Woodlawn CC

Woodlawn CC

Friday, July 26, 2019

Martha & Mary, Luke 10:38-42, Sermon given Sunday, July 21, 2019


Last Sunday I preached over the very familiar text concerning "Martha and Mary".  These verses have been the topic of many Women's conferences and messages to Women's groups at church functions, not to mention sermons aimed at the ladies in a congregation.  I, however, do not feel that this is a story laying out the role(s) of women at all.  Yes, the characters are women, but the message is to all of us!

Here in Luke's Gospel, Jesus has already turned to head towards Jerusalem and just as in the story concerning the "Sending Out of the Seventy", shortly preceding this tale, time is of the essence.  There is a need to focus attention on the goal... the time for fussing and feeding the body has passed and now we're focusing on the soul.

Please take a listen to the sermon, the link to the video on Youtube is right below.  Thank you for spending a few moments listening to this message.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

Luke 10:38-42 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Jesus Visits Martha and Mary
38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42 there is need of only one thing.[a] Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Footnotes:
Luke 10:42 Other ancient authorities read few things are necessary, or only one



Thursday, July 25, 2019

Colossians 1:15-29 "The Supremacy of Christ" - July 18, 2019


With having gone to the Disciples General Assembly for two days and then having to deal with other issues yesterday, I am as it always seems running from behind.  Never fear with God's help I will catch up and be prepared for tonight's message and then again on Sunday.

HOWEVER, having said that I am just going to post this video up and keep running!  Please take a listen to the sermon and let me know what you think.

Be a blessing to someone today!!

In His Supreme Nature,
Roy


Colossians 1:15-29 Revised Standard Version (RSV)
The Supremacy of Christ
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation; 16 for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. 19 For in him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

21 And you, who once were estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him, 23 provided that you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Paul’s Interest in the Colossians
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the divine office which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations[a] but now made manifest to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, striving with all the energy which he mightily inspires within me.

Footnotes:
Colossians 1:26 Or from angels and men



John 1:1-5 Revised Standard Version (RSV)
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God; 3 all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life,[a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Footnotes:
John 1:4 Or was not anything made. That which has been made was life in him


Thursday, July 18, 2019

Luke 10:25-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan - Sermon given 7/14/2019


The sermon last Sunday covered the 'Parable of the Good Samaritan'.  The verses in Luke 10:25-37 comprise probably one of the best known Biblical stories of all. We have all heard this story countless times in our Christian walk.

During the sermon, I discuss the controversy during the time of Jesus as to just who was your 'neighbor'.  The interesting thing is that Jesus seems to take the definition far beyond what any of the other Rabbis of His day were taking it... to Jesus "EVERYONE" is your neighbor.  And the most neighborly of all is the one who has been the most despised and contemptible of all... the Samaritan.  This man who is so despicable and lowly is the only one who reaches out in love... to a member of the very group that has persecuted him so vehemently.  In this regard isn't he just like Christ?

Take a listen to the sermon and see what else I had to say...

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Love,
Roy

Luke 10:25-37 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
25 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus.[a] “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27 He answered, “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.” 28 And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii,[b] gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Footnotes:
a) Luke 10:25 Gk him
b) Luke 10:35 The denarius was the usual day’s wage for a laborer


John 8:42-52 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word. 44 You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God.”

48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is one who seeks it and he is the judge. 51 Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” 52 The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and so did the prophets; yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’


Monday, July 15, 2019

Funeral Manuscript for Dorothy Stotts, July 13, 2019


This past Saturday I presided over the funeral for Dorothy Stotts at Lampe Funeral Home here in Lake City.  Dorothy was a wonderful lady of 105 years, such a long and amazing life.  Please pray for her family and friends who will miss her until they are reunited in our Father's House.  God bless and comfort them all.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy


Order of Service – Funeral for Dorothy Stotts - July 13, 2019

Prelude: 

Call to Worship:
Heavenly Father, You have assured us that through Your Son all shall have eternal life. Trusting in Your faithfulness and mercy, we await that glory filled day when You raise us all to life in triumph and we shall stand before Your throne. Standing there with all Your creation made new in Christ Jesus, basking in the glory of Your eternal Heavenly Kingdom. 

Opening Prayer:
Dear Lord, we acknowledge Your presence here and come before Your throne this afternoon as friends and family of Dorothy Katherine Stotts. We are here because we loved her, and now miss her, and we want to cherish our memories of her, we want to honor her life, to honor her, and to support one another as we grieve her passing – a passing from life here with us to everlasting life there with you O Lord.

God, thank you for Dorothy, You formed her, you knew her, you walked with her through 105 years, and even now we have confidence that she is in your presence.
We thank you that you are a God of mercy, who promises to comfort us, particularly when we lose our loved ones, and so in these moments now, and in the weeks and months ahead, please bring comfort and mercy to us as we remember, and share fondly all that  Dorothy was to us.

In the mighty and holy name of Jesus, we pray.
Amen.

Special Music:

Scripture Readings:
Let us hear now a Reading from the Old Testament:
Psalm 23  King James Version (KJV)
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Let us hear now a Reading from the New Testament:
1 Peter 1:3-9
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

Prayer:
Let us pray.
Dear Father of all mercies and God of all consolation, you pursue us with untiring love and dispel the shadow of death with the bright dawn of life. Give courage to this family in their loss and sorrow. Be their refuge and strength, O Lord, reassure them of your continuing love and lift them from the depths of grief into the peace and light of your presence. 

Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, by dying has destroyed our death, and by rising, restored our life. Your Holy Spirit, our comforter, speaks for us in groans too deep for words. Come alongside your people, remind them of your eternal presence and give them your comfort and strength. Amen

Message:  Pastor Roy Karlen – Woodlawn Christian Church 
Today I'm going to do something a little different with my message.  I am going to start off with a biography written for Dorothy by her daughter-in-law Linda.  Linda in her writing has touched on so much of Dorothy's life.

Dorothy Katherine Mapel, middle daughter of Thomas Layton Mapel and Eva (Gregg) Mapel was born April 14, 1914, at home in Lake Creek township.  She spent her growing up years playing with her sisters, Hazel and Ruth, doing farm chores, helping her mother around the house and in the garden, and riding their pony down the road to country school.  The family moved into Rockwell City during the time the girls attended high school.  Dorothy graduated in 1932, after taking Normal Training.  She accepted a position teaching country school in Lake Creek #5, down the road from her home.  Her sisters, likewise, took up positions in neighboring schools.

On April 30, 1939, Dorothy married Merle Stotts (an electrician), in the St. Francis rectory.  They lived in Rockwell City before moving to a small home in Sherwood (the little red house is still standing).  For four years, Dorothy ran the small grocery store out of the home and pumped gas.  The couple then moved to a farm northeast of Yetter, where they raised crops, milked a Brown Swiss dairy herd, raised hogs and chickens, and had a large garden.  Dorothy was active in all aspects of farming.  She taught Sunday school at the Presbyterian Church in Lytton.  They had three boys.  Michael was born in 1945, followed by Steven and David (both dying in infancy).

On January 21, 1968, Merle suddenly passed away.  Mike and Dorothy got the crop in that year, after which Dorothy made the decision to move into Lake City.  She took employment as a clerk at Ryan's Super Value for several years.  After living in several apartments, she purchased a small home on South Woodlawn.  She loved spending time with her grandchildren, Jennifer and Jason, and continued to garden on a smaller scale, adding beautiful flowers around her home.  She helped Mike and Linda during farming season, bringing out meals, helping them change locations, and watching the grand-kids on occasion.  She became a member of the Lake City Union Church.

About this time, her interest in painting bloomed.  She took classes from local artist Eileen Blaskovich, as well as other area classes and seminars offered.  She joined china painting clubs in Carroll and Fort Dodge.  Her skills grew as she did numerous oil paintings, beautiful porcelain plates, and dolls.  Her doll collection numbered over 50.  A small kiln was added to her workshop in the basement.

Dorothy also loved to bake, keeping the neighborhood kids supplied with fresh cookies! She also loved playing cards, joining several clubs.  Through friends Ruth and Sam Finley, she met Sam's brother Floyd.  They spent time together doing many social activities, including dancing.  Their companionship lasted until Floyd's passing.

After a fall, she entered Shady Oaks in the fall of 2014.  There she enjoyed the companionship of other residents and participated in the activities offered.  Church remained an important aspect of her life, attending whatever service was being offered.  Her health started to decline this past year.  On July 4, she said a final goodbye to this life.

She is survived by her son Michael (Linda) Stotts, grandchildren Jennifer Holloway (Derek Manchester) and Jason (Jecque) Stotts, great grandchildren Amanda, Amber, and Allison Holloway, and Jack and Dane Stotts.

Thank you, Linda, for preparing these memories to be shared today.

When I asked Mike and Linda to describe Dorothy to me they immediately answered that she was nice, that she never said a bad word about anyone, Mike never remembers her really being mad, she never complained, she wasn't one to ask for help, she was always active, she never smoked or drank, and her only vice was that she liked to go to the Beauty Shop regularly.  Oh, and they mentioned that she really loved her shoes, Mike said she had a least 90 pairs of shoes in her closet.

They told me how she'd overcome so much adversity in her life.  Her arm was caught in a wringer washer when she was a child and the doctor wanted to amputate the arm.  Dorothy's father Thomas wouldn't allow it, he took her to Chicago for treatment and there they were able to save her arm.  She lost one of her kidneys at an early age and went over 90 years with just one functioning kidney. Dorothy endured not once but twice the most heartbreaking event a parent can face, the loss of a child, her two sons Steven and David both dying as infants. She next lost her husband at an all too young of an age and then in that very same year, her mother passed as well.  Finally, in that last year of farming after Merle's death, Dorothy lost part of a finger in a stock chopper.

Still, through it all, she kept going and didn't complain.  She simply moved into Lake City and found new lines of employment and involvement. Dorothy just kept living and enjoying her life, as Linda said she met Floyd Finley and they shared many years of friendship.  She maintained her independence and kept driving well into her 90's.

Finally, though the time came that Dorothy had to move into Shady Oaks.  Mike and Linda said that they discovered that Dorothy would often forget to turn the timer on when baking cookies and only remember that she had something in the oven when the smoke detector would go off.  They wondered how many batches of cookies she burned.  She'd just dump the burned ones and start over again with another batch. Dorothy celebrated her 100th birthday at Shady Oaks shortly after moving in; and I have to say that having to move into a nursing home at nearly 100 isn't anything to be ashamed of, in fact, that in and of itself is quite remarkable.

There are so many, many stories that one can accumulate in 105 years of life on this earth, but I am going to let the rest of them be told by each of you during the time of gathering right after this service.

In closing, Dorthy was as mentioned, always devoted to her faith and regularly attended worship even after moving to Shady Oaks.  She had an unwavering faith in her Lord and a firm understanding of the importance of worshiping together.

Hebrews 10:19-25 (NIV)
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 

Hebrews 12:1-3  New International Version (NIV)
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Dorothy endured hardship, loss, and trails, but she never lost her faith nor her witness.  Ours is a great and wonderful God, a God who loves us and watches over us our whole life-long.  Let us, like Dorothy, never lose heart, let us always remember to smile and gently laugh, even while the world throws it's worst upon us... for we know that beyond all that we see and endure here, that our Lord and our Savior loves us.  And knowing that God loves us we are called to show, and express our love for Him and His children.

On July 4th, 2019, Dorothy Stotts was born anew into the Kingdom of Heaven and looked not only into the face of her husband Merle, and the faces of her two dear young boys Steven and David, along with the faces of all of her so many other loved ones that have gone on before her, but she also and most importantly looked upon the very face of God the Father Himself...  Praise be to God... 

Thank you, dear Lord, for giving us Dorothy to know and to love on this earthly journey.  Though we shall always miss her, we know that her gentle smile, today lights the very streets of Heaven, and its memory shall long be lit in the hearts and minds of those who loved her so very, very much.  Praise be to God.  

Special Music:

Final Instructions and Closing Prayer:
The family wishes for you all to join them in further celebration of Dorothy's life and a time of shared remembrances and closure, by gathering with them for snack bars and beverages in the room adjacent here at Lampe's.  The family will have a private interment at a later time.  Please allow this closing prayer to serve also as the blessing for the refreshments.  

Let us please pray:
O God, our Strength, and our Redeemer, Giver of life, and Conqueror of death, we open our hearts to you just as we are.  We celebrate your gift of life freely given but are grieved by a sense of loss in the face of death.  The love which binds us to one another leaves us aching as ties are broken.  Accept our tears as emblems of devotion, and transform them into waters of life to nourish us in the days ahead.

We trust you. We love you. We know in Christ that your love is everlasting.  Nothing can separate any of us from your abiding care.  With you is eternal life.

With confidence, we now entrust Dorothy to your unfailing love and overflowing goodness.  Through the power that raised Christ from the dead to live eternally with you, lift up this, your servant, to life fulfilled beyond our imagining.  We give you but your own, enfold her in your everlasting arms, hold her for she is your child.
Now strengthen us, through the gift of your Spirit, to face into the future with confidence that you stand with us.  Grant that the changes of life may leave us stronger as we journey through life.
Reassured of your abiding presence, help us to knit more firmly the ties that bind us one to another.  Renewed by your love, help us to love in ever larger circles so as to embrace your people everywhere till at last we are all united eternally through Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Benediction:

Lampe Funeral Home



Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Luke 10:1-20, sermon given on July 7, 2019


Below please find, the video of and the manuscript of, last Sunday's sermon.  The sermon covers the story of the "Sending out of the Seventy".  We need to remember that Christ continues to send us out into the world to do His work... to tend His fields... to bring in His harvest.

Be a blessing to someone today!
In Christ,
Roy


Sermon – Sunday, July 7, 2019

Today the Lectionary brings us to the verses found in the Gospel of Luke at Chapter 10, verses 1-20.  This is the story of “The Mission of the Seventy” or as it is found in some manuscripts “The Mission of the Seventy-Two”.  The translators of the NRSV determined that the number '70' likely was the more reliable and the original number, I agree with this determination for reasons we will talk about in just a few moments.

The story we're looking at today follows behind the story of the sending out of the 'Twelve Disciples' in Chapter 9, and the feeding of the 5,000.  It directly follows where we are told in Luke 9:  that Jesus has made his final turn towards Jerusalem.  Time is running short now.  Christ sends these 'seventy' out ahead of him to prepare the way in the towns he has yet to visit or perhaps to re-visit.  One can question whether he is sending the seventy out because he doesn't believe he has time to visit all the locations he had intended, but to me, in the Greek, the idea that these are advance parties seems to be fairly obvious.
Jesus' ministry isn't just a haphazard trip through what we call today the 'Holy Land'.  He has a plan and he is sending people ahead of him to make arrangements for the success of his ministry.  If we truly wish to follow his ministry model, then we too need to plan according to God's will and accept the call when given to go ahead to prepare the way.

Let's now turn to the text and hear what the author of Luke and Acts is relaying to us:

Luke 10:1-20 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Mission of the Seventy
10 After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 2 He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ 6 And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; 9 cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.
Woes to Unrepentant Cities
13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But at the judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum,
will you be exalted to heaven?
    No, you will be brought down to Hades.
16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”
The Return of the Seventy
17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” 18 He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19 See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

As I said earlier, these verses follow after the sending of the 'Twelve', which is generally interpreted to symbolize the witness to the 'Twelve Tribes' of Judaism, thus understood as the ministry to the Jewish Nation.  Here now we have a new, larger group being sent out... seventy or seventy-two in other manuscripts.  The number seventy has a number of meanings for us in reading scripture.  It is the number of elders that Moses is told to appoint in the eleventh Chapter of the Book of Numbers.  It then was used because of this appointment as the number of members of the Sanhedrin.  Seventy was also, and what I think is being applied here, the number of Nations in the entire World as set out in Genesis Chapter Ten. This line of thinking is strengthened by the fact that approximately equal numbers of manuscripts state the number of Disciples sent out as seventy as do seventy-two.  The reason for this is that in the Septuagint Genesis Chapter Ten records seventy-two as the number of Nations as opposed to seventy in the Hebrew Old Testament. Thus, here, we can be fairly certain, that we are encountering a symbolic number to represent the number of Nations in the entire world.  Thus we are being told symbolically, that the message of Christ Jesus is to be taken to all the World... none are to be excluded any longer.

These Disciples are sent out in teams of two, likely due to Jewish laws pertaining to a reliable witness requiring two individuals and due to the great dangers of traveling in Biblical times.  This model of working in tandem is continued on for the most part into the writings of the book of Acts and the letters of Paul.

Jesus sends these 70 out with the warning that this will not be an easy trip.  They will encounter resistance and confrontations.  Certainly, as I mentioned travel in Biblical times was dangerous, there were difficult roads and thugs could be lying in wait to rob lone travelers.  But, “Sheep among wolves”, also most certainly means there is a very real chance they'll be attacked for their witness.  We too are often attacked for our witness, though here in the USA it is generally not a physical attack but certainly verbal abuse is all too common.  Though we have recently seen an increase of actual physical attacks especially it seems to those Christians protesting at Abortion Clinics and advocating a pro-life agenda.  Still, we are not suffering ever-present danger like some believers are in other regions of the world.  Never forget to pray for those whose witness places them in literal danger of physical attack, destruction of property, rape, or even death.

Here in Luke's Gospel, time is now short.  The metaphor is of the harvest and we with agricultural backgrounds understand all too well the urgency that harvest brings... there is no dilly-dallying to be done.  Jesus sends these 70 out almost like light infantry troops... they're scouting or advance parties.  They are to travel quickly, not burdened by unnecessary possessions, they are not to chit-chat along the way... they are being sent to a predetermined village or town and that is where they are to gather intel and make preparations.  They're not to try and find the best hosts for themselves, moving from home to home... seeing who will provide them the greatest luxury.  No, they have a job to do and they need to stay focused on the job... their job is like ours today... to prepare the way for Christ.

There is also talk about eating what is set before them, and this combined with staying where they are put, can be looked upon as a message to those later Disciples traveling and spreading the word and works of Christ.  Remember all the issues we've talked about in Galatians with the co-mingling of Gentiles and Hebrews.  This eating what is put before you can certainly be applied to a Hebrew Christian staying with a Gentile family or individual.  You are to eat and abide by the host and not search out a family or host whose dietary practices were your own.  The Lord has provided a host for you and you must practice proper hospitality as a guest... besides, you're about the Lord's work and things are urgent.  

It seems that once they've returned to report back to Jesus that at least some of the locations visited weren't particularly welcoming.  We can only wonder if that means that Christ then skipped going to those villages and towns or if this simply gave him the knowledge of how to present his message once he got there.  We have to remember that scripture is not exhaustive about every stop that Christ made nor for that matter even every stop that Paul made.  

We could read the verses about shaking dust from the feet and all the woes as telling us that Jesus just gave up on those cities... we could then go on and determine that this allows us to just 'give up' on some people, or even places on earth.  But, that seems to run counter to the Parable of the Sower.  In the story of the Sower, he casts seed onto all the types of soil... soil that seems obviously good, and soil that seems hopeless... he does not judge who may or may not be worthy.  I don't think these verses here in Luke are telling us to give up on people.  It is, to me at least, more intended as a warning to those who may be inclined to reject Christ.

There is a certain allowance for grace strangely hidden in these verses of woe, for Jesus says those great sinners in “Tyre and Sidon” and even the much-maligned Sodom... will have it better at the time of judgment than “Bethsaida and Capernaum”.  Jesus lived in Capernaum and it's believed that the Disciples lived in Bethsaida after Christ's ascension.  Certainly, there was a church in Bethsaida very, very, very early on and it's actual remains have been discovered.  If things are going to be better for these three long disparaged cities than they will be for cities that were blessed with Christ actually living there and or the Disciples living and ministering there... then can we not see that there is some hope for grace for the most lost and defiant of nonbelievers today?  We are called to cast our seed, like the Sower of the Parable on all soil... rocky, thorny, salty, and what have you... we are not to judge.  The only Judge is Christ, we are the workers preparing the way of the Lord.  We are being sent to work among the thorns and rocks, often throwing seed where we think it's an absolute waste of time.  I have often held forth that it's not for us to know what seed sprouts and what seed flourishes.  We are called to assist God with the planting, to water, to nurture, to guide, but the harvest is God's alone.  Luke uses the metaphor of harvest, but surely the real harvest is by God's hand alone.  Only our egos make us want to count the noses of those whom “we've saved”.  But, I can tell you all exactly how many you've all saved... zero... they've all been saved by God.  You can... and we all should... submit to being God's hands and feet, but you need to leave your ego out of it.

This need to leave behind or at the very least keep our egos in storage is the warning that Jesus gave to the 70 and to us by extension, in these verses;
17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” 18 He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19 See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Lest one is tempted to take these verses literally, I will caution you as one who grew up in rattlesnake country... stepping on certain snakes is never ever a good idea.  But.. this warning isn't to be taken literally... it's a metaphor for and a warning against human ego.  The seventy have just used the wrong word... “us”... sure they said the demons submitted in the Lord's name, but then they went on and said: “the demons submit to us”.  Just as you've never saved anyone, no evil will ever submit to your personal power.  Jesus is not a magic potion that you wield like some sort of sorcery.  

This ring that Gail gave me for Father's day is a Saint Benedict Medal or also sometimes called a “Devil-Chasing Medal”.  It's what my son Creath also calls Catholic Witchcraft.  It contains verses meant as a talisman against evil.  The incantation on it in Latin is supposed to ward off evil, illness, and neutralize poison.  Now when Gail purchased it she didn't know what it was and I don't wear it because I believe it has any power or abilities what-so-ever... no power that is beyond the reminder to the wearer that only through Christ is there any ability to withstand the evil that lurks within the heart of all mankind.  The ring's power is simply its ability to remind one to have faith in Christ and in Christ alone.

There is no more magic in this ring than there is inside of me the ability to bring another soul to Christ.  Both the ring and I are only reminders of the power, love, grace, and glory of God the Father.  Each of you too are reminders to the world of the power, love, grace, and glory of our Lord and Savior.  Remember that when you go out into the world.

But, back to our verses... you see the story of Satan that Jesus is referencing has to do with Satan's pride, he elevated himself to being equal with God and thus his pride... his ego poisoned him and he believed himself the more powerful or at least as powerful as God.  Remember that the story of Satan is that he was the most beautiful and favored of the Angels.  Here in relaying a story of Satan falling from grace, Jesus is not trying to paint a picture of the end-times but rather warning the Disciples and all of us... to keep our egos in check.  It's not about us, it was never about us, it's all about God... and doing God's work of bringing His children into a loving relationship with God.

Paul warns us about ego and doing the Lord's work in the 1st Chapter of 1st Corinthians;
12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephan as; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

Let me interject that I love these verses written by Paul for it shows his humanity in not being able to remember who or even how many he baptized... he's so very human here... someone we can relate to... I love that part.  But, I digress... Paul is warning those in Corinth and us, to remember that it is Christ that we follow and serve.  It's not about our wisdom or our eloquence, it's not about a slick package or a powerful sermon delivery... it's about the grace, the forgiveness, the love... of Christ.

If we start thinking it has anything to do with us then we're in danger of falling just as Satan fell... and maybe even worse we're trying to empty the cross of Christ of its power.  Not that I think we could ever accomplish such a thing.

But my friends we are told to rejoice...  rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

Through our faith in Christ Jesus, we have received the grace of God and even though we are lowly sinners our names have been engraved in the book of life... they have been written in heaven.  

Let us pray:
Dear Father, Abba, Creator, Lord... we thank You that through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ Jesus that we have been welcomed into Your blessed Kingdom.  We who through our evil human nature are not worthy of being in Your presence have been redeemed, renewed, restored, re-created, into the very Children of God.  Thank you for that blessing beyond all blessings.

As we who are gathered here go forth into Your creation here on Earth O Lord, use us as your hands and feet to reach those who are lost and hurting.  Through Your name, Your love, Your grace alone, let the children all come to You and abide with You forever.

Praise be to God and God alone.  Amen.



Luke 10:1-20 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Mission of the Seventy
10 After this the Lord appointed seventy[a] others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 2 He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ 6 And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; 9 cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’[b] 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’[c] 12 I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.

Woes to Unrepentant Cities
13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But at the judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven?
    No, you will be brought down to Hades.

16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

The Return of the Seventy
17 The seventy[d] returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” 18 He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19 See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Footnotes:
a) Luke 10:1 Other ancient authorities read seventy-two
b) Luke 10:9 Or is at hand for you
c) Luke 10:11 Or is at hand

d) Luke 10:17 Other ancient authorities read seventy-two



Monday, July 8, 2019

Galatians 5:1-25, Thursday Night Worship, June 27, 2019



With the "July 4th", and also Western Days, and a few other things going on, I am way behind on my blog.  Here is the video from our June 27th Worship Service.  We took part in the Community Worship on June 30th and I did not preach this year so there is no video from that Sunday.  Also, we skipped Thursday Night Worship last week since it fell on the 4th.

I am just going to post the video and keep moving, I promise to try and keep up the rest of the month.  There will, however, not be a video from this Thursday as I will be out of town.  There will be a service, it just won't have a video taken since Gail and I will be gone.

Have a blessed week and remember to...

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

Galatians 5:1-25 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
5 1 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

The Nature of Christian Freedom
2 Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 Once again I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the entire law. 4 You who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working[a] through love.

7 You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth? 8 Such persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough. 10 I am confident about you in the Lord that you will not think otherwise. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty. 11 But my friends,[b] why am I still being persecuted if I am still preaching circumcision? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would castrate themselves!


13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters;[c] only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence,[d] but through love become slaves to one another. 14 For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.


The Works of the Flesh
16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, 21 envy,[e] drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The Fruit of the Spirit
22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.

Footnotes:
a) Galatians 5:6 Or made effective
b) Galatians 5:11 Gk brothers
c) Galatians 5:13 Gk brothers
d) Galatians 5:13 Gk the flesh
e) Galatians 5:21 Other ancient authorities add murder