Blog Archives

March 2 Worship

2/23/2014

Mountains provide fascinating experiences. From down below you can see the challenge that is present if you desire to climb to the top. The journey climbing upward can have its share of obstacles along the way. Then, once you reach the top you may be treated to a fabulous view of what lie below and beyond.

This Sunday we are brought to some mountaintop experiences as we come to Transfiguration Sunday. The appointed Old Testament reading is from Exodus 24 that has Moses and others climbing the mountain and then Moses is alone in God's presence.

The description of what is seen is what gives us an aura about the majesty of God. Here are some excerpts from the Exodus 24.....

"Under God's feet there was something like a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness." Ex. 24:10

"Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the LORD settled on Mt. Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of God was like a devouring fire." Ex. 24:15-17

What an experience it must have been for Moses with what he saw and then to encounter God!

I wonder if we also capture the majesty of God in our own lives? In other words, how big is your God? Amid the majestic being of God, do you also sense God as being personal to you?

Discipleship Question for Reflection

How might the majesty of God come to you today?

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February 23 Worship

2/17/2014

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We recently celebrated Valentine's Day, which has a focus on love for our loved ones. However, as people in Christ, our love is to go beyond those who are closest to us. The lesson from Leviticus brings us the words "You shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord." Leviticus 19:18

In this context of the command to love, reference is also made in this chapter to having a concern for the poor and the alien, not stealing, not to lie, not swearing falsely, not profaning the name of God, not defrauding your neighbor, not rendering an unjust judgment, not showing partiality, and not slandering.

This love is not just a feeling; it gets lived out by what you say and do! What is interesting is that this love is even for the foreigner. At the end of the chapter we have these words, "When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt." Leviticus 19:33

Notice the common experience that is brought into the picture. Likewise, as we think about our love, we also need to think of the fact that we are all very human and fragile. We are a diverse group of people on this planet.

I would encourage you to reflect on these words in your preparation for Sunday worship. May God's blessing be upon your study and worship.

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

How much does your love extend to others?

Notice how the command to love is phrased; so how much do you love yourself?

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February 16 Worship

2/10/2014

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I believe we all want to reach a level of maturity. We want to know that we can do the necessary tasks in life well for our survival and also handle crises well. Our parents probably had this expectation of us as we were growing up.

The apostle Paul in our lesson for Sunday had to confront the immaturity of Christians in Corinth. They were caught up in a cult of personalities. There was jealousy and quarreling. As a result, the apostle could only deal with them at a certain level. Here is what he wrote:

"Brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations?

For when one says, "I belong to Paul" and another, "I belong to Apollos," are you not merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." 1 Corinthians 3:1-6

Paul is indicating that we are all co-workers for God. We might have different roles, but everybody is needed in what one does. In the end, it is God who gives the growth! It's amazing here how Paul spells out that we all have a part to play.

Discipleship Question for Reflection

What implications do you think Paul's words have for how we work in the church and also what these words say about doing outreach?

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February 9 Worship

2/2/2014

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As we continue in the Epiphany season, we want to think about how we manifest Jesus in our own life to the world. In the Gospel reading for this Sunday, Jesus speaks some words to his followers about their identity and also about their task as a disciple. Here is are the words:

"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on a the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." Matt. 5:14-16

We have been entrusted with a responsibility. Jesus did not say we are to become the light, but we already are the light (our identity). Can we let it shine? This action is our task.

The challenge before us is how open will we be about Christ in conversing with others? How visible will we make Christ by our deeds? All of us need to examine our living and see how much this light is shining in our lives. After all, you and I are ambassadors for Christ.

I would encourage you to meditate upon these words of Scripture in preparation for Sunday worship. You might want to read the full text which is Matthew 5:13 - 20. May God's blessing being upon your time of study and being present in worship.

Discipleship Question for Reflection

Do you give enough evidence in your life so that others see the light of Christ in you?

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March 2 Worship

February 23 Worship

February 16 Worship

February 9 Worship

I invite you to reflect on these words of Scripture in preparing for worship.

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