February 17, 2019

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for February 17th: Jeremiah 17:5-10, Psalm 1, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20; Luke 6:17-26: Theme: What does it mean to be blessed? Luke: This text is commonly called the sermon on the plain or sermon on a level place. It gives us 4 blessings and 4 woes in living a faithful life. Jesus gives blessings to those who are poor, those who are hungry, those who are grieving, and those who are unfairly persecuted. He gives woes to those who are rich, those who have enough and don’t share, those who laugh when others cry and those who are spoken well of. God has a habit of turning the tables on life, and this is what he is doing. He encourages us to pay attention to those in need, and to know that God has heard their cry. That is why it is called the sermon on a level place, it reminds us to stay balanced in life. To know that our fate in life in in the hands of God. Life is not intended to be all wonderful, there will be struggle. But when that struggle comes, God will get us through. In our times of struggle, we have to know that we are blessed children of God, and God is on our side. 1 Corinthians: In this whole chapter, Paul is speaking of the resurrection. Paul is reminding us that the faith that we inherited frim Christ, is a faith in the resurrection. If we believe that Jesus was resurrected, there is no reason to believe that God won’t do the same for us. We will be able to celebrate. As a matter of fact, the real work of the soul does not begin until we die and we are brought to life by God. That does not mean that we are to take life for granted. God put all of us here for a reason. We need to help others in mission. We have to teach others the definition of resurrection. Life brings death, but faith in God brings life. When we are born, we take on death. We have no choice that is the world that we are born in. In order to be resurrected, you first have to die. Christ brings us hope and power to overcome death. Questions :How do you use the power of resurrection in your everyday life? How does life drain you? How are your restored in your belief in God? What are your doing to help the poor, hungry, grieving and persecuted? How are you blessed in your individual situation?

February 10. 2019

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for February 10th: Isaiah 6:1-13; Psalm 138; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11 Theme: the things are faith is made of. 1 Corinthians: This is Paul’s witness to the gospel message. Paul testifies that even though he was not an original disciple, the Jesus did come to him. Paul is a witness to the spiritual resurrection. He is recounting not how Jesus died, but why Jesus died. Jesus died to free us from our sins. He was making a sacrifice for us. We are forgiven when he is resurrected. That is why it is so important for us to follow Jesus and to live out his mission. We need to tell our story of salvation, but we need to make that story available for others. The spirit of Christ appeared to Peter, then to Paul and now to you and me. There is still work that needs to be done, that is why Jesus is still alive and working within us. Luke: This is the story of how Jesus came to meet the disciples and to get them to follow hm. They were fishers, Jesus comes and watches them at work. At first they are discouraged because they have not caught anything. Jesus is not a fisherman, but Jesus tells them how to get more fish. When they are successful, Jesus says that they will become fishers of men. Jesus does not know much about church growth – but he knows what it is that attracts people. – Love and care. This boat belongs to Peter, and Peter eventually becomes bishop of Jesus church. He starts out skeptical, listening to Jesus, but not understanding a word. He continually doubts Jesus, but time and time again, Jesus comes through and helps Peter to understand what true faith means. Questions: Why do we celebrate the resurrection? How do we tell the faith story to new people? How are we like Peter, questioning everything that Jesus says? What does it mean to become fishers of men? When was the last time when our efforts made a difference and saved lives?

February 3, 2019

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for February 3rd: Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 71:1-6; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 4:21-30. Theme: Love is the greatest and hardest commandment 1 Corinthians: It is fitting that the chapter on love comes up during the week before Valentines Day. It is important to realize that Paul is not talking about romantic love between two people in this text. As a matter of fact, Paul is talking to a congregation that is divided and cannot cooperate in order to get anything done. So Paul tells them the love bears all things, love is not self serving, love learns to bear all things. In other words Paul is teaching us to be patient with one another. It is a prescription to get along with anyone. It is a prescription to put the overall mission before whether we really like people. It tells us how to treat other people, whomever they are. The most important verse to remember, that we treat all people with hope, faith, peace and most importantly love. Afterall – God is pure love for all people. Luke: Last week Jesus talked about his calling and he preached to the congregation about what it means to be called by God to fulfill a task. As the congregation listened, they were amazed at what he had to say. Luke like to point out that whenever he spoke, people were amazed at his ability to expound on the things of God. He had a gift for explaining things in a very clear way. Ultimately, it was this gift that got him kicked out in the street. He was a little too comfortable with God. He had an understanding that others did not have. Jesus continued to teach, but out in the streets where the people were. He went throughout the countryside performing miracles and healing people. But he was never able to do much of any of that in his own hometown. The people there refused to take him seriously. But he was able to transform the rest of the world, with his gift of bringing God to the people. Questions: How seriously do you take Jesus? Can Jesus still perform miracles in our world today? Do you show God’s love to all people or just the ones you like?

January 27, 2019

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for January 27th: Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Luke 4:14-21; Theme: fulfilling God’s call Luke: Jesus went on a spiritual retreat in the woods to get closer to God, but he encountered the devil instead. He is able to overcome temptation and to truly understand what God wants him to do. Jesus regularly goes to temple, so he goes to share his experience with God. He gets to read scripture. He read from Isaiah – the spirit of the Lord is upon me. He not only reads, but tells the people That the spirit is indeed upon him. God has indeed called him to serve the community. He explains that he is the fulfillment of that scripture, he is the one that Isaiah was talking about. The people think that he is being egostitical. No one can fulfill God’s mission. But Jesus wanted to help them to understand that everybody can – if they just follow the ways of Jesus and serve and make a difference. 1 Corinthians: Paul takes more time to flesh out what spiritual gifts are. He talks about the body of Christ. We all have a different purpose. We are not to judge others. We are not to think that our gift is more important than others. We all work for the common good. Our gift, helps others to bring out their gifts. If we are able to work together as a church, we make each other stronger. Once again Paul spells out the gifts. This helps us to look around to see who has those gifts. The most important thing is that the mission is fulfilled. The only way the mission can be fulfilled is if we work together. Questions: How is the spirit of the Lord upon you? What are your spiritual gifts? How can you use them in the church? Do you feed others, or visit those who are sick? How are you using your gifts in the church? How is Jesus an example to you in your church life? Questions: How is the spirit of the Lord upon you? What are your spiritual gifts? How can you use them in the church? Do you feed others, or visit those who are sick? How are you using your gifts in the church? How is Jesus an example to you in your church life?

January 13, 2019

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for January 13th: Isaiah 43:1-7, Psalm 29, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22; Theme: Baptism of the Lord Luke: This is a continuation of the story of John the Baptist, and his ministry to bring people to God. The people are expecting a messiah, and they are wondering if John is the one. Jesus hears John’s message and he comes forward to be baptized. Jesus knows that he is the intended messiah, but he needs to identify with those who are present and coming forward to be baptized. This was the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Our baptism is also the beginning of our ministry. At this moment, God comes forward and also speaks to the people, that this is indeed the messiah. The good news has played out and now a life of salvation may begin. We relive this moment every year, to have a chance to renew our ministry. We have a chance to remember our baptism, to remember God’s love for us, and wants us to fulfill the ministry of revealing the messiah to the world. Isaiah: This passage from second Isaiah has a word of hope. It is more hopeful than most. During this time in history, the Isrealites had been exiled, because of their disrespect for God. But at some point God told them to come back to and start their life anew. God promised to be with them through the hard times so that things could get better. God takes full control of recovery of the redeemed. God says I will be with you though the waters, all nations will look to you, the children will come back, and life will be wonderful. The presence of God always ends with a family reunion. Divisions will disappear and everyone will be together, having a feast with God. Questions: What does your baptism mean in your life? How do you live out your baptism? What would be the perfect family reunion to you? What needs to happen in the world to make that happen?

January 6, 2019

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for January 6th: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7,10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12 Theme: Epiphany Isaiah: This is a lesson in hope. We are now in the midst of winter. The darkness is upon us, and We look to the heavenly skies for any sign of new light. This lesson announces that that light has come. We have a reason to have hope in our lives. We celebrate this verse during epiphany, as a realization that the light, that hope is in the presence of Jesus Christ. Now that Jesus is here, things will start to look better for our community. As things get better for our community, people will come from miles around to see what is making a difference. Others will want to live in that light as well. The good news is that the light of God is available to all, and all are welcome to be a part of that light, that healing. Life is so much better for us all in the light. The light of God is in our spirit, so it cannot be extinguished. Matthew: The twelve days of Christmas ends with epiphany. The Wise men finally arriving in the manger to bring gifts to baby Jesus. Of course in Matthew, they did not come to a manger, they came to a house. This scripture is important, because it reminds us that the Christmas story is not just for the church, but for everyone. And that the message can touch the soul of anyone, who is looking for a change in the way the world is. We do not really know who the wise men are, or where they really come from. But they can recognize a sign from God. They can also recognize a person who does not have good intentions. They know that Herod does not mean this child any good, and they want nothing to do with him. God speaks to all of us in mysterious ways. Some of us are able to listen and learn, and others cannot. They listened and learned to worship this child who would bring about a change, and knew enough to avoid the plans of Herod. But the epiphany is the point where we all realize that God is speaking to us in the events and person of our time. Questions: What is the great epiphany (realization) that will make a difference in our world today? How do you show the light of Christ to the rest of the world? What presents would modern day wise men bring Jesus?

December 23, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for December 23rd: Micah 5:2-5; Luke 1:47-55; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45: Theme: 4th Sunday of Advent Luke: I think that it is relevant that women have a prime role in the story of salvation. Even though Christ is male, it is the women who come before him that open the door for God’s coming to earth. In this scripture, Mary has travelled to see her older cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth is carrying a miracle baby, but as soon as Mary comes into her presence the baby jumps – at the bigger miracle that Mary is carrying. Elizabeth blesses Mary and her part in turning the world upside down. The importance of women continues as Jesus life unfolds. But as we are approaching the arrival of the Christ child – today we focus on his mother Mary. On her life, her faith and her willingness to be used by God. She is a model for all of us – to become vessels of God’s love to the world. Micah: The world turned upside down seems to be an endearing theme throughout the history of the old testament. This is part of a prophecy saying that a new king will arise out of Bethlehem, the birthplace of David. That the fortunes of the country will be restored. It appears that this prophecy fortells the coming of Christ into the world. Christ is a descendant of David. His birth is fortold. He is able to bring the people of Israel together, and yet his rule spreads throughout the whole world. Advent is the time when we anxiously await his coming anew into the world and we still look to Christ for peace that will change the fortunes of the whole world. Questions: How to we honor the contributions of women in today’s story of salvation? How do we bless the faith of Mary today? What part did Mary play in Jesus life as he grew up and lived out his destiny? What peace is needed in the world today? How is Jesus the new King of Israel?