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
Last Thursday's sermon continued our quick journey through the Letter believed to be written by James the brother of Christ. I continued to present the wisdom of James the Just, a letter that while short has long been a great inspiration and message to so very many. This sermon focused upon the ever-present temptations of life and I relayed a story about the boys in my youth group as an illustration. The point was that far, far, far too often our inability to resist sin drags others into suffering along with us. Whether these sins be substance abuse, infidelity, or one of the many other temptations that face us daily our failings affect others tremendously. Please take a listen to the words that James has given us to help us organize our lives... and remember to... Be a blessing to someone today! In Christ, Roy
James 1:12-18 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Trial and Temptation 12 Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord[a] has promised to those who love him. 13 No one, when tempted, should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. 14 But one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it; 15 then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved.[b] 17 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[c] 18 In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. Footnotes: a) James 1:12 Gk he; other ancient authorities read God b) James 1:16 Gk my beloved brothers c) James 1:17 Other ancient authorities read variation due to a shadow of turning
Below you'll find the video to this last Sunday's sermon along with the scripture verses that the sermon covered. Matthew 5:21-37 includes some difficult verses and is certainly difficult enough to convict each and every one of us for some sin or another. None of us escapes conviction by scripture, if you think you do... well think again.
Matthew 5:21-37 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, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult[f] a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court 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.[l] 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. 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.
The common thread that runs through all sin is the "broken" relationships of us to God, and/or us to one another. In the sermon I focus on this underlying nature of sin especially the brokenness of divorce, which I do believe is a sin, as it of course is the poster child of "brokenness". In divorce you see both aspects of sin, that of a severed relationship(s) and the betrayal of an oath (covenant with God and each other). I've discussed the sin of divorce in another post here and I won't belabor it again in this blog post, but will provide the link to that blog post at the end of this writing. There is in my opinion no hierarchy of sin, all sin is sin. We can infer this from the verses above in Matthew and we can see it explicitly in the scripture found in the letter from James. James 2:10 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. Though there is no hierarchy of sin, divorce certainly isn't to be taken lightly, as I have mentioned it is really a two fold (or more) sin or violation. Divorce without a doubt separates us from God and each other and it is only through faith and prayer that our relationship(s) can be repaired. Of course most divorces are never reconciled here in this world, I have to believe (due to my faith) that somehow this brokenness is rectified beyond this world and into the next. Through Christ all that is broken, no matter what sin it is, will be repaired and forgotten.
Please take a listen to the sermon, I hope you'll find it worthwhile. Have a wonderful and blessed day, and as always... Be a blessing to someone today! In His love, Roy
