-------
-------
Today’s Reflection:
IF YOU ARE A PRAY-ER who is word weary, this prayer form may be for you. My friend and walking pal Sybil MacBeth has written a groundbreaking book titled Praying in Color, which is a treat to the eyes as well as the prayer life. A natural doodler, she explains how her doodles morphed into prayers. Better still, she instructs the reader in how to turn mindless activity into mindful activity and pray through the process.
The process is simple and suited to individual sensibilities. Assemble colored pens and other art supplies, relax with a scripture, and start doodling a shape—any shape—containing a person’s name. Add swirls and designs and colors to express your prayer. Sybil explains that praying in color gives God “a new way to penetrate the locked cells of our own hearts and minds.”[Linda Douty, Praying in the Messiness of LIfe]
From page 55 of Praying in the Messiness of Life: 7 Ways to Renew Your Relationship with God by Linda Douty. Copyright © 2011 by Linda Douty. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Try praying for a friend using the exercise described above.
Today’s Scripture:
He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'”[Luke 16:30, NRSV]
This Week: pray for artists.
------
Did You Know?In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.
-------
This week we remember: Matthew (September 21).
Matthew
September 21Jesus called Matthew from the tax office in Capernaum where he presumably worked as a tax collector. Matthew (also called Levi) immediately walked away from his former life and became one of the Twelve. His first act was to host a dinner in Jesus' honor to which he invited tax collectors and others. This caused the Pharisees to complain about Jesus socializing with the wrong sorts of people, and gave Jesus the chance to explain his ministry: "I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:32, NRSV).
Matthew is traditionally given credit for writing the first gospel. A tax collector would likely have been literate, probably in Greek and Aramaic and Matthew would certainly have had a firsthand view of Jesus' life and ministry.
Acts 1:13 is the last scriptural mention of Matthew. Tradition says he preached the gospel in Judea or Ethiopia or other countries. He may have been martyred, but again, there is no existing evidence.
Because the Gospel of Matthew ends with the disciples being sent out into the world, Matthew is known as the patron saint of the church's mission. He is also considered patron saint of ships, hospitals, and alcoholics.
If Matthew had taken the Spiritual Types Test he probably would have been Sage. Matthew is remembered on September 21.
(This image of Matthew is from the carving of da Vinci's "Last Supper." The carving can be viewed in The Upper Room Chapel in Nashville, TN.)
MatthewSeptember 21Jesus called Matthew from the tax office in Capernaum where he presumably worked as a tax collector. Matthew (also called Levi) immediately walked away from his former life and became one of the Twelve. His first act was to host a dinner in Jesus' honor to which he invited tax collectors and others. This caused the Pharisees to complain about Jesus socializing with the wrong sorts of people, and gave Jesus the chance to explain his ministry: "I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:32, NRSV).
Matthew is traditionally given credit for writing the first gospel. A tax collector would likely have been literate, probably in Greek and Aramaic and Matthew would certainly have had a firsthand view of Jesus' life and ministry.
Acts 1:13 is the last scriptural mention of Matthew. Tradition says he preached the gospel in Judea or Ethiopia or other countries. He may have been martyred, but again, there is no existing evidence.
Because the Gospel of Matthew ends with the disciples being sent out into the world, Matthew is known as the patron saint of the church's mission. He is also considered patron saint of ships, hospitals, and alcoholics.
If Matthew had taken the Spiritual Types Test he probably would have been Sage. Matthew is remembered on September 21.
(This image of Matthew is from the carving of da Vinci's "Last Supper." The carving can be viewed in The Upper Room Chapel in Nashville, TN.)
-------
Lectionary Readings:
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Sunday, 25 September 2016
Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16
1 Timothy 6:6-19
Luke 16:19-31
Lectionary Readings:
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Sunday, 25 September 2016
Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16
1 Timothy 6:6-19
Luke 16:19-31
Scripture Text for Jeremiah 32:1 This is the word that came to Yirmeyahu from Adonai in the tenth year of Tzidkiyahu king of Y’hudah, which was the eighteenth year of N’vukhadretzar. 2 At that time the army of the king of Bavel was besieging Yerushalayim; and Yirmeyahu the prophet was imprisoned in the guards’ quarters attached to the king of Y’hudah’s palace, 3 where Tzidkiyahu king of Y’hudah had imprisoned him after demanding, “How dare you prophesy that Adonai says, ‘I will hand this city over to the king of Bavel, and he will capture it;
6 Yirmeyahu said, “This word of Adonai came to me: 7 ‘Hanam’el, the son of your uncle Shalum, will approach you and say, “Buy my field at ‘Anatot; you have next-of-kin’s right to redeem it; so buy it.”’” 8 As Adonai had said, my cousin Hanam’el came to me in the guards’ quarters and said, “Please buy my field at ‘Anatot, in the territory of Binyamin; because you will inherit it, and you have next-of-kin’s right to redeem it, so buy it for yourself.” Then I was certain that this was Adonai’s word.
9 So I bought the field at ‘Anatot which belonged to my cousin Hanam’el and weighed out the money for him, seven ounces of silver shekels. 10 I signed on the purchase contract, sealed it, called witnesses and weighed out the money for him on a balance scale. 11 I took the purchase contract, both the sealed copy with the terms and conditions, and the unsealed copy, 12 and gave the purchase contract to Barukh the son of Neriyah, the son of Machseyah, in the presence of my cousin Hanam’el, the witnesses who had signed the purchase contract and the people from Y’hudah sitting by the guards’ quarters. 13 In their presence I instructed Barukh as follows: 14 “Here is what Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says: ‘Take these contracts, both the sealed and unsealed copies, and place them in a clay jar, so that they can be preserved for a long time.’ 15 For Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says that one day homes, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.”
Psalm 91:1 You who live in the shelter of ‘Elyon,
who spend your nights in the shadow of Shaddai,
2 who say to Adonai, “My refuge! My fortress!
My God, in whom I trust!” —
3 he will rescue you from the trap of the hunter
and from the plague of calamities;
4 he will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his truth is a shield and protection.
5 You will not fear the terrors of night
or the arrow that flies by day,
6 or the plague that roams in the dark,
or the scourge that wreaks havoc at noon.
14 “Because he loves me, I will rescue him;
because he knows my name, I will protect him.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him.
I will be with him when he is in trouble.
I will extricate him and bring him honor.
16 I will satisfy him with long life
and show him my salvation.”
1 Timothy 6:6 Now true religion does bring great riches, but only to those who are content with what they have. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world; and we can take nothing out of it; 8 so if we have food and clothing, we will be satisfied with these. 9 Furthermore, those whose goal is to be rich fall into temptation; they get trapped in many foolish and hurtful ambitions which plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all the evils; because of this craving, some people have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves to the heart with many pains.
11 But you, as a man of God, flee from these things; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith, take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you testified so well to your faith before many witnesses. 13 I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and before the Messiah Yeshua, who in his witness to Pontius Pilate gave the same good testimony, 14 to obey your commission spotlessly and irreproachably until our Lord Yeshua the Messiah appears. 15 His appearing will be brought about in its own time by the blessed and sole Sovereign, who is King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal, who dwells in unapproachable light that no human being has ever seen or can see — to him be honor and eternal power. Amen.
17 As for those who do have riches in this present world, charge them not to be proud and not to let their hopes rest on the uncertainties of riches but to rest their hopes on God, who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. 18 Charge them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and ready to share. 19 In this way they will treasure up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may lay hold of the real life.
Luke 16:19 “Once there was a rich man who used to dress in the most expensive clothing and spent his days in magnificent luxury. 20 At his gate had been laid a beggar named El‘azar who was covered with sores. 21 He would have been glad to eat the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table; but instead, even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 In time the beggar died and was carried away by the angels to Avraham’s side; the rich man also died and was buried.
23 “In Sh’ol, where he was in torment, the rich man looked up and saw Avraham far away with El‘azar at his side. 24 He called out, ‘Father Avraham, take pity on me, and send El‘azar just to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue, because I’m in agony in this fire!’ 25 However, Avraham said, ‘Son, remember that when you were alive, you got the good things while he got the bad; but now he gets his consolation here, while you are the one in agony. 26 Yet that isn’t all: between you and us a deep rift has been established, so that those who would like to pass from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house, 28 where I have five brothers, to warn them; so that they may be spared having to come to this place of torment too.’ 29 But Avraham said, ‘They have Moshe and the Prophets; they should listen to them.’ 30 However, he said, ‘No, father Avraham, they need more. If someone from the dead goes to them, they’ll repent!’ 31 But he replied, ‘If they won’t listen to Moshe and the Prophets, they won’t be convinced even if someone rises from the dead!’”
The John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
Verse 9
[9] And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle's son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver.
The money — The price of land was strangely fallen at this time, when the enemy was besieging the chief city of the country.
Verse 11
[11] So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open:
I took — It is probable, that upon such sales among the Jews, two instruments were made, the one sealed up, to be kept by the purchaser, the other open, to be shewed to the judges, and by them ratified.
Verse 12
[12] And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.
Baruch — This Baruch (chap. 46:4,26,) was a scribe, and an attendant upon Jeremiah.
Witnesses — He made this purchase with all the usual formalities; he signed and sealed it before witnesses, and delivered it to Baruch to keep, in the presence of all the Jews.
Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16
Verse 1
[1] He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
He — He that makes God his habitation and refuge.
Verse 3
[3] Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
Pestilence — From the pestilence, which like a fowler's snare takes men suddenly and unexpectedly.
Verse 5
[5] Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
By night — When evil accidents are most terrible and least avoidable.
Arrow — The pestilence, or any such destructive calamity; such are frequently called God's arrows.
By day — Thou shalt be kept from secret and open mischiefs.
Verse 6
[6] Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
Darkness — Invisibly, so that we can neither foresee nor prevent it.
Verse 14
[14] Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
Because — This and the two following verses are the words of God.
1 Timothy 6:6-19
Verse 6
[6] But godliness with contentment is great gain.
But godliness with content — The inseparable companion of true, vital religion.
Is great gain — Brings unspeakable profit in time, as well as eternity.
Verse 7
[7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
Neither can we carry anything out — To what purpose, then, do we heap together so many things? O, give me one thing,-a safe and ready passage to my own country!
Verse 8
[8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Covering — That is, raiment and an house to cover us. This is all that a Christian needs, and all that his religion allows him to desire.
Verse 9
[9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
They that desire to be rich — To have more than these; for then they would be so far rich; and the very desire banishes content, and exposes them to ruin.
Fall-plunge — A sad gradation! Into temptation - Miserable food for the soul! And a snare - Or trap. Dreadful "covering!" And into many foolish and hurtful desires - Which are sown and fed by having more than we need. Then farewell all hope of content! What then remains, but destruction for the body, and perdition for the soul?
Verse 10
[10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Love of money — Commonly called "prudent care" of what a man has.
Is the root — The parent of all manner of evils.
Which some coveting have erred — Literally, missed the mark. They aimed not at faith, but at something else.
And pierced themselves with many sorrows — From a guilty conscience, tormenting passions, desires contrary to reason, religion, and one another. How cruel are worldly men to themselves!
Verse 11
[11] But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
But thou, O man of God — Whatever all the world else do. A man of God is either a prophet, a messenger of God, or a man devoted to God; a man of another world.
Flee — As from a serpent, instead of coveting these things. Follow after righteousness - The whole image of God; though sometimes this word is used, not in the general, but in the particular, acceptation, meaning only that single branch of it which is termed justice. Faith - Which is also taken here in the general and full sense; namely, a divine, supernatural sight of God, chiefly in respect of his mercy in Christ. This faith is the foundation of righteousness, the support of godliness, the root of every grace of the Spirit.
Love — This St. Paul intermixes with everything that is good: he, as it were, penetrates whatever he treats of with love, the glorious spring of all inward and outward holiness.
Verse 12
[12] Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Fight the good fight of faith — Not about words.
Lay hold on eternal life — Just before thee.
Thou hast confessed the good confession — Perhaps at his baptism: so likewise, 1 Timothy 6:13; but with a remarkable variation of the expression.
Thou hast confessed the good confession before many witnesses — To which they all assented. He witnessed the good confession; but Pilate did not assent to it.
Verse 13
[13] I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
I charge thee before God, who quickeneth all things — Who hath quickened thee, and will quicken thee at the great day.
Verse 15
[15] Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
Which — Appearing.
In his own times — The power, the knowledge, and the revelation of which, remain in his eternal mind.
Verse 16
[16] Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Who only hath underived, independent immortality.
Dwelling in light unapproachable — To the highest angel.
Whom no man hath seen, or can see — With bodily eyes. Yet "we shall see him as he is."
Verse 17
[17] Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
What follows seems to be a kind of a postscript.
Charge the rich in this world — Rich in such beggarly riches as this world affords.
Not to be highminded — O who regards this! Not to think better of themselves for their money, or anything it can purchase.
Neither to trust in uncertain riches — Which they may lose in an hour; either for happiness or defence.
But in the living God — All the rest is dead clay.
Who giveth us — As it were holding them out to us in his hand.
All things — Which we have.
Richly — Freely, abundantly.
To enjoy — As his gift, in him and for him. When we use them thus, we do indeed enjoy all things. Where else is there any notice taken of the rich, in all the apostolic writings, save to denounce woes and vengeance upon them?
Verse 18
[18] That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
To do good — To make this their daily employ, that they may be rich - May abound in all good works. Ready to distribute - Singly to particular persons.
Willing to communicate — To join in all public works of charity.
Verse 19
[19] Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Treasuring up for themselves a good foundation — Of an abundant reward, by the free mercy of God.
That they may lay hold on eternal life — This cannot be done by alms-deeds; yet they "come up for a memorial before God," Acts 10:4. And the lack even of this may be the cause why God will withhold grace and salvation from us.
Luke 16:19-31
Verse 19
[19] There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
There was a certain rich man — Very probably a Pharisee, and one that justified himself before men; a very honest, as well as honourable gentleman: though it was not proper to mention his name on this occasion: who was clothed in purple and fine linen - and doubtless esteemed on this account, (perhaps not only by those who sold it, but by most that knew him,) as encouraging trade, and acting according to his quality: And feasted splendidly every day - And consequently was esteemed yet more, for his generosity and hospitality in keeping so good a table.
Verse 20
[20] And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, (according to the Greek pronunciation) or Eleazer. By his name it may be conjectured, he was of no mean family, though it was thus reduced. There was no reason for our Lord to conceal his name, which probably was then well known. Theophylact observes, from the tradition of the Hebrews, that he lived at Jerusalem.
Yea, the dogs also came and licked his sores — It seems this circumstance is recorded to show that all his ulcers lay bare, and were not closed or bound up.
Verse 22
[22] And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
And the beggar — Worn out with hunger, and pain, and want of all things, died: and was carried by angels (amazing change of the scene!) into Abraham's bosom - So the Jews styled paradise; the place where the souls of good men remain from death to the resurrection.
The rich man also died, and was buried — Doubtless with pomp enough, though we do not read of his lying in state; that stupid, senseless pageantry, that shocking insult on a poor, putrefying carcass, was reserved for our enlightened age!
Verse 23
[23] And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
He seeth Abraham afar off — And yet knew him at that distance: and shall not Abraham's children, when they are together in paradise, know each other!
Verse 24
[24] And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Father Abraham, have mercy on me — It cannot be denied, but here is one precedent in Scripture of praying to departed saints: but who is it that prays, and with what success? Will any, who considers this, be fond of copying after him?
Verse 25
[25] But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
But Abraham said, Son — According to the flesh. Is it not worthy of observation, that Abraham will not revile even a damned soul? and shall living men revile one another? Thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things - Thou didst choose and accept of worldly things as thy good, thy happiness. And can any be at a loss to know why he was in torments? This damnable idolatry, had there been nothing more, was enough to sink him to the nethermost hell.
Verse 26
[26] And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Beside this there is a great gulf fixed — Reader, to which side of it wilt thou go?
Verse 28
[28] For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Lest they also come into this place — He might justly fear lest their reproaches should add to his own torment.
Verse 31
[31] And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Neither will they be persuaded — Truly to repent: for this implies an entire change of heart: but a thousand apparitions cannot, effect this. God only can, applying his word.
-------
The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
-------
-------
6 Yirmeyahu said, “This word of Adonai came to me: 7 ‘Hanam’el, the son of your uncle Shalum, will approach you and say, “Buy my field at ‘Anatot; you have next-of-kin’s right to redeem it; so buy it.”’” 8 As Adonai had said, my cousin Hanam’el came to me in the guards’ quarters and said, “Please buy my field at ‘Anatot, in the territory of Binyamin; because you will inherit it, and you have next-of-kin’s right to redeem it, so buy it for yourself.” Then I was certain that this was Adonai’s word.
9 So I bought the field at ‘Anatot which belonged to my cousin Hanam’el and weighed out the money for him, seven ounces of silver shekels. 10 I signed on the purchase contract, sealed it, called witnesses and weighed out the money for him on a balance scale. 11 I took the purchase contract, both the sealed copy with the terms and conditions, and the unsealed copy, 12 and gave the purchase contract to Barukh the son of Neriyah, the son of Machseyah, in the presence of my cousin Hanam’el, the witnesses who had signed the purchase contract and the people from Y’hudah sitting by the guards’ quarters. 13 In their presence I instructed Barukh as follows: 14 “Here is what Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says: ‘Take these contracts, both the sealed and unsealed copies, and place them in a clay jar, so that they can be preserved for a long time.’ 15 For Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says that one day homes, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.”
Psalm 91:1 You who live in the shelter of ‘Elyon,
who spend your nights in the shadow of Shaddai,
2 who say to Adonai, “My refuge! My fortress!
My God, in whom I trust!” —
3 he will rescue you from the trap of the hunter
and from the plague of calamities;
4 he will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his truth is a shield and protection.
5 You will not fear the terrors of night
or the arrow that flies by day,
6 or the plague that roams in the dark,
or the scourge that wreaks havoc at noon.
14 “Because he loves me, I will rescue him;
because he knows my name, I will protect him.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him.
I will be with him when he is in trouble.
I will extricate him and bring him honor.
16 I will satisfy him with long life
and show him my salvation.”
1 Timothy 6:6 Now true religion does bring great riches, but only to those who are content with what they have. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world; and we can take nothing out of it; 8 so if we have food and clothing, we will be satisfied with these. 9 Furthermore, those whose goal is to be rich fall into temptation; they get trapped in many foolish and hurtful ambitions which plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all the evils; because of this craving, some people have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves to the heart with many pains.
11 But you, as a man of God, flee from these things; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith, take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you testified so well to your faith before many witnesses. 13 I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and before the Messiah Yeshua, who in his witness to Pontius Pilate gave the same good testimony, 14 to obey your commission spotlessly and irreproachably until our Lord Yeshua the Messiah appears. 15 His appearing will be brought about in its own time by the blessed and sole Sovereign, who is King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal, who dwells in unapproachable light that no human being has ever seen or can see — to him be honor and eternal power. Amen.
17 As for those who do have riches in this present world, charge them not to be proud and not to let their hopes rest on the uncertainties of riches but to rest their hopes on God, who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. 18 Charge them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and ready to share. 19 In this way they will treasure up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may lay hold of the real life.
Luke 16:19 “Once there was a rich man who used to dress in the most expensive clothing and spent his days in magnificent luxury. 20 At his gate had been laid a beggar named El‘azar who was covered with sores. 21 He would have been glad to eat the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table; but instead, even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 In time the beggar died and was carried away by the angels to Avraham’s side; the rich man also died and was buried.
23 “In Sh’ol, where he was in torment, the rich man looked up and saw Avraham far away with El‘azar at his side. 24 He called out, ‘Father Avraham, take pity on me, and send El‘azar just to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue, because I’m in agony in this fire!’ 25 However, Avraham said, ‘Son, remember that when you were alive, you got the good things while he got the bad; but now he gets his consolation here, while you are the one in agony. 26 Yet that isn’t all: between you and us a deep rift has been established, so that those who would like to pass from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house, 28 where I have five brothers, to warn them; so that they may be spared having to come to this place of torment too.’ 29 But Avraham said, ‘They have Moshe and the Prophets; they should listen to them.’ 30 However, he said, ‘No, father Avraham, they need more. If someone from the dead goes to them, they’ll repent!’ 31 But he replied, ‘If they won’t listen to Moshe and the Prophets, they won’t be convinced even if someone rises from the dead!’”
The John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
Verse 9
[9] And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle's son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver.
The money — The price of land was strangely fallen at this time, when the enemy was besieging the chief city of the country.
Verse 11
[11] So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open:
I took — It is probable, that upon such sales among the Jews, two instruments were made, the one sealed up, to be kept by the purchaser, the other open, to be shewed to the judges, and by them ratified.
Verse 12
[12] And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.
Baruch — This Baruch (chap. 46:4,26,) was a scribe, and an attendant upon Jeremiah.
Witnesses — He made this purchase with all the usual formalities; he signed and sealed it before witnesses, and delivered it to Baruch to keep, in the presence of all the Jews.
Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16
Verse 1
[1] He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
He — He that makes God his habitation and refuge.
Verse 3
[3] Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
Pestilence — From the pestilence, which like a fowler's snare takes men suddenly and unexpectedly.
Verse 5
[5] Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
By night — When evil accidents are most terrible and least avoidable.
Arrow — The pestilence, or any such destructive calamity; such are frequently called God's arrows.
By day — Thou shalt be kept from secret and open mischiefs.
Verse 6
[6] Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
Darkness — Invisibly, so that we can neither foresee nor prevent it.
Verse 14
[14] Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
Because — This and the two following verses are the words of God.
1 Timothy 6:6-19
Verse 6
[6] But godliness with contentment is great gain.
But godliness with content — The inseparable companion of true, vital religion.
Is great gain — Brings unspeakable profit in time, as well as eternity.
Verse 7
[7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
Neither can we carry anything out — To what purpose, then, do we heap together so many things? O, give me one thing,-a safe and ready passage to my own country!
Verse 8
[8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Covering — That is, raiment and an house to cover us. This is all that a Christian needs, and all that his religion allows him to desire.
Verse 9
[9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
They that desire to be rich — To have more than these; for then they would be so far rich; and the very desire banishes content, and exposes them to ruin.
Fall-plunge — A sad gradation! Into temptation - Miserable food for the soul! And a snare - Or trap. Dreadful "covering!" And into many foolish and hurtful desires - Which are sown and fed by having more than we need. Then farewell all hope of content! What then remains, but destruction for the body, and perdition for the soul?
Verse 10
[10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Love of money — Commonly called "prudent care" of what a man has.
Is the root — The parent of all manner of evils.
Which some coveting have erred — Literally, missed the mark. They aimed not at faith, but at something else.
And pierced themselves with many sorrows — From a guilty conscience, tormenting passions, desires contrary to reason, religion, and one another. How cruel are worldly men to themselves!
Verse 11
[11] But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
But thou, O man of God — Whatever all the world else do. A man of God is either a prophet, a messenger of God, or a man devoted to God; a man of another world.
Flee — As from a serpent, instead of coveting these things. Follow after righteousness - The whole image of God; though sometimes this word is used, not in the general, but in the particular, acceptation, meaning only that single branch of it which is termed justice. Faith - Which is also taken here in the general and full sense; namely, a divine, supernatural sight of God, chiefly in respect of his mercy in Christ. This faith is the foundation of righteousness, the support of godliness, the root of every grace of the Spirit.
Love — This St. Paul intermixes with everything that is good: he, as it were, penetrates whatever he treats of with love, the glorious spring of all inward and outward holiness.
Verse 12
[12] Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Fight the good fight of faith — Not about words.
Lay hold on eternal life — Just before thee.
Thou hast confessed the good confession — Perhaps at his baptism: so likewise, 1 Timothy 6:13; but with a remarkable variation of the expression.
Thou hast confessed the good confession before many witnesses — To which they all assented. He witnessed the good confession; but Pilate did not assent to it.
Verse 13
[13] I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
I charge thee before God, who quickeneth all things — Who hath quickened thee, and will quicken thee at the great day.
Verse 15
[15] Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
Which — Appearing.
In his own times — The power, the knowledge, and the revelation of which, remain in his eternal mind.
Verse 16
[16] Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Who only hath underived, independent immortality.
Dwelling in light unapproachable — To the highest angel.
Whom no man hath seen, or can see — With bodily eyes. Yet "we shall see him as he is."
Verse 17
[17] Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
What follows seems to be a kind of a postscript.
Charge the rich in this world — Rich in such beggarly riches as this world affords.
Not to be highminded — O who regards this! Not to think better of themselves for their money, or anything it can purchase.
Neither to trust in uncertain riches — Which they may lose in an hour; either for happiness or defence.
But in the living God — All the rest is dead clay.
Who giveth us — As it were holding them out to us in his hand.
All things — Which we have.
Richly — Freely, abundantly.
To enjoy — As his gift, in him and for him. When we use them thus, we do indeed enjoy all things. Where else is there any notice taken of the rich, in all the apostolic writings, save to denounce woes and vengeance upon them?
Verse 18
[18] That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
To do good — To make this their daily employ, that they may be rich - May abound in all good works. Ready to distribute - Singly to particular persons.
Willing to communicate — To join in all public works of charity.
Verse 19
[19] Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Treasuring up for themselves a good foundation — Of an abundant reward, by the free mercy of God.
That they may lay hold on eternal life — This cannot be done by alms-deeds; yet they "come up for a memorial before God," Acts 10:4. And the lack even of this may be the cause why God will withhold grace and salvation from us.
Luke 16:19-31
Verse 19
[19] There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
There was a certain rich man — Very probably a Pharisee, and one that justified himself before men; a very honest, as well as honourable gentleman: though it was not proper to mention his name on this occasion: who was clothed in purple and fine linen - and doubtless esteemed on this account, (perhaps not only by those who sold it, but by most that knew him,) as encouraging trade, and acting according to his quality: And feasted splendidly every day - And consequently was esteemed yet more, for his generosity and hospitality in keeping so good a table.
Verse 20
[20] And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, (according to the Greek pronunciation) or Eleazer. By his name it may be conjectured, he was of no mean family, though it was thus reduced. There was no reason for our Lord to conceal his name, which probably was then well known. Theophylact observes, from the tradition of the Hebrews, that he lived at Jerusalem.
Yea, the dogs also came and licked his sores — It seems this circumstance is recorded to show that all his ulcers lay bare, and were not closed or bound up.
Verse 22
[22] And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
And the beggar — Worn out with hunger, and pain, and want of all things, died: and was carried by angels (amazing change of the scene!) into Abraham's bosom - So the Jews styled paradise; the place where the souls of good men remain from death to the resurrection.
The rich man also died, and was buried — Doubtless with pomp enough, though we do not read of his lying in state; that stupid, senseless pageantry, that shocking insult on a poor, putrefying carcass, was reserved for our enlightened age!
Verse 23
[23] And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
He seeth Abraham afar off — And yet knew him at that distance: and shall not Abraham's children, when they are together in paradise, know each other!
Verse 24
[24] And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Father Abraham, have mercy on me — It cannot be denied, but here is one precedent in Scripture of praying to departed saints: but who is it that prays, and with what success? Will any, who considers this, be fond of copying after him?
Verse 25
[25] But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
But Abraham said, Son — According to the flesh. Is it not worthy of observation, that Abraham will not revile even a damned soul? and shall living men revile one another? Thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things - Thou didst choose and accept of worldly things as thy good, thy happiness. And can any be at a loss to know why he was in torments? This damnable idolatry, had there been nothing more, was enough to sink him to the nethermost hell.
Verse 26
[26] And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Beside this there is a great gulf fixed — Reader, to which side of it wilt thou go?
Verse 28
[28] For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Lest they also come into this place — He might justly fear lest their reproaches should add to his own torment.
Verse 31
[31] And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Neither will they be persuaded — Truly to repent: for this implies an entire change of heart: but a thousand apparitions cannot, effect this. God only can, applying his word.
-------
The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
-------
Sunday, 25 September 2016-Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C
REFERENCES:
Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16
1 Timothy 6:6-19
Luke 16:19-31
Scripture Texts:
Jeremiah 32:1 This is the word that came to Yirmeyahu from Adonai in the tenth year of Tzidkiyahu king of Y’hudah, which was the eighteenth year of N’vukhadretzar. 2 At that time the army of the king of Bavel was besieging Yerushalayim; and Yirmeyahu the prophet was imprisoned in the guards’ quarters attached to the king of Y’hudah’s palace, 3 where Tzidkiyahu king of Y’hudah had imprisoned him after demanding, “How dare you prophesy that Adonai says, ‘I will hand this city over to the king of Bavel, and he will capture it;
6 Yirmeyahu said, “This word of Adonai came to me: 7 ‘Hanam’el, the son of your uncle Shalum, will approach you and say, “Buy my field at ‘Anatot; you have next-of-kin’s right to redeem it; so buy it.”’” 8 As Adonai had said, my cousin Hanam’el came to me in the guards’ quarters and said, “Please buy my field at ‘Anatot, in the territory of Binyamin; because you will inherit it, and you have next-of-kin’s right to redeem it, so buy it for yourself.” Then I was certain that this was Adonai’s word.
9 So I bought the field at ‘Anatot which belonged to my cousin Hanam’el and weighed out the money for him, seven ounces of silver shekels. 10 I signed on the purchase contract, sealed it, called witnesses and weighed out the money for him on a balance scale. 11 I took the purchase contract, both the sealed copy with the terms and conditions, and the unsealed copy, 12 and gave the purchase contract to Barukh the son of Neriyah, the son of Machseyah, in the presence of my cousin Hanam’el, the witnesses who had signed the purchase contract and the people from Y’hudah sitting by the guards’ quarters. 13 In their presence I instructed Barukh as follows: 14 “Here is what Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says: ‘Take these contracts, both the sealed and unsealed copies, and place them in a clay jar, so that they can be preserved for a long time.’ 15 For Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Isra’el, says that one day homes, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.”
Psalm 91:1 You who live in the shelter of ‘Elyon,
who spend your nights in the shadow of Shaddai,
2 who say to Adonai, “My refuge! My fortress!
My God, in whom I trust!” —
3 he will rescue you from the trap of the hunter
and from the plague of calamities;
4 he will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his truth is a shield and protection.
5 You will not fear the terrors of night
or the arrow that flies by day,
6 or the plague that roams in the dark,
or the scourge that wreaks havoc at noon.
14 “Because he loves me, I will rescue him;
because he knows my name, I will protect him.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him.
I will be with him when he is in trouble.
I will extricate him and bring him honor.
16 I will satisfy him with long life
and show him my salvation.”
1 Timothy 6:6 Now true religion does bring great riches, but only to those who are content with what they have. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world; and we can take nothing out of it; 8 so if we have food and clothing, we will be satisfied with these. 9 Furthermore, those whose goal is to be rich fall into temptation; they get trapped in many foolish and hurtful ambitions which plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all the evils; because of this craving, some people have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves to the heart with many pains.
11 But you, as a man of God, flee from these things; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith, take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you testified so well to your faith before many witnesses. 13 I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and before the Messiah Yeshua, who in his witness to Pontius Pilate gave the same good testimony, 14 to obey your commission spotlessly and irreproachably until our Lord Yeshua the Messiah appears. 15 His appearing will be brought about in its own time by the blessed and sole Sovereign, who is King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal, who dwells in unapproachable light that no human being has ever seen or can see — to him be honor and eternal power. Amen.
17 As for those who do have riches in this present world, charge them not to be proud and not to let their hopes rest on the uncertainties of riches but to rest their hopes on God, who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. 18 Charge them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and ready to share. 19 In this way they will treasure up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may lay hold of the real life.
Luke 16:9 “Once there was a rich man who used to dress in the most expensive clothing and spent his days in magnificent luxury. 20 At his gate had been laid a beggar named El‘azar who was covered with sores. 21 He would have been glad to eat the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table; but instead, even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 In time the beggar died and was carried away by the angels to Avraham’s side; the rich man also died and was buried.
23 “In Sh’ol, where he was in torment, the rich man looked up and saw Avraham far away with El‘azar at his side. 24 He called out, ‘Father Avraham, take pity on me, and send El‘azar just to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue, because I’m in agony in this fire!’ 25 However, Avraham said, ‘Son, remember that when you were alive, you got the good things while he got the bad; but now he gets his consolation here, while you are the one in agony. 26 Yet that isn’t all: between you and us a deep rift has been established, so that those who would like to pass from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house, 28 where I have five brothers, to warn them; so that they may be spared having to come to this place of torment too.’ 29 But Avraham said, ‘They have Moshe and the Prophets; they should listen to them.’ 30 However, he said, ‘No, father Avraham, they need more. If someone from the dead goes to them, they’ll repent!’ 31 But he replied, ‘If they won’t listen to Moshe and the Prophets, they won’t be convinced even if someone rises from the dead!’”
Sermon Title: Finding God with the Unprivileged or the Marginalized or the 99 Percenters
Theme: The finding God in seeking to bring justice where there is injustice.
Introduction: The Story of Lazarus and the Rich Man brings us to the way we treat people who are different from us in today’s world.
The Rich Man as the Privileged.
A. Meeting personal needs.
B. Ignoring the needs of others.
C. Life is death.
Lazarus as the Marginalized.
A. Seeking comfort in one’s needs.
B. Receiving no assistance on earth.
C. Death is life.
III. The Final Judgement or Reward.
A. The Rich man dies and receives eternal pain and suffering.
B. Lazarus dies and receives eternal blessings in the presence of God and all the Saints.
C. How do you give comfort to those who need extra asistance.
Conclusion: We come realize that many of us here are similar to the rich man even though we may not be considered wealthy. We too often ignore the needs of the people hurting or need extra assistance no matter who they are. Come and seek God’s forgiveness and power to live lives for Him and all other people and not just ourselves and the family and friends we know.
Benediction and Prayer: May we go from this service and realize that we need to seek out the needs of others who need extra assistance to be treated as whole people and people made in God’s Image. Lord Jesus, have mercy on us to be your true disciples. Amen.
———-
Over the years of my life whether you consider me young or old, I have seen many of the unprivileged or marginalize continue to be swept to the sidelines of life and even in the church. I am reminded of a cartoon in the “Herald of Holiness” when Dr. Wes Tracy was the editor where a many is walking down the street and sees a homeless person camped out on the sidewalk. The man prayed up to God and asked Him when are you going to do something. God responds with the statement that is why I created you. Most of us do not get an immediately response to our prayers to God, but still God is still calling His people to fully include the people who have been left on the sidelines of life for whatever reasons to embrace them and be with them through their struggles. In today’s world, these people may be the homeless, the poor, the immigrants, the refugees, or even the people who happen to have some kind of disability. It is great work that PAZNAZ is doing through In His Image and Pastor Julie, but we always have to seriously ask what more can we do. Is it possible to miss God when we do not fully embrace and include the people left on the sidelines of life while we take care of ourselves, our family, and maybe our immediate church’s needs? Each of us have to ask this question each day as we come to God to ask for His blessings and leading upon our daily lives. What would happen if a couple was anticipating their first child and the mother knew that she was going to have three children at once, but only told the father there is only one child. At the birth, the mother went into the delivery alone and gave birth to two wonderful baby girls, then when it was time to give birth to the third baby the father was called in to watch the birth of their baby boy. The father had the privilege to carry the baby boy to the hospital nursery and be with this boy even after the mother divorced him. The baby boy was precious to him even though he was diagnosed with developmentally delayed issues as well as some physical problems as well. If the father found out about the other children, how should he respond? He probably would look at the daughters and give thanks to God that God led them to the careers they have gone through the path that was dealt them. Just maybe this was confirmed with the father saw or heard that the daughters went to places and did things that they may have not been able to do if they were with their baby brother. Jf this happened to me, I would be glad and filled with joy that their adopted Mom and Dad gave them the love they needed and wanted as well as the opportunity to be trained in the career they choice to serve God in. Amen and Amen! This is the same way as we seek to understand how to include people who have been sidelined in life to not fully realize who they are in the greater society and even the church. Today, there is a meeting from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm concerning the need to reach the blacks within the Methodist Church at Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church in the greater Los Angeles area. This should be also the Nazarenes call because even though the founder of the Church of the Nazarene desire to include them fully, the Church of the Nazarene has a poor tract record in doing this. Just as the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church had a Black Conference when they separated from the Northern Methodist Episcopal Church in 1849. Even when they came back together in the 1930’s, the kept the separate Black Conference until they merged with the United Brethren Church in 1969. The Church of the Nazarene is not guiltless because in 1949, under the direction of a call to a General Superintendent and his second wife, they formed the Separate Black Districts in the Mid-west and the Southern States while creating a separate Black Bible School in Charleton, West Virginia, United States. Even though when the Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Mid America Nazarene College in Olathe, Kansas, and the Mount Vernon Nazarene College in Mount Vernon, Ohio were created in 1966 from the 1964 General Assembly there was only the saying that the Black Bible College to be under the Nazarene Bible College even though the talk was to include the Black Bible College to be united with the Mount Vernon Nazarene College which never really took off. We have prayer, repentance, and action in the church to have all cultures fully included in all areas of the church. Let us go back and read the Scripture Text from Luke 16:9 “Once there was a rich man who used to dress in the most expensive clothing and spent his days in magnificent luxury. 20 At his gate had been laid a beggar named El‘azar who was covered with sores. 21 He would have been glad to eat the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table; but instead, even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 In time the beggar died and was carried away by the angels to Avraham’s side; the rich man also died and was buried.
23 “In Sh’ol, where he was in torment, the rich man looked up and saw Avraham far away with El‘azar at his side. 24 He called out, ‘Father Avraham, take pity on me, and send El‘azar just to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue, because I’m in agony in this fire!’ 25 However, Avraham said, ‘Son, remember that when you were alive, you got the good things while he got the bad; but now he gets his consolation here, while you are the one in agony. 26 Yet that isn’t all: between you and us a deep rift has been established, so that those who would like to pass from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house, 28 where I have five brothers, to warn them; so that they may be spared having to come to this place of torment too.’ 29 But Avraham said, ‘They have Moshe and the Prophets; they should listen to them.’ 30 However, he said, ‘No, father Avraham, they need more. If someone from the dead goes to them, they’ll repent!’ 31 But he replied, ‘If they won’t listen to Moshe and the Prophets, they won’t be convinced even if someone rises from the dead!’”
———-
In this parable by Jesus, we see that in His day in the life of the Israelites there were the privileged and unprivileged. We know from the story that The Rich Man, who was not even given a name, was of the privileged class of people and was more interested in taking care of himself and his family than he was in obeying the Jewish law to take care of those who are unable to take of themselves or in today’s language to be with the people who need extra help in being fully included into society. We hear this as we hear that Lazarus is sitting at the gate to the Rich Man’s house with no food or other resources to meet the need of Lazarus. Apparently the Rich Man was content to being in the privileged class and doing nothing to help people in need similar to Lazarus. Even today, there are people in society who are even in the church saying that they are glad that they are White People and have the privileges that other people do not have with no interest in helping or being with the people in need of some kind of help or assistance. Where do you fit in this life?
Then we go to Lazarus who was given a name by Jesus who apparently is part of the unprivileged of His day. Here we read about a man who not only has sores all over his body, but is need of food and other physical needs to allow him do live in a little comfort or even die in dignity was Mother Theresa of Calcutta or Saint Theresa of Calcutta did for the lepers and other less privileged in India. We come to realize that to often we have not been in this situation, but when we have been we always cried for assistance and received nothing from whom we though we should, but we did from others we thought nothing of before the time of our need. How do you understand the plight of Lazarus and people similar to him?
We come now to the time that both the Rich Man and Lazarus died and went to their reward or judgment. Lazarus went to be with God and all the Saints that went before him and was found sitting on Abraham’s lap receiving what he did not receive in his earthly life. Yet, some how where The Rich Man was in torment and thirst he could see Lazarus in his comfort and aske Abraham to send Lazarus to him to dip his finger in water to quench his thirst. The reply was that no one is able to come back and forth between the two places because there was a great dividing line. Then the Rich Man asked for Lazarus to go back alive to tell his family that they may change their lifestyle, but the reply was that they have the Law of Moses and the Prophets besides they would not believe even someone came back from the Dead. It is amazing that Jesus had to say this because there were many people that did not believe that he is the Son of God, the Son of Man, and the Messiah when the other Lazarus who is the brother of Mary and Martha. Then, even after the death of Jesus, he knew, and His own resurrection people did not believe in who He is. Even today, there are many people who do not believe that Jesus actually rose from the dead and ascended back to the Father sitting on the Father’s right side. Even when, there is evidence of the Promised Holy Spirit coming on people who embrace Jesus fully and living lives of holiness because of Jesus, not their own doing. Lord Jesus, we come to realize that we need to re-examine our own lives to see how we include people in our lives and your church as well as the society at large. I am reminded of my own life of a father of a son with disabilities how this son has taught me so much who and what God can do. First, I learned that God is truly the God of love. Second, every person on earth is a person made in God’s Image and has gifts to give back to build up the church and the society. Then there was a man who was told by the mother of their son that their son was actually a triplet and two girls were born a few minutes before the son that were given up for adoption. If he found out when they were all grown up and into their careers how should he handle this. I do not know how the man would handle this, but if it was me I would forgive the mother and give glory that the two girls were raised in a home where there were two parents even though I would regret that I never saw them and watched them grow up as well as taking them to school, the park, church, other activities, or even hold their hands as we walked down the street. Yet, I would be thankful for their adopted Mom and Dad loving them as their own and giving them a life I could not and an opportunity to do what they wanted to do in serving God. How would you respond to such an incident? God is a God who is calling us to seek out those around us that are hidden or are in the open yet are sidelined by society and even the church. We come to find God in singing and listening to this hymn an doing what He is asking us to do. “All creatures of our God and King” by Paraphraser: William H. Draper; Author: St. Francis of Assisi (1225)
1. All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voice and with us sing:,
alleluia, alleluia!
O burning sun with golden beam,
and shining moon with silver gleam,
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
2. O rushing wind so wild and strong,
white clouds that sail in heaven along,
alleluia, alleluia!
New rising dawn in praise rejoice;
you lights of evening find a voice:
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
3. Cool flowing water, pure and clear,
make music for your Lord to hear:
alleluia, alleluia!
Fierce fire, so masterful and bright,
providing us with warmth and light.
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
4. Earth ever fertile, day by day
bring forth your blessings on our way;
alleluia, alleluia!
All flowers and fruits that is you grow,
let the his glory also show;
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
5. All you who are of tender heart,
forgiving others, take your part;
alleluia, alleluia!
All you who pain and sorrow bear,
praise God and on him cast your care;
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
6. Let all things their Creator bless,
and worship him in humbleness,
alleluia, alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, Three in One:
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Benediction and Closing Prayer: Thank you God for giving to us Jesus and how he taught Your Law to live a life of Love and Mercy to all people. May each of us go from this place a new person to be the eyes, ears, hands, and feet with the people who have been sidelined by society. Amen and Amen!-------
No comments:
Post a Comment