August 5, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for August 5th: 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13; Psalm 51:1-12; Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:24-35; Theme: Unity of the Church Ephesians: This is a continuation of the teaching on unity. It is important for us to be one church. The writer says that there is one God, one Christ, One Lord, so there is no reason that we can’t be one church. Unity does not mean uniformity, we are a symphony of people with many different gifts. The writer tells us what the gifts are, and he says that there cannot be unity without good leadership. It is the leaders who lead us in one direction. But they do not get that direction from themselves, but from God and studying the bible. John Wesley says that there should be diversity in how we express our love for one another, but unity in understanding the word of God. It is okay for us to disagree with one another, as long as we respect the persons that we disagree with. Unity is not something that comes all at one, unity is a process, a working relationship of understanding. John: This is a continuation on Jesus teaching on bread. This is one of the I am statements – I am the Bread of Life. Jesus starts our with the everyday understanding of bread, but he is trying to get them to look beyond that normal understanding to think about the real bread of life. Jesus says that man cannot live on bread alone, but on the word of God. But if you are hungry in your belly, then you are not able to listen to what God is trying to tell you. God wants us to be fed, but God also wants us to understand the meaning of life. He sent Jesus to give us both. Everything that Jesus does points to the work of God. We are empowered to continue that work. Questions: Who in your life has mentored you to understand what the bread of life is? Who is God asking you to feed and nurture? Is it possible for the church to be totally united in mission? What is it that keeps us separated from one another? What will it take to bring us all into unity?

July 29, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for July 29th: 2 Samuel 11:1-15; Psalm 14; Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6:1-21 Theme: God’s Abundance John: This is the story of the feeding of the 5000. It is more than a miracle story. It is a story that reminds us of God’s abundance. John tells us a story as a precursor of what it to come when we all get to heaven and eternally live in the presence of God. All of our needs will be taken care of. There will be enough for everyone. Jesus does more than heal, he points to the presence of God. John tells us these stories so that we know exactly who Jesus is, and what it means that he is the messiah – the anointed one of God. this story takes place right before the Passover, Jesus has everyone gather together in community before they are fed. When we gather together for fellowship and with family, we are coming together in hopes that God will provide for all who are present. Ephesians: This scripture continues the theme of God’s abundance. The author is praying for the church to have all that it needs to fulfill God’s mission on earth. This passage talks about the fullness of Christ. Christ provides all that the church needs. The prayer is for faith, love and fullness all in the name of Christ. God can provide far beyond our understanding and sight if we trust in Christ. the final prayer request is for glory in the church. What does that mean? What does it mean for a church to be successful? Does it mean that the seats are filled and they have all the money they dream of? Or Does it mean that the church has learned to be faithful in all situations and they give whatever is necessary to fulfill God mission? Questions: When have you experienced God’s abundance? Does your family celebrate love with food? How is that like being in heaven? What does it mean to attend a successful church? How does love contribute to the fullness of Christ?

July 22, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for July 22nd: 2 Samuel 7:1-14, Psalm 89:20-37; Ephesians 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56; Theme: What does it mean to be the Church? Ephesians: This is an affirmation that the church is the family of God that is connected to original people of God. As the church started to grow with new and different people. There were many people who did not know the history of the church, who did not realize that the church has a deeply rooted purpose. The church gives us a vision of what heaven will be like. The church should reflect the world, and how people who come from different backgrounds can all get along. If we don’t like the people that we come in contact with in church, how do we think we will like heaven, when we will be with the exact same people? Mark: Jesus sent the disciples out two by two to do ministry. When they return from their mission they are downtrodden from all of the flack that they received from others. When they return they learn that John the Baptist has been beheaded which adds insult to injury. So they are looking to Jesus to give them a sense of comfort. Jesus encourages them to keep doing the ministry. Jesus continues to heal, and as word spreads, more and more people are coming. The healing ministry becomes more and more important, so Jesus tells them that they cannot quit now. Everyone who came to healing, received it no matter what. Questions: Why do you think that the church is important? What do you like about the people in your church? What do you dislike? Have you ever experienced healing for a problem? How can you help to heal the problems of others? How can you represent Jesus in your context?

July 15, 2018

Scriptures for July 15th: 2 Samuel 6:1-5,12-19; Psalm 24; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29; Theme: Being blessed by God Ehpesians: The writer is making it clear, who Christ is, who God is, and who we are as believers. Because of God, we are. The writer makes 4 statements about God: God has chosen believers, God destins them for adoption into the God family, God blesses us, and God showers grace upon us. God comes to us through the life of Jesus Christ in order for us to be able to relate. Christ reveals who God is, but he also opens our eyes to what is to come. The Holy Spirit is a down payment on all of the wonderful things to come when we enter into eternity. Once we know who God is we are able to do our job and serve others and to be a witness to who God is and How God is present in the world. Psalm: This Palm continues that conversation on who God is and why that is important to God. Everything that we understand about life comes from God. This psalm would have been sung as people entered into the temple. There are three main point to this poem. God is the creater of all, we are entering into sacred space, and God is returning to the world in all of his own moving, etc. This poem asks the important question of who is the king if glory – the lord who has been mighty in battle. we are coming to worship and to be grateful for what he has given us. We don’t look at the psalms very often. But I think it is important to look at them and to celebrate the songs of worship, in good times and in bad. Questions: Who is Christ for us? What does it mean for us to follow Christ? Does it make a difference in our lives? If we were to make up a song about coming to church to worship God – what would you say? Why do we need to praise God for what God does?

July 8, 2018

Scriptures for July 8th: 2 Samuel 5:1-5,9-10; Psalm 48; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13; Theme: what does it mean to believe? 2 Corinthians: Paul tells us that faith affects different people in different ways. People come to faith for different reasons. Some people work for God and some people think that God works for them. Paul points out that those who work for God are humble, and attribute their power to God and not to themselves. Their strength is in their ability to be weak and vulnerable. Paul believed that God gave him a “thorn in his side” in order to keep him vulnerable and dependent upon God. He encourages us to look up to leaders who are humble and respectful of God. Look to those who consider themselves suffering servants who give to help others. As we serve, it is important to be humble. Mark: In this text the question comes up again, Who does this man think that he is. He has not been ordained, he had not been accepted by others, yet he claims that his power is from God. And once again, Jesus proves who he is, by healing and performing miracles. Jesus is surprised at how hard it is to be accepted by those who know him. But I think that the end of the text is most important to us. This is where Jesus empowers his disciples to heal and perform miracles just as he did. He also encourages them to have faith and not to worry about being accepted by others. If they believe, they are faithful, if not then shake the dust from your feet and move on. The good part of the story is that the disciples were faithful and they were able to make a lasting impact on the world. Questions: Is your faith based on your faith in God or your faith in yourself? What does it mean to be humble? Does humbleness really make a difference in our faith? How do people view you in your hometown? Have you had a chance to witness to your faith with strangers?

July 1, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for July 1st: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27; Psalm 130; 2 Corinthians 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43: Theme: Jesus Heals Mark: Jesus continues to demonstrate what it means to be the messiah. He continues to heal, and to change conditions not just people. This is a story of a double healing, a healing of two people that the authorities would not have touched. First he heals the daughter of a soldier. Even though Jairus is not a believer, he still believes that Jesus can help his daughter. And next a woman dares to approach a man with a bleeding issue. Jesus does not walk away, even though he knows that society will gossip about it. After it is over, Jesus debriefs with his disciples, saying to tell no one, he does not even tell the women to tell the priest what has happened. But the people see what he is doing and he is starting to get a reputation for making a difference. What does the church have a reputation for doing? Corinthians: This is a stewardship message. Paul wants us to know that the way in which we live out our membership vows does truly make a difference. It shows how much faith we have in God. Paul is collecting money for the widows of Jerusalem. He lifts up Macedonia as a church which does not have a lot of money, but is very willing to help others. This is the passage where Paul says that God loves a cheerful giver. Give out of what we have, not what we don’t. That the way in which we give and receive gifts says a lot about our faith. Giving to help others in needs is a big part of our faith. When we give, we always get something in return. Questions: Who are the people that society is afraid to touch today? How does Jesus tell us to treat those people? Have you ever been healed of a condition that made others shy away from you? What is your attitude toward giving to help others? What does it mean to give to help others?

June 10, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for June 10th: 1 Samuel 8:4-20(11:14-15);Psalm 138; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1; Mark 3:20-35 Theme: God sustains us through tough times Mark: Jesus is busy ministering to the community, but his family does not understand what he is doing or why. What he is teaching goes against everything that they have taught him as a child. So they come to stop him. But we know that eventually they listen to him and become followers to. As they come, Jesus does not reject them, he knows that God has given him to do. That is why he says that any who listen are his mothers and brothers. Sometime we have to make a bold step in order to follow Jesus. We have to walk away from home temporarily. But Jesus assures us that we will find our family and new home in the will of God. Psalms: This is a psalm of celebration for coming through a tough time. The psalmist realizes that they were weak, but it was God’s love that sustained them. God is the head of their life, not themselves, and certainly not their circumstances. They say that it is God that makes them live again and who protects them. We are reminded that the greatest response to God’s love and mercy is to be grateful. To take account of where we are and what God has done for us. We are encouraged to be faithful, and to not be afraid to tell God and others how far we have come. This is the psalm of the common person, just trying to make it through life. It is the strength to get us through the day. Questions: Do we have to sacrifice our family and friends in order to follow Jesus? How do we redefine our family when we understand our faith? Name a time when Jesus has helped you through a tough situation? How do you say thank you to God? You can view Breaking Open the Scripture online at https://breakingopenthescriptures.blogspot.comYou can view Pastor Harriette’s sermons online at https://aplaceforshalom.blogspot.com