Greetings from Medford on the summer solstice and the fourth Sunday after Pentecost and summer officially begins.
We gathered with a remembrance that we should hold reverence and love for God’s presence in our lives and for support of those who look for God’s support. Our first lesson from Genesis was the story of Sarah forcing Abraham to cast out Ismael and Hagar, and God’s promise of care for them even after they’re cast out. The Psalmist sings a request for God’s care and a reminder that God is, in fact, always faithful to God’s people. The reading from the letter to the Romans reminds believers that being saved means striving to not sin because that attempt honors God’s providence. Matthew’s gospel is instruction to the disciples to help them realize that the challenges and difficulties experienced are not because we are wrong, rather that we are wrong in the world’s eyes.
On the fourth Sunday after Pentecost, are invited to continue our discipleship – the process of learning more about God in Christ – so we can bear witness to God’s providence. Jesus doesn’t tell us that we must be scoffed by society to be effective and motivating. Rather, Jesus reminds us that when we decisively follow God, learn how to share our faith, and hold up otherworldly standards and the focus of life, we may join the former disciples and be ridiculed for our faith. But the blessing that we need to remember is the power of God survives longer than the power of the world and that God’s power is what is needed to bring healing.
Who needs to hear the message of hope that comes from learning more about God’s unconventional grace and mercy? I invite your comments,
Les+
Lessons: Genesis 21:8-21; Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17; Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39
Sermon link: https://audiomack.com/fatherles-2/song/pentecost-4-sermon-2
