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SPECTACLES OF GLORY
“Pick me! Pick me! Pick me. .."
Matthew 25:31-46
Though this parable is relatively well-known, it is perhaps the least taken to heart by Christians, because we tend to see ourselves as good people compared to the rest of the world. It’s so easy to recite our religious deeds and steps we’ve take to avoid obvious sins. Far from seeing our own present need for mercy, we come to church thinking God must be pretty impressed with us, and instead of focusing on His forgiveness and support, we rehearse our own little self-justifications. In the process, we never connect with God. But the broken sinner, humbly aware that he has nothing to boast about and no right to be in God’s presence, cries for mercy from a distance. The self-righteous remain imprisoned in their suffocating world of inward focus; the broken penitents are set free to life with God by their turning away from themselves to God’s gift of love.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
SPECTACLES OF GLORY "Am I a Pharisee" Isaiah 6:1-8 & Luke 18:9-14 Leo Wideman
Listen to this sermon...
SPECTACLES OF GLORY
"Am I a Pharisee"
Isaiah 6:1-8 & Luke 18:9-14
Leo Wideman
Though this parable is relatively well-known, it is perhaps the least taken to heart by Christians, because we tend to see ourselves as good people compared to the rest of the world. It’s so easy to recite our religious deeds and steps we’ve take to avoid obvious sins. Far from seeing our own present need for mercy, we come to church thinking God must be pretty impressed with us, and instead of focusing on His forgiveness and support, we rehearse our own little self-justifications. In the process, we never connect with God. But the broken sinner, humbly aware that he has nothing to boast about and no right to be in God’s presence, cries for mercy from a distance. The self-righteous remain imprisoned in their suffocating world of inward focus; the broken penitents are set free to life with God by their turning away from themselves to God’s gift of love.
SPECTACLES OF GLORY
"Am I a Pharisee"
Isaiah 6:1-8 & Luke 18:9-14
Leo Wideman
Though this parable is relatively well-known, it is perhaps the least taken to heart by Christians, because we tend to see ourselves as good people compared to the rest of the world. It’s so easy to recite our religious deeds and steps we’ve take to avoid obvious sins. Far from seeing our own present need for mercy, we come to church thinking God must be pretty impressed with us, and instead of focusing on His forgiveness and support, we rehearse our own little self-justifications. In the process, we never connect with God. But the broken sinner, humbly aware that he has nothing to boast about and no right to be in God’s presence, cries for mercy from a distance. The self-righteous remain imprisoned in their suffocating world of inward focus; the broken penitents are set free to life with God by their turning away from themselves to God’s gift of love.
Monday, November 10, 2008
SPECTACLES OF GLORY "Earning God's Trust" Matthew 25:14-30 Mateen Elass
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SPECTACLES OF GLORY
"Earning God's Trust"
Matthew 25:14-30
Mateen Elass
The parable of the talents (a significant amount of money) is all about handling God’s resources in such a way as to earn His trust for much bigger responsibilities in the future. Key to earning such trust are these words: “his” – the master entrusts his property to servants, who are to give it their greatest attention; “at once” – the servant with the largest amount immediately sets to work on the master’s behalf while the one with the least does nothing active with it, just digs a hole and buries it; “good and faithful” – good means committed to the master’s interest, and faithful means engaging in these good ends until the master returns; “much” and “joy” – faithful stewardship in this life will mean greater glory and joy in the world to come, for such action earns God’s trust.
SPECTACLES OF GLORY
"Earning God's Trust"
Matthew 25:14-30
Mateen Elass
The parable of the talents (a significant amount of money) is all about handling God’s resources in such a way as to earn His trust for much bigger responsibilities in the future. Key to earning such trust are these words: “his” – the master entrusts his property to servants, who are to give it their greatest attention; “at once” – the servant with the largest amount immediately sets to work on the master’s behalf while the one with the least does nothing active with it, just digs a hole and buries it; “good and faithful” – good means committed to the master’s interest, and faithful means engaging in these good ends until the master returns; “much” and “joy” – faithful stewardship in this life will mean greater glory and joy in the world to come, for such action earns God’s trust.
Monday, November 3, 2008
SPECTACLES OF GLORY "What's Your Net Worth" Luke 12:13-21 Mateen Elass
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SPECTACLES OF GLORY
"What's Your Net Worth"
Luke 12:13-21
Mateen Elass
The parable of the rich fool is all about material covetousness. Jesus’ teaching about human worth runs counter to our culture. The media trumpets the “net worth” of our most successful billionaires. Jesus says, “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. ” The parable shows one who works hard to amass a fortune, but in the process ignores what really gives life value. In the end, unable to control the future, he must leave behind the treasure he worked so hard to obtain, and with a shriveled spirit face God with nothing to offer. How much wiser to be rich toward God now, and discover your real net worth: priceless in God’s eyes!
SPECTACLES OF GLORY
"What's Your Net Worth"
Luke 12:13-21
Mateen Elass
The parable of the rich fool is all about material covetousness. Jesus’ teaching about human worth runs counter to our culture. The media trumpets the “net worth” of our most successful billionaires. Jesus says, “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. ” The parable shows one who works hard to amass a fortune, but in the process ignores what really gives life value. In the end, unable to control the future, he must leave behind the treasure he worked so hard to obtain, and with a shriveled spirit face God with nothing to offer. How much wiser to be rich toward God now, and discover your real net worth: priceless in God’s eyes!
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