This blog began as documentation of my journey into formal ministry. Now that I have received a call it will continue to function as a place for me to address concerns, celebrations and anything else that might catch my fancy. Please remember to "Be A Blessing To Someone Today"! God Bless, Roy
I'll be honest, this wasn't a sermon I was particularly happy with while preaching it. I did, however, receive a great deal of feedback from the congregation and several told me that this was their favorite sermon that I had given (not sure what to make of that?) and so I went back and listened to it myself. In listening to it I found it to be a much better message than it felt like it to me while preaching. Many people told me that it was what they needed to hear and whether or not I'm happy with a sermon isn't really the issue. What is important is that the message is meaningful and needed by those listening. So... if your life is racked with worry... take a listen... Be a blessing to someone today! In His Grace, Roy
Matthew 6:24-34 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Serving Two Masters 24 “No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.[a] Do Not Worry 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,[b] or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?[c] 28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But strive first for the kingdom of God[d] and his[e] righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Footnotes: a) Matthew 6:24 Gk mammon b) Matthew 6:25 Other ancient authorities lack or what you will drink c) Matthew 6:27 Or add one cubit to your height d) Matthew 6:33 Other ancient authorities lack of God e) Matthew 6:33 Or its
This past Sunday we continued to preach from Matthew's Gospel and the teachings of Jesus from the 'Sermon on the Mount'. Just when we thought Jesus had made it difficult enough for us last week, this week He continued to ratchet the pressure up on us all. As if worrying about 'killing' our brother in essence by simply being angry with them, or committing 'adultery' from a stray glance and momentary thought... here we are told to do that which is so... so... much more difficult. We're told to turn the other cheek when one has wronged us. We're asked to actually love that individual who has turned against us... how does Christ expect us to do these things? We simply can't on our own that's the simple answer... only through Jesus can we even approach these goals. Please take a listen to the sermon and let us know what you think. Be a blessing to someone today! In Christ, Roy
Matthew 5:38-48 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Concerning Retaliation 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42 Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. Love for Enemies 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters,[a] what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Footnotes:
a) Matthew 5:47 Gk your brothers Genesis 4:23-24 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 23 Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. 24 If Cain is avenged sevenfold,
truly Lamech seventy-sevenfold.” Exodus 21:12-36 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) The Law concerning Violence 12 Whoever strikes a person mortally shall be put to death. 13 If it was not premeditated, but came about by an act of God, then I will appoint for you a place to which the killer may flee. 14 But if someone willfully attacks and kills another by treachery, you shall take the killer from my altar for execution. 15 Whoever strikes father or mother shall be put to death. 16 Whoever kidnaps a person, whether that person has been sold or is still held in possession, shall be put to death. 17 Whoever curses father or mother shall be put to death. 18 When individuals quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or fist so that the injured party, though not dead, is confined to bed, 19 but recovers and walks around outside with the help of a staff, then the assailant shall be free of liability, except to pay for the loss of time, and to arrange for full recovery. 20 When a slaveowner strikes a male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies immediately, the owner shall be punished. 21 But if the slave survives a day or two, there is no punishment; for the slave is the owner’s property. 22 When people who are fighting injure a pregnant woman so that there is a miscarriage, and yet no further harm follows, the one responsible shall be fined what the woman’s husband demands, paying as much as the judges determine. 23 If any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. 26 When a slaveowner strikes the eye of a male or female slave, destroying it, the owner shall let the slave go, a free person, to compensate for the eye. 27 If the owner knocks out a tooth of a male or female slave, the slave shall be let go, a free person, to compensate for the tooth. Laws concerning Property 28 When an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox shall be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall not be liable. 29 If the ox has been accustomed to gore in the past, and its owner has been warned but has not restrained it, and it kills a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned, and its owner also shall be put to death. 30 If a ransom is imposed on the owner, then the owner shall pay whatever is imposed for the redemption of the victim’s life. 31 If it gores a boy or a girl, the owner shall be dealt with according to this same rule. 32 If the ox gores a male or female slave, the owner shall pay to the slaveowner thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned. 33 If someone leaves a pit open, or digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34 the owner of the pit shall make restitution, giving money to its owner, but keeping the dead animal.
35 If someone’s ox hurts the ox of another, so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and divide the price of it; and the dead animal they shall also divide. 36 But if it was known that the ox was accustomed to gore in the past, and its owner has not restrained it, the owner shall restore ox for ox, but keep the dead animal. James 2:8-12 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 8 You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11 For the one who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.
Jesus has just finished telling us that we must be more righteous than the scribes and the Pharisees (how does one even do that?) and now He's ratcheted things up even farther... These verses are the beginning of what is sometimes called the 'six antitheses', Jesus gives us one thing and contrasts it (amplifies it) with another. These verses do a wonderful and complete job of convicting each of us. There is simply no way that any of us escapes this convicting commentary completely innocent. All have been angry at their brother and/or sister... all have been seduced in their mind by some alluring woman (or man), far, far too many of us have been divorced, and all of us have claimed some oath or another... often giving them no thought whatsoever. In the end, this sermon was an extension of the previous week's message and the only thing we are left with is a confirmation of our reliance upon Christ for our salvation. These verses drive home our failures and shortcomings, they point out to us our sin and the amazing grace that Christ holds forth for us all. Praise God for the grace of Christ! Be a blessing to someone today! In Christ, Roy
Matthew 5:21-37 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Concerning Anger 21 “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister,[a] you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult[b] a brother or sister,[c] you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell[d] of fire. 23 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister[e] has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister,[f] and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court[g] with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. Concerning Adultery 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.[h] 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.[i] Concerning Divorce 31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. Concerning Oaths 33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.[j] Footnotes: a) Matthew 5:22 Gk a brother; other ancient authorities add without cause b) Matthew 5:22 Gk say Raca to (an obscure term of abuse) c) Matthew 5:22 Gk a brother d) Matthew 5:22 Gk Gehenna e) Matthew 5:23 Gk your brother f) Matthew 5:24 Gk your brother g) Matthew 5:25 Gk lacks to court h) Matthew 5:29 Gk Gehenna i) Matthew 5:30 Gk Gehenna j) Matthew 5:37 Or evil Matthew 5:17-20 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) The Law and the Prophets 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter,[a] not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks[b] one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Footnotes: a) Matthew 5:18 Gk one iota b) Matthew 5:19 Or annuls
Here we have a sermon about 'purity' and 'value'. In the ancient world, 'salt' was of great value and worth. Salt was used at times as currency and paid to soldiers as their wages (thus where we get the saying "worth their salt") in lieu of coins or other currency. Christ is telling us here that if we lose our purity in Him, if we lose our value... what good are we? Ultimately, however, we cannot be pure enough, or valuable enough, thus is why we need Christ and Christ crucified. Please take a listen to the sermon and as always... Be a blessing to someone today! In Christ, Roy (ps: God willing... I will be caught up by the end of the week, there was no service on Thursday, February 13 due to the extreme cold weather)
Matthew 5:13-20 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Salt and Light 13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. The Law and the Prophets 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter,[a] not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks[b] one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Footnotes: Matthew 5:18 Gk one iota Matthew 5:19 Or annuls
