1 Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel: 8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:1-8 (NIV)
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. 9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you. 10 Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the Lord’s unfailing love
surrounds the one who trusts in him. 11 Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart! Psalm 32:8-11 (NIV)
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin. 6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them. 7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:5-7 (NIV)
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
1 Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit. Psalm 32:1-2 (NIV)
A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love. – St. Basil
Opening Prayer: Father God, if we look close at the ministry of Jesus, we see that he was a change agent. He didn’t come to make peace, at least not in the short term. He knew things needed to change and that things would get worse before they would get better. Help us to see the changes that need to place in our world to bring about lasting peace and true justice for all people. May we be, as Jesus was and is, a change agent. In Jesus’ name, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and all for Your glory, I pray. Amen.
Message [used with permission from A Sermon for Every Sunday]: Sometimes it has to Get Worse Before it Gets Better – The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost [8/18/19] by Brian McLaren, speaker, activist, bestselling author, and former pastor.
Brian McLaren begins this week’s sermon by explaining how he got a call asking him to come to Charlottesville to join the group of clergy praying for those protesting in August, 2017. He didn’t tell anyone he went. Later, his pastor at his home church mentioned it in his sermon. McLaren tells how an older gentleman got in his face after the service and lectured him, saying he did not respect what he did and thought he was wrong to do it. McLaren said this experience reminds him of today’s passage from Luke 12:49-56. He says, “Jesus’ work as peacemaker often makes things worse before they get better…When Jesus came, he was not a pacifier. He was not a law and order dominator…He was an agitator. He was a fire starter. He knew that things had to heat up before people would wake up.” What needs to be heated up today? What needs to get worse before it gets better? What fires do we need to start in order to bring about justice for all?
Closing Prayer: Father God, we know that most people do not really like to change. We also know that when people are challenged with the truth about the need to change they will often push back and seek to hurt others. May we not be afraid to be afraid to be one of Your change agents. May you place a hedge of protection around each one of us who steps out to speak and act according to Your truth. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
And what more shall I say?
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 11:29-32, 12:1-2 (NIV)
Faithfully Yours Forever 