The Agony of Gethsemane.

 6th Sunday in Lent: Palm/Passion Sunday!

 

Introduction:

A.   When was the price paid for our sins?  The Cross?

 

B.   But was it all paid there?

 

C.   I believe there was a great price paid even before Christ came to the cross.

 

Trans.

Let's look this morning at this price!

 

                    Prayer

                Luke 22:39-46

Text:

"And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat           was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the               ground."  (vs. 44 KJV)

 

I.   Notice his agony!

 

"And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly:"

 

What caused this agony?

 

Perhaps we can never understand this completely, but let's go back in our minds eye and try to understand where Christ was at this time and what was his agony.

 

Remember Christ was God, but Christ was also human!

 

A.   Perhaps, it was partly as a result of Christ fully comprehending the meaning of sin.

 

1.   Remember back to a time when you did something wrong: when

a.   you stayed awake at night think of what you should

have done.

b.   you laid there thinking of how what you did hurt other people.

c.   Remember how you agonized over your failure?

 

2.   As Christ realized how sin hurts people and how it hurts  God and as Christ realized this was the sin that he would  carry, imagine how Christ felt!

3.   Charles Spurgeon says of this verse,

 

"In that night the words of Isaiah were fulfilled; 'The  Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.' Now he  stood as the sin-bearer, the substitute accepted by Divine justice to bear that we might never bear the whole of wrath divine."

 

In other words, Spurgeon was saying, "That night the sins of the world were placed on Christ, and Christ felt the guilt of the world!"

 

B.   Perhaps, Christ realized all the shame and suffering of His

crucifixion.

1.   being betrayed by a friend.

2.   being seized by the officers as a criminal; crucifixion was the execution of the lowliest of criminals.

3.   the mockery of a trial.

4.   the nailing to the cross, and the pain of the thirst.

5.   And above all, being forsaken by God!

 

C.   Going along with Spurgeon once again, perhaps even now, God had

begun to withdraw God's presence from Christ, and Christ was getting a taste of the separation that was to fully come!

 

D.   Perhaps, Christ was facing the greatest temptation of his life,

even more intense than the 40 days in the wilderness!  What could some of these temptations have been?

 

1.   To leave the work unfinished.

"If it be possible, let this  cup pass from me."

Imagine what Satan could have said:

a.   Are you sure you are the one that is to pay this

awful price?

b.   Look at your weakness; you are even now sweating

blood!

c.   But if you are the one, what good will it do?

All will forsake you!  Even now, your best friends  are asleep when you need them most!  They will scatter; are they worth it?

d.   We can be sure that Satan used all his resources at

this time to defeat Christ!

 

2.   The fear that his strength would not be sufficient.

Again, imagine what Satan could have said:

a.   How can you stand to be treated as a criminal?

You deserve better than that; you are the creator

of the universe!  Are you going to let them treat you

that way?

b.   How can you stand to have God turn away from you?

c.   How can you stand to see your broken-hearted mother

at the foot of the cross?

d.   You won't be able to stand it!

e.   But God sent angels to strengthen Christ.

              (vs. 43)

3.   The fear that he wouldn't be able to achieve the  redemption of people: that when they scattered and Christ was dead Satan would prevail.

 

II.  Notice the Savior's prayer!  When we are tempted and want to overcome, our greatest tool is prayer!  Let's look at the prayer of Christ:

 

A.   It was  a private prayer.

1.   Family prayer is good.  Prayer in the church is good.  There is a place for these.

2.   But to overcome temptation, we need to come to the Lord in

Private prayer!

 

B.   It was a humble prayer.

1.   Notice he didn't come before God as an equal and make his

demands.  If anyone could have, he could!

2.   But Christ kneeled down (Matt. 26:39 says Christ fell on his face) like someone coming before royalty and made his request to God.

 

C.   It was a persevering prayer.

1.   He prayed three times using almost the same words, but  each time the prayer was from the heart.

2.   He prayed about it until he was sure he had his answer!

 

D.   It was an Earnest prayer.  It was a prayer in which Christ wept

as he poured his heart out to God.

 

E.   At last, it was a prayer of resignation.  "Nevertheless, not my

will but thine be done!"  (vs. 42)

 

III. Notice Christ prevailed!  This is a turning point.

 

A.   Christ arose and knew what he must do.

 

B.   We do not see any more question as to whether or not to go through with it!

 

C.   Christ had received the strength that he needed; he had received the guidance that he needed.

 

D.   He had won the victory over Satan.  We do not see where Christ  ever struggles with temptation again!  His mind was set for the cross!  He would follow through with the plan!

 

Conclusion:

A.   Christ suffered much agony even before he came to the cross.  During this time, Christ prayed very earnestly.

B.   Christ arose from his prayer with some advice for his  disciples, "pray, lest ye enter into temptation."

 

C.   We need to take an example from the way Christ handled his moment of trial.

1.   Do we pray as earnestly as Christ did?

2.   If we did, maybe we wouldn't fall into temptation.

3.   Are we praying for guidance for our church as earnestly as

Christ prayed for guidance?

4.   If we are, we will get our answer, and we'll be used of  the Lord In greater ways in the future than we have experienced in the past!

 

D.   Christ believed enough in what he was doing for us that he went all the way.  Christ thought we were worth it!  Satan probably tried to convince Christ that it wasn't worth it and that we           wouldn't trust in what he was doing for us. (pause)  Who was right where we are concerned?

 

Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion

Where Life and Death Intersect!

 5^th Sunday in Lent!                                            

 

Prayer

                                                                    John 11:1-44

First Movement:                               

I woke one morning to a contact that a pastor dreads to receive.  I believe we were in the middle of breakfast prep and maybe about to have my first cup of coffee and ding dong the bell rings.  I go to the door and a Sheriff is standing at the door.  He asks, are you pastor Mike?  I say, yes.  He says, we were called to an accident this morning where a man riding a motorcycle last night hit some gravel, straightened out a curve, and hit a tree and was killed. A passer byer saw him lying in the field and called us.  His name is Tom Smith (the name has been changed to protect the innocent), and we found this card in his wallet.  He showed me one of my business cards that I pass out.  He asked, “Do you know him?”  I said, “Yes, he and his family go to my church.”  He then said, “Do you know where they live, and can you go with me to take the news of his death to his family?”  I said yes and quickly grabbed some things to lead him out to the house.

 

Let me tell you some things about Tom.  Tom was a single parent.  His ex-wife had been in and out of prison, on and off of drugs, and for the most part had nothing to do with him or their 15 year old daughter.  Tom worked and provided for his daughter, and the best I could tell was a loving parent.  He liked to ride his motorcycle.  He wasn’t real regular at church, but he came occasionally.  He worked a lot on Sundays but came when he could.  I think I had given the card to him one time he was there or perhaps at a time I had visited him when he was sick or in the hospital.  He actually lived in a neighboring town with his daughter, and his daughter was also involved with some of the activities at a United Methodist church there.  Tom spent a lot of his time at his mother’s house which was in my parish.  His mother had been a Sunday School teacher in my church for years before I came.  Now, she was one of my shut-ins, and Tom’s sister had moved back to live with her and take care of her.  Tom’s sister was my song leader at church.  Tom usually left his daughter with his mother when he was at work, so that is where I took the Sheriff.

 

When we arrived at the house, the Sheriff quickly dropped the news in a formal sort of way and left them with me.  They were in shock to say the least.  The sister was shouting, NO, NO!  in broken English that seemed like her voice would cut in and out, for it seemed like forever.  Even as a pastor, I searched for words that I could say to give any immediate help, but found that the best thing I could do was be there with them until the shock wore off and they were  able to hear a prayer and words of hope.  I found out that Tom’s daughter was on a mission trip with the UMC in the neighboring town, so having that pastor in my cell phone, I called him so that they could get word to the daughter.  This was a great concern for the mother and sister, and I was able to arrange for his daughter to be contacted.   A couple of the adults on the mission trip got together, broke the news to her, and arranged to bring her home early.

 

This is one of those times when we wake up and all of a sudden we are faced with death, for me and this family!  It is a reality of life: life and death do intersect!

           

Second Movement:

            Our scripture today is again from John’s gospel.  It has no parallel in the synoptic gospels; it is only in John’s gospel that we have this story of the raising of Lazarus.  Like the story of the Blind man, from last week, had a double meaning about Spiritual blindness, this story has a double meaning about life and death.  Like the water that Jesus offered the Samaritan woman at the well was more than physical water, the life that Jesus offers here is more than physical life. 

 

            As I read this story this week with fresh eyes, four phrases caught my attention, so I want to tell this story around these four phrases today:

A.  “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (v. 16)

B.  “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?” (vs. 25-26)

C.  “Jesus began to weep.” (v. 35)

D.  “Unbind him, and let him go.” (v. 44)

 

Third Movement:  

A.      “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” 

Jesus and the disciples get the word that Lazarus is sick.  Jesus intentionally waits a few more days before going to help him.  When he does go, he says he is asleep but actually means he has died.  Again here, Jesus says something similar to what he said about the man being born blind so that “God’s works might be revealed in him.”  Here he says “this illness does not lead to death but that God may be glorified through it.” 

 

After a few days, Jesus and the disciples leave to go to the home of Lazarus.  There is a lot of reluctance by the disciples.  This region seems to spell trouble for them.  The disciples remind Jesus that they have tried to stone him here. (vs. 8)  John records two of these instances in chap. 8 vs. 59 and in chap. 10 vs. 31.  Jesus is still determined to go.  Thomas says, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

 

I find this greatly ironic!  This is one of several places where the disciples pledge their allegiance to Jesus even to death, and here it is Thomas: the one who would later be branded, doubting Thomas!  It is easy to pledge allegiance when we are in a group of other followers, but what about when the chips are down.  When the chips were down, Thomas and the other followers fled.  It is easy to speak bravely about Jesus when we aren’t afraid anyone who will throw insults or stones our way, but what about when we aren’t surrounded by other Christians?  It is easy for us to testify, sing praises to God, and speak for Jesus when we are here at church, but what about when we are on our own through the rest of the week?  Do we speak for Jesus then?  This goes right along with the sermon last week, “The Man who would not be silenced.”  The disciples were silenced when the chips were down; how about us?

 

B.      “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they

die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?” (vs. 25-26)

 

Jesus arrives at the home of Lazarus (who is now dead) and his sister’s Martha and Mary.  Martha comes out to him first and says, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”  They had faith that Jesus could heal the sick, but death seemed beyond the realm that even Jesus could do anything about. 

 

After a short conversation Jesus replies with, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?” (vs. 25-26)   The word for life that is used here is not the old life which is promised to Lazarus but a new life.  The word is aionios – the life of the final eon.  (Interpretation Commentary) 

 

This is some deep stuff here, and I am sure those who were with Jesus at the time did not fully understand; they just knew that Jesus brought Lazarus back to physical life, and they just knew that when Jesus set up his earthly kingdom, they wanted to be on his side!  They didn’t hear the hidden meaning, but John wants us to know though after Jesus’ death and resurrection that Jesus has the power over eternal life!  If we believe in Jesus, this life is not all there is!  There is hope beyond the grave!  We will live on with God forever, for we will never die because Jesus has power even over death!  Praise God!  

 

Herein is the hope for people like Tom’s family!  Even though they would have to figure out who would take care of the daughter for a few more years, and even though they would miss him, there is hope that Tom lives on with God in this new life!  Praise God!

 

C.     “Jesus began to weep.” (v. 35)

 

Don’t you find it ironic that Jesus weeps here?  He has already said this illness is not unto death!  He knows that he is going to raise him up, so why does he weep?  Because Jesus had feelings, and as he looked around and saw his loved ones weeping and those in the crowd who were loved ones of Lazarus weeping, he hurt with them!

 

As resurrection people, we now believe in the trinity!  We believe that Jesus was God!  We believe that the earthly life of Jesus gives us our greatest revelation of God, so what do we glean from this?  God is a feeling God!  God hurts with us when we hurt!  God rejoices with us when we rejoice!  Because God has lived among us in the person of Jesus Christ, God can give us what we need as we walk this journey of life!  Indeed, we do have a “great high priest who has passed through the heavens.” (Heb. 4:14)  “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb. 4:15)  So we can approach the throne of grace to find grace and help in time of need!  God is there!  God can give us what we need!  Praise God!

 

D.      “Unbind him, and let him go.” (v. 44)

 

I love this!  Jesus worked the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, but it was up to those onlookers to unbind him, and let him go!

 

 Jesus is still in the business of raising people from the dead.  Here goes more of that hidden meaning!  We are all dead in trespasses and sins!  We are separated from God!  Through Jesus, we can be given new life!  That life is not just for eternity, but it can start now!  We can be given forgiveness!  We can begin a life of purpose!  Life can have meaning!  That life is through Christ!   But get this, it is the Church who unbinds them, and lets them go!  It is us who gives them a place to serve in the Kingdom of God!  It is us who gives them a chance at this new life!  Praise God for a chance to be a part of what God is doing in the world! 

 

Forth Movement:

            So there is a lot that we can glean from this passage.  For today, we’ve had to consider whether we stand for Jesus when we aren’t surrounded by Christians or if we like the disciples have good intentions but flea when the heat is on.  As you encounter Christ at the table today, maybe you need to come and pray for strength today?

 

We’ve looked at the promise of new life in Christ and the hope that brings to us as Christians: eternal life as well as new life today.  Have you received that new life in Christ?  As you encounter Christ at the table, maybe you want to receive Christ today.  Let me know if you do that so I can help you with your new journey in Christ!

 

We have looked at why Jesus wept!  We have learned to understand God as a feeling God who can help us on our journey.  As you encounter Christ at the table, maybe you need to approach the throne of grace today to find help to help you on your journey?  You can do that as you come.

 

Lastly, I challenge you church, be a church that is an unbinding church!  Be willing to let new people find their place in God’s kingdom!  Be willing to unbind them and turn them loose for ministry!  Thanks be to God! Amen!

 

                                                             Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion

A Man Who Wouldn’t be Silenced!

 

4^th Sunday in Lent!

        

Prayer

                                                                     John 9:1-41

First Movement:                               

             My dad was converted and baptized after he and my mom met and were going together.  He had been raised in church, but he hadn’t made a profession of faith yet.  Dad didn’t have a lot of education, but he learned a lot in life.  He did well with what he had learned from life.  He was a man with a lot of what we would call common sense. 

 

He took apart and rebuilt engines for several of our cars in our back yard.  One time, he was working on the tailgate of our truck and struck his finger and brought blood; he turned to me and said, Mike, get me a band aid.  That made such an impression on our neighbor kids who were looking on through the fence and numbered around nine that they talked about it later to us, how could he hit his finger like that and just look up and ask for a band aid?  They hadn’t seen that before!  If  my dad could take it apart, he could fix it.

 

I can remember one time he took the rear end gear box apart on my 3-speed bike.  He found some parts that had broken and went to a local bike shop to get the parts.  The guy asked him who he he had fixing it.  Dad said, me.  The guy arrogantly said, “When you can’t get it back together, bring it here, and I’ll fix it.  Dad fixed it!  He didn’t have to take it back to him.

 

Dad didn’t get up in front of people.  Because of his lack of education, he didn’t have the confidence to do that, but he lived his faith.  Dad didn’t go along with the crowd, and when he met someone who was struggling with life, he would be one of the first ones to talk to them about it.  Maybe they drank too much!  Maybe they had other problems!  Dad didn’t come to them as one who had all the answers.  He didn’t give them a lot of answers, but he would tell them in some way that a faith in Christ will make a difference in their lives, and he would invite them to church.  I have seen many of those ruffians and some not so ruff show up at church because of those short encounters with my dad.    Dad was never afraid to express his faith and to invite someone to church.  He has been a great influence on me.

Second Movement:

             Our scripture today is once again from John, and it is the story of Jesus restoring sight to a blind man.  The synoptic gospels have blind man stories, but they are pretty different than this.  John’s gospel has a hidden meaning for us which is revealed in verse 39.  Jesus came that we all might see spiritually!  John’s gospel is probably meant to say something to us about the spiritual blindness of us all; we are all born blind and Jesus can give us new sight spiritually.  Also in John’s gospel they asked who sinned that this man was born blind; Jesus answers that nobody sinned to cause this.  It was a common misconception of the time that if someone had a disease someone had to have sinned to cause it to be cast upon them.  It still is today, but Jesus’ answer was that nobody had sinned to cause it.  We find in other passages in the scriptures that blessings and trials come upon us all.  All of these are good points from the story.

 

            There is a second part of this story that I want to concentrate on today.  Before we go there, let me give you a little background.  The writer of the Gospel of John is believed by most to be John the Apostle, the one Jesus loved;  it is usually dated between AD 90 and 110.  John is also believed to be the author of the Revelation of John.  John’s Revelation is dated about AD 96 by most, but some give it an earlier dating of around AD 68 or 69, depending on who the emperor was, that the beast with seven heads represented.  Either way, they were both written during a time when Christians were being persecuted in some way for their faith.

 

^9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony they had given; ^10 they cried out with a loud voice, “Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will it be before you judge and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?” ^11 They were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number would be complete both of their fellow servants^h and of their brothers and sisters,^iwho were soon to be killed as they themselves had been killed.^[1]   (Rev. 6:9-11)

 

They asked how long, and the Lord told them to wait a little longer.  Some were being killed for their faith.  Others were being boycotted against for being Christian.  Their businesses were suffering.  If they claimed to be Christian, non-Christians would not give them their business!  It wasn’t a popular time to be a Christian.

 

Third Movement:  

Now, let’s go back to our story of the man who was given sight.  He is questioned about who did this.  The blind man says, “This man called Jesus put mud on my eyes and told me to go wash, and I washed and received my sight.”  They asked,“Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”  Then the Pharisees asked him again how he had received his sight.  He told them the same thing again!  The Pharisees said, “This man is not from God; he doesn’t observe the Sabbath.”  Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do this?”  They were divided, so they asked the blind man, “What do you say about him?  He at first says he is a prophet.  They didn’t believe him so they called the parents and asked them.  They confirmed he was born blind, but when asked who did it they said, “Ask him, he is of age.”  They go back and ask, he tells them again.  They drive him out.  He speaks to Jesus and affirms belief in him as the “Son of Man.” 

 

John’s gospel tells of a courageous little Jew who keeps telling the truth and will not be silenced by intimidation. (Interpretation Commentary)  At this time, he had a lot to loose if he expressed belief in “the way.”  He would be thrown out of the temple.  He would be persecuted in many other ways!  His parents knew this; they knew they had a lot to loose if they expressed belief in Jesus. Remember, besides being thrown out of the temple, they may have had  businesses that would be boycotted.  It would cost them physically!  They didn’t want to pay the price.  They said, “ask him;  he can speak for himself.”  This man was determined to tell what Jesus had done in his life.  John wants us to know that it is important to be faithful, even if it is going to cost us!

 

Forth Movement:

            How about us?  What does it take for us to be silenced?  This young man wouldn’t be silenced!  My dad, at least one time, after he couldn’t get around well, rode his wheelchair down the road to talk to a neighbor who didn’t go to church.  I’m sure he invited him to church.   There was a young girl named Cassie at the Columbine school shooting to whom the shooter held a gun up to her and asked if she believed in Jesus, she said, “Yes,” and he shot her on the spot.  Would we have had the courage to say yes in that case?  Let’s take it down a notch.  If our boss asked us to do something that was clearly against our faith, would we have the courage to respectfully say no and tell them why our faith in Jesus taught us not to do that?  What if we are in a group that is making fun of Christianity?  They are telling jokes that make Christians look bad.  Would we have the courage to say, “Jesus has made a difference in my life!” Would we have the courage to go up to someone who doesn’t seem to care about God, but clearly needs God, and tell them that Jesus can make a difference in their lives?  What about just going next door to our neighbor?  John’s message for us is that even when there is a cost we should stand for Jesus!

 

            Now, let me hasten to say, there is a difference between standing for Jesus and standing for all of our beliefs.  Some of our beliefs are best addressed in a quote from Wesley, “In essentials, unity, in non-essentials, liberty, and in everything else, charity!”  In some things, we need to allow people the liberty to disagree with us!  We need to pick our battles!  Sometimes we bring persecution on ourselves by trying to make everybody conform to all our beliefs!  But when it comes to faith in Jesus, the one who gives sight to the blind (whether physical or spiritual), we cannot be silent!  Tell people what Jesus has done for you!  Tell them that Jesus can make a difference in their lives!  If you need help with this one, as we encounter Christ at the table, ask Christ to empower you and strengthen you to be a better witness!  Thanks be to God!

 

                                                             Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion

---

h Gk slaves

i Gk brothers

^[1]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989 . Thomas Nelson: Nashville

Living in the Kingdom!

                                           Third Sunday in Lent!

                     

                    Exodus 20:1-4,7-9,12-20

 

Focus Statement:    In this scripture is the giving of the ten

                   commandments to the Hebrew people.  The first                         ones deal with our relationship to God, and

                   the rest deal with our relationship to each

                   other.

 

Function Statement: Because of this sermon, the congregation will                     be prepared to renew their commitment to God                     in communion and to better their relationships                      with God and people.

 

1st Movement:

     When I was in elementary school, we lived in Lemay, MO which is just on the Southwest edge of St. Louis.  Now, when we visit up there it seems pretty much like St. Louis.  Where we went to elementary school was Hancock School # 3.  In good weather, we walked home from school, at least after we were a few years along in school.  We walked about four blocks down a street, turned right on our street, and walked about the length of two more blocks down it to our house. 

     On the corner where we turned was a little community tavern.  This was a pretty mysterious, dark place to me. The windows were dark and you couldn’t see in.  We usually didn't see much activity around it.  We would seldom even see anybody coming out of it.  I can remember even walking down the side of it and across the back of it at times to avoid going in front of it which was really cutting across its property.  I don't guess the owners minded because there was somewhat of a path around it where kids did this, and I don't ever remember anybody stopping us and telling us not to.  There was even this kind of slide of dirt at the back that you could run or slide down right before you came out on the street. 

     One day, we did see some activity though.  This was after we got more nervy and usually walked across the front of it.  As we were approaching, we heard some shouting, and about that time a man came running out of the tavern and jumped in his convertible car.  As I recall, it was a classic thunderbird convertible; might not have been classic then.  Just about the time he got in it and started to peal off, a man came running out the door of the tavern shooting at him.  He fired at least two shots.  Luckily the man didn't return the fire because we were standing just behind this man that was shooting, probably about 10-15 feet behind him.  After the man fired about two times, he turned around and went back in the tavern.  Needless to say, we didn't waste any time getting by the tavern that day.

     I never did hear what happened that day.  I could have been a robbery, but I think it was a car that I saw there quite frequently, so I really doubt that was the case.  I believe I saw it there even after this incident.  I suspect that two guys got into an argument over something and that was the end result.  What could be so bad that the one would come out shooting real bullets at the other?  What was going on here to cause this? This was a real unexpected occurrence then; maybe not so much so today!

 

2nd movement:

     In our scripture this morning, we have recorded where God gives Moses the ten commandments for the Hebrew people.  These were rules whereby people could live peaceably together before God in a society.  The first ones deal with the peoples relationship with God, and the others deal with the peoples relationships with each other.  This is still a pretty good set of rules to live by.  Just about anything that we do to hurt God or others can be traced back to breaking one or more of these rules!  If we lie to sell a product, it is covered.  If we lie, to make ourselves look good it is covered.  If we take from our company, it is covered.  When you try to kill someone such as this man did coming out of the tavern, it is covered! 

     Jesus summed them up into an even more concise set of rules, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your  mind, and your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10:27)  You can't sum it up any better than that; when we do something that hurts God or people, we are failing in love!  To live in the kingdom of God is to live in love!  Sometimes that isn't so easy though!  Sometimes people get our goat!  Sometimes we just want to give them what they have coming to them!  But Jesus would say to live in the kingdom is to live in love!

 

3rd movement:

     That isn't always easy!  We are constantly having to decide whether to live as kingdom people or to live as the world.  Do we judge people or love people and let God be the judge?  Do we take something that is not ours or do we trust Christ for what we need?  Do we gossip about someone or do we lovingly try to find something good to say about them? It is an everyday decision! It is easiest to live as the world!  Christ came to live as a kingdom person, and we crucified him, but he did it, and because Christ could do it, he can help us do it too!  Christ can help us to live as kingdom people!  We need regular encounters with the risen Christ to help us to be Kingdom people.  That is what communion is.  As we encounter Christ at the table this morning, Christ can help us to live in love and to live as kingdom people!  Only in Christ can we really live as kingdom people, living in the world but not of the world!  Do you struggle with this one?  Christ can help you to be a Kingdom person!

 

Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion