A Sermon Outline for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
The Rev Priscilla Gray
Isaiah 2:10-17
Psalm 89:1-18
Romans 6:3-11
Matthew 10:34-42
Ps. 89.15: "They walk, O' Lord, in the light of your presence."
I. The quote from the psalm reminds me of a song which I learned at a
Cursillo Weekend: "We Are Marching in the Light of God."
I would like to teach you the words
as I believe that this discernment Sunday for Total Ministry is a
deliberate step, by this parish and its members, to march in the "light of
God".
II.So, how do we walk/march in the light of our God? How do we get into that light? The Collect of the Day refers to the Apostles' Teaching. That phrase, "Apostles' Teaching," is mentioned in our baptismal vows as well. We agree to continue in the Apostles' Teachings, fellowship, the breaking of the bread and prayers each time we renew our vows. What did/do the apostles teach? What did Christ, the cornerstone, teach the Apostles?
Romans 6: "The life He lives, He lives to God...consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus."
Matt. 10: "Who ever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me."
So, we walk in the light of God by loving God and loving others. What does that look like, in real life?
Jesus, Matthew tells us, has said that we must :
Welcoming the righteous is educating. The righteous: are good people. Good examples - models of how to walk in God's light God fearing examples of the higher behavior to which the prophets call us.
Giving a cup of cold water - giving, with God, what is needed by others. The world is thirsty for God. People are lonely, afraid, lost and unable to see their way in life. People are capable of productivity but are unable to get on track. People need homes, food, basic necessities, medical attention, civil rights, etc.
When we listen to those who call us to more Christ like behavior, when we spend time with those who are God examples for us, and when we enter into the world as workers for God, we are following the Apostles' and Christ's teachings.
III. Entertaining the prophet, welcoming the righteous, and giving cold water to the thirsty is what Total Ministry is about.
Stewardship for today is discerning out gifts and using them totally in God's service for: outreach - youth - education - liturgy - Evangelism - communication - administration Sacraments - pastoral care - preaching.
This week I had a fortune cookie note which said, "A truly happy life has useful purpose."
The prophet teaches us to listen to what God is calling us to do. The Righteous help us surround ourselves with God examples. Giving a cup of cold water is the task of feeding God's flock, all of it , even that which is beyond our own congregation.
IV. This is a tough job. Jesus said, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth."
To follow this path is to lose who you are. "Those who lose their life, for my sake, will find it." It will take some changes and sacrifices to follow the Total Ministry Path.
Antenna - (slide bead halfway down the bent pipe cleaner, over both ends, and open up the two antenna.) Listening, discerning devices will have to be cultivated in order to hear and interpret what God is saying to us. Prayer and study are necessary forms of deliberate listening to what God wants us to do.
Wings - We have them, but they are often twisted into our bodies as this paper twist is wound up into itself. We must untwist our wings. This is not easy and is sometimes painful. giving birth to a new self, a new vision, requires growing/birthing pain. Wings when open must be strengthened in order for them to support the butterfly's weight. (Untwist paper and insert one wing through the pipe cleaner, twist the cleaner to hold it in place and insert the second wing below and twist again to hold the wings in place.) Body - The body gets twisted to make support for the wings. (Twist the rest of the body to make it firm.) We will be formed into a new creation in this process, as individuals and as a congregation. Note that even though you have all made a butterfly, the butterflies which you made are not all alike, because you are each unique as God wishes you to be.
I have heard it said that "You are either being formed into the image of Christ, or you are being deformed." Today we are choosing a process of "formation". We are choosing members for our team. It is a time of stepping out into a new venture. Marching in the light of God. Amen.
