November 8, 2021 — 1 Corinthians 6:1 – 20

“When any of you has a grievance against another, do you dare to take it to court before the unrighteous, instead of taking it before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels—to say nothing of ordinary matters? If you have ordinary cases, then, do you appoint as judges those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to decide between one believer and another, but a believer goes to court against a believer—and before unbelievers at that? In fact, to have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud—and believers at that. Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers—none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. And this is what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food,” and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:1-20

Paul is warning the Corinthians against many evils, behaviors of which they had formerly been guilty. Paul carries a lot of authority and seeks to establish that point: “Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God?” All sin is sin; all sin, every actual sin, committed with knowledge of it or not – sin is sin. Humans are very much inclined to flatter themselves that it is okay to live as they choose, believing if they have faith in Christ or at least repent once in a while, then all will be fine since all go to heaven. But Paul hopes to warn these people that they cannot hope to sow to the flesh, and continue to reap everlasting life. They are reminded that the gospel and grace of Jesus Christ is to make them a new people.

Our justification is owing to the suffering and merit of Christ; our sanctification to the working of the Holy Spirit; but both go together. All who are made righteous in the sight of G-d, are made holy by the grace of G-d.

Some among the Corinthians seem to have been ready to say, “All things are lawful for me”. I would say there are many among us today who live by this same banner — wear a mask, don’t wear a mask; get vaccinated, don’t get vaccinated; we are not much different than the people of Corinth. But Paul opposes such thinking. Yes, Christ has made us free, and in that banner we all must stand fast. But Paul also says that we should not continue to sin because Grace abounds. Our body is for the Lord; just like all we have is the Lords.

Let us Pray,

Lord Christ, help me to trust in my faith in you, but then help me also to live as you call us to live. When I depend upon your cross, then I have the comfort to know that it will be to your honor and glory to be raised with you. Amen.

Pastor Dave

November 7, 2021 – Pentecost +24

“As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:38-44

Jesus draws a comparison between the Scribes and other religious leaders who “devour widow’s houses”. In a society where most of the people were poor, the widows and the orphans were the poorest of the poor. Who are the poorest of the poor in our society? Where are the unemployed, the under-employed, the homeless, the hungry—the people living at the bottom of our economy who are trying to scrape enough money together to pay rent, buy food, and pay their bills? How is Christ calling you to live like a neighbor, calling you to serve your neighbor, and calling you to do more than just the minimum to look as if you care?

Every day we need to say prayers of thanksgiving for those who heed the call to serve as peacemakers in their country, church and society—especially since we live in a world with so much hate and violence. Injustice and violence continue to break out around the country and the world. We need to pray for all our veterans, our active military and their families—just like we need to pray for our newly elected congressmen and women, pastors, nurses, doctors, dentists, social workers, counselors, and so many others who serve the needy and the poor and the broken. It is time we all need to focus on becoming peacemakers—and focus on serving our country and our fellow human beings.

And now an original poem by Pastor Dave. I share this poem with you not for you to rate me on my poetic skills. I write for the challenge of it, period:

In Zaraphath the widow knows, Her raging hunger—blow on blow A child of G-d; her life a light; Scarce known, still, she is G-d’s delight In Zaraphath the widow knows,

Whence came a widow—fate on fate, Elijah spoke as he stood a-gate; “Bring me a cake; no morsel more”; Said she “My Lord we are too poor We won’t survive this sorry state.”

He said “Dear friend, G-d will provide, Be not afraid—you will not die The Lord is One; and great to me, He will provide, please just believe; The oil and meal will not run dry”

The widow and her son were saved, Through the blessing, the Lord He gave; Elijah too; as he foretold, G-d did provide—His word’s like gold; Shines brightest midst our darkest days.

Pastor Dave