Sermon Video: "Do unto others" Luke 6:31

This most famous saying of Jesus is an oft misunderstood moral obligation that goes far beyond the typical requirement of laws to do no wrong.  Instead, Jesus teaches his followers that they must actively interact with others according to his standard of righteous living as exemplified by the command to "love your enemies".  Instead of seeking preferential treatment for ourselves, we must be the servant of all.  Instead of indulging in favoritism, we must treat everyone as equals and show to each person in our lives the grace that God has given to us.  The example of Christ is paramount here: he became a servant that he might save everyone who believes.  We too must adopt the attitude of a servant, only then will we truly be able to "do to others as you would have them do to you."

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Sermon Video: Simeon and Anna, Luke 2:21-38

As Mary and Joseph travel to Jerusalem to fulfill the requirements of the Law, (a redemption of the firstborn of silver and a sacrifice of purification for Mary) as well as the circumcision and naming of Jesus, they are confronted in the Temple by two righteous followers of God.  Simeon and Anna have both spent their lives in anticipation of God's redemption of his people Israel, and on this day are both rewarded for their fidelity with the opportunity to see the Messiah for themselves.  Simeon predicts the mission of Jesus to the Gentiles and warns Mary that he will face opposition stiff enough to "pierce your own soul".  With the exception of the visit to the Temple twelve years later, this is the last we see of Jesus until he begins his public ministry. 

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Sex and Marriage?

The role of sexuality in the life of those who follow God is a horribly misunderstood topic.  We've twisted it around and screwed it up to no end.  That being said, such a knot cannot be unraveled all at once, let me simply pull on one strand a bit and try to help...

What's the purpose of sex?  To those who engage in sex outside of the covenant of marriage, it is an act of pleasure that often tries to be the glue holding a relationship together.  It is an act of hope that is far too often placed in the wrong person.  It becomes damaged by bad experiences and ends up being something it was never intended to be.  Sex should not be a bargaining chip, nor a tool for getting one's way, it should not be bought or sold, nor should be be withheld or forced.  We, as a society, have morphed sex almost beyond recognition.

Sex within a marriage is an entirely different thing.  It is not the glue holding the relationship together, nor is it simply for pleasure.  The bond that holds the marriage together is honor, integrity, and a promise made in love before God, family, and friends.  Now, sex is pleasurable in a marriage, it is intended to be, but it also so much more.  It is a celebration of the union that exists between two people, of the molding of two separate lives into one, of the submission of two independent wills into one common goal of being a mutually beneficially partnership.

  If all of that sounds a little too idealistic to you, good, it should be.  God created the institution of marriage, and made sexuality as a part of it, for a very good reason.  We're not complete when we're alone.  We all feel it, we all know that the joys and sorrows of this life should be shared with another who is designed to compliment you.  A marriage works best when strengths and weaknesses are balanced out by the spouse, when needs and dreams are worked at together and not in competition.

Is sex a good thing?  Absolutely, all of God's creation was good in the beginning.  Has it been wrecked by sinful man?  Without a doubt, but we can begin to reclaim sex by supporting marriage.  Those who find themselves in the midst of divorce or failed relationships can begin again; you can reclaim your honor and integrity by saving your most intimate feelings for someone who is willing to publicly commit to you.  It may be idealistic, but it's also the truth.

"God doesn't need candles, we do"

That was a line from the Christmas Eve homily of Msgr. Herbein, the priest of St. Patrick's here in Franklin, as he explained that the incense, the candles, Christmas trees, etc. are not a part of worship for the sake of God, they are a part of worship for the sake of the people of God.  That's the best explanation for liturgy that I've heard, the kind of thing I knew I would blog about when I had the chance.  Every church has a liturgy (yes, even Baptists do, try to change the order of worship and see what happens), and every church has things which have symbolic value to them.  Why do we do these things?  Why these and not others?  The answer to that is always interesting, it usually involves history and the choices of men, for both good and ill, that have led us to this point.
The biblical example that inspired Msgr. Herbein's comment was the conversation between David and God about building a temple in II Samuel 7 in which God tells David that he has no need of a house of cedar (the Ark of God had been in the tabernacle, a tent, since the days of Moses), nor had he ever asked anyone to build him a fancy temple.  However, the sentiment, the desire to do something out of love and appreciation for God that was behind David's desire was rewarded by God.  David sought to do something to help God out, God responded by establishing a covenant (a promise) between himself and David, "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever." (II Samuel 7:16)  That promise was ultimately kept through the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who has once again established the throne of David.
So, why do we build magnificent churches, elaborately decorate them, and create elaborate ceremonies to worship in them?  It isn't for God's sake, but our own.  By putting so much of ourselves into our worship it allows us to demonstrate the extent of our gratitude for what God has done for us. 
It really doesn't matter if you worship in a humble chapel with bare walls, or a magnificent cathedral full of pomp and ceremony, if your place of worship brings you closer in love and obedience to God then it is fulfilling its purpose.  Do yourself a favor, attend a worship service at a church that is very different from your own, open your mind to other ways in which God can be praised, you might be surprised by what you see.

Sermon Video: The Angels and the Shepherds, Luke 2:8-20

With the culmination of God's divine plan taking place in Bethlehem, all that remains is to announce the arrival of the Messiah to the world.  For God, contrary to our own instincts, the beginning of his Son's ministry on earth will be announced to lowly shepherds out in the fields.  The "good news of great joy" that a "savior" has been born who is both "Christ" and "Lord" begins as only the mission of a suffering servant could; with humility.  As the shepherds visit in awe, Mary ponders the implications of all she has seen, who will this child be?

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