God is a can-do God. Even when we fail in our attempts at perfection, our faith in God through Jesus Christ can bring us forgiveness and restore us to a place in the Realm of God to come. Even though Abraham was unable to bring about the promise through his own perfection (he was imperfect, being too old to bear offspring), God brought about the promise through Abraham's faith. As one who is on the flip side of fifty, I'm beginning to experience the deterioration of the flesh. There is a growing list of things I can no longer do, and an even longer list of things I cannot do as well as I used to. I'm beginning to better understand the depth of Abraham's faith, that he could undertake the journey from Ur to Canaan at his age! What journeys am I courageous enough to take at this stage in my life? Not many! But God is able to do far more than I can think or imagine.
-Paul of SC
I was struck by the word "reckon" (NRSV)which in your translation reads "credit righteousness." I've titled my sermon "You reckon your life on what?!" I want to focus on verses 24-25, which directs our attention to the work of God in Christ that was done on our behalf. I think us moderns have lost the sense of being gifted without strings attached. For us to be made right with God requires no works, but simply to receive the gift of Christ. It is Christ work that we "reckon" our life upon, not upon our accomplishments, status, possessions, etc. Such "reckoning" is scandalous to our culture of "self-help" and "self-actualization." Somehow, I need to communicate to my congregation how to surrender ourselves to Christ's work rather than our own. How do we make the distinction of God's work versus our own. I think part of the answer lies in John Wesley's "cooperating grace." Upon justification, we respond to that gift by living our lives by God's direction.
I'm thinking.....
Tom in Marshall
We're at the start of a long preaching series on Romans - I hope that we're not alone! This discussion seems a little thin so far... I'll try to think of something to contribute by tomorrow, but I thought I'd check the page is working first...
Nick
I'm looking for a Litany titled "The Promise of Women from Scripture" from the 1989 Consultation on UM Clergywomen in Dallas, Texas. It begins: And what is faith? Faith is going to an unseen land. . . Then it names several women, including Sari and the ways in which they stepped out in faith. I've had the litany for years, but now, when I want to use it, I can't find it. Any help would be appreciated.
RevJan
Verse 14 states that if one goes by the Law, faith is worthless and has no value. However, (in vss. 22-25)for those under Grace, the value of faith comes about by what God has deposited into our accounts...Jesus the Savior!
I like the idea of value and worth here. Paul seems to say that the value of the Law is wrath, (vs 15) getting what is deserved. The value of faith is Jesus Christ who brings us justification (right standing) with God, a gift from God, priceless.
What value can be placed on this gift...remember Jesus' words, what value is there if a person gains the whole world but loses his/her soul?
I think I'm going to work with the idea of Deposits and Withdrawls. God's deposits into my account can never be helped by my matching funds. As well, the account is never empty. Isaiah 55:1 "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost."
John near Pitts.
As well, I'd like to see the deposit slip. Could be something to think about for a children's sermon. Showing a deposit slip with the words JESUS, ETERNITY, and FORGIVENESS written where the values are suppossed to be placed.
John near Pitts.
As well, I'd like to see the deposit slip. Could be something to think about for a children's sermon. Showing a deposit slip with the words JESUS, ETERNITY, and FORGIVENESS written where the values are suppossed to be placed.
John near Pitts.
As well, I'd like to see the deposit slip. Could be something to think about for a children's sermon. Showing a deposit slip with the words JESUS, ETERNITY, and FORGIVENESS written where the values are suppossed to be placed.
John near Pitts.
As well, I'd like to see the deposit slip. Could be something to think about for a children's sermon. Showing a deposit slip with the words JESUS, ETERNITY, and FORGIVENESS written where the values are suppossed to be placed.
John near Pitts.
I've entitled my message for Sunday, Abraham: A Case Against Orthodoxy. Maybe it is too many years of listening to people who see themselves as righteous because of the things they do or the church to which they belong, but I worry far more about their standing with God than those who have not heard the gospel message yet.
Doc in OK
Sorry for all the repeats. I certainly didn't post it that many times.
John near Pitts.
I'm using Matt. as my main text, but springing off of v. 19 in the Romans pericope, in which Paul comments that Abraham was "as good as dead." God's promise that Abraham would be the father of many nations was fulfilled, despite the fact that he and Sarah were beyond their reproductive years. The idea transfers to Jesus' encounters with a variety of characters in a compressed story. The Matt. pericope shows Jesus' work to bring hope and vision to the "almost dead" areas of peoples' lives . . . rich and poor, outcast and respected, someone who approached him boldly and someone who used a stealthy approach. My title is, "The Fringe of the Gospel." --MTSOfan
The title for my sermon for tomorrow is "Ain't Done Yet!" This was the name of the community of senior citzens that met at our little church a couple of years ago. Following the theme that God is not through with us no matter what our age, even if society has. God can and does work miracles through the faith of His people. With no age limits attached.