Moving Ahead Amid the Chaos

 

We've all been there -- the media headlines, the texts from family members, the emails from the doctors office -- we simply feel like we are pulled in a million directions in a never-ending storm.

Jesus often found himself surrounded by people's agendas, emotions and even hatred towards him. Every day he was pulled in a million directions. In spite of this, he found a way to maintain connection with others without being reactive; he found a way to "Do Justice and Love Mercy" amid the chaos.

As we ponder our theme of "Justice and Mercy" this fall, we reflect on how Jesus is arguably history's most "differentiated" person. This means he was able to differentiate his feelings, his identity and his purpose from those around him, but do so in a way that he was still present, courageous and empathetic for others. The events of Matthew 21 provide a master class in what differentiation looks like.

A reflection on what differentiation looks like in Jesus and what it might look like in us.

God Isn't Always Fair

 "That's not fair!" 

These are words that easily come out of all our mouths.  In fact, they likely come out of our mouth when hear the parable that Jesus offers today (Matthew 20:1-16) about a landowner that pays everyone the same even though they have worked different amounts of time.

As we continue our fall series on justice and mercy, Pastor Rob acknowledges that the Kingdom of God is not fair.  Any time there is forgiveness, someone didn't get what they deserve.  So let us rejoice that God isn't fair with us, but instead chooses mercy.

Yet, there is justice in this parable, justice about what life together looks like each person contributes so that all have what they need. 

Pastor Rob concludes by offering that the unique stained glass in our sanctuary points towards a beautiful juxtaposition of justice and mercy.  In the windows at St. Paul, the individual pieces are broken, yet they come together to form an inspiring whole.  May our congregation be a living stained glass, a community through which God's justice and mercy shine through.

Do Justice, Love Mercy

 "Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with you God" The prophet Micah (6:8)

The words of the ancient prophet fly of the page, convicting and inspiring us.

Yet they are quite difficult to put into practice! Reflection the 25th anniversary of 9/11 crystalizes precisely the challenge of doing justice and loving mercy in our world.

The prophet Micah points us forward by reminding us that doing justice and loving mercy is grounded in humility. When our heart is humble, the seeds of justice and mercy bear fruit, even on terrible days like 9/11.

Ultimately, though, Jesus does not come to us as a prophet, but a savior, one who doesn't simply teach about humility, but humbles us and makes our hearts alive through his cross.

Confrontation can be an Act of Love

When someone does something wrong to you, what is your reaction? For most of us, it involves some combination of gossiping, ranting online, ghosting a person or simply burying our frustration. But Jesus teaches a different way of mediating conflict, a way of loving our neighbor that calls for the truth to be spoken and heard in love.

Turns out it, this is so difficult, we do not simply need moral wisdom, but we need a savior, one has truly loved us and chosen to be with us in the midst of heartache and sin. 

Which of the 5,000 do I listen to?

 

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may discern the will of God."  Saint Paul, letter to the Romans (12:2).

The human mind produces about 5,000 thoughts and feelings a day.  That is a lot!!  Which do we listen to as we figure out how to move ahead?  Pastor Rob reflects on two big challenges:  

1)  The majority of our thoughts are negative and untrue.

2) The culture gives us a filter that is pagan and not Christian.

How can do move ahead then?  Saint Paul points us in the right direction when he speaks of "the mercies of God."

The power of persistence

"It is not right to give to the dogs what is meant for the children."  Jesus, to the Canaanite woman (Matthew 15)

These are certainly harsh words!  What is Jesus driving towards here?  Is he fanning the flames of prejudice?

Pastor Rob offers that today is a summons to persistence:  Persistence to overcome social divisions and persistence to endure spiritual droughts.

Ultimately, this passage points towards the persistence of Jesus, who bears all of our prejudices and sins in his body, persisting even against death.

Note:  This fascinating art comes from Rev. Ally Barrett.  (You can see all of her drawings about this passage here..)  © Ally Barrett (www.reverendally.org) and used by permission.

The Pearl of Great Worth

"The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant who found a pearl of great worth and sold everything to go and buy it." Jesus (Matthew 13)

Pastor Rob reflects today on pearls, not the things we find in the ocean, but things in our life where we’re willing to make huge sacrifices for them because they bring us joy and life!

Pastor Rob then reflects on how we distinguish between pearls and idols, between the passions that are of God's kingdom and those that are simply of our own kingdom.  This isn’t easy. It turns out that the bigger challenge in life isn’t simply making time for Jesus, but making Jesus the foundation of all the other things we do in our lives.

The sermon though ends with a word of surprising grace about Jesus and his own search for pearls!