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Archive for category #freshstart

Hebrews 2:14-18 “For Folks Like Us.”

Posted by myoikos in #2017, #conversation, #cross, #freshstart, #goodness, #jesus, #relationship, #resurreciton, #sacrifice, Communion, creation, God, holy communion, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Relationship, Sacrifice, Salvation, Sin, sinner, Trust on February 4, 2017

Seven dealdy sins signpost

Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. [NRSV]

Christ Came to for sinners like us.

One of the Core faith questions is: Why did Jesus have to die for our sins? If God created the world in the first place, why not just speak the word, MULIGUN or DO-OVER and “so be it!”?

How many backyard ball games have been remedied by the power of the “do over”?

The relationship God creates humanity for is one of mutual trust, respect, and love. When we trust our own will, when we disrespect God’s rules, and when we turn “love of God” into “love of self,” we give up the innocence, wholeness, and life. We have no more than our own life to offer, and if we give it up, then we have no relationship with God.

In the Garden of Eden, once sin broke the relationship, Adman and Eve were out of the God-relationship and had to work on their relationship with God rather than only enjoy a relationship with God.

In the Flood and Noah, God tries the do-over, but sin continues to show up as quick as the remedy cleans the way, sin returns and the same as before the cleansing.

God offers to keep the relationship for us, even if we break it, if we will trust God to provide, lead and love us. But the offer is short lived and God’s will is questioned and rejected.

In the “Shark Tank” deal, God offers 100% of the profits, gives 100% of the resources, for us to choose life instead of death, knowing we will throw the whole deal away again and again. To seal the deal: God gives us the life we cannot restore, at God’s full cost, because the one thing God desires most is that you be freed from death, freed from the power of sin and free to ‘be’ with God, all of us.

Still, we listen to voices of talking snakes, tempting devils, and convincing logic within our own minds and we throw the gift away.

For us, Sin: That which distances us from a relationship of trust and love with God and the People of God.

Traditional, the Cardinal Sins our favorite, go-to list that usually needs our attention:

  • Pride,
  • Greed,
  • Lust,
  • Envy,
  • Gluttony,
  • Wrath, and
  • Sloth

Virtue: That which helps build a relationship of trust and love with God and the People of God.

  • The Old Testament virtues are to Love God with all your
    • heart
    • mind and
    • spirit.
  • The New Testament virtues are
    • Faith,
    • Hope, and
    • Love.

We can spend all day a church, feed five hundred people and sing praises till the cows come home and with one little word, we fail God.

Look at the short list

  • Pride, misplaced achievement
  • Greed, the assumption that things and money are our peace and hope and joy.
  • Lust, Self-gratification of power or the absence of love in our relationships, satisfying only the body or mind.
  • Envy, Not being content or satisfied, but alway wanting.
  • Gluttony, satisfying the body, thinking that daily bread will bring us wholeness.
  • Wrath lost in Anger, anger is, at times a healthy response, but when anger seeks revenge and dominance we come to the dark side.
  • Sloth. Apathy and Laziness, the waiting for what we deserve to be given to us.

The remedy and our salvation:

The Gospel Remain, Jesus Christ who dies for our sins and his resurrection for our eternal life.

Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested

  1. We come to communion as it is our reaffirming Christ’s life has been given for our life
  2. We come confession our sins and trusting God’s promise to save
  3. We come to the table to eat, not of gluttony, but of grace
  4. We come giving praise for God’s mighty acts and not our own
  5. We come because we see the wealth in a life of giving ourselves to God
  6. We trust God’s power is greater than our own.
  7. We come knowing that we are empty without God’s mercy
  8. We come knowing God would be justified in being angry with us, but instead God set’s a place for us at the table.

So come, You life is waiting at the table

  • Gilligan’ s Island
    pride, The Professor
  • greed, Mr. Howell
  • lust, Ginger
  • envy, Mary Ann
  • gluttony, Mrs. Howell
  • wrath, The Skipper
  • sloth, Gilligan
  • The Chronicles of Narnia
  • Lion Witch and Wardrobe: Gluttony
  • Prince Caspian: Envy
  • Dawn Treader: Greed
  • Horse and His Boy: Lust
  • Silver Chair: Sloth
  • Magician’s Nephew: Anger
  • Last Battle: Pride
  • STAR WARS
  • Pride, Luke
  • Greed, Boba Fett
  • Lust, Han Solo
  • Envy, Obi Won Kenobi
  • Gluttony, Jabba the Hut
  • Wrath, Darth Vader
  • Sloth. StormTroopers?

Harry Potter

  • Pride, professor Gilderoy Lockhart
  • Greed, Dumbledore of knowledge
  • Lust, Snape for power
  • Envy, Wormtail
  • Gluttony, Duddley Dursley
  • Wrath, Voldemort
  • Sloth. Horace Slug-Hornn

Show Time Series

  • Gwen as Wrath.
  • Bridgette as Sloth.
  • Lindsay as Lust.
  • Beth as Envy.
  • Courtney as Pride.
  • Izzy as Gluttony.
  • Heather as Greed.
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Titus 3:4-7 ‘Living the Good News’

Posted by myoikos in #2017, #freshstart, #jesus, #mysundaysermons, #rsumc, 5 Practices, Christian LIving, Christmas A, Relationship, Witness on December 31, 2016

strawberrycheesebiscuitRemind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure. I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone. [NRSV]
My mother, Vicky, made wonderful cheese biscuits. I tried for years to replicate the recipe without success, but finally found where she had written down the recipe I was able to make them at will. My waistline can testify to the accuracy of the formula.
The recipe: Vicky’s Cheesy Biscuits
  • Preheat the oven to 410*F
  • 4 level cups of White Lilly’s self-rising flour
  • 1/2 cup of Crisco all vegetable shorting
  • After the dough begins to form add
  • 4 cups of coarsely grated extra sharp cheddar cheese
  • approximately 2/3 cup of whole milk, base on temperature and altitude
  • Mix by floured hands or in KitchenAid with three hole mixing blade
  • Roll with a wooden rolling pin on floured cheese cloth
  • Cut with a medium size round cutter
  • Bake for 9 to 11 minutes based on temperature and altitude
  • Brush tops with melted butter to taste
  • Make enough for one sitting for a family of four with friends.
Now comes the gravy on top: Serve hot with Land-O-Lakes butter and strawberry preserves
Titus 3 is a letter for the faith seeking folks like us who have gathered here to know the ingredients for Christian living plus the how-to enjoy and use them together for maximum benefit.
The Christmas story reminds us how much God wants to be in a collective relationship with us. The ‘gravy’ is that God is willing to love us, save us, and be with us.
We live in a world that knows more information that we can process, but too many have lost faith in the power of Christmas story. They might remember the ingredients, but how and why to combine and used them for our own good is our mission to share.

Advice for 2017 from Paul through Titus

  • Trust and Obey
  • Ready for Good
  • Avoid Fussing
  • Be Gentle
  • Courtesy to everyone

Q: How different 2016 would have been if we Trusted God, obeyed authorities, lived expecting Good, avoided fussing, acting out of gentleness, and showed courtesy to all?

But How? Jesus is How!

The Good News for 2017: But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Know the story:

  1. God is good, loving and kind
  2. God showed up as Jesus
  3. Through Jesus, God saves us from sin

So What, Footnotes:

  1. Note 1: God’s actions have nothing to do with our worthiness
    1. Tell you neighbor: “I’m not worthy. You’re not worthy. We are not worth it, but God loves us anyway.
  2. Note 2: through baptism, we find the rebirth and renewal of God’s gift through the Holy Spirit.
    1. Ask you neighbor: “I want the Holy Spirit to make me new.” “Fix me, forgive me, make me whole!”
  3. Summary: The Spirit is poured out on us, richly, through Jesus who makes us whole through God’ s grace which makes us kin to Jesus, belonging to the ongoing work of God from now and forever.
    1. Join hands with your neighbor and lift hands to Jesus: “I have holes in my heart, in my track record and I want you to make me holy, whole and new.

Memory Verse for 2017

The Good News for 2017: But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. [Titus 3.4-7]

Challenge

  • By the end of the year, you will know this very my memory, you will know it by heart.
  • By the end of the year, you will learn to share this verse with many other people.
  • By the end of 2017, you will be known as a witness of Titus 3.4-7
  • By the end of the year, you will experience what it means to be gravy coated and ready for the heavenly banquet that we share here on earth and for eternity.

 

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1 Timothy 1:12-17 Best Sinner Make the Best Saints 20160911 RSUMC

Posted by myoikos in #2016, #freshstart, #goldmedal, Forgiveness, grace, new life, Repentance, Sin, sinner, Spiritual, Thanksgiving on September 11, 2016

churchleadbysinnersI thank him who has given me strength for this, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful by appointing me to his service, though I formerly blasphemed and persecuted and insulted him; but I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners; but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. [NRSV]

Christ Came to Save Sinners

Paul gives Timothy and the church a great motto of the early church. “Christ Came to Save Sinners.”
  • It’s not new but it remains our hallmark.
  • It is opposite of the image we have sold to the unchurch and de-churched.
  • It remains our message and work of being the body of Christ for the world.
The foxes are in charge of the hen house.

I am the gold medal Sinner

The image of winning a gold medal is not only a sign of excellent physical conditioning and performance, it is also a symbol of excellence in sportsmanship and honor.  That is why when athletes use performance enhancing drugs or when they break curfew and make fools of themselves or target for fools, that the world questions the meaning of the prize.
Paul names himself as the worst of sinners. The best at choosing poorly.
  • The best at choosing poorly.
  • The best at being bad.
  • The best at placing God’s seal of approval on our blindly seeking what we determine God wants for ourselves and the world.
*Turn to your neighbor and tell them all your sins and we will see who is the worst sinner among us. Too uncomfortable? Too transparent? too vulnerable?
We are in good company of sin, but that is not what we want to world to see?
This is why those who are sinful in the church mislead those who are sinful outside the church.
Bottom line: Different sins bring different levels of consequences in the moment, but all sin wedges our way between the heart of God for eternity.

Sin is the perfect place for Jesus to shine.

The corrective message to be able to reclaim this motto Paul shares with Timothy and the church is this: Where ever we find sin, is the place to look for and share the living, loving, life-change grace of Jesus Christ.
What’s sin? Any choice that I make for the use of time, thought, energy, resource/money, influence, that does not lead ourselves and others toward God
  • is working in the backwards direction,
  • is leading us away from the heart of God,
  • is our sin.

Sin is not a concrete list of Don’t and Do’s.

The lists help, but the lists are never inclusive enough to cover all the shades of grey.

Practice Application of Shining Christ through our Sin:

  1. Prevention:
    1. “Lead me not into temptation”
    2. Practice Piety (Wesley’s Rule #3)
    3. Membership promises to use the church as a place of faith building/practice
  2. Confession:
    1. When we see our on sin, own up and ask for grace/fresh start
    2. When others see our sins, we confess, make right what can be done and seek grace
    3. When we think we get away with ‘it’ know this day, God knows and hurts with us.
  3. Grace over Judgement:
    1. Jesus looks at our sins and see someone to love and bless
    2. Calls for our repentance (our desire and willingness to be transformed)
    3. Call us to go and sin no more, live in the God direction
      1. Not as a rule but as response to grace

REVIEW:

So are you a sinner? Yep!

Does Jesus want to make you new, no matter if we are the best sinner? Yep!

Does God gives us a minds, a spirit and the church for support to grow toward God.

Who needs to know this? Who can you sit down and explain this to? who needs to hear this from you? GO SHOW THEM how far you have come through Christ.

 

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