Russell McAlister
Mount Hope South Haven Wichita West District | 
Jeff Goetzinger
Wichita St. Paul's Wichita West District |
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This Week's Lectionary:
Sunday, 24 January 2016
3rd Sunday after the Epiphany – Green
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Luke 4:14-21
This Week's Lectionary:
Sunday, 24 January 2016
3rd Sunday after the Epiphany – Green
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Luke 4:14-21
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Lectionary Readings:
Sunday, 25 January 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Luke 4:14-21
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Lectionary Scriptures:
Nehemiah 8:1 all the people gathered with one accord in the open space in front of the Water Gate and asked ‘Ezra the Torah-teacher to bring the scroll of the Torah of Moshe, which Adonai had commanded Isra’el. 2 ‘Ezra the cohen brought the Torah before the assembly, which consisted of men, women and all children old enough to understand. It was the first day of the seventh month. 3 Facing the open space in front of the Water Gate, he read from it to the men, the women and the children who could understand from early morning until noon; and all the people listened attentively to the scroll of the Torah.
5 ‘Ezra opened the scroll where all the people could see him, because he was higher than all the people; when he opened it, all the people rose to their feet. 6 ‘Ezra blessed Adonai, the great God; and all the people answered, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted up their hands, bowed their heads and fell prostrate before Adonai with their faces to the ground.
8 They read clearly from the scroll, in the Torah of God, translated it, and enabled them to understand the sense of what was being read.
9 Nechemyah the Tirshata, ‘Ezra the cohen and Torah-teacher and the L’vi’im who taught the people said to all the people, “Today is consecrated to Adonai your God; don’t be mournful, don’t weep.” For all the people had been weeping when they heard the words of the Torah. 10 Then he said to them, “Go, eat rich food, drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who can’t provide for themselves; for today is consecrated to our Lord. Don’t be sad, because the joy of Adonai is your strength.”
Psalm 19:1 (0) For the leader. A psalm of David:
2 (1) The heavens declare the glory of God,
the dome of the sky speaks the work of his hands.
3 (2) Every day it utters speech,
every night it reveals knowledge.
4 (3) Without speech, without a word,
without their voices being heard,
5 (4) their line goes out through all the earth
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he places a tent for the sun,
6 (5) which comes out like a bridegroom from the bridal chamber,
with delight like an athlete to run his race.
7 (6) It rises at one side of the sky,
circles around to the other side,
and nothing escapes its heat.
8 (7) The Torah of Adonai is perfect,
restoring the inner person.
The instruction of Adonai is sure,
making wise the thoughtless.
9 (8) The precepts of Adonai are right,
rejoicing the heart.
The mitzvah of Adonai is pure,
enlightening the eyes.
10 (9) The fear of Adonai is clean,
enduring forever.
The rulings of Adonai are true,
they are righteous altogether,
11 (10) more desirable than gold,
than much fine gold,
also sweeter than honey
or drippings from the honeycomb.
12 (11) Through them your servant is warned;
in obeying them there is great reward.
13 (12) Who can discern unintentional sins?
Cleanse me from hidden faults.
14 (13) Also keep your servant from presumptuous sins,
so that they won’t control me.
Then I will be blameless
and free of great offense.
15 (14) May the words of my mouth
and the thoughts of my heart
be acceptable in your presence,
Adonai, my Rock and Redeemer.
1 Corinthians 12:12 For just as the body is one but has many parts; and all the parts of the body, though many, constitute one body; so it is with the Messiah. 13 For it was by one Spirit that we were all immersed into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free; and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
14 For indeed the body is not one part but many. 15 If the foot says, “I’m not a hand, so I’m not part of the body,” that doesn’t make it stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I’m not an eye, so I’m not part of the body,” that doesn’t make it stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, how could it hear? If it were all hearing, how could it smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged each of the parts in the body exactly as he wanted them. 19 Now if they were all just one part, where would the body be? 20 But as it is, there are indeed many parts, yet just one body. 21 So the eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you”; or the head to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be less important turn out to be all the more necessary; 23 and upon body parts which we consider less dignified we bestow greater dignity; and the parts that aren’t attractive are the ones we make as attractive as we can, 24 while our attractive parts have no need for such treatment. Indeed, God has put the body together in such a way that he gives greater dignity to the parts that lack it, 25 So that there will be no disagreements within the body, but rather all the parts will be equally concerned for all the others. 26 Thus if one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; and if one part is honored, all the parts share its happiness.
27 Now you together constitute the body of the Messiah, and individually you are parts of it. 28 And God has placed in the Messianic Community first, emissaries; second, prophets; third, teachers; then those who work miracles; then those with gifts of healing; those with ability to help; those skilled in administration; and those who speak in various tongues. 29 Not all are emissaries, are they? Not all are prophets, are they? or teachers? or miracle-workers? 30 Not all have gifts of healing, not all speak in tongues, not all interpret, do they? 31 Eagerly seek the better gifts.
But now I will show you the best way of all.
Luke 4:14 Yeshua returned to the Galil in the power of the Spirit, and reports about him spread throughout the countryside. 15 He taught in their synagogues, and everyone respected him.
16 Now when he went to Natzeret, where he had been brought up, on Shabbat he went to the synagogue as usual. He stood up to read, 17 and he was given the scroll of the prophet Yesha‘yahu. Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written,
18 “The Spirit of Adonai is upon me;
therefore he has anointed me
to announce Good News to the poor;
he has sent me to proclaim freedom for the imprisoned
and renewed sight for the blind,
to release those who have been crushed,
19 to proclaim a year of the favor of Adonai.”[Luke 4:19 Isaiah 61:1–2; 58:6]
20 After closing the scroll and returning it to the shammash, he sat down; and the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 He started to speak to them: “Today, as you heard it read, this passage of the Tanakh was fulfilled!”
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Verse 2
[2] And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
First day — This was the feast of trumpets, which is called a sabbath, and on which they were to have an holy convocation, Leviticus 23:24. And it was on this day, the altar was set up, after their return from captivity; in remembrance of which they had probably kept it ever since, with more than ordinary solemnity.
Verse 8
[8] So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
They — Ezra and his companions successively.
Sense — The meaning of the Hebrew words, which they expounded in the common language.
Thy gave — So they gave them both a translation of the Hebrew words into the Chaldee, and an exposition of the things contained in them.
Verse 9
[9] And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
Wept — Out of a sense of their guilt and danger by reason of it.
Verse 10
[10] Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Eat — Feast before the Lord.
Send — For the relief of your poor brethren.
Holy — Being the feast of trumpets, and the beginning of this joyful month, wherein so many days of thanksgiving were to be observed.
Strength — Rejoicing in God in serving him with chearfulness, and thankfulness, which is your duty always, but now especially, will give you that strength both of mind and body, which you greatly need, both to perform all the duties required of you, and to oppose all the designs of your enemies.
Psalm 19
Verse 1
[1] The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
The heavens — They are as a legible book, wherein he that runs may read it.
The glory — His eternal power and Godhead, his infinite wisdom and goodness.
Firmament — Or, the expansion, all the vast space extended from the earth to the highest heavens, with all its goodly furniture.
Verse 2
[2] Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
Day — Every day and night repeats these demonstrations of God's glory.
Uttereth — Or, poureth forth, constantly and abundantly, as a fountain doth water; So this Hebrew word signifies.
Knowledge — Gives us a clear knowledge or discovery of God their author.
Verse 3
[3] There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Heard — Or, understood; there are divers nations in the world, which have several languages, so that one cannot discourse with, or be understood by another, but the heavens are such an universal teacher, that they can speak to all people, and be clearly understood by all.
Verse 4
[4] Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Line — Their lines, the singular number being put for the plural. And this expression is very proper, because the heavens do not teach men audibly, or by speaking to their ears, but visibly by propounding things to their eyes, which is done in lines or writings.
Gone — Is spread abroad.
Earth — So as to be seen and read, by all the inhabitants of the earth.
Words — Their magnificent structure, their exquisite order, and most regular course, by which they declare their author, no less than men discover their minds by their words.
Sun — Which being the most illustrious and useful of all the heavenly bodies, is here particularly mentioned.
Verse 5
[5] Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
Bridegroom — Gloriously adorned with light as with a beautiful garment, and smiling upon the world with a pleasant countenance.
Chamber — In which he is poetically supposed to have rested all night, and thence to break forth as it were on a sudden.
Strong man — Conscious and confident of his own strength.
Verse 6
[6] His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
The ends — His course is constant from east to west, and thence to the east again. So that there is no part of the earth which doth not one time or other feel the benefit of his light and heat.
Verse 7
[7] The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The law — The doctrine delivered to his church, whether by Moses, or by other prophets. Having discoursed hitherto of the glory of God shining forth in, the visible heavens, he now proceeds to another demonstration of God's glory, which he compares with and prefers before the former.
Perfect — Completely discovering both the nature and will of God, and the whole duty of man, what he is to believe and practice, and whatsoever is necessary to his present and eternal happiness. Whereas the creation, although it did declare so much of God, as left all men without excuse, yet did not fully manifest the will of God, nor bring men to eternal salvation.
Converting — From sin to God, from whom all men are naturally revolted.
Testimony — His law, so called because it is a witness between God and man, what God requires of man, and what upon the performance of that condition, he will do for man.
Sure — Heb. faithful or true, which is most necessary in a witness: it will not mislead any man, but will infallibly bring him to happiness.
Simple — Even persons of the lowest capacities.
Verse 8
[8] The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Right — Both in themselves, and in their effect, as guiding men in the ready way to eternal happiness.
Rejoicing — By the discoveries of God's love to sinful men, in offers and promises of mercy.
Commandment — All his commands.
Pure — Without the least mixture of error.
The eyes — Of the mind, with a compleat manifestation of God's will and man's duty: both which, the works of nature, and all the writings of men discover but darkly and imperfectly.
Verse 9
[9] The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
The fear — The law and word of God, because it is both the object and the rule, and the cause of holy fear.
Clean — Sincere, not adulterated with any mixture. Constant and unchangeable, the same for substance in all ages.
Judgments — God's laws are frequently called his judgments, because they are the declarations of his righteous will, and as it were his judicial sentence by which he expects that men should govern themselves, and by which he will judge them at the last day.
Verse 12
[12] Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Who — Thy law, O Lord, is holy and just and good. But I fall infinitely short of it.
Cleanse — Both by justification, through the blood of thy son; and by sanctification thro' thy holy spirit. Though the first may seem to be principally intended, because he speaks of his past sins.
Secret — From the guilt of such sins as were secret either, from others; such as none knows but God and my own conscience: or, from myself; such as I never observed, or did not discern the evil of. Pardon my unknown sins, of which I never repented particularly, as I should have done.
Verse 13
[13] Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Presumptuous — From known and evident sins, such as are committed against knowledge, against the checks of conscience, and the motions of God's spirit.
Dominion — If I be at any time tempted to such sins, Lord let them not prevail over me, and if I do fall into them, let me speedily rise again.
Verse 14
[14] Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Let — Having prayed that God would keep him from sinful actions, he now prays that God would govern, and sanctify his words and thoughts: and this was necessary to preserve him from presumptuous sins, which have their first rise in the thoughts.
Redeemer — This expression seems to be added emphatically, and with special respect to Christ, to whom alone this word Goel can properly belong.
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Verse 12
[12] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
So is Christ — That is, the body of Christ, the church.
Verse 13
[13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
For by that one Spirit, which we received in baptism, we are all united in one body.
Whether Jews or gentiles — Who are at the greatest distance from each other by nature.
Whether slaves or freemen — Who are at the greatest distance by law and custom.
We have all drank of one Spirit — In that cup, received by faith, we all imbibed one Spirit, who first inspired, and still preserves, the life of God in our souls.
Verse 15
[15] If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
The foot is elegantly introduced as speaking of the hand; the ear, of the eye; each, of a part that has some resemblance to it. So among men each is apt to compare himself with those whose gifts some way resemble his own, rather than with those who are at a distance, either above or beneath him.
Is it therefore not of the body — Is the inference good? Perhaps the foot may represent private Christians; the hand, officers in the church; the eye, teachers; the ear, hearers.
Verse 16
[16] And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
The ear — A less noble part.
The eye — The most noble.
Verse 18
[18] But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
As it hath pleased him — With the most exquisite wisdom and goodness.
Verse 20
[20] But now are they many members, yet but one body.
But one body — And it is a necessary consequence of this unity, that the several members need one another.
Verse 21
[21] And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Nor the head — The highest part of all.
To the foot — The very lowest.
Verse 22
[22] Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
The members which appear to be weaker — Being of a more delicate and tender structure; perhaps the brains and bowels, or the veins, arteries, and other minute channels in the body.
Verse 23
[23] And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
We surround with more abundant honour — By so carefully covering them.
More abundant comeliness — By the help of dress.
Verse 24
[24] For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
Giving more abundant honour to that which lacked — As being cared for and served by the noblest parts.
Verse 27
[27] Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Now ye — Corinthians.
Are the body and members of Christ — part of them, I mean, not the whole body.
Verse 28
[28] And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
First apostles — Who plant the gospel in the heathen nations.
Secondly prophets — Who either foretel things to come, or speak by extra-ordinary inspiration, for the edification of the church.
Thirdly teachers — Who precede even those that work miracles. Under prophets and teachers are comprised evangelists and pastors, Ephesians 4:11.
Helps, governments — It does not appear that these mean distinct offices: rather, any persons might be called helps, from a peculiar dexterity in helping the distressed; and governments, from a peculiar talent for governing or presiding in assemblies.
Verse 31
[31] But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
Ye covet earnestly the best gifts — And they are worth your pursuit, though but few of you can attain them. But there is a far more excellent gift than all these; and one which all may, yea, must attain or perish.
Luke 4:14-21
Verse 14
[14] And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit — Being more abundantly strengthened after his conflict.
Verse 15
[15] And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
Being glorified of all — So God usually gives strong cordials after strong temptations. But neither their approbation continued long, nor the outward calm which he now enjoyed.
Verse 16
[16] And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
He stood up — Showing thereby that he had a desire to read the Scripture to the congregation: on which the book was given to him. It was the Jewish custom to read standing, but to preach sitting. Matthew 13:54; Mark 6:1.
Verse 17
[17] And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
He found — It seems, opening upon it, by the particular providence of God.
Verse 18
[18] The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
He hath anointed me — With the Spirit. He hath by the power of his Spirit which dwelleth in me, set me apart for these offices.
To preach the Gospel to the poor — Literally and spiritually. How is the doctrine of the ever-blessed trinity interwoven, even in those scriptures where one would least expect it? How clear a declaration of the great Three-One is there in those very words, The Spirit - of the Lord is upon me! To proclaim deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised - Here is a beautiful gradation, in comparing the spiritual state of men to the miserable state of those captives, who are not only cast into prison, but, like Zedekiah, had their eyes put out, and were laden and bruised with chains of iron. Isaiah 61:1.
Verse 19
[19] To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
The acceptable year — Plainly alluding to the year of jubilee, when all, both debtors and servants, were set free.
Verse 21
[21] And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
To-day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears — By what you hear me speak.
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The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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Sermon Story "Remembering the Purpose of God's Law" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 24 January 2016 with Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1 all the people gathered with one accord in the open space in front of the Water Gate and asked ‘Ezra the Torah-teacher to bring the scroll of the Torah of Moshe, which Adonai had commanded Isra’el. 2 ‘Ezra the cohen brought the Torah before the assembly, which consisted of men, women and all children old enough to understand. It was the first day of the seventh month. 3 Facing the open space in front of the Water Gate, he read from it to the men, the women and the children who could understand from early morning until noon; and all the people listened attentively to the scroll of the Torah.
5 ‘Ezra opened the scroll where all the people could see him, because he was higher than all the people; when he opened it, all the people rose to their feet. 6 ‘Ezra blessed Adonai, the great God; and all the people answered, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted up their hands, bowed their heads and fell prostrate before Adonai with their faces to the ground.
8 They read clearly from the scroll, in the Torah of God, translated it, and enabled them to understand the sense of what was being read.
9 Nechemyah the Tirshata, ‘Ezra the cohen and Torah-teacher and the L’vi’im who taught the people said to all the people, “Today is consecrated to Adonai your God; don’t be mournful, don’t weep.” For all the people had been weeping when they heard the words of the Torah. 10 Then he said to them, “Go, eat rich food, drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who can’t provide for themselves; for today is consecrated to our Lord. Don’t be sad, because the joy of Adonai is your strength.”
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Nehemiah and Ezra have gathered the returning people of Israel after their exilfe, at least the ones who have made it back on a holy day to worship God. The people cried out for Ezra to get the Holy Book of Moses to read to them of God's Law for them to live by. We do not know if people with disabilities were present because it only said that the ones who were able to understand and listen were present, but the people began to weep at the fact that they and their ancestors have sinned against God. We again do not know which sins affected them worshipping idols or not taking care of their aged parents or not taking care of their family members who had some kind of disaility or were poor or whatever reason they wept for their sins. The leaders of the Israelites said that they should not weep because this is a Holy day and they are to go home a feast and be happy and joyous while giving food to those around them who are not able to feast. We often attempt tp convince ourselves that the Law of Moses is no longer in effect, but we learn from the passage of Scripure in Luke 4 when Jesus went into the synagogue to worship that he stood up and was given the Book of Isaiah to read where he read from the Scripture passages that we know in Isaiah 61. Jesus read this passage with authority then sitting down and simply saying that today this passage has been fulfilled. We know that the passage reads that He who comes in God's name is to give the Good News of God to the poor, the disabled, the imprisoned, and other people who have been marginilzed by society and the religious commnities. From here we learn that God has given the gifts to all people as He has seen fit no matter whether they are rich or poor or abled body or disabled or immigrant or refugee or different sexual orientation for the benefit and edification of His church and His people to be loving witnesses to the rest of the world aout the Good News of God's Love, Grace, Mercy, and Redemption. We look at these passages and wonder how we are doing at being God's witnesses to all people in including them into the life of the church or our lives as well? Where do you fit into this plan of God's? How are you using the gifts and talents God has given you for His benefit to all other people? Are there times that you hve failed God and need to repent? We come to this time as we take the body of Jesus and eat then take the blood of Jesus and drink to receive and remember His redemption for us through our partaking of the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. As we come to receive from God to go out into the world with His Good News, we sing the Hymn "Holiness
Forevermore" by Haldor Lillenas, 1910
1. There’s a blessed and triumphant song:
Holiness forevermore!
It is sung by the mighty blood-washed throng:
Holiness forevermore!
Refrain:
Holiness forevermore! Holiness forevermore!
We will sing it, shout it, preach it, and live it:
Holiness forevermore!
2. We will praise the Lord for victory;
Holiness forevermore!
From the carnel mind we now are free;
Holiness forevermore!
Refrain:
Holiness forevermore! Holiness forevermore!
We will sing it, shout it, preach it, and live it:
Holiness forevermore!
3. From this standard we will not depart;
Holiness Forevermore!
'Tis the song of the purified in heart;
Holiness Forevermore!
Refrain:
Holiness forevermore! Holiness forevermore!
We will sing it, shout it, preach it, and live it:
Holiness forevermore!
4. We will shout our glorious liberty;
Holiness Forevermore!
We shall sing it by the crystal sea;
Holiness Forevermore!
Refrain:
Holiness forevermore! Holiness forevermore!
We will sing it, shout it, preach it, and live it:
Holiness forevermore!
The Benediction is given:
Go out into the world in peace;
Be of good courage;
Hold fast to that which is good;
Render to no one evil for evil;
Strengthen the faint hearted;
Support the weak; help the afflicted;
Honor all God’s children;
Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen
As we go today, may we say this paraphrase of I Corinthians 12:12F together to take in our lives to live out this week and always:
We Need Each Other
A Paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 12:12-26
For just as the body is one and has many kinds of members and all the members of the body, thought many, are one one body, so it is with Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - healthy, wise, disabled, slow learners, and all were made to drink of one Spirt.
For the church does not consist of one kind of member, but of many. If the person in a wheelchair said, "Becuae I am not able to walk, I cannot belong to the church with no ramps," that would not make him/her any less a part of the body. And a person with Down Syndrome felt that, because she/he could not fit into the church's education program, she/he did not belong to the church, that would not make her/him any less a part of the body.
If the whole church were teachers, where would the learners be? If the whole church were well off, where would the needy be? As it is, God arranged the kinds of people in a church, each one of them, as He chose. If all were a single kind, where would the church be?
As it is, many kinds of people are needed, yet there is one church. People who are able to read the creeds cannot say to the nonreaders, "we really don't need you." Nor can folks who are emotionally stable say that they don't need those who are emotionally ill. On the contrary, the people of the church who seem weaker are indispensable. Those people who are handicapped in some way, we invest greater honor. And those who are disfigured are treated with the modesty which those who are handsom do not require. This is how God has composed the church, giving greater honor to those who have disabilities, so that there may be no discord in the membership, and that members may have the same care for one another.
If one member suffers, all suffer together, if one member is honored all rejoice together.[Author Unknown].
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Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
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Lectionary Readings:
Sunday, 25 January 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Luke 4:14-21
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Lectionary Scriptures:
Nehemiah 8:1 all the people gathered with one accord in the open space in front of the Water Gate and asked ‘Ezra the Torah-teacher to bring the scroll of the Torah of Moshe, which Adonai had commanded Isra’el. 2 ‘Ezra the cohen brought the Torah before the assembly, which consisted of men, women and all children old enough to understand. It was the first day of the seventh month. 3 Facing the open space in front of the Water Gate, he read from it to the men, the women and the children who could understand from early morning until noon; and all the people listened attentively to the scroll of the Torah.
5 ‘Ezra opened the scroll where all the people could see him, because he was higher than all the people; when he opened it, all the people rose to their feet. 6 ‘Ezra blessed Adonai, the great God; and all the people answered, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted up their hands, bowed their heads and fell prostrate before Adonai with their faces to the ground.
8 They read clearly from the scroll, in the Torah of God, translated it, and enabled them to understand the sense of what was being read.
9 Nechemyah the Tirshata, ‘Ezra the cohen and Torah-teacher and the L’vi’im who taught the people said to all the people, “Today is consecrated to Adonai your God; don’t be mournful, don’t weep.” For all the people had been weeping when they heard the words of the Torah. 10 Then he said to them, “Go, eat rich food, drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who can’t provide for themselves; for today is consecrated to our Lord. Don’t be sad, because the joy of Adonai is your strength.”
Psalm 19:1 (0) For the leader. A psalm of David:
2 (1) The heavens declare the glory of God,
the dome of the sky speaks the work of his hands.
3 (2) Every day it utters speech,
every night it reveals knowledge.
4 (3) Without speech, without a word,
without their voices being heard,
5 (4) their line goes out through all the earth
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he places a tent for the sun,
6 (5) which comes out like a bridegroom from the bridal chamber,
with delight like an athlete to run his race.
7 (6) It rises at one side of the sky,
circles around to the other side,
and nothing escapes its heat.
8 (7) The Torah of Adonai is perfect,
restoring the inner person.
The instruction of Adonai is sure,
making wise the thoughtless.
9 (8) The precepts of Adonai are right,
rejoicing the heart.
The mitzvah of Adonai is pure,
enlightening the eyes.
10 (9) The fear of Adonai is clean,
enduring forever.
The rulings of Adonai are true,
they are righteous altogether,
11 (10) more desirable than gold,
than much fine gold,
also sweeter than honey
or drippings from the honeycomb.
12 (11) Through them your servant is warned;
in obeying them there is great reward.
13 (12) Who can discern unintentional sins?
Cleanse me from hidden faults.
14 (13) Also keep your servant from presumptuous sins,
so that they won’t control me.
Then I will be blameless
and free of great offense.
15 (14) May the words of my mouth
and the thoughts of my heart
be acceptable in your presence,
Adonai, my Rock and Redeemer.
1 Corinthians 12:12 For just as the body is one but has many parts; and all the parts of the body, though many, constitute one body; so it is with the Messiah. 13 For it was by one Spirit that we were all immersed into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free; and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
14 For indeed the body is not one part but many. 15 If the foot says, “I’m not a hand, so I’m not part of the body,” that doesn’t make it stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I’m not an eye, so I’m not part of the body,” that doesn’t make it stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, how could it hear? If it were all hearing, how could it smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged each of the parts in the body exactly as he wanted them. 19 Now if they were all just one part, where would the body be? 20 But as it is, there are indeed many parts, yet just one body. 21 So the eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you”; or the head to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be less important turn out to be all the more necessary; 23 and upon body parts which we consider less dignified we bestow greater dignity; and the parts that aren’t attractive are the ones we make as attractive as we can, 24 while our attractive parts have no need for such treatment. Indeed, God has put the body together in such a way that he gives greater dignity to the parts that lack it, 25 So that there will be no disagreements within the body, but rather all the parts will be equally concerned for all the others. 26 Thus if one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; and if one part is honored, all the parts share its happiness.
27 Now you together constitute the body of the Messiah, and individually you are parts of it. 28 And God has placed in the Messianic Community first, emissaries; second, prophets; third, teachers; then those who work miracles; then those with gifts of healing; those with ability to help; those skilled in administration; and those who speak in various tongues. 29 Not all are emissaries, are they? Not all are prophets, are they? or teachers? or miracle-workers? 30 Not all have gifts of healing, not all speak in tongues, not all interpret, do they? 31 Eagerly seek the better gifts.
But now I will show you the best way of all.
Luke 4:14 Yeshua returned to the Galil in the power of the Spirit, and reports about him spread throughout the countryside. 15 He taught in their synagogues, and everyone respected him.
16 Now when he went to Natzeret, where he had been brought up, on Shabbat he went to the synagogue as usual. He stood up to read, 17 and he was given the scroll of the prophet Yesha‘yahu. Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written,
18 “The Spirit of Adonai is upon me;
therefore he has anointed me
to announce Good News to the poor;
he has sent me to proclaim freedom for the imprisoned
and renewed sight for the blind,
to release those who have been crushed,
19 to proclaim a year of the favor of Adonai.”[Luke 4:19 Isaiah 61:1–2; 58:6]
20 After closing the scroll and returning it to the shammash, he sat down; and the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 He started to speak to them: “Today, as you heard it read, this passage of the Tanakh was fulfilled!”
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Verse 2
[2] And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
First day — This was the feast of trumpets, which is called a sabbath, and on which they were to have an holy convocation, Leviticus 23:24. And it was on this day, the altar was set up, after their return from captivity; in remembrance of which they had probably kept it ever since, with more than ordinary solemnity.
Verse 8
[8] So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
They — Ezra and his companions successively.
Sense — The meaning of the Hebrew words, which they expounded in the common language.
Thy gave — So they gave them both a translation of the Hebrew words into the Chaldee, and an exposition of the things contained in them.
Verse 9
[9] And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
Wept — Out of a sense of their guilt and danger by reason of it.
Verse 10
[10] Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Eat — Feast before the Lord.
Send — For the relief of your poor brethren.
Holy — Being the feast of trumpets, and the beginning of this joyful month, wherein so many days of thanksgiving were to be observed.
Strength — Rejoicing in God in serving him with chearfulness, and thankfulness, which is your duty always, but now especially, will give you that strength both of mind and body, which you greatly need, both to perform all the duties required of you, and to oppose all the designs of your enemies.
Psalm 19
Verse 1
[1] The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
The heavens — They are as a legible book, wherein he that runs may read it.
The glory — His eternal power and Godhead, his infinite wisdom and goodness.
Firmament — Or, the expansion, all the vast space extended from the earth to the highest heavens, with all its goodly furniture.
Verse 2
[2] Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
Day — Every day and night repeats these demonstrations of God's glory.
Uttereth — Or, poureth forth, constantly and abundantly, as a fountain doth water; So this Hebrew word signifies.
Knowledge — Gives us a clear knowledge or discovery of God their author.
Verse 3
[3] There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Heard — Or, understood; there are divers nations in the world, which have several languages, so that one cannot discourse with, or be understood by another, but the heavens are such an universal teacher, that they can speak to all people, and be clearly understood by all.
Verse 4
[4] Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Line — Their lines, the singular number being put for the plural. And this expression is very proper, because the heavens do not teach men audibly, or by speaking to their ears, but visibly by propounding things to their eyes, which is done in lines or writings.
Gone — Is spread abroad.
Earth — So as to be seen and read, by all the inhabitants of the earth.
Words — Their magnificent structure, their exquisite order, and most regular course, by which they declare their author, no less than men discover their minds by their words.
Sun — Which being the most illustrious and useful of all the heavenly bodies, is here particularly mentioned.
Verse 5
[5] Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
Bridegroom — Gloriously adorned with light as with a beautiful garment, and smiling upon the world with a pleasant countenance.
Chamber — In which he is poetically supposed to have rested all night, and thence to break forth as it were on a sudden.
Strong man — Conscious and confident of his own strength.
Verse 6
[6] His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
The ends — His course is constant from east to west, and thence to the east again. So that there is no part of the earth which doth not one time or other feel the benefit of his light and heat.
Verse 7
[7] The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The law — The doctrine delivered to his church, whether by Moses, or by other prophets. Having discoursed hitherto of the glory of God shining forth in, the visible heavens, he now proceeds to another demonstration of God's glory, which he compares with and prefers before the former.
Perfect — Completely discovering both the nature and will of God, and the whole duty of man, what he is to believe and practice, and whatsoever is necessary to his present and eternal happiness. Whereas the creation, although it did declare so much of God, as left all men without excuse, yet did not fully manifest the will of God, nor bring men to eternal salvation.
Converting — From sin to God, from whom all men are naturally revolted.
Testimony — His law, so called because it is a witness between God and man, what God requires of man, and what upon the performance of that condition, he will do for man.
Sure — Heb. faithful or true, which is most necessary in a witness: it will not mislead any man, but will infallibly bring him to happiness.
Simple — Even persons of the lowest capacities.
Verse 8
[8] The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Right — Both in themselves, and in their effect, as guiding men in the ready way to eternal happiness.
Rejoicing — By the discoveries of God's love to sinful men, in offers and promises of mercy.
Commandment — All his commands.
Pure — Without the least mixture of error.
The eyes — Of the mind, with a compleat manifestation of God's will and man's duty: both which, the works of nature, and all the writings of men discover but darkly and imperfectly.
Verse 9
[9] The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
The fear — The law and word of God, because it is both the object and the rule, and the cause of holy fear.
Clean — Sincere, not adulterated with any mixture. Constant and unchangeable, the same for substance in all ages.
Judgments — God's laws are frequently called his judgments, because they are the declarations of his righteous will, and as it were his judicial sentence by which he expects that men should govern themselves, and by which he will judge them at the last day.
Verse 12
[12] Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Who — Thy law, O Lord, is holy and just and good. But I fall infinitely short of it.
Cleanse — Both by justification, through the blood of thy son; and by sanctification thro' thy holy spirit. Though the first may seem to be principally intended, because he speaks of his past sins.
Secret — From the guilt of such sins as were secret either, from others; such as none knows but God and my own conscience: or, from myself; such as I never observed, or did not discern the evil of. Pardon my unknown sins, of which I never repented particularly, as I should have done.
Verse 13
[13] Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Presumptuous — From known and evident sins, such as are committed against knowledge, against the checks of conscience, and the motions of God's spirit.
Dominion — If I be at any time tempted to such sins, Lord let them not prevail over me, and if I do fall into them, let me speedily rise again.
Verse 14
[14] Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Let — Having prayed that God would keep him from sinful actions, he now prays that God would govern, and sanctify his words and thoughts: and this was necessary to preserve him from presumptuous sins, which have their first rise in the thoughts.
Redeemer — This expression seems to be added emphatically, and with special respect to Christ, to whom alone this word Goel can properly belong.
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Verse 12
[12] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
So is Christ — That is, the body of Christ, the church.
Verse 13
[13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
For by that one Spirit, which we received in baptism, we are all united in one body.
Whether Jews or gentiles — Who are at the greatest distance from each other by nature.
Whether slaves or freemen — Who are at the greatest distance by law and custom.
We have all drank of one Spirit — In that cup, received by faith, we all imbibed one Spirit, who first inspired, and still preserves, the life of God in our souls.
Verse 15
[15] If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
The foot is elegantly introduced as speaking of the hand; the ear, of the eye; each, of a part that has some resemblance to it. So among men each is apt to compare himself with those whose gifts some way resemble his own, rather than with those who are at a distance, either above or beneath him.
Is it therefore not of the body — Is the inference good? Perhaps the foot may represent private Christians; the hand, officers in the church; the eye, teachers; the ear, hearers.
Verse 16
[16] And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
The ear — A less noble part.
The eye — The most noble.
Verse 18
[18] But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
As it hath pleased him — With the most exquisite wisdom and goodness.
Verse 20
[20] But now are they many members, yet but one body.
But one body — And it is a necessary consequence of this unity, that the several members need one another.
Verse 21
[21] And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Nor the head — The highest part of all.
To the foot — The very lowest.
Verse 22
[22] Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
The members which appear to be weaker — Being of a more delicate and tender structure; perhaps the brains and bowels, or the veins, arteries, and other minute channels in the body.
Verse 23
[23] And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
We surround with more abundant honour — By so carefully covering them.
More abundant comeliness — By the help of dress.
Verse 24
[24] For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
Giving more abundant honour to that which lacked — As being cared for and served by the noblest parts.
Verse 27
[27] Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Now ye — Corinthians.
Are the body and members of Christ — part of them, I mean, not the whole body.
Verse 28
[28] And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
First apostles — Who plant the gospel in the heathen nations.
Secondly prophets — Who either foretel things to come, or speak by extra-ordinary inspiration, for the edification of the church.
Thirdly teachers — Who precede even those that work miracles. Under prophets and teachers are comprised evangelists and pastors, Ephesians 4:11.
Helps, governments — It does not appear that these mean distinct offices: rather, any persons might be called helps, from a peculiar dexterity in helping the distressed; and governments, from a peculiar talent for governing or presiding in assemblies.
Verse 31
[31] But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
Ye covet earnestly the best gifts — And they are worth your pursuit, though but few of you can attain them. But there is a far more excellent gift than all these; and one which all may, yea, must attain or perish.
Luke 4:14-21
Verse 14
[14] And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit — Being more abundantly strengthened after his conflict.
Verse 15
[15] And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
Being glorified of all — So God usually gives strong cordials after strong temptations. But neither their approbation continued long, nor the outward calm which he now enjoyed.
Verse 16
[16] And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
He stood up — Showing thereby that he had a desire to read the Scripture to the congregation: on which the book was given to him. It was the Jewish custom to read standing, but to preach sitting. Matthew 13:54; Mark 6:1.
Verse 17
[17] And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
He found — It seems, opening upon it, by the particular providence of God.
Verse 18
[18] The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
He hath anointed me — With the Spirit. He hath by the power of his Spirit which dwelleth in me, set me apart for these offices.
To preach the Gospel to the poor — Literally and spiritually. How is the doctrine of the ever-blessed trinity interwoven, even in those scriptures where one would least expect it? How clear a declaration of the great Three-One is there in those very words, The Spirit - of the Lord is upon me! To proclaim deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised - Here is a beautiful gradation, in comparing the spiritual state of men to the miserable state of those captives, who are not only cast into prison, but, like Zedekiah, had their eyes put out, and were laden and bruised with chains of iron. Isaiah 61:1.
Verse 19
[19] To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
The acceptable year — Plainly alluding to the year of jubilee, when all, both debtors and servants, were set free.
Verse 21
[21] And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
To-day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears — By what you hear me speak.
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The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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Sermon Story "Remembering the Purpose of God's Law" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 24 January 2016 with Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1 all the people gathered with one accord in the open space in front of the Water Gate and asked ‘Ezra the Torah-teacher to bring the scroll of the Torah of Moshe, which Adonai had commanded Isra’el. 2 ‘Ezra the cohen brought the Torah before the assembly, which consisted of men, women and all children old enough to understand. It was the first day of the seventh month. 3 Facing the open space in front of the Water Gate, he read from it to the men, the women and the children who could understand from early morning until noon; and all the people listened attentively to the scroll of the Torah.
5 ‘Ezra opened the scroll where all the people could see him, because he was higher than all the people; when he opened it, all the people rose to their feet. 6 ‘Ezra blessed Adonai, the great God; and all the people answered, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted up their hands, bowed their heads and fell prostrate before Adonai with their faces to the ground.
8 They read clearly from the scroll, in the Torah of God, translated it, and enabled them to understand the sense of what was being read.
9 Nechemyah the Tirshata, ‘Ezra the cohen and Torah-teacher and the L’vi’im who taught the people said to all the people, “Today is consecrated to Adonai your God; don’t be mournful, don’t weep.” For all the people had been weeping when they heard the words of the Torah. 10 Then he said to them, “Go, eat rich food, drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who can’t provide for themselves; for today is consecrated to our Lord. Don’t be sad, because the joy of Adonai is your strength.”
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Nehemiah and Ezra have gathered the returning people of Israel after their exilfe, at least the ones who have made it back on a holy day to worship God. The people cried out for Ezra to get the Holy Book of Moses to read to them of God's Law for them to live by. We do not know if people with disabilities were present because it only said that the ones who were able to understand and listen were present, but the people began to weep at the fact that they and their ancestors have sinned against God. We again do not know which sins affected them worshipping idols or not taking care of their aged parents or not taking care of their family members who had some kind of disaility or were poor or whatever reason they wept for their sins. The leaders of the Israelites said that they should not weep because this is a Holy day and they are to go home a feast and be happy and joyous while giving food to those around them who are not able to feast. We often attempt tp convince ourselves that the Law of Moses is no longer in effect, but we learn from the passage of Scripure in Luke 4 when Jesus went into the synagogue to worship that he stood up and was given the Book of Isaiah to read where he read from the Scripture passages that we know in Isaiah 61. Jesus read this passage with authority then sitting down and simply saying that today this passage has been fulfilled. We know that the passage reads that He who comes in God's name is to give the Good News of God to the poor, the disabled, the imprisoned, and other people who have been marginilzed by society and the religious commnities. From here we learn that God has given the gifts to all people as He has seen fit no matter whether they are rich or poor or abled body or disabled or immigrant or refugee or different sexual orientation for the benefit and edification of His church and His people to be loving witnesses to the rest of the world aout the Good News of God's Love, Grace, Mercy, and Redemption. We look at these passages and wonder how we are doing at being God's witnesses to all people in including them into the life of the church or our lives as well? Where do you fit into this plan of God's? How are you using the gifts and talents God has given you for His benefit to all other people? Are there times that you hve failed God and need to repent? We come to this time as we take the body of Jesus and eat then take the blood of Jesus and drink to receive and remember His redemption for us through our partaking of the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. As we come to receive from God to go out into the world with His Good News, we sing the Hymn "Holiness
Forevermore" by Haldor Lillenas, 1910
1. There’s a blessed and triumphant song:
Holiness forevermore!
It is sung by the mighty blood-washed throng:
Holiness forevermore!
Refrain:
Holiness forevermore! Holiness forevermore!
We will sing it, shout it, preach it, and live it:
Holiness forevermore!
2. We will praise the Lord for victory;
Holiness forevermore!
From the carnel mind we now are free;
Holiness forevermore!
Refrain:
Holiness forevermore! Holiness forevermore!
We will sing it, shout it, preach it, and live it:
Holiness forevermore!
3. From this standard we will not depart;
Holiness Forevermore!
'Tis the song of the purified in heart;
Holiness Forevermore!
Refrain:
Holiness forevermore! Holiness forevermore!
We will sing it, shout it, preach it, and live it:
Holiness forevermore!
4. We will shout our glorious liberty;
Holiness Forevermore!
We shall sing it by the crystal sea;
Holiness Forevermore!
Refrain:
Holiness forevermore! Holiness forevermore!
We will sing it, shout it, preach it, and live it:
Holiness forevermore!
The Benediction is given:
Go out into the world in peace;
Be of good courage;
Hold fast to that which is good;
Render to no one evil for evil;
Strengthen the faint hearted;
Support the weak; help the afflicted;
Honor all God’s children;
Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen
As we go today, may we say this paraphrase of I Corinthians 12:12F together to take in our lives to live out this week and always:
We Need Each Other
A Paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 12:12-26
For just as the body is one and has many kinds of members and all the members of the body, thought many, are one one body, so it is with Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - healthy, wise, disabled, slow learners, and all were made to drink of one Spirt.
For the church does not consist of one kind of member, but of many. If the person in a wheelchair said, "Becuae I am not able to walk, I cannot belong to the church with no ramps," that would not make him/her any less a part of the body. And a person with Down Syndrome felt that, because she/he could not fit into the church's education program, she/he did not belong to the church, that would not make her/him any less a part of the body.
If the whole church were teachers, where would the learners be? If the whole church were well off, where would the needy be? As it is, God arranged the kinds of people in a church, each one of them, as He chose. If all were a single kind, where would the church be?
As it is, many kinds of people are needed, yet there is one church. People who are able to read the creeds cannot say to the nonreaders, "we really don't need you." Nor can folks who are emotionally stable say that they don't need those who are emotionally ill. On the contrary, the people of the church who seem weaker are indispensable. Those people who are handicapped in some way, we invest greater honor. And those who are disfigured are treated with the modesty which those who are handsom do not require. This is how God has composed the church, giving greater honor to those who have disabilities, so that there may be no discord in the membership, and that members may have the same care for one another.
If one member suffers, all suffer together, if one member is honored all rejoice together.[Author Unknown].
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Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
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The Upper Room Daily Devotion in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Love in Action" for Thursday, 28 January 2016 - Scripture: Matthew 7:7 “Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who keeps asking receives; he who keeps seeking finds; and to him who keeps knocking, the door will be opened. 9 Is there anyone here who, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone? 10 or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 So if you, even though you are bad, know how to give your children gifts that are good, how much more will your Father in heaven keep giving good things to those who keep asking him!12 “Always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that sums up the teaching of the Torah and the Prophets.
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In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.[Matthew 7:12 (NIV)]
In the gym I belong to, each member has an electronic key to open the entry door. One cold day, I heard a tapping on the door’s window but ignored the sound. The tapping stopped but then began again.
I glanced over my shoulder through the windowed entrance to see a young woman wearing lightweight exercise clothes and shivering from the cold. When I caught the eye of John, a fellow member, I asked, “Do you know that lady?” He replied that he didn’t but then hurried to open the door. The woman had forgotten her keys when she left the gym earlier and couldn’t get into her car or back inside the building.
John had immediately responded to the woman’s need — treating the shivering woman as a member, a part of the family. That’s the way Christ would have us treat others. He calls us to open the door and welcome them with acceptance and hope. Christ understands each person’s situation and asks us to respond to that person with love and respect. In this way, we can put God’s love into action and enhance our relationships with others and with God.
Read more from the author, here.
"Start with a Prayer"
I’ve been asked by men, women and children at book sales and book-signings where I got the inspiration for writing, especially my Christian YA book series. Often I don’t have the time to go into details, but let me tell you the secret.
The Thunder and Lightning Book Series, of which I’ve already published two out of the twelve books in the series, began when I told our two boys stories during long car trips that we took around Germany and Europe.
We traveled for many reasons. My boys were active in sports, worked on their home-school special projects, and loved to travel. The boys became bored with schoolwork or staring out the windows. Their conversations, and the lack of electronics in 1989, gave them opportunities to verbally pick on each other. I prayed silently after one exceptionally loud argument and God gave me an idea.
Once the first story of these two adventurous dogs, Thunder—a huge, midnight-black Great Dane mix and Lightning—a small, Schih-Tzu mix, was told, when we embarked on a long car journey in our red mini-van across Germany or the European continent, the boys would call out from their seats.
“Dad, tell us a Thunder and Lightning Story!”
“Settle back,” I’d say, “and get ready for another fantastic adventure.”
As the miles unfolded, our boys lost themselves in the ever-changing story as they took on the personalities of Gabe (Gabriel) and Alex (Alexander), the two boy-owners of the dogs. With each telling, Thunder and Lightning could do more amazing tricks. Lightning ran circles around Thunder and pursuers. Thunder’s barks could knock people down and his strength saved the boys from many disasters.
Together, the two dynamic boys, one dark-haired and the other with blond hair, solved adventures in the wilderness, on the mountains, and in rivers that defied gravity, flowing up-hill. The foursome became an unstoppable team for adventure and mysteries, exploring castles and visiting almost every location we went to in our mini-van.
The Thunder and Lightning stories became such a great adventure that both boys told me I should write the stories down and publish them when I retired from the military.
As I prepared to take that final step to move from military to civilian life, with the boys away from home in college and the United States Air Force Academy, I prayed for quite some time about what I should pursue when I transitioned. Finally, one of my counselors said something that struck home. I even shed a few tears.
“You’ve been in a rigid, military system for over thirty years and have had to stifle most of your creativity.” He smiled. “But now you have the opportunity to let that creative juice pour out.” He paused, eyes shining. “Go for it!”
God answered my prayers. Now writing and music are my passions. You can find out more on my website:www.ZookBooks.org.The Author: Aaron M. Zook, Jr. (Texas, USA)
Thought for the Day: Small kindnesses can show God’s love in a practical way.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to listen and to look for opportunities to treat others the way we wish to be treated. Amen.
Prayer focus: OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE GOD’S LOVE
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Contact Information:
Great Plains Episcopal Office
9440 E Boston, Suite 160
Wichita Kansas 67207, United States
316-686-0600
800-745-2350
info@greatplainsumc.org
____________________________
Great Plains Episcopal Office
9440 E Boston, Suite 160
Wichita Kansas 67207, United States
316-686-0600
800-745-2350
info@greatplainsumc.org
____________________________
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