What must we do to inherit eternal life? Love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves. But this is impossible. So the religious leader tries to simplify by asking Jesus–who is my neighbor? Jesus tells the story of a man who is beaten, robbed and left for dead on the road to Jerich0. The religious pass him by, but a Samaritan (the hated race) is filled with compassion and at great expense to himself cares for the man. He, the one who showed mercy, was the true neighbor.
How does this parable challenge our heart issues? And what does it look like to be a neighbor?
Unfortunately the Sermon did not record through the sound system so the sound quality is not ideal.
In a divided, atomized, irreligious and increasingly hostile culture, how are we as Christians to respond? Jesus calls us to die: deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him. Only in losing our life for his sake can we save it, only in finding our selves in Him can we be somebody. Because of the gospel of grace, we can live a life of humility and boldness that is both faithful to Jesus and surprisingly loving to the disagreeing world.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE FIRST TEN MINUTES OF THIS SERMON FAILED TO RECORD
On the the Gentile shores of Galilee, Jesus finds a man possessed by a Legion of Demons. The man had lived an animal existence–apart from community, naked and dwelling in the tombs. Jesus sets him free, but doesn’t just heal him Spiritually, he also restores him mentally, physically, socially, returning him home with a new calling and identity. Likewise, Jesus desires to offer wholistic salvation to us and, through us, to the world.
What begins as a dinner party for Jesus hosted by a Pharisee named Simon quickly escalates into a bizarre scene when an unnamed prostitute enters and in stunning fashion begins weeping and acting in a way that would have been viewed as highly provocative and illicit as she falls upon Jesus wiping his feet with her tears and hair, kissing and anointing them with costly oil. The Pharisee is aghast. But Jesus challenges his religious view of this woman. In the gospel, sinners are forgiven–by grace. This woman is simply responding to God’s undeserved mercy in the only way she knows how–worshipping Jesus with all her heart and soul and body.
When we are seriously offended, hurt or even attacked, how do we respond? In a culture that is deeply divided and hostile toward one another, how are Christians to act? Jesus challenges the religious and cultural norms of his day and calls on his disciples to love their enemies and forgive those who sin agains them. When we fully realize the grace, forgiveness and love that Jesus himself offers us, we can respond with love, forgiveness and grace even to our enemies.
No one who met Jesus was indifferent–they wanted to kill him or the fell down and worshipped him. Confronted with Jesus–Peter exclaims, Depart form me I’m a sinful man. But when called, he leaves everything to follow Jesus. So too does Levi. Jesus came to confronts people with their deepest need–and he does so with every person, even the paralytic lowered through the roof seeking healing. Jesus knows what we need most is spiritual healing–forgiveness.
Today tens of millions of people are trafficked and enslaved across the globe and in our own country. But the God of the Bible desires justice and raises up people to carry out the good news of freedom to the captives. Listen to John Richmond, co-founder of the Human Trafficking Institute share his story of entering anti-trafficking work and what God wants to do for the poor, oppressed and enslaved today.
This sermon was preached at CCV’s celebration of IJM Freedom Sunday.
Before he enters into public ministry, Jesus is led into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. He sows doubts about God’s goodness and encourages Jesus to take things in his own hands. How is Jesus trial in the wilderness similar to how we experience the temptation to unbelief and living for our own ends, and how do we overcome it.
In the Gospel of Luke, Caesar and Rome are set against John the Baptist and Jesus in the early chapters. The author wants us to ask who is truly king? And, where is power to be found? Through the Baptists preaching, the people of Israel, and all of us are called to prepare our hearts to receive Jesus as the true king and messiah of the Lord. But for many, assumptions and misunderstandings, as well as our desire to be in control, cause us to miss Jesus or misrepresent him. Are we willing to drop all and follow him? Will we seek him earnestly?
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The 1549 Book of Common Prayer introduced “An Order for Matins Daily through the Year.” The Service of Morning Prayer, as it is now called, is written to be used in corporate service of worship, thus the use of the first person plural (we, us) and of the roles of “Officiant” and “People.” Nevertheless, Morning Prayer, and its end of day complement Evening Prayer, have been used for centuries to order personal and private devotions. Feel free to utilize portions of this Prayer Service to guide you.