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John 13:34 (CEB)
“I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. Stewardship is our ability to recognize that we are partakers in how to experience God in the world. From our actions to our words, we look at the world through the lenses of our faith in Jesus Christ. We are blessed not because we have more. No, we are blessed because we look out for one another. We are salty when we live for God’s glory. We are light when we risk letting the light shine on us even when we do not necessarily want it to illuminate the things we would prefer to keep hidden. The express invitation is to be a steward and know that our lives are not our own, sharing our gifts and graces and seeking to bless others as we have been blessed. That is being a good steward. So how might we be good stewards in our relationships? Recall that Jesus’ ministry is about a radical love shared between each other. In Jesus’s view, love realizes that anger kills a relationship even before it can start. Love sees each person, not as an object, but a child of God. Jesus taught a love that values committing to each other even when it is hard. Love speaks words of truth gently and patiently. Love lets hatred and fear go because these do not lead to healthy relationships. Love is robust enough to witness commonalities rather than differences. These are ways to be good stewards of God’s radical love in Jesus. Grace and Peace, Rev. Brian
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Matthew 11.28-30 (RSV)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Christians are called to a different standard formed around the life of Jesus. By being obedient to his way, we are authorized to live in the kingdom as if it is fully present here and now. The Beatitudes in Matthew 5.1-12 describe blessedness in life as we know it, both as a gift and our response to that gift. Our relationship of Jesus becomes evident when we share our blessings with others. When we share our blessings we are good stewards. Which of the these would you like to see more of in your life?
I’d love to hear your responses. Drop me a note or email or call. On Sunday, we will discover together the power of salt and light! See you there! Grace and Peace, Rev. Brian 1 Corinthians 15.58 (CEB)
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. From this Sunday’s sermon, I challenged the church to consider how each person can take part in discernment. As the theologian and, author, and minister R.C. Sproul suggests, “Discernment is not simply knowing the different between right and wrong. Discernment is knowing the difference between right and almost right.” Beginning, ending, and always pointing to God, discernment is a communal activity that is more than merely decision making or consensus building. While that is certainly part of the process, its goal is to name where God is moving, evaluating, and determining the significance for us. By being aware of God’s gifts and graces present within each person, our faithful work is done most fully together.* So our question is this: “How will I participate in discernment?” By making a commitment(s) to:
Grace and peace, Rev. Brian *adapted from “Seeing the Future with Eyes of Faith.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 (RSV) …for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Sunday, we looked at how our imaginations are powerful. Our collective imaginations are shaped by the hope that we have found in God. A hope built on our trust in God’s steadfast love and promise to keep. To see with the eyes of faith is guided by our hope and ability to imagine the world and our part in it as God desires. I asked us to respond to the question: “How we might we use our imaginations to picture living in the way of Jesus?” Reflecting together: how Abraham and Sarah imagined a future God promised, and how the founders of LPCC imagined a thriving church in a time where coming together was key to living out Jesus’ invitation to serve the city of La Porte. As part of both stories from ancient to recent memory, we too are invited to still imagine the world as God hopes. Sunday, we will consider how discerning together helps us grow together. This means that we will have continued opportunities for everyone in Sunday worship as well as opportunities to study the Bible together, and participate in a vision panel. These actions will lead us to a congregational vision celebration in November. Discernment will be an exciting time in the life of LPCC! Please submit your responses to Sunday’s question to [email protected] or text to 281.941.8091. To listen to the sermon visit the website www.lpcomch.com. Grace and peace, Rev. Brian |
Rev. Brian
Husband, father, minister, child of God, follower of Jesus Christ writing in the context of La Porte Community Church Archives
November 2016
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