How do we become the Church God wants us to be?

Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7 and Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16  • Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 and Psalm 25:1-9  • Philippians 2:1-13  • Matthew 21:23-32

Another week of grumbling and complaining in the wilderness. God rained manna on his people, not punishment in last week's lesson. This week, acting through his agent, Moses, who strikes a rock with his staff, life giving water gushes forth. Living bread, living water.

What do we look for, what do we find when we are in wilderness times? Do we see our glass half empty? Half full? Is it wrong to question God? Is God present in the good times, but not the bad times? Do we look for mirages instead of the truth in times of want, need or trouble? Security instead of facing our fears and troubles? Read The Rev. Kate Huey's "God's Sustaining Presence."

And Jesus, speaking with authority (ἐξουσία - a liberating power, not a dominating force), gives us the parable of the two sons who are asked to work in the vineyard. One says he will, and doesn't. One says he won't, but does. Who does the Father's will?

In Paul's beautiful letter to the Philippians, we have the kenosis (κενόω - to empty out). After telling us we need to have the mind of Christ, Paul tells us a love story of Christ's sacrifice from the beginning to the cross. Jesus, "though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross."

So, with all the grumbling and complaining, how are we to do the Father's will? How can a grumbling church become the church God wants us to be? Consider The Rev. John Jewell's "How to Have a Perfect Church."

"The first will be last and the last will be first" - what really matters.

Scripture: Exodus 16:2-15 and Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45  • Jonah 3:10-4:11 and Psalm 145:1-8  • Philippians 1:21-30  • Matthew 20:1-16

This week God hears the grumbling of the Israelites in the wilderness, complaining that they don't have food to eat - that it would have better to have died as slaves in Egypt where they at least had food to eat. In the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, God hears the complaints of those who came first and worked longer than the ones who worked less time, but all were paid the same.

We read that God rained down something on the Israelites. What was it? What does Jesus mean when he teaches us "the first shall be last, and the last shall be first?" Read about what really matters to God, and what should really matter to us in The Rev. Dr. James C. Howell's "Small and White, Clean and Bright," and "The Generosity of God," by The Rev. Dr. Michael Foss.
 

How can I forgive when it hurts so much... when it angers me so?

Scripture: Exodus 14:19-31 and Psalm 114 or Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21  • Genesis 50:15-21 and Psalm 103:(1-7), 8-13  • Romans 14:1-12  • Matthew 18:21-35

Peter asks Jesus how many times must he forgive his brother who sins (misses the mark in Greek) against him. Jesus answers seventy times. Apart from the number, what does that mean? What if someone you trust betrays you, makes a mockery of you? Hurts you, or a family member or friend? Just won't give up that stubborn pride or position?

The apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans asks us "Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? We will all sit before the judgment seat of God?

How do we recover and overcome our mistakes when we have judged others, and there has been a broken relationship? Consider Professor Alyce MacKenzie's "You Be the Judge (not!), particularly the story about five monks and the Rabbi, and Dan Clendenin's "Accept One Another: The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant."

What do you do when there are problems at Church?

Scripture: Exodus 12:1-14 and Psalm 149  • Ezekiel 33:7-11 and Psalm 119:33-40  • Romans 13:8-14  • Matthew 18:15-20


In this week's gospel lesson, Jesus  instructs the church which will carry his good news as a mission to the world about what do if another member of the church "sins" against you. The Greek word for sin is αμαρτάνω, which means "missing the mark. A discreet one on one meeting with the offending person is the step, followed by another discreet meeting, and finally a meeting of the church itself. All of this respects the dignity of persons. If that doesn't resolve it, then what? We should look at the context in which Jesus speaks. Immediately prior to this message, Jesus teaches the disciples about humility when they ask who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, saying that unless you become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Immediately after this week's gospel, Jesus answer's Peter's question of "how many times must I forgive my brother who sins against me," with "seventy times seven," which means what?

Humility, forgiveness and reconciliation are at the heart of Jesus' instructions for resolving church disputes. Many have interpreted the gospel to authorize shunning. What should we do when one leaves the church? How is "power" or "authority" to be exercised and received?


Finally, if we remember that when two are three are gathered in his name, he is with us. How can we not come together in humility in the presence of the one who gave his all that all might be saved?

Consider these articles: "What kind of Community Will We Be?" by David Lose; "Unforgiven," by William L. Hawkins; "A Careful Read," by Deanna Langle; and "The Power to Bind or Loose," by The Rev. Whitney Rice.