Category: Sermons

Let us pray:
Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Today we are given an insight to how easy it can be for us to blame others for our discomforts. In the first reading the Israelites complain to Moses and Aaron when their travel becomes challenging. After years of enslavement they have been freed and given a path to God but, when the travel is hard they choose to complain rather than trust in God’s promise. How many times has life thrown us a curve and caused us to question the presence of God in our trials? The pandemic, social injustice, fires, economic stress all are triggers that determine how we choose to handle those situations in concert with our faith. Hearing the words that promise us safety, comfort and resolution of our fears and concerns but leave no immediate evidence of that sometimes can leave us questioning the path we follow.

Imagine the position Jesus embraced with no hesitation. He could have elected to return to the Father and let us fend for ourselves in the quest for a relationship with our God, but instead He chose to remain in the thick of things, fully aware of the consequences, to provide us an example and assurance of His love. On top of that He chose to share this love and commitment to all who reached out to Him regardless of their station in life or origins. The story of the landowner who shared with his community in his abundance provides us with an example of this faith based act. The only stipulation asked was to agree to the conditions presented, to share equally regardless of the circumstances.

As he so artfully put it when questioned by those who he offered a reward, “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?”

Here is the core of all we have heard in these readings. God provides as He chooses to all who come to Him. Regardless of our situations the one and only true and everlasting promise is that our Lord and Savior embraces us as we accept His love and supports us as we share that love with our neighbors.

My prayer for us today is that the spark that burns from His love in our hearts fuels us to acts far beyond our imaginations as we share in our responses towards all people. May the peace of God be with us and remain with us this day and forever.

Amen
Rev John

On the seventh day there was silence in heaven. The mighty wind of life was still. The sea was calm. The morning stars glistened. And earth slept. The work was finished. Creation had been born. And the mother of all things rested. It was a holy day. The heavens and the earth were well. God saw its fullness. And there was evening and morning, creation’s seventh day.    (from Genesis 2)

Collect:

O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things, direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

EXODUS 14:19-31

The reading from Exodus is about the escape of the Israelites from the Egyptian army and what led the people to strengthen their faith. When the Israelites fled Egypt they were covered by a thick cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. The turning point for Israel, was as they witnessed what the Lord did against the Egyptians that led to a stronger belief in the Lord and Moses; strengthening  their faith in the Lord. Think about what events that have happened in your own life that have strengthened your faith.

PSALM 114

This Psalm points to the power of God and praises his power. Israel was brought out of Egypt, the sea fled before God’s people, and the river Jordan was driven back. Mountains trembled at the presence of the Lord. We can only imagine how the people who were being led out of Egypt must have felt watching what was happening in order for them to no longer be slaves and seeing the power of God first hand. 

ROMANS 14:1-12

Paul talks to the Christians regarding certain practices and he talks about tolerance in viewing then. Paul stressed the importance of motivation rather than the specific practices because whatever is done should be “in honor of the Lord;” we are not to pass judgement on one another . There should be a mutual tolerance that honor each person’s conscientious decision as a personal response and obedience to God. 

We live and die not to ourselves, but to the Lord. For this Christ died and rose again. Every person takes responsibility for his or her own deeds at the day of judgement. 

Matthew 18: 21-35

Jesus calls us to practice unlimited forgiveness in all of our personal relationships. Peter thought 7 times, but Jesus said no 70 x 7, the exact number is not the point, there is no limit on forgiveness. The spirit of forgiveness should so pervade our lives that we simply lose count of the number of times. We read in todays gospel that the appeal for God’s mercy can be made only by those who show mercy to others. Thus, we are always to look to our own repentance before God. We are called to forgive our brothers and sisters from our heart. No one can earn forgiveness from God; forgiveness is a free gift that extends to every person. We are to repent and, in mercy and compassions extend such forgiveness to others. 

C.S. Lewis commented: “Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea – until they have something to forgive.” The Greek verb “to forgive” is aphiemi, meaning “to let go, to set free.” Perhaps one of the hardest tests of faith is to let go of injury and free the injurer.” Even if it is ourselves.

Prayer For the Day

O God of unrestricted love and limitless grace, by the gift of your Holy Spirit may we daily be willing to set aside unforgiveness of any sort: may we aspire to that Kingdom love that empowered our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive his executioners even as he was perishing on the Cross, and this we ask in the power of you Name.   Amen

Rev. Kathyleen Funk

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 18
Year A
September 6, 2020

First Reading: Exodus 12:1-14
Psalm 149: 1-9
Second Reading: Romans 13:1-4
Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20

Collect:

Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts: for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

UNITY:

In the Gospel of Matthew 18:12-14 Jesus is teaching about the life and relationships within the church, a shepherd, a common image for a community leader, must seek out even the lowliest person.

“If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, ninety-nine that never went astray. So, it is not the will of your’ Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.”  (Matthew 18:12-14)

In the Gospel for today, he goes on to tell them. “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If a member listens to you, you have regained that one. If the situation is not solved with one person, get two or three witnesses. 

“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

Jesus is teaching them how to solve a conflict with a voice of reason. Instead of letting a situation get out of control. 

We have a responsibility as shepherds to save even that one who is lost to us. 

When I was in the working in a medical office and in charge of the back-office technicians, there was always conflicts between two technicians. I would call each one into my office. I would ask what was going on?  Getting both sides of the story. Then I would have them both in my office to help resolve the situation, before it became worse. If I had not, they would go to their friends and each voicing their opinions, getting allies on their side.  It was always better to help them work out their differences. I did not teach love and compassion, but I brought it to the table in my own actions, by how I treated others.

In the second reading today Romans 13:8-14. Paul says to the Romans. “Owe no one anything except love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. He sums it up in the some of The Commandments, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” 

Unity in Christ gospel is what we are taught then and now, we are all one in Christ, we all share in Christs teaching. (1 Corinthians 10:17) “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 

Conclusion:

Directly and clearly Jesus lays out the best practices for solving conflict and dealing with its aftermath. And not surprising, the secret is LOVE.

There are times when all of us are faced with a conflict and something that cannot be overlooked, I pray we have the faith, the courage and the common sense to act with a humble heart, and a spirit of our loving Christ.

We are reminded in the gospel that a Christian life is not a solo-act and it is certainly not without certain challenges for all of us. But we have Christ’s perfect example, we have his instruction and his encouragement and more than that, we have his assurance that he is with us in every situation and his love will see us through it.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be lose in heaven. 

 “For where two or three come together in my name, I am with you.”

Let us pray:

We know Father, that you are with us when we are alone and we do not have to be with anyone for you to be present.

We need the reminders that we can put on the armor of light and follow you in love and respect for each other. Give us the Wisdom to listen to the Holy Spirit and to be guided by the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus Prayed for the unity of his followers before his crucifixion. We know  that we can overcome all divisions, especially when it is combined in prayer in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen.
The Rev. Lola Culbreath

Aug 30 Sermon

Let us Pray

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Imagine if you will walking alone in the desert tending sheep when you see a flaming bush that is not being consumed. Might you be a bit curious and maybe a tiny bit nervous?    But you are drawn to this miraculous event taking place. What thoughts must have ran through Moses’ mind. What do you think you might have done or thought? Add to that the voice of GOD letting you know you were going to be sent to the highest office in the current leadership chain and demand he let your people go from their slavery. The most well developed labor market of the time and you are going to demand, not suggest or negotiate, but demand the laborers be released and given their freedom. Piece of cake right? And the only assurance this will happen is the promise of GOD that HE will be with you through this task. So how do you begin the easy task?  You go to the folks at home and repeat what you have been given to do and the one concrete concept to hold all this together is the affirmation God gives Moses and I quote “God said to Moses, “I AM

WHO I AM. This is my name forever, and this my  title for all generations I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.” A very powerful and holy covenant.

And our guidance on how to accept and honor this most wonderful gift is simple. Live in love. Be not anxious or forlorn, our God is with us and remains with us always. Scripture says it beautifully “Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers”. We are also directed to bless those who persecute us, this one really takes some hardcore faith because we are human our nature is not always in concert with this direction but we are told to bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Sometimes our nature is less than these expectations but God always offers forgiveness and redemption to those who truly ask. Revenge is many times our first thought but it is not what God has directed us to do. Our Lord expects of us this response to being hurt. “Never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” “If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

And the Gospel affirms these points in the message Jesus gives to his most trusted companions. “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?  And the acknowledgement of who and what will follow for this world is provided for those that have ears. “For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

So what we hear today is a continuing assurance of God’s presence on our lives and HIS words of encouragement and love to take us through the most troubling of times with peace, grace, hope and love. Pandemic, social injustice, and prejudice are all causing us great concern and pain today and only by following the words and actions outline by our God can we truly experience what is and will be the solution to these challenges.

May the blessings of God Almighty Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with us and remain with us this day and forever.

Amen
Rev John

Proper 23

Collect

GRANT, O MERCIFUL GOD, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with your and the Holy spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Exodus 1: 8-2:10
The old testament reading focuses on the Exodus story, with the beginning of Moses’ rescue from the river and continuing to the entry into the promise land. Remembering these events forms the core of Israel’s liturgical and worship life.  The events unfold with the need for an individual to speak for God to the Hebrew people, during the famine in Canaan, Jacob and seventy in his family had migrated to Egypt under the protection of his son Joseph, who had become very powerful in the Pharaoh’s court. The Hebrews grew in numbers.

However a new King in Egypt “did not know Joseph” and felt threatened by having so many Hebrews in the land; even though the Hebrews had been forced into slavery. The king decided to reduce this population and commanded the midwives to kill all male children born to the Hebrews. The midwives feared God, they refused the kings orders. The Pharaoh then commanded that  all these male children be drowned in the Nile River. Moses was put into a basket and the Pharaoh’s daughter took pity on him and adopted him as her own. Later in time Moses who was lost in Egypt, drawn from the river, saved so, that he could save his people.

Psalm 124
This psalm recounts Gods extraordinary acts to aid the escape of the people of Israel. This passage is meant to give us comfort in times of trouble. “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side.” We just need  to remember in times of trouble that,  “Our help is in the name of the Lord” this is the thanksgiving for Israel’s deliverance and ours.

Romans 12:1-8
Paul appeals to his brothers and sisters to offer themselves to God as a living sacrifice. Paul’s appeal ask them to no longer follow the ways  of the world but to be transformed so that they may discern the will of God. They may discern the will of God, We have all been given different gifts through God’s grace, which is to be used for the welfare of the entire community. No one’s gifts are more important then the gifts of others. 

Matthew 16: 13-20
This passage is a climax for Jesus’ teaching, healing, and feeding in Matthew. The Pharisees and Sadducees want yet another sign. This passage also emphasizes Peter’s prominence  among the disciples and Peters coming to the ultimate truth of Jesus’ Messiahship – which could be revealed only through the Father. Jesus begins by asking two questions, the first “Who do the people say I am? Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. The second question “but who do you say that I am?” At this point, Peter declares that Jesus is the “Messiah, Son of the living God.” This fisherman turned religious pilgrim uttered the words “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God: That statement changed everything, Peter became the “rock” on which the church would be built.

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost: 
Year A
August 16, 2020

First Reading: Genesis 45:1-15
Psalm 133
Second Reading: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-28
Gospel: Matthew 15:10-20,21-28

Collect:
Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God, now and forever. Amen

Great is your Faith 
Gospel: Matthew 15:10-20,21-28

In the first part of the Gospel, Jesus, once again, is challenged by the Pharisees and Scribes about the laws and the boundaries of staying clean and the differences of clean and unclean.  

Laws that perhaps are made by man, not the laws of God. What defiles a person, makes unclean, and therefore unable to participate in worship in the Temple.

Jesus “says” to the disciples and crowds around him.

“Listen and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.”

The Disciples approached him “you know Jesus”; the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you had said!

Jesus, is even more upset with his disciples, “Are you also still without understanding?

“Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. For out of the heart comes evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander…. These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.

Jesus is referring to the 10 commandments, the laws of God. 

Boundaries:

Jesus has crossed boundaries with the elders as many times before, He is about to cross over another boundary.

Jesus has now left that place, he and his disciples have just crossed over into the district of Tyre and Sidon, Phoenicia, part of the Roman province of Syria.

Jesus is confronted by a Canaanite woman from that region, “She came out and started shouting. 

“Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.”   

This territory, boundary, Jesus is in, is a non-Jewish area, “They don’t belong there” and this is a Gentile woman.

Why would they be here? In the Gospel of Matthew 10:5 a few scriptures back, Jesus says

“These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans.  

Never the less, this is where Jesus goes with his disciples crossing boundaries and when he is first confronted by the Gentile women, he keeps walking because his focus in on the what he and who he feels he was sent for. “He answers her, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 

But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ Table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

It appears Jesus is a little cruel to this woman, when he just kept walking away from her, and tells her he is there only for the people of children of Israel. But she is persistent and she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 

This woman first says, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David. And then she came and knelt before him, Saying, “Lord, help me.”

Even though the woman is not Jewish, she addresses Jesus as the Jewish messiah and because of her “Great Faith” she and her daughter had been healed.

She knelt before him, this is very significant and a sign of a king before her. She is not the only Gentile to kneel before Jesus, the Magi, who are also Gentiles, are the first to offer worship to Jesus in the way.

This Gentile women recognized that Jesus was the messiah before the people of Israel did, those that he was there to save. 

Conclusion:

Boundaries, boundaries and more boundaries, they are all over the place today and then.

We have had boundaries since we could understand our parents. You can’t cross the street! No, you cannot stay up late on a school night. You can’t stay out after dark; you have to be in the house. 

In our life today, we all face challenges everyday with boundaries. Stay home, close your business, follow these laws and mandates, suggestions from leaders, CDC, health officials, National, State and Local leaders.  We all have guidelines on what to do and what not to do.

Still people cross boundaries and refuse to wear a mask in public. They refuse to go down and aisle one way at a store and to stay 6 to 10 feet away from someone. They will attend beach parties, house parties and large group gatherings. 

Good News:

I believe most everyone wants to follow the Boundaries today.

Jesus is not just hope for Israel, but hope for the world. Was this the beginning of why Jesus Christ was sent into the world? To go into regions, he was not accepted in?

He has crossed boundaries, possibly to help us realize today, we can all live together in a world where God loves each and every one of us. We might have to go into areas where we are not accepted to spread the Good News of God’s kingdom and our salvation in all the world, this, regardless of our race.   

In the Gospel lesson we are reminded about what we need to hold in our hearts, that if our hearts are filled with God’s love and filled with hope and joy, what ever comes from our mouth will be coming from our hearts.

Great Faith:

In the world we are living in I can’t think of a more important period of time to have a “Great Faith”. I feel we need to get down on our knees, in front of our Lord, and ask him to help us. We need to pray not only for ourselves, but for our nation, our cities and communities.

Pray for an end to the pandemic and the discovery of an effective cure.

Pray that God will help us hold our church together in these times that we are separated from each other. Ask for his mercy and grace to help us all. To be patient with each other. To continue to love one another. To know that each one of us was created in God’s image and we are uniquely made.

Being isolated and at home for 5 months should have taught us something about faith and patience. 

We are living out our faith and we are being tested through trials and our faith should grow into the a “Great Faith” it invites us to Him; empowering us to seek Him in every situation; and for us to trust Him always.

Amen
Rev. Lola Culbreath 

Let us pray:

Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Today’s readings unfold human weakness that can affect us all. Jacob’s brothers are jealous of him and plan how to do away with him to put themselves in a position of gaining their fathers affection. Has there
been a time in your lives that made you a bit jealous of someone else’s success? We live in a world that measures a persons worth by their position and possessions unfortunately instead of their heart.

As Moses reminds us in the days of turmoil and confusion the one sure thing we can count on is God’s presence and His promise that no one who believes in Jesus will be put to shame. Moses emphasizes that there in no distinction on those who accept Jesus Jew and Greek. Today we need to remember our baptismal covenant to “respect the dignity of every human being” even in times of social unrest and confusion as a reminder of Moses’ teachings.

Today’s Gospel reminds us of how Jesus reaches out to everyone. When He was seen walking on the water to meet the disciples, and they were terrified until He spoke. His love offered to Peter the opportunity to share in this wondrous event and when he became fearful Jesus reached out to him. Again Jesus models how much love He holds for us all even to give us the
opportunity to experience His holiness but we fail to to remain strong and sometimes slip.

In today’s challenges with the pandemic and social unrest it is not hard to see that our faith is in constant flux and the only sure approach to dealing with the worlds challenges is to accept God’s presence and embrace the Holy Spirit as the provider of peace and comfort for us all.

When it seems there are only dark clouds on the horizon if we stop and truly look the presence of our Lord signs through the horizon and brings us comfort, peace and strength to carry on.

May the blessings of alright God be with us this day and remain with us forever. Amen

Fr John

Sermon Proper 13 9^th Sunday after Pentecost

Collect for the Day :

Let Your Continual Mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Genesis 32: 22-31:

Jacob was 97 years old…he could hardly be considered a challenge to an angel in physical terms. The test tells us that Jacob’s opponent could not overcome him. The ease of which he inflicted physical damage on Jacob indicates that any ability must have been in the spiritual area, not the physical one. 

How often do we think about our spiritual life? When was the last time you had to do something that was difficult, you manage to do it, did you think about the Holy Spirit being with you?

The man said, “ Let me go, for it is daybreak.” Three factors – this encounter took place by a river, the stranger could be interpreted as fearing daylight, on the basis of anthropological folklore and Greco-Roman literature, it has been proposed that it was a river demon, or a guardian of the river these beings could not be seen in the light of the day; from Hosea the prophet indicates Jacob struggled with an angel. The name the angel gave Jacob, “Israel”  symbolizes that something new has happened not only to Jacob but also to the nation that will carry his name. Jacob sent his family across the river with all his possession because he had heard Esau was on his way with four hundred men and Jacob feared for his family. Esau had threatened to kill him.

When the reunion of the two brothers took place, Jacob received and understanding of seeing God face to face. Esau no longer harbor resentment against Jacob. Upon seeing each other, the brothers embraced, and Jacob exclaims that “ to see your face is like seeing the face of God….since you have received me with such favor” 

Psalm17:1-7, 16

This Psalm is of vindication, legal difficulties were a common experience for people in the ancient Near East and the defendants would seek divine help against the accusers. At this time in Babylon documents were found describing the theft of miss appropriation of farming equipment. The Psalmist expresses confidence in God’s mercy while he seeks deliverance from false accusations.

Romans 9:1-5

Nothing could separate Paul from Christ, he, like Moses, would sacrifice himself for this people. Jewish people celebrated the gifts that Paul list. Paul list true claims in a way what would appeal to his audience rhetorically, in Greek. Jewish doxologies praised only the one true God. Paul usually reserves the divine title “God “ for the Father and the divine title “Lord” for Jesus, many scholars argue the Paul praises Jesus as God at this point.

Paul confesses his “great sorrow and anguish for his ancestral community that has not embraced, Jesus as Messiah; for to Israel belonged God’s adoption in the call of Abraham, the deliverance from Egypt; the covenants and the gift of the Torah . Theirs was the worship of the temple and synagogue, to which had been given the promises to the disciples of Jesus; that they were heirs through the patriarchs.

Matthew 14:14-21

“they can………buy themselves some food,” Nearby villages , with a few hundred or at the most a few thousand people each, would not have had enough spare bread ready to fee 5,000 or more people. God has often used what people had in order to perform wonders. Jesus asked his disciples to give them some food. The disciples brought to Jesus five loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus gave a blessing, in doing the blessing, Jesus performed the traditional role of the head of a Jewish household. 

The disciples distributed the bread, and all ate and were filled. When the disciples collected what was left, they had twelve baskets and had just fed five thousand. The meal was just not a stop gap effort to Tide the people over until they got home. It was an extravagant, bountiful fest of God, in which the people were genuinely nourished. Jesus shows not only the compassion of God, but also the staggering abundance released when we share with others the blessings given to us by God.  

Rev. Kathyleen Funk

Sermon

Sunday closest to July 27, 2020
Year A
July 26, 2020

First Reading: Genesis 29:15-28
Psalm 105:1-11, 45b
Romans: 8:26-39 
Gospel: Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

God’s Purpose will Prevail

The Collect:

O, God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Gospel:

Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

In our Gospel today, Jesus is explaining to the crowds and the disciples about the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus put before the crowds another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” 

Jesus talks about 5 different parables regarding the kingdom of heaven.

“The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw our the bad. So, it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil form the righteous. 

Just Where is the Kingdom of Heaven?

I haven’t always understood these parables. The disciples understood. He is speaking their language where they could understand him. 

When I read it and re-read it, to find his meaning, Oh, wow, for some reason I always focused on the mustard seed and how small it was to grown into a big tree. With that parable and the others to follow, he tells us just how big the kingdom of heaven is.  He is saying, it is not far off in a distance, or up there, or somewhere out there. 

Mustard seeds are so small that they can go un-noticed when planting wheat and the farmer would sow his wheat and soon a mustard seed would sprout up with the wheat. The farmer of course would what them re-moved.

Jesus is saying, it is hard to separate the good from the bad, but has his kingdom grows and like the smallest of the seeds, become the biggest in the field, to offer shade and comfort to the smallest of birds. (people) Showing us and the people at that time, how God is at work in the world. 

Jesus goes on to describe growth of the mustard seed and the flour mixed with the yeast and it turns out to be leavened bread. Yeast was used for many reasons during the time of Jesus and it was not positive. Its symbolized impurity, evil and unclean.  But we also see how it grows, God’s kingdom grows, infiltrating all of creation and the world.

If we look and try to see God’s beautiful creation, imagining his presence it all things. His love is in all things, all people of race and color.  Yes, just like the field of wheat, the seeds are difficult to see and the bad mixed in with the good, it is difficult to separate out.  God is telling us, it is not your job to do that, I will do that when I send the angels and they will separate the evil from the righteous.

Jesus wanted them, to see that it was a way to describe, how God is growing in the community and working in them to spreading the news of how God grows in each one of us.

The problem with us, is we don’t see God in all places and in all things. We only look for God when we need him, we don’t realize that God is working in us everyday in his kingdom that is bigger than we ever thought. 

In Romans, we see that Paul says, all things work together for good for those who love God.

People are God’s creation and we can’t be separated from his creations we have been called and we are glorified in him.

Romans: 8:28-30

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed 

to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. “ 

Paul means, not that all circumstances of this life are good for us, God’s love is reaffirmed; despite all present adversities, and that amid all these things God’s purpose prevails.

Conclusion and Good News. 

The kingdom of God is as far as the ocean is wide and deep, the highest of the mountains and into space. We can’t even imagine the how big his kingdom is, because our minds do not reach that far.

Because we are in communion with Christ Jesus, God’s kingdom lives in each one of us and it is comforting to know that through us, God’s kingdom will continue to grow.

We are not gatherer together in churches today. We miss our music and liturgy and we pray that we can all return soon, it does help bring us together with singing, music and with each other in the church the building, But, remember   “that nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”   And God’s purpose will prevail!

Jesus, help us to remember not to focus on things that are on the surface, but to focus on what is eternal and to not live in the artificial world, but to live for the spiritual world which is where we find our strength and our salvation in God’s kingdom! 

Amen.
Rev. Lola Culbreath

Let us pray:

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Today’s lessons are especially relevant currently in our world . The presence of our Lord and Savior provides us comfort in the face of confusion and hysteria. The pandemic provides the field for both the children of God and the agents of Satan to experience choices that either give comfort or create fear.

The choices we select as Christians set the path we travel in this life. With the social unrest currently being exhibited it would be easy to fall on the wrong soil and be overcome by the “weeds”. Our choice to exercise common sense and social concerns that provide comfort and lesson fear is surely the evidence that God is with us and will always be at our side.

As the days continue in these trying times let us hold close to our faith and share with each other the assurances that the days of calm and peace with return. Our prayers are being continued and our worship, even though modified a bit, still provide the grace and love of God. So as we stand together to travel this path let us be at peace knowing that we are the chosen crop to be harvested by angels and presented to our Lord as heirs of God’s love and residents of His kingdom.

As we hold to our faith and provide for each other the field of grace, love and hope the harvest will be plentiful and the crop savory and sweet.

Let us go forth to love and serve the Lord Hallelujah.

Hallelujah Amen
Rev John