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."