Sunday, August 27, 2017

September 3, 2017

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for September 3rd: Exodus 3:1-15; Psalm 105:1-6,23-36,45; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28 Exodus: This is the very important story of Moses’ first encounter with God. He stands on a holy mountain and it not only speaks, but it burns with fire. Moses has several physical encounters with God where God directs him. In this one, God tells him to go save his people. He has escaped slavery, but now he must go back in order to free others. But God gives him one very important key to do that – his name – Yahweh. This name means I will become what I will become. The God of the future. Matthew: Last week Jesus makes Peter the rock of the church. This week that conversations continues. Jesus has been actively teaching others the meaning of the messiah. Now that Jesus’ identity has been established, Jesus must prepare his disciples for the next step of his ministry – to go to Jerusalem to die. This is the point when this journey finally gets real. Jesus says some real harsh words, and tells them that if they are not for him then they are against them. He tells them that not only will they have to transform their understanding of their religion, they will have to transform their understanding of a messiah that is standing right in front of them. Once again if God is the future, are they coming along for the journey ahead or not. Questions: Have you ever had a holy encounter with God? What is Holy Ground in your life? How is God working in your life? How is God calling you for the future? Are you afraid to go? How would you describe the messiah in todays terms?

Sunday, August 20, 2017

August 27, 2017

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for August 27th: Exodus 1:8-2:10; Psalm 124; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20 Romans: Paul has reminded us of all of the wonderful things that God has done for us. He reminded us that God is indeed there for us in all situations. Now Paul is telling us what our response is to God’s mercy. This chapter starts out with Paul telling us to be a living sacrifice. Not to kill ourselves, but to live our lives for God not ourselves. It is not a sacrifice to live for God. But it is an intentional way of living. It is easy to get caught up into what is going on in the world. It is easy to think that the goal of life is to be our best selves. Paul says that life is not about you it is about God. So he challenges us to use our gifts for the good of God. to know that God gave each of us a purpose in life. That understanding of life does not make us special, it should make us humble and willing to serve. Matthew: Jesus has been trying to teach the disciples about having faith in God. but they don’t seem to get it, until now. They are finally starting to realize that he is the Son of God. Jesus says that they did not get this knowledge from common sense, but a message from God. In this passage Peter makes the confession that he is the son of God. Now Jesus says that he can finally start to build his church. And Peter’s confession is the bedrock of the church. Peter is known as the first bishop of the church, ordained by God, because Jesus lays hands on him and says that he has the power to build. Today many of us have been ordained, not by the church but by God to continue to build. To believe for ourselves on the wonders of God, but to pass them on to others and to make a difference. Questions: What are your gifts from God? How are you using them to build God’s church? Do you believe that Jesus is the son of God, or is church just something to do? How do you know this? What are you doing to help others believe?

Sunday, August 6, 2017

August 3, 2017

Scriptures for August 13th: Genesis 37:1-4,12-28; Psalm 105:1-6,16-22, 45; Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33 Genesis: As we look at the first book of the bible, we look at the first family of faith. We learn more about their mistakes, then their example. They are a typical family like one of our families. The episode for this week is a case of sibling rivalry. Jacob has twelve sons. But he does not love them equally. They all want to be loved, but Jacob loves the son of Rachel the most. He seems to spoil Joseph. Yet he is hard on all of the others. So, grown men decide that they are going to get rid of a troublesome little boy. Little do they realize that this event will have consequences that affect their family, their people and all people of faith. When they dump Joseph in a hole in the ground, they open the door to be saved from a famine. This is one of the first stories that we will hear about Joseph. And we learn how Joseph is an example of understanding and forgiveness in our own faith journey. Matthew: Interestingly when Jesus does a miracle for over 10,000 people, all he wants is some alone time. He had went off by himself when all of these people showed up. When they leave, he goes off alone again. This time the disciples are in crisis, they are caught in a boat in a storm. Jesus comes to them calmly walking on water. When Peter sees him, he wants to walk on water to. Jesus tells him that it is just a matter of faith. It is natural that we all want to do what we see Jesus do. No one has been able to walk on water. As a matter of fact, we have to be told not to walk on water, not to do miracles. I have a sign in my office that says, please do not attempt to walk on the water. Be human, be realistic, make sure that my trust is in keeping with my context. Let Jesus do the miracles. Questions: How do you feel about your sisters and brothers? How do you feel about your church sisters and brothers? Are their some people that you would like to dump in a hole? How can those people help you in ways you never thought of? How much do you trust in Jesus? When has Jesus come to save you from the waves of life?