General prayer meeting.
Reading: John 10:22-30
Sermon: Spreading Your Wings
Today's reading builds upon the discussion we had last week, on the feast of the Trinity, how as Debra put it, "God has three players on his team". And I think that's a very good way to think about it. Yet, even though the three players are distinct individuals, they operate with one defined purpose, one mind, and one spirit. "The Father and I are one," Jesus said.
So now I ask each of you, how many players do you have on your team?
Of course, there are the eight of us, which is a good start. But what I mean is, how many other Christians do you know outside of this congregation? Probably about the same number as I do. You can probably count them on one hand. It doesn't take the Lord's genius to figure out that there's something wrong here.
I know what you're thinking. You're thinking this is a bit rich coming from me, after nearly every week I talk about how it only takes two people to form a Church and for the Lord to be present? Yes, it probably is. But my eyes have been opened, as I spread my wings and discover the wealth of knowledge that other Christians have, and are more than willing to share.
Now, I call upon each of you to spread your wings in turn. Do not keep your knowledge to yourself. And most importantly, don't think that you can understand the Word of the Lord all by yourself! There are so many things our Lord has decided to reveal to us that even the eight of us would never be able to understand every last part of his wisdom. In order to understand, we need to discuss, and much as it pains me to admit it, the eight of us cannot come together within these walls every day.
If you had a question about the Lord's will, how many people could you turn to? How many people do you have on your team? Think about that as we pray.
Reading: John 10:22-30
Sermon: Spreading Your Wings
Today's reading builds upon the discussion we had last week, on the feast of the Trinity, how as Debra put it, "God has three players on his team". And I think that's a very good way to think about it. Yet, even though the three players are distinct individuals, they operate with one defined purpose, one mind, and one spirit. "The Father and I are one," Jesus said.
So now I ask each of you, how many players do you have on your team?
Of course, there are the eight of us, which is a good start. But what I mean is, how many other Christians do you know outside of this congregation? Probably about the same number as I do. You can probably count them on one hand. It doesn't take the Lord's genius to figure out that there's something wrong here.
I know what you're thinking. You're thinking this is a bit rich coming from me, after nearly every week I talk about how it only takes two people to form a Church and for the Lord to be present? Yes, it probably is. But my eyes have been opened, as I spread my wings and discover the wealth of knowledge that other Christians have, and are more than willing to share.
Now, I call upon each of you to spread your wings in turn. Do not keep your knowledge to yourself. And most importantly, don't think that you can understand the Word of the Lord all by yourself! There are so many things our Lord has decided to reveal to us that even the eight of us would never be able to understand every last part of his wisdom. In order to understand, we need to discuss, and much as it pains me to admit it, the eight of us cannot come together within these walls every day.
If you had a question about the Lord's will, how many people could you turn to? How many people do you have on your team? Think about that as we pray.
