SCRIPTURE FOR THIS SUNDAY: Matthew 5: 21-37                                                                                                                           

(I’ll be using The New Living Translation (NLT))

Teaching about Anger

²¹ “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ ²² But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.

²³ “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, ²⁴ leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

²⁵ “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. ²⁶ And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.

Teaching about Adultery

²⁷ “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ ²⁸ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

 

 

Teaching about Divorce

³¹ “You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’ ³² But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.

Teaching about Vows

³³ “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ ³⁴ But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. ³⁵ And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. ³⁶ Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. ³⁷ Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

Pastor Bob’s Reflections on the Text:

This Sunday will be our third consecutive Sunday hearing about Jesus’ most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount.

In this third “lesson,” Jesus moves on from telling the assembled crowd “Who they are” (Blessed) and “What they are” (Salt & Light) to His real-life applications for how to live!

There are 4 “real-life lessons” that Jesus teaches in Sunday’s text. For each one, He tells his audience that He is teaching them something new that will go against what they previously had been taught. Jesus is asking them to unlearn what they have learned. This is how Jesus begins each of the 4 lessons:

Jesus tells the crowd that He is not throwing the old laws out, but rather, He is fulfilling them. Could it be that when we view the original 10 Commandments as the final word on the Law, then we are worshipping God as the Jews do, not as a Christian? For Jews, the Law is a heavy burden that must be carried through life. For Christians, the Law is Freedom from our weaknesses and sin.

Jesus’ intent was never to set aside the Law as given to Moses, but instead to make them a central part of what it means to live in relationship with God.

How is this freedom?                                                                                                                                                                                   Because in very specific terms Jesus is showing us what it looks like to do God’s will on earth as it is in heaven. Not just to abide by the letter of the law to the best of our fallible abilities … but to “live” the law in the ordinariness of our daily lives.

We are all driven to some extent or another by our self-righteous wills. Becoming a Christian squashes that will, and creates a new will within you that desires more than anything else to follow God’s will and Jesus’ Way.                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Have a great week! See you on the Mount!

Pastor Bob <><

SCRIPTURE FOR THIS SUNDAY: Matthew 5: 13-20                                                                                                                           (I’ll be using The New International Version (NIV) translation.)

Salt and Light

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The Fulfillment of the Law

¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Pastor Bob’s Reflections:

            Normally, when someone asks “who” someone else is, we usually respond with a label corresponding to something they do. It’s a functional description of who someone else is. For instance, we might say, “Oh, that’s Becky’s brother,” or “He’s the guy who always wears that red hat and fixes my car.” You get the idea. We identify “who” someone is by what they do, or some role they have in life that we can relate to.

            But we know that someone’s true identity – who they really are – is found in God, our Creator. Just like ours is! And our true identity starts the same for all of us … we are all children of God.  Created by … and identified by … God as one of God’s own. That’s as true for me as it is for you as it is for all of us.

So, when Jesus meets with the crowd on the side of the mountain that day, they don’t know “who” they are. They’ve been told by others who they are, but that’s just a bunch of labels that have been made up to describe them by those who don’t like them. You see, this is what we do. Instead of recognizing everyone as a child of God first, we usually reserve that for those we like, and tell others that they’re things like unclean, unworthy and unlovable. But that’s not God’s truth. As Jesus tells those sitting around Him on the hillside, they are all blessed. And not only that, as He tells them in this week’s text, they are salt and light to the world.

That must’ve come as some shock to those hearing this from Jesus. The ones that were intentionally left out of the “people of God” group by the self-labeled “people of God,” are now the ones most blessed and the ones who have a role to play for God in this world. Now that’s a quick turnaround!

Last Sunday, Jesus told the crowd who they are (blessed children of God). This week, Jesus tells them “what” they are. You can only imagine the things they have been called by those of the religious establishment of their day. But Jesus gives them 2 new labels. Labels that are true to their real identity, not someone else’s label, but a real calling from God.

First, Jesus tells them they are the “salt of the earth.” Then, he tells them they are the “light of the world.” For sure, the folks in the crowd that day have never heard anything like this. Not only are they NOT unclean, unworthy and unlovable, indeed, they are important to God, even loved by God, and they, like us all, have an important role to play for God in this world today.

This Sunday, we’ll talk more about what salt and light really mean when Jesus tells us that’s what we are. My first thought about being salt this week reminded me of popcorn and French Fries. Both are very enjoyable food selections. But, without salt, they really aren’t that great. Kind of bland, dull and tasteless really. But … with salt … now things get good! Put just a little salt on either one, and they become delicacies. Irresistible even.

Why would Jesus call us “salt of the world?” How do we make something that’s bland and dull into a delicious delicacy?

Then, Jesus follow that up by telling the crowd they are the “light of the world.” There’s already so much darkness in the lives of these folks gathered around him, one must wonder how (and why) these people are light to the world. Again, how can folks that are labeled as unclean, unworthy and unlovable become the “light of the world?” Why would Jesus call us that? How do we bring a light of any kind into a world that’s filled with darkness and shadows?

It’s a new day! Jesus says, here is “what” you are now. You are salt. And, you are light. So, how do we get to the work of being those things in the world today? What would that look like?  

We’ll talk about things like that this Sunday at Vine Street, both in our 9:00am Moring Village, and our 10:00am Worship Service. I hope you can join us!

Have a blessed week and pray for God’s will to be done on Earth, just like it is in Heaven, 

Pastor Bob <><

                       

 

 

 

 

 

                        SCRIPTURE FOR THIS SUNDAY: Matthew 5: 1-12                               

 (I’ll be using The Living Bible (TLB) translation.)

5 ^1-2 One day as the crowds were gathering, he went up the hillside with his disciples and sat down and taught them there.

³ “Humble men are very fortunate!” he told them, “for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them. ⁴ Those who mourn are fortunate! For they shall be comforted. ⁵ The meek and lowly are fortunate! For the whole wide world belongs to them.

⁶ “Happy are those who long to be just and good, for they shall be completely satisfied. ⁷ Happy are the kind and merciful, for they shall be shown mercy. ⁸ Happy are those whose hearts are pure, for they shall see God. ⁹ Happy are those who strive for peace—they shall be called the sons of God. ¹⁰ Happy are those who are persecuted because they are good, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

¹¹ “When you are reviled and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers—wonderful! ¹² Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a tremendous reward awaits you up in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted too.

Pastor Bob’s Reflections:

            This passage (Matthew 5: 1-12) is commonly referred to “The Beatitudes,” which can be defined as “supreme blessedness.” There are 8 Beatitudes that Jesus teaches his audience. The Beatitudes are also the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount by Jesus, which some call Jesus’ manifesto for life in the Kingdom of God. So, YES, this is important to understand for strengthening your personal relationship with Jesus.

This Sunday we will be learning more about these perplexing statements of Jesus, and why it’s those who would be least likely to be blessed, by worldly terms, that Jesus is speaking directly to. These 8 Beatitudes are both encouraging and challenging for us. And the biggest challenge for many of us is to come to know the true character of God through Jesus and these 8 Beatitudes.

Jesus has come to teach us that the “truth” of God is not about judgment or punishment or hell. Rather, Jesus introduces us to a “new” God that many find very difficult to accept. Not because this God is to be feared, but rather, because this God is to be trusted with all our sins – it’s too good to be true! Remember – as Jesus teaches – God’s judgment is not to punish or harm anything in God’s Creation, including and most importantly YOU! Instead, Jesus shows us that God’s judgment is just what we need, and should desire in our lives. God’s judgment consists of mercy, forgiveness, grace and redemption. And through God’s kind of unconditional love, we are blessed … or, as the scripture says above — “fortunate & happy.”

Questions to Consider and Reflect Upon

     Have a blessed week and pray for God’s will to be done on Earth, just like it is in Heaven, 

Pastor Bob <><

This Sunday, the pastors of the Arthur Ministerial Association will be switching pulpits to honor and celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. One of the most obvious acts of congregational unity is being there … at church, I mean.

Sunday morning worship is an important part of the unity of a church. Attending church every Sunday (that’s possible) builds unity and strengthens the Spirit in the congregation, but also enhances your own spiritual life by “suiting up and showing up” for something (actually someone) that’s of primary importance in your life – Jesus. After all, He showed up for you on the cross when He really didn’t have too!

A dear friend of mine sent this list to me of the best excuses that had been compiled for skipping church. Read through the list below and see if you recognize any! Even better, I plan to kick off the Morning Village this coming Sunday by asking you to share some of your own favorite excuses that you’ve heard for missing church. Be sure to bring some with you Sunday!

Here are some of the best excuses for missing church on Sunday as heard by pastors and churchgoers, and compiled by Thom Rainer of “Church Answers”:     

This Sunday morning at Vine Street, our special guest preacher will be Pastor Jill Bunker from the Arthur United Methodist Church. I hope none of these excuses are needed and many of you will suit up and show up on Sunday to worship together and hear her message.

I will be at Vine Street for Morning Village, but then I go up the street where I’ll be preaching at the Arthur Mennonite Church. Please hold me in your prayers during this time, as I will for you.

Peace & Joy,

Pastor Bob <><

FOR SUNDAY: READ JOHN 1: 29-42

When was the last time you had an Epiphany in your life? You know … a revelation of God in your presence. It seems a fair question to ask since we are now basking in the post-Christmas season of Epiphany. So, when was the last time you saw God at work in your life …. Or somewhere else in this world?

Our lectionary story from the gospels this week is about curiosity, courage, and the willingness to “Come, and see.” What if …. Someone told you that the person who can answer all your needs and fill you with the happiness and satisfaction you’ve always been looking for …. Is right over the hillside, or right around the corner, or perhaps, standing at the entrance to your heart …. And He is saying to you: “Come …. And see.”

Would you go? Or maybe the better question is, will you go? Will you come to Epiphany this year expecting to see God made visible in your midst. In our story for this Sunday, 2 young followers of John the Baptist find themselves in a precarious situation. All those things they had been hoping for and praying for, have arrived. Their trusty leader John, who has brought them out of religious rigidity and smugness, and has baptized them in water, now says to them … He has arrived. And He is right over yonder.

Would you go, and see? Andrew, and the other disciple did. They took off immediately to discover this new thing God was doing. And when they arrived at the place where “God” was, they were presented with a question: “What are you looking for?” Or, “what are you seeking?” Or, “what has motivated you to seek something new in your life?”

As we learn in the story, Andrew and his fellow disciple were not prepared for this question, so they answered His question with one of their own: “Where are you staying.” Jesus says in response, “Come … and see.”

They did.

Will you? Will you go off to an unknown destination to see what God has to offer you … Your family …. Your church? Will you be willing to open your heart and “see” and “hear” in new ways? Will you go to see … and will you stay, to discover something entirely new, from God, for you?

The season of Epiphany this year is our call to our own spiritual destiny. Each one of us is being pointed the way and told to seek and find. Imagine the 2 disciples in our story, suddenly taking off on foot with all due speed, tripping over each other and running just fast enough to be out of control, just to see what they’ve been waiting for their whole lives. 

And us? Jesus asks … what are you seeking in your life? And we ask back … Teacher, where are you staying? And Jesus urges us … “Come and see.”

What else are we to do?

And so, we go ….

To where? Only time will tell ….

Over the hill and through the woods … to see what God has done,

Pastor Bob <><

 

 Blessings on your journey – see you on the path! 

 Pastor Bob <><