During Sunday School one morning we were on the session of the man born blind. The children were sharing a drama of the story of Jesus spitting in the mud – putting the mud on the man’s eyes – and the man born blind going to the pool and washing his eyes and then he is able to see. Then at the end of the story the man born blind calls Jesus a Prophet.
As I was watching and listening to the kids acting out the drama. I realized that one of the teachers was helping a child with the word “prophet.” I thought to myself I wonder if these children know what the word prophet means. So I asked, “Does anyone know what a prophet is?” One child quickly responded, “Yes, a profit is the money you have earned.” All of the teachers in the room began to look one another with a new understanding. Yep, that child is correct. A profit is the returns, proceeds, or revenue of money. However we are not talking about P-R-O-F-I-T we are talking about P-R-O-P-H-E-T! Then one of the teachers began to explain, “A prophet is a messenger of God.” A prophet is someone who has been called to share the Word of God with the world.
In today's world we often think of the prophets of old: Moses, Abraham, Jonah, Isaiah, John the Baptist...
God's Word is still spreading throughout the world today so let us not only teach our children about profits, but also about the message of the prophets.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Spiritual but not Religious
A question I have been struggling with lately is, "How do we (as a church) reach out to those who are spiritual but not religious?" In one of my curious moments I logged onto facebook and typed that question on my status. I'm used to getting 2-3 responses on a status I post but was overwhelmed when I quickly received 14 responses.
Three of the people who responded are fellow leaders in the church who also struggle with that question. The rest were from those who label themselves, "spiritual but not religious." Their responses varied with how they experience God. Some wanted to gather together with a beer and go fishing while others thought it would be great to burn some incense while feeling the rhythm of a drum circle.
As a Christian community it is clear to me that this is an important question. One friend even said maybe the question is, "How do we outreach in an American post-secular society?" One where people see the church as an establishment full of hypocrisy and are turned off by the religion-in-your-face attitude.
Even Jesus saw problems with "the establishment". He walked into the temple and turned over tables (Mk. 11:15). Jesus calls out the people in the temple by saying, "'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers" (Mk. 11:17).
Yet, we also learn that the temple is important in scriptures. Jesus as a child is found sitting on the steps of the temple learning from the teachers, listening and asking them questions (Lk. 2:46). Later, Jesus teaches in the temple.
Sure the church is full of hypocrisy; we are human and like to make things about us and not God. Yet, the church is a living, breathing entity of people who long to be closer to their creator and who want to support, love, and encourage one another in their spirituality. So, how do we as Christians begin to change the assumptions in this world about the church?
Three of the people who responded are fellow leaders in the church who also struggle with that question. The rest were from those who label themselves, "spiritual but not religious." Their responses varied with how they experience God. Some wanted to gather together with a beer and go fishing while others thought it would be great to burn some incense while feeling the rhythm of a drum circle.
As a Christian community it is clear to me that this is an important question. One friend even said maybe the question is, "How do we outreach in an American post-secular society?" One where people see the church as an establishment full of hypocrisy and are turned off by the religion-in-your-face attitude.
Even Jesus saw problems with "the establishment". He walked into the temple and turned over tables (Mk. 11:15). Jesus calls out the people in the temple by saying, "'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers" (Mk. 11:17).
Yet, we also learn that the temple is important in scriptures. Jesus as a child is found sitting on the steps of the temple learning from the teachers, listening and asking them questions (Lk. 2:46). Later, Jesus teaches in the temple.
Sure the church is full of hypocrisy; we are human and like to make things about us and not God. Yet, the church is a living, breathing entity of people who long to be closer to their creator and who want to support, love, and encourage one another in their spirituality. So, how do we as Christians begin to change the assumptions in this world about the church?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
"We're on a mission from God"
By Sarah Teichmann
The other day I was thinking about some of the adventure movies that I really love. I would have to list Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter as being high on this list. Aside from their cinematographic value, I really love the message of these movies. A hero (Luke Skywalker, Frodo Baggins, Harry Potter, etc.) is faced with a dilemma that seems larger than life. They are called upon in some fashion to go on a mission, to face all odds, and to rise to the occasion. (This is usually the part when a fantastic soundtrack by John Williams pipes in.)
Another movie that has a great soundtrack and where the heroes are faced with a dilemma and called into action is… Blues Brothers. That’s right the 1980 movie that tells the story of two brothers- Jake and Elwood and how they’re on a “mission from God.” They are charged with the mission to raise money for an orphanage, and they know that they can’t fail because they’re on a mission… from God.
I find myself somewhat envious of Jake and Elwood, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, Frodo Baggins and his crew of Hobbits, and Harry Potter and his friends. Their mission is quite clear—and they always seem equipped for the challenge—ready to rise to the occasion and see that good is done.
Hmmm…. mission.
Perhaps my mission is as clear as Luke, Frodo and Harry’s calls to action. Perhaps we’re just like Jake and Elwood in that we’re on a mission from God. Sure, our specific mission and calling may not come to us with all the blockbuster bells and whistles of the movies, but we are truly called to use our talents and gifts for God’s glory. I may not be able to aptly swing a lightsaber, ride a broom, battle orks, or have the rhythm of the Blues Brothers… but God has given me gifts nonetheless! And God has given you gifts as well.
We’re on a mission from God. How is God calling you today—and what new adventures in mission are in store for you tomorrow?
The other day I was thinking about some of the adventure movies that I really love. I would have to list Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter as being high on this list. Aside from their cinematographic value, I really love the message of these movies. A hero (Luke Skywalker, Frodo Baggins, Harry Potter, etc.) is faced with a dilemma that seems larger than life. They are called upon in some fashion to go on a mission, to face all odds, and to rise to the occasion. (This is usually the part when a fantastic soundtrack by John Williams pipes in.)
Another movie that has a great soundtrack and where the heroes are faced with a dilemma and called into action is… Blues Brothers. That’s right the 1980 movie that tells the story of two brothers- Jake and Elwood and how they’re on a “mission from God.” They are charged with the mission to raise money for an orphanage, and they know that they can’t fail because they’re on a mission… from God.
I find myself somewhat envious of Jake and Elwood, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, Frodo Baggins and his crew of Hobbits, and Harry Potter and his friends. Their mission is quite clear—and they always seem equipped for the challenge—ready to rise to the occasion and see that good is done.
Hmmm…. mission.
Perhaps my mission is as clear as Luke, Frodo and Harry’s calls to action. Perhaps we’re just like Jake and Elwood in that we’re on a mission from God. Sure, our specific mission and calling may not come to us with all the blockbuster bells and whistles of the movies, but we are truly called to use our talents and gifts for God’s glory. I may not be able to aptly swing a lightsaber, ride a broom, battle orks, or have the rhythm of the Blues Brothers… but God has given me gifts nonetheless! And God has given you gifts as well.
We’re on a mission from God. How is God calling you today—and what new adventures in mission are in store for you tomorrow?
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Baptism and Fire
This is part of my first sermon I gave at Christus Victor. It has come up many times since the date of this sermon so I thought I would post it.
The Gospel: Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52
Matthew 13: 49-50
"So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
When we read the Gospel for today we get to this very touchy subject – the angels will come to separate the evil from the righteous and throw them in the burning fire. This can easily be translated and read as very harsh and it is. I was joking with people in the office about my first sermon here being fire and brimstone. Yet, I can’t help but look for the good news found in these few words. I first went to the Romans reading for today where Paul says very clearly – nothing can separate us from the love of God because of Christ Jesus – Paul writes, “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.” (Romans 8: 26-39) Paul in the Holy Word says that the angels can’t separate us from the love of God. So, what are we missing from the reading in Matthew that the angels will separate us? The evil from the righteous. So, I headed to the Greek and found something very interesting!
"evil" is a plural substantival adjective. It could translate as "the evil (ones)" so – “The angels will come out and separate the evil ones from the righteous” which is how we tend to read it.
However, it could be translated: "the evil(s)" – so that would read – “The angels will come out and separate the evils from the midst of the righteous”. One could translate/interpret this as God separating the sin of our flesh and worldly existence from the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
That happens through the power of the Holy Spirit in the waters of baptism. We are born new – clothed with Christ – having the evils in us separated and thrown into the fire – a fire – and a fire is known to be purifying and cleansing. Through Christ Jesus we are brought together as one – through our baptism we are brought together as one – seeking out this unexpected kingdom.
The Gospel: Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52
Matthew 13: 49-50
"So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
When we read the Gospel for today we get to this very touchy subject – the angels will come to separate the evil from the righteous and throw them in the burning fire. This can easily be translated and read as very harsh and it is. I was joking with people in the office about my first sermon here being fire and brimstone. Yet, I can’t help but look for the good news found in these few words. I first went to the Romans reading for today where Paul says very clearly – nothing can separate us from the love of God because of Christ Jesus – Paul writes, “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.” (Romans 8: 26-39) Paul in the Holy Word says that the angels can’t separate us from the love of God. So, what are we missing from the reading in Matthew that the angels will separate us? The evil from the righteous. So, I headed to the Greek and found something very interesting!
"evil" is a plural substantival adjective. It could translate as "the evil (ones)" so – “The angels will come out and separate the evil ones from the righteous” which is how we tend to read it.
However, it could be translated: "the evil(s)" – so that would read – “The angels will come out and separate the evils from the midst of the righteous”. One could translate/interpret this as God separating the sin of our flesh and worldly existence from the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
That happens through the power of the Holy Spirit in the waters of baptism. We are born new – clothed with Christ – having the evils in us separated and thrown into the fire – a fire – and a fire is known to be purifying and cleansing. Through Christ Jesus we are brought together as one – through our baptism we are brought together as one – seeking out this unexpected kingdom.
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