Exodus 33:12-23 If...
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Exodus 33:12-23
If we are not going to deny our children the darker side of life, we owe it to them to show them that there is also this wild brilliance, this light of the sun: although we cannot look at it directly, it is nevertheless by the light of the sun that we see. If we are to turn toward the sunlight, we must also turn away from the cult of the common man and return to the uncommon man, to the hero. We all need heroes, and here again, we can learn from the child's acceptance of the fact that he needs someone beyond himself to look up to.
(From Madeleine L'Engle, A Circle of Quiet [New York: Harper One, 1984])
Exodus 33:12-23
In our lesson for today, God says three very encouraging things to Moses -- and to us.
The people of Israel are on their way from being slaves in Egypt to being free people in the promised land. But, when Moses goes up onto the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments, the people turn against God and make themselves a golden calf to worship, and Moses becomes discouraged.
To encourage Moses, God says:
1. I know you by name and you have found favor in my sight
2. My presence will go with you
3. I will give you rest
The good news is that our Lord is saying the same things to us. If we seek the Lord, if we want the Lord to be the center of our lives, the Lord will say to us, as he did to Moses:
1. I know you by name and you have found favor in my sight
2. My presence will go with you
3. I will give you rest
Exodus 33:12-23
One day Dan shared what he felt God had put on his heart, to raise money for a rural, economically depressed region of the state. He told his study group that this has been a recurring dream for several months, he was certain that this is what God wanted him to do. He would need to raise a good amount of money for the project. With his study group and church's support Dan began writing to corporations seeking donations. Their donations would help to drastically improve the living conditions for hundreds of people.
What Dan did not expect with this project was that he would have to do some traveling. Some of the companies asked that he personally tell the board of directors the specifics about the project. He was given the names of other companies who might want to support the project, which would require more traveling.
Dan asked his wife, Rhoda, if she would like to travel with him on some of the longer trips. She agreed. On a day when they had an eight-hour drive, Rhoda went with him. While she might not have shared Dan's enthusiasm about the project she said at least they would be able to spend time together. On the trip they talked about their lives, their love for Jesus, and the church. They reminisced about their children. They spent a wonderful day together.
As they neared their destination, after driving all day, Rhoda shared that she sensed God's presence in a way she had not for a long time. She felt that Dan was doing what God wanted him to do, raising funds for economically depressed people.
In the desert, the situation became tense for Moses. He prayed to God for a sense of God's holy presence to lead him and the people forward to the promised land. The Lord God replied, "I will make all my goodness pass before you." Knowing that God would be present with them would make the journey easier.
Exodus 33:12-23
In a box of children's book at a garage sale, I found a Golden Book that became one of my daughter's favorites. The title long-forgotten, the story was about a little girl who had to go to the hospital to get her tonsils out. She was afraid and knew that she would miss her mother. So, after she was admitted and settled in her bed, her mother slipped off her gloves that she was wearing (that tells you how old the book was!), and gave them to her daughter with words to the effect that when the daughter felt lonely, she was to put those gloves to her face and she would know, "I am with you and love you."
God never gave Moses a pair of gloves to hold, but to prove that God was with him, God passed before Moses' face.
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
About twenty years ago, there'd been an attack in Jerusalem by Palestinians. The nightly news showed where a bomb exploded and also a spontaneous demonstration by some of Jerusalem's young men. They chanted, repeating one frightening word: "Neqamah! Neqamah!" Modern Hebrew is a revival of ancient, biblical Hebrew, thus I understood this word, "Vengeance!"
Vengeance is a dominant theme in the Old Testament: an eye (but only one) for an eye. However, Paul the apostle reports, "in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit...." The early Christian message was different not only from its Hebrew forebear but also from the Greco-Roman world.
Modern Christianity often becomes the mere chaplain to the nation in which it resides. The chant is "Support the troops!" Instead, why doesn't the message "sound forth" (v. 8) from Christians, "Faith, love, hope"?
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Paul often linked three great Christian qualities as he did here: "Your work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." In his first letter to the Corinthians, he wrote of love's superiority over faith and hope. Love clearly has the edge, but it falters apart from hope and faith.
Without faith that Jesus is the Christ, the only Son of God, church folks lose their sense of direction and purpose; the church's work is blunted. Apart from hope in the resurrection with Jesus, people give up and quit their efforts. Every follower of Jesus needs reminders that Jesus is superior to other religious leaders. Only he came from God, lived a perfect life, died for us, and was raised to glory. Our hope is that Jesus will return to judge us all and to be recognized as the commanding general of the universe. Unless our love is based on these truths, it becomes mired and directionless.
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
On a construction site, the workers had just placed explosives for a large explosion where a rock ledge had to be removed for the road construction. Danger signs were everywhere so workers thought there was no danger, but just after the fuse was lit, a little girl came running up to check things out. The workers began yelling, to warn her away, but instead she ran away from their warning voices. Fortunately, in a moment the mother came and sensing the danger to anyone who might try to save her, the mother knelt down, and said, "Come quickly to mommy, I want to hold you in my arms."
With that invitation, she turned around, ran to her mother's waiting arms, and the child was saved.
I am reminded of the contest that the sun and wind had. A man was walking holding a large coat around him. The wind said to the sun, "Let's have a contest to see who can get that coat off of the man." The wind was feeling powerful and thought it could easily blow the coat off. But as the wind blew, the man clung all the more firmly to his coat, and try as he might, almost blowing him over, the man held the coat tighter than ever. Then the sun said, "Let me try." So the sun shone warmly and gently and soon the man was hot, and for comfort's sake, took the coat off.
So often we feel with our children, or even with other adults, that the way to put your ideas across, or to do what we need to do is by force. We use strong rules that are never broken, while we should use the example of the mother, above, or the example of the sun. So much more can be accomplished by gentleness than by pressure, or loud words.
Matthew 22:15-22
Christianity stands or falls with its revolutionary protest against violence, arbitrariness and pride of power, and with its plea for the weak. Christians are doing too little to make these points clear rather than too much. Christendom adjusts itself far too easily to the worship of power. Christians should give more offense, shock the world far more than they are doing now. Christians should take a stronger stand in favor of the weak rather than considering first the possible right of the strong.
(From Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "Sermon on 2 Corinthians 12:9," given at St. Paul's Church in London, 1934)
Matthew 22:15-22
Jesus says to us in our gospel lesson for today, "Give to God the things that are God's."
So, we ask, which of the things that I have are God's?
Blaise Pascal, the French philosopher, though he was brilliant and widely admired, struggled to make sense of life, and could find no peace -- until he turned to Jesus.
When he died, they found a piece of his writing that he wore sewn into a small bag over his heart. It said:
Joy! Peace! I forget the world and everything but God. Righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you. Joy! Joy! Joy! Jesus, I separated myself from him -- but now I submit myself absolutely to Christ my Redeemer.
(From E. Stanley Jones, The Christ of Every Road [New York: Abingdon, 1930], p. 237)
Matthew 22:15-22
Diane has a heart for mission. She asked if she might have a "Mission of the Month" that would highlight local ministries. She was certain people in the congregation would want to support these worthy ministries. It would not be a church meeting without some opposition. The finance chair wondered if people supported the "Mission of the Month" they would give less to the church. After some discussion, it was agreed that the church would support Diane's project.
Diane began gathering information from area ministries, the downtown homeless shelter, the women's and children's home, and the community food bank. In talking with people from these ministries Diane realized how much those ministries served people in their community. People in church were surprised to hear that there were needs in their community.
The first month people brought in blankets and pillows for the homeless shelter. The next month is was school supplies, paper, and pencils, for the children living in the women's and children's home. Another month it was personal items, toothpaste, and soap.
The congregation supported the "Mission of the Month." People suggested other ministries that Diane did not know about. In no time at all, the entire year was set. Diane began writing in the church newsletter about the people their generosity benefited. The stories were heart warming. It was a great thing the church was doing. And the giving to the church did not suffer either.
Jesus reminds us that all we have actually comes from God. "Give," Jesus says, "to God the things that are God's."
Matthew 22:15-22
Joanne was a thoughtful, energetic woman. She worked in the church as a Sunday school teacher and lector, and she regularly led Bible studies for the women's group. Joanne also volunteered in her daughter's school, working in the library, as a lunchroom supervisor, and on any fund-raising the school might need. Then the town in which Joanne lived, issued a call to sit on a committee to oversee the application for and spending of a state grant for town improvements. Joanne answered the call. When asked why she simply stated, "I love my God so I serve in the church. I love my children so I work in the school. I have grown up in this town and it has given me much, so I feel I must serve when called upon." In her own way, Joanne was giving to God the things that were God's and to the emperor the things that were the emperor's.
If we are not going to deny our children the darker side of life, we owe it to them to show them that there is also this wild brilliance, this light of the sun: although we cannot look at it directly, it is nevertheless by the light of the sun that we see. If we are to turn toward the sunlight, we must also turn away from the cult of the common man and return to the uncommon man, to the hero. We all need heroes, and here again, we can learn from the child's acceptance of the fact that he needs someone beyond himself to look up to.
(From Madeleine L'Engle, A Circle of Quiet [New York: Harper One, 1984])
Exodus 33:12-23
In our lesson for today, God says three very encouraging things to Moses -- and to us.
The people of Israel are on their way from being slaves in Egypt to being free people in the promised land. But, when Moses goes up onto the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments, the people turn against God and make themselves a golden calf to worship, and Moses becomes discouraged.
To encourage Moses, God says:
1. I know you by name and you have found favor in my sight
2. My presence will go with you
3. I will give you rest
The good news is that our Lord is saying the same things to us. If we seek the Lord, if we want the Lord to be the center of our lives, the Lord will say to us, as he did to Moses:
1. I know you by name and you have found favor in my sight
2. My presence will go with you
3. I will give you rest
Exodus 33:12-23
One day Dan shared what he felt God had put on his heart, to raise money for a rural, economically depressed region of the state. He told his study group that this has been a recurring dream for several months, he was certain that this is what God wanted him to do. He would need to raise a good amount of money for the project. With his study group and church's support Dan began writing to corporations seeking donations. Their donations would help to drastically improve the living conditions for hundreds of people.
What Dan did not expect with this project was that he would have to do some traveling. Some of the companies asked that he personally tell the board of directors the specifics about the project. He was given the names of other companies who might want to support the project, which would require more traveling.
Dan asked his wife, Rhoda, if she would like to travel with him on some of the longer trips. She agreed. On a day when they had an eight-hour drive, Rhoda went with him. While she might not have shared Dan's enthusiasm about the project she said at least they would be able to spend time together. On the trip they talked about their lives, their love for Jesus, and the church. They reminisced about their children. They spent a wonderful day together.
As they neared their destination, after driving all day, Rhoda shared that she sensed God's presence in a way she had not for a long time. She felt that Dan was doing what God wanted him to do, raising funds for economically depressed people.
In the desert, the situation became tense for Moses. He prayed to God for a sense of God's holy presence to lead him and the people forward to the promised land. The Lord God replied, "I will make all my goodness pass before you." Knowing that God would be present with them would make the journey easier.
Exodus 33:12-23
In a box of children's book at a garage sale, I found a Golden Book that became one of my daughter's favorites. The title long-forgotten, the story was about a little girl who had to go to the hospital to get her tonsils out. She was afraid and knew that she would miss her mother. So, after she was admitted and settled in her bed, her mother slipped off her gloves that she was wearing (that tells you how old the book was!), and gave them to her daughter with words to the effect that when the daughter felt lonely, she was to put those gloves to her face and she would know, "I am with you and love you."
God never gave Moses a pair of gloves to hold, but to prove that God was with him, God passed before Moses' face.
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
About twenty years ago, there'd been an attack in Jerusalem by Palestinians. The nightly news showed where a bomb exploded and also a spontaneous demonstration by some of Jerusalem's young men. They chanted, repeating one frightening word: "Neqamah! Neqamah!" Modern Hebrew is a revival of ancient, biblical Hebrew, thus I understood this word, "Vengeance!"
Vengeance is a dominant theme in the Old Testament: an eye (but only one) for an eye. However, Paul the apostle reports, "in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit...." The early Christian message was different not only from its Hebrew forebear but also from the Greco-Roman world.
Modern Christianity often becomes the mere chaplain to the nation in which it resides. The chant is "Support the troops!" Instead, why doesn't the message "sound forth" (v. 8) from Christians, "Faith, love, hope"?
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Paul often linked three great Christian qualities as he did here: "Your work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." In his first letter to the Corinthians, he wrote of love's superiority over faith and hope. Love clearly has the edge, but it falters apart from hope and faith.
Without faith that Jesus is the Christ, the only Son of God, church folks lose their sense of direction and purpose; the church's work is blunted. Apart from hope in the resurrection with Jesus, people give up and quit their efforts. Every follower of Jesus needs reminders that Jesus is superior to other religious leaders. Only he came from God, lived a perfect life, died for us, and was raised to glory. Our hope is that Jesus will return to judge us all and to be recognized as the commanding general of the universe. Unless our love is based on these truths, it becomes mired and directionless.
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
On a construction site, the workers had just placed explosives for a large explosion where a rock ledge had to be removed for the road construction. Danger signs were everywhere so workers thought there was no danger, but just after the fuse was lit, a little girl came running up to check things out. The workers began yelling, to warn her away, but instead she ran away from their warning voices. Fortunately, in a moment the mother came and sensing the danger to anyone who might try to save her, the mother knelt down, and said, "Come quickly to mommy, I want to hold you in my arms."
With that invitation, she turned around, ran to her mother's waiting arms, and the child was saved.
I am reminded of the contest that the sun and wind had. A man was walking holding a large coat around him. The wind said to the sun, "Let's have a contest to see who can get that coat off of the man." The wind was feeling powerful and thought it could easily blow the coat off. But as the wind blew, the man clung all the more firmly to his coat, and try as he might, almost blowing him over, the man held the coat tighter than ever. Then the sun said, "Let me try." So the sun shone warmly and gently and soon the man was hot, and for comfort's sake, took the coat off.
So often we feel with our children, or even with other adults, that the way to put your ideas across, or to do what we need to do is by force. We use strong rules that are never broken, while we should use the example of the mother, above, or the example of the sun. So much more can be accomplished by gentleness than by pressure, or loud words.
Matthew 22:15-22
Christianity stands or falls with its revolutionary protest against violence, arbitrariness and pride of power, and with its plea for the weak. Christians are doing too little to make these points clear rather than too much. Christendom adjusts itself far too easily to the worship of power. Christians should give more offense, shock the world far more than they are doing now. Christians should take a stronger stand in favor of the weak rather than considering first the possible right of the strong.
(From Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "Sermon on 2 Corinthians 12:9," given at St. Paul's Church in London, 1934)
Matthew 22:15-22
Jesus says to us in our gospel lesson for today, "Give to God the things that are God's."
So, we ask, which of the things that I have are God's?
Blaise Pascal, the French philosopher, though he was brilliant and widely admired, struggled to make sense of life, and could find no peace -- until he turned to Jesus.
When he died, they found a piece of his writing that he wore sewn into a small bag over his heart. It said:
Joy! Peace! I forget the world and everything but God. Righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you. Joy! Joy! Joy! Jesus, I separated myself from him -- but now I submit myself absolutely to Christ my Redeemer.
(From E. Stanley Jones, The Christ of Every Road [New York: Abingdon, 1930], p. 237)
Matthew 22:15-22
Diane has a heart for mission. She asked if she might have a "Mission of the Month" that would highlight local ministries. She was certain people in the congregation would want to support these worthy ministries. It would not be a church meeting without some opposition. The finance chair wondered if people supported the "Mission of the Month" they would give less to the church. After some discussion, it was agreed that the church would support Diane's project.
Diane began gathering information from area ministries, the downtown homeless shelter, the women's and children's home, and the community food bank. In talking with people from these ministries Diane realized how much those ministries served people in their community. People in church were surprised to hear that there were needs in their community.
The first month people brought in blankets and pillows for the homeless shelter. The next month is was school supplies, paper, and pencils, for the children living in the women's and children's home. Another month it was personal items, toothpaste, and soap.
The congregation supported the "Mission of the Month." People suggested other ministries that Diane did not know about. In no time at all, the entire year was set. Diane began writing in the church newsletter about the people their generosity benefited. The stories were heart warming. It was a great thing the church was doing. And the giving to the church did not suffer either.
Jesus reminds us that all we have actually comes from God. "Give," Jesus says, "to God the things that are God's."
Matthew 22:15-22
Joanne was a thoughtful, energetic woman. She worked in the church as a Sunday school teacher and lector, and she regularly led Bible studies for the women's group. Joanne also volunteered in her daughter's school, working in the library, as a lunchroom supervisor, and on any fund-raising the school might need. Then the town in which Joanne lived, issued a call to sit on a committee to oversee the application for and spending of a state grant for town improvements. Joanne answered the call. When asked why she simply stated, "I love my God so I serve in the church. I love my children so I work in the school. I have grown up in this town and it has given me much, so I feel I must serve when called upon." In her own way, Joanne was giving to God the things that were God's and to the emperor the things that were the emperor's.
