not as my will but yours be done. Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength.
In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.”

The Angel gave him strength!

This is what helps him with the next things that follows,
He is betrayed, arrested and beaten, mocked, scorn and flogged.
Put on trial and nailed to the Cross.

It was not that long ago that Jesus had his triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

The people were crowded around the gate watching Jesus enter the city, and they were celebrating and calling out,

“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! (Matthew 21:9) and (Mark 11:10)

He had a crowd on Friday that shouts
“Hosanna!”
And a few days later they shout
“Crucify him!”

The crowd mentality!

Pilate said to them…” You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod. “

Pilate says these three times.
What did Jesus do?

He asks “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing”.

He also replies to the criminal with him that “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise”.

Conclusion:

Passion Sunday…passion/ “suffering” Jesus…suffered for or sins…he died for our sins.

As we began Holy Week, we set our feet on the road to the Last Supper, we give thanks, we go to the garden to pray, then to the cross, and to the tomb.

The shape of his life is fully realized and revealed in Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection.

In our lives, this is celebrated and effected in Holy Communion.

Like his disciples, we are asked to take this bread and wine eat and drink
in remembrance of him.

Life in God is given in adoration and joy, thankfulness and acceptance, humility and obedience.

In our suffering we may witness fully to the truth of our lives in giving up ourselves to God, receiving the good for what it is, rejoicing in the good, giving thanks, and adoration.

In the love of God, We are with humility dawning us in obedience to God’s
command to love one another as Christ loved us.

Why did Jesus suffer?
Because God loves us.
Because God loves you,
and Christ willingly went to the Cross for you.
There was no other way for sin’s penalty to be paid, and for us to be redeemed.
The Cross is the measure of God’s love.

AMEN

Rev. Lola Culbreath

Sermon 
March 24, 2019 
Third Sunday in Lent 
Year C

First Reading: Exodus 3:1-15
Psalm: 63:1-8
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10: 1-13
Gospel: Luke 13: 1-9

God Hears Our Cry
Exodus 3:7

Gospel: Luke 13:1-9

The Gospel today is divided into two parts.

When I read the readings for today’s sermon…I was a bit nervous to say the least. Wow! How am I… who am I to explain this?

I thought immediately of my mother.
Someone with high school education.

Lost her father at the age of 12 and she had to help work on the farm.

She, like many in those days had it hard, much harder then we do.

We had our share of loss, but mom never blamed God…not once!

When I had a high school a girl friend of mine was murdered by her husband,
I ask mom why?
She told me sometimes good people have to die, we don’t question God why?

He will give us the answer some day.

In today’s lesson we have the two tragedies.

Luke 13:1-9
We should not be surprised that Pilate ordered a group of Galileans to be slain,
while sacrificing in the Temple at Jerusalem, their blood mingled with their sacrifices.
Pilate has proven that he will kill Jews that disagree with him.
And the other incident, a tower of Siloam collapse on others in Jerusalem,
killing 18.

It is known at the time, that sever tragedies or calamities happen to only people who deserve God’s judgement,
in other words, only the truly righteous were spared suffering.

“The crowd is anxious to hear what Jesus has to say.”

He asked them,
“Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way, they were worse sinners than all other Galileans?
No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.
Jesus does not see any differences in these two tragedies, the loss of life is the same to God.

Tragedies like these, are not uncommon to us today.

We see pure hatred at its worst.

In the last weeks, we also had two tragedies… they are so unthinkable, they hurt deep within our soul, as we watch families in their uncontrollable grief.

First the Boeing 737 Max 8 jet that crashed after takeoff in Ethiopian killing 157 people on board husbands and wife’s, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunts, friends and babies… from 35 countries.

And if that wasn’t horrible enough!

One of New Zealand’s darkest days was the massacre in Christ Church, killing 50 and wounding many more in a mosque… as they were in worship.

If you were on an airplane or killed in a mosque by a deranged mad man.
Jesus see’s no difference.

For 2000 years we have asked Why?
I feel when terrible things happen, like these two kinds of events, and
leads me to realize how precarious our time is.
Am, I ready?

But as I said a few Sunday’s ago, Jesus does not want us to retaliate against our enemy.

In our Collect today:
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul.

Not, all things that happen to us are just fate.

Many times, we “can” bring bad things on ourselves,
and it “can” be our fault that we might suffer and possibly die at the consequence of something we did.

If a young man is traveling down spring mountain road on a motorcycle going 120 miles an hour, zig zagging in and out of traffic, if he should crash, he just might die and that is not God’s fault or is it God’s way of punishing him.

Jesus, didn’t deny the connection between sin and disasters,
because
many bad things happen, because of our human sin.

Another news last week was the Scandal on college admissions.
If you pay and scam your way in, for your child to go to the most elite university of
“Your Dreams”
you just might get caught and you will pay for your sins.

BE READY
Jesus wants us to be ready when the time comes.
Suffering is not a form of punishment. He does not single people out, but it can be away of waring us that we need to be ready.
God does not, want us to suffer.

Lent is the time of realizing our sins and
fragility and mortality, we face.
Are we Ready?
Second part of the Gospel:
Then Jesus has a parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found note. So, he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find not. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I did around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”

Five years ago, shortly after we moved into our house.
My sister came to visit and we would sit at the dining room table looking out the back door into a yard that was just dirt.
We wanted something to look at but dirt and the brick wall.
So, we went and bought a lime tree and planted it into a pot.
We put up a bird feeder and also put my birdbath nearby and we spread red landscaping rocks on top of the dirt around the tree, birdbath and feeder.
“Now There” we have something to look at.
No matter how hard I tried, my tree continued to look bad, each winter we would move it under the patio and cover it up. It would get leaves in the spring, but slowly each main trunk of the tree would start to die from the top down.
I would threaten the tree that if it does not start showing signs of living, I was going to get rid of it. Every year Jayne would say, are you going to get rid of this tree? I would respond with…well let’s see how it does this summer.
I am pretty sure this is the last year, it only has one green stem and it is a shoot root. 🙂

With all that, why did Jesus tell that particular parable of the fig tree?

For Jesus, the real sin is not bearing fruit when we have been given the responsibility to do so.

The voice of the gardener shows mercy and God shows us mercy, he has taken steps

to help us be fruitful.
God is always on our side. He always sends us help and encouragement in our need to change and live fruitful lives.
We may not always understand when bad things happen to good people, but
Like Mother “said” to me

He will give us the answer some day.

Conclusion:
During Lent, our Gardner which is God, ask us to shed our old selves and grow new

healthy stems and leaves and bare fruit to spread and share.

We are planted where we are and we are called to be responsible disciples, who do God’s work in whatever calling we have.

Jesus is the answer to the sadness and discouragement and division in our world.

He can take the sadness and discouragement out of our lives and replace them with optimism and hope.

We need our hearts to be attuned to God, through an abiding faith in Christ.

God has forgiven us and brought us new life in Jesus, and we still come to him,

seeking forgiveness and that new life.

The choice is always ours, and God is always ready to forgive.

May forgiveness and new life be ours today.

Amen

Rev. Lola Culbreath

Sermon 
March 6, 2019 
Ash Wednesday 
All Years

Isaiah 58:1-12
Psalm 103:8-14
2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
Matthew 6:1-6,16-21

Isn’t it appropriate that Spring is in the air and Lent is here?

The word lent comes from the English word, Lente…” Spring” also Lengthen, “to lengthen (daylight)”

We have been blessed with so much rain and we are all anticipating a beautiful spring

of wild flowers in the desert and especially in Death Valley

…is it possible we could get another Super Bloom?
I have heard it only happens every 10 years.

God may have other plans.

We can anticipate a beautiful spring.
Work in our yards and gardens to clean out the old underbrush that has accumulated this past year.
And trim off all the old branches that no longer nourish the plants.

Lent is a time that we do the same with ourselves and get rid of the old thoughts that has harden our hearts and minds.
Start new with asking for forgiveness and nourish our bodies with a new life in Christ.

Ash Wednesday begins our Lenten observance and is one of two days that we in the Episcopal Church fast (the other day is Good Friday).

The Prophet Isaiah, “Why do we fast, but you do not see?
Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?”
Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high.
Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself?
Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?
Share your bread with the hungry.
Fasting is about humbling ourselves before God
it is
what will make us acceptable before God.

It is “also” a time of prayer and reflection, confession and self-denial.

We are reminded of our mortality and fragility of life.
Ash Wednesday is a day that we are marked with Ashes and a day to remember that We are dust and dust we shall return.
And
as we have the Ashes marked on the outside of our foreheads,
it is what’s marked on our hearts that matter.

Lent is a time that everything matters.
Every word we speak, every action we take, every choice we make matters.
Every person we meet and every person in our life matters.
Not only to us, but to God.
What we do during the season of Lent starts on Ash Wednesday,
“but” it doesn’t stop there after Lent, is should continue as our daily practice.

Gospel: Matthew: 6:1-6, 16-21

In the Gospel today, Jesus reminds us that God see’s everything we do,
we do not have to let everyone around us know what we are doing.
We don’t need trumpets sounding when we do something for someone.
We do not need others to praise us.
We don’t have to pray in front of others to be noticed.
We don’t walk around boasting about what your giving up for lent or what you’re going to do in lent.
All of this should be done in secret with only your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

We must go to that secret place of ourselves and not just open and slam the door shut again.,
but stay there and pray to the Father.

It is a time I want to share by bread with someone.
Not literally bread,
but to extend my hand to someone that might need something, even a kind word or a prayer.

I bought the stations of the cross and laid them out.

I walked around the stations…thinking about the life of Jesus

thinking about the 40 days he spent in the desert

and then the walk to Jerusalem for his final days.

I thought of him praying…always praying.

As I start my Lent season
and I prepare my walk for 40 days with my lord,
I want it to be a time that I deliberately spend time before God
in a way that is different from the rest of the Church Year.

Prayer
Support us, O Lord, with your gracious favor through the fast we have begun; that as we observe it by self-denial, so we may fulfill it with inner sincerity of heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
Rev. Lola Culbreath