Podcasts about 28then

My First Half Century in the Ministry, Pt. 1 50 Years & Counting By Louie Marsh, 3-2-2025 Announce 50 years since my ordination!   What have I learned?   22Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.”” (Matthew 20:22, ESV)   1) If you want to serve God, you will have your heart BROKEN over and over again.   “16Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. 17I did not sit in the company of revelers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone, because your hand was upon me, for you had filled me with indignation. 18Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail? (Jeremiah 15:16–18, ESV)   “18The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18, ESV)   2) Self never DIES, ego is EVERYWHERE & the cost of serving Jesus is higher than you can possibly imagine when you begin.   “13“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13–14, ESV)   “23And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23–24, ESV)   · The ups & downs of the ministry take their TOLL.   “27in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? 30If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” (2 Corinthians 11:27–30, ESV)   3) God's answer to this – BROKENNESS.   “9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)   · Jacob is the ultimate EXAMPLE.   “22The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. 24And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 25When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” 31The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. 32Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob's hip on the sinew of the thigh.” (Genesis 32:22–32, ESV)   4) To trust in Jesus I must RELY on the Scriptures.   “39You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” (John 5:39–40, ESV)          

20Wisdom cries aloud in the street,in the markets she raises her voice;21at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;atthe entrance of the city gates she speaks:22How long, Osimple ones, will you love being simple?How long willscoffers delight in their scoffingand foolshate knowledge?23If you turn at my reproof,[a]behold, I willpour out my spirit to you;I will make my words known to you.24Because I have called andyou refused to listen,havestretched out my hand and no one has heeded,25because you haveignored all my counselandwould have none of my reproof,26I alsowill laugh at your calamity;I will mock whenterror strikes you,27when terror strikes you likea stormand your calamity comes like a whirlwind,when distress and anguish come upon you.28Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;they will seek me diligently but will not find me.29Because theyhated knowledgeanddid not choose the fear of theLord,30would have none of my counselanddespised all my reproof,31therefore they shall eatthe fruit of their way,and havetheir fill of their own devices.32For the simple are killed bytheir turning away,andthe complacency of fools destroys them;33butwhoever listens to me will dwell secureand will beat ease, without dread of disaster.

Sermon theme: Call me by my new name AKA Overcomer. Sermon scripture: Genesis 32:24-30 supporting scriptures: Rev 2:7 Rev 2:11 Rev 2:17 Rev 2:26 Rev 3:5 Rev 3:12 Rev 3:21 Rev 21:7 Rev 5:5 Heb11:1 Phil 4:13 Genesis 32:24-30 - 24 -So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. 28Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” 29Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. 30So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” Revelation 2:7 (NIV) – Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:11 (NIV) – Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. Revelation 2:17 (NIV) – Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. Revelation 2:26 (NIV) -  To the one who is victorious and does My will to the end, I will give authority over the nations. Revelation 3:5 (NIV) -  The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before My Father and His angels. Revelation 3:12(NIV) -  The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Revelation 3:21 (NIV) -  To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on My Throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with My Father on His throne. Revelation 21:7 (NIV) -  Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be My children Revelation 5:5 (NIV) – Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) -  Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Philippians 4:13 (NIV) – I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.

John 6: 24-35  24When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were [beside the sea,] they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.  25When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” 28Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' ” 32Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”  35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” 

Jonathan Defeats the Philistines 14One day Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armor, Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on the other side. But he did not tell his father.2Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gibeah in the pomegranate cave[a]atMigron. The people who were with him were aboutsix hundred men,3includingAhijah the son of Ahitub,Ichabod's brother, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of theLordin Shiloh,wearing an ephod. And the people did not know that Jonathan had gone.4Withinthe passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistine garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side and a rocky crag on the other side. The name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.5The one crag rose on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front ofGeba. 6Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, Come, let us go over to the garrison of theseuncircumcised. It may be that theLordwill work for us,for nothing can hinder theLordfrom saving by many or by few.7And his armor-bearer said to him, Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish.[b]Behold, I am with you heart and soul.8Then Jonathan said, Behold, we will cross over to the men, and we will show ourselves to them.9If they say to us, Wait until we come to you, then we will stand still in our place, and we will not go up to them.10But if they say, Come up to us, then we will go up, for theLordhas given them into our hand. And this shall be the sign to us.11So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, Look, Hebrews are comingout of the holes where they have hidden themselves.12And the men of the garrison hailed Jonathan and his armor-bearer and said, Come up to us, and we will show you a thing. And Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, Come up after me, for theLordhas given them into the hand of Israel.13Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor-bearer after him. And they fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer killed them after him.14And that first strike, which Jonathan and his armor-bearer made, killed about twenty men within as it were half a furrow's length in an acre[c]of land.15And there was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and eventhe raiders trembled, the earth quaked, and it became a very great panic.[d] 16And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitudewas dispersing here and there.[e]17Then Saul said to the people who were with him, Count and see who has gone from us. And when they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there.18So Saul said to Ahijah, Bring the ark of God here. For the ark of God went at that time with the people[f]of Israel.19Nowwhile Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, Withdraw your hand.20Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into the battle. And behold,every Philistine's sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion.21Now the Hebrews who had been with the Philistines before that time and who had gone up with them into the camp,even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.22Likewise, when all the men of Israelwho had hidden themselvesin the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too followed hard after them in the battle.23So theLordsaved Israel that day. And the battle passed beyondBeth-aven. Saul's Rash Vow 24And the men of Israel had been hard pressed that day,so Saul had laid an oath on the people, saying, Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies. So none of the people had tasted food.25Now when all the people[g]came to the forest, behold, there was honey on the ground.26And when the people entered the forest, behold, the honey was dropping, but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.27But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath,so he put out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes became bright.28Then one of the people said, Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man who eats food this day. And the people werefaint.29Then Jonathan said, My father has troubled the land. See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey.30How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies that they found. For now the defeat among the Philistines has not been great. 31They struck down the Philistines that day fromMichmash toAijalon. And the people were veryfaint.32The peoplepounced on the spoil and took sheep and oxen and calves and slaughtered them on the ground. And the people ate themwith the blood.33Then they told Saul, Behold, the people are sinning against theLordby eatingwith the blood. And he said, You have dealt treacherously; roll a great stone to me here.[h]34And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people and say to them, Let every man bring his ox or his sheep and slaughter them here and eat, and do not sin against theLordby eating with the blood. So every one of the people brought his ox with him that night and they slaughtered them there.35And Saulbuilt an altar to theLord; it was the first altar that he built to theLord. 36Then Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until the morning light; let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatever seems good to you. Butthe priest said, Let us draw near to God here.37And Saul inquired of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?But he did not answer him that day.38And Saul said, Come here, all you leaders of the people, and know and see how this sin has arisen today.39Foras theLordlives who saves Israel,though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people who answered him.40Then he said to all Israel, You shall be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said to Saul, Do what seems good to you.41Therefore Saul said, OLordGod of Israel, why have you not answered your servant this day? If this guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, OLord, God of Israel, give Urim. But if this guilt is in your people Israel, give Thummim.[i]And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped.42Then Saul said,Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan. And Jonathan was taken. 43Then Saul said to Jonathan,Tell me what you have done. And Jonathan told him,I tasted a little honey with the tip of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am; I will die.44And Saul said,God do so to me and more also;you shall surely die, Jonathan.45Then the people said to Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it!As theLordlives,there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day. So the people ransomed Jonathan, so that he did not die.46Then Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place. Saul Fights Israel's Enemies 47When Saul had taken the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab,against the Ammonites, against Edom, against the kings ofZobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned he routed them.48And he did valiantlyand struck the Amalekites and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them. 49Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchi-shua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn wasMerab, and the name of the younger Michal.50And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz.And the name of the commander of his army was Abner the son of Ner,Saul's uncle.51Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son ofAbiel. 52There was hard fighting against the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man,he attached him to himself.

Good Friday The Collect: Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Old Testament: Isaiah 52:13-53:12 13See, my servant shall prosper; he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high. 14Just as there were many who were astonished at him—so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of mortals— 15so he shall startle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which had not been told them they shall see, and that which they had not heard they shall contemplate. 1Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; and as one from whom others hide their faces he was despised, and we held him of no account. 4Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. 5But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8By a perversion of justice he was taken away. Who could have imagined his future? For he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people. 9They made his grave with the wicked and his tomb with the rich, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain. When you make his life an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days; through him the will of the Lord shall prosper. 11Out of his anguish he shall see light; he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. 12Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Psalm: Psalm 22 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? *        and are so far from my cry        and from the words of my distress? 2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; *        by night as well, but I find no rest. 3 Yet you are the Holy One, *        enthroned upon the praises of Israel. 4 Our forefathers put their trust in you; *        they trusted, and you delivered them. 5 They cried out to you and were delivered; *        they trusted in you and were not put to shame. 6 But as for me, I am a worm and no man, *        scorned by all and despised by the people. 7 All who see me laugh me to scorn; *        they curl their lips and wag their heads, saying, 8 “He trusted in the Lord; let him deliver him; *        let him rescue him, if he delights in him.” 9 Yet you are he who took me out of the womb, *        and kept me safe upon my mother's breast. 10 I have been entrusted to you ever since I was born; *        you were my God when I was still in my mother's womb. 11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near, *        and there is none to help. 12 Many young bulls encircle me; *        strong bulls of Bashan surround me. 13 They open wide their jaws at me, *        like a ravening and a roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water;    all my bones are out of joint; *        my heart within my breast is melting wax. 15 My mouth is dried out like a pot-sherd;    my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; *        and you have laid me in the dust of the grave. 16 Packs of dogs close me in,    and gangs of evildoers circle around me; *        they pierce my hands and my feet;        I can count all my bones. 17 They stare and gloat over me; *        they divide my garments among them;        they cast lots for my clothing. 18 Be not far away, O Lord; *        you are my strength; hasten to help me. 19 Save me from the sword, *        my life from the power of the dog. 20 Save me from the lion's mouth, *        my wretched body from the horns of wild bulls. 21 I will declare your Name to my brethren; *        in the midst of the congregation I will praise you. 22 Praise the Lord, you that fear him; *        stand in awe of him, O offspring of Israel;        all you of Jacob's line, give glory. 23 For he does not despise nor abhor the poor in their poverty;    neither does he hide his face from them; *        but when they cry to him he hears them. 24 My praise is of him in the great assembly; *        I will perform my vows in the presence of those who worship him. 25 The poor shall eat and be satisfied,    and those who seek the Lord shall praise him: *       “May your heart live for ever!” 26 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, *        and all the families of the nations shall bow before him. 27 For kingship belongs to the Lord; *        he rules over the nations. 28 To him alone all who sleep in the earth bow down in worship; *        all who go down to the dust fall before him. 29 My soul shall live for him;    my descendants shall serve him; *        they shall be known as the Lord's for ever. 30 They shall come and make known to a people yet unborn *        the saving deeds that he has done. Epistle: Hebrews 10:16-25 or 4:14-16; 5:7-9 16“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds,” 17he also adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” 18Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. 19Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. or 14Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 7In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.8Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered;9and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, Gospel: John 18:1-19:42 1After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” 5They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replied, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. 7Again he asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.”9This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, “I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.” 10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. 11Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?” 12So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. 13First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people. 15Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. 17The woman said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”18Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself. 19Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. 20Jesus answered, “I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23Jesus answered, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” 24Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.25Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed. 28Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate's headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. 29So Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30They answered, “If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” 31Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.” The Jews replied, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.” 32(This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.)33Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” 35Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” 38Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no case against him. 39But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 40They shouted in reply, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a bandit. 1Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. 3They kept coming up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking him on the face. 4Pilate went out again and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him.” 5So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” 6When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him.” 7The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God.”8Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. 9He entered his headquarters again and asked Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10Pilate therefore said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?” 11Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” 12From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor.” 13When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the judge's bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew Gabbatha. 14Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” 15They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but the emperor.” 16Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus;17and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. 18There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. 21Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,' but, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.'” 22Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” 23When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. 24So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill what the scripture says, “They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.” 25And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. 28After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” 29A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. 30When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. 31Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. 32Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. 35(He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.) 36These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, “None of his bones shall be broken.” 37And again another passage of scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they have pierced.” 38After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. 39Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. 40They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. 42And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________LentLet my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.Psalm 141:2 ConfessionOfficiant: Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.People: Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws.We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and apart from your grace, there is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare all those who confess their faults. Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.Officiant: Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen. The Lord's PrayerOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Invitatory & PsalmsOfficiant: O God, make speed to save us. People: O Lord, make haste to help us. Officiant & People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. O Gracious Light Phos hilaronO gracious Light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of life,and to be glorified through all the worlds. Psalm 107Part IConfitemini Domino1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *and his mercy endures for ever.2Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed proclaim *that he redeemed them from the hand of the foe.3He gathered them out of the lands; *from the east and from the west,from the north and from the south.4Some wandered in desert wastes; *they found no way to a city where they might dwell.5They were hungry and thirsty; *their spirits languished within them.6Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *and he delivered them from their distress.7He put their feet on a straight path *to go to a city where they might dwell.8Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *and the wonders he does for his children.9For he satisfies the thirsty *and fills the hungry with good things.10Some sat in darkness and deep gloom, *bound fast in misery and iron;11Because they rebelled against the words of God *and despised the counsel of the Most High.12So he humbled their spirits with hard labor; *they stumbled, and there was none to help.13Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *and he delivered them from their distress.14He led them out of darkness and deep gloom *and broke their bonds asunder.15Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *and the wonders he does for his children.16For he shatters the doors of bronze *and breaks in two the iron bars.17Some were fools and took to rebellious ways; *they were afflicted because of their sins.18They abhorred all manner of food *and drew near to death's door.19Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *and he delivered them from their distress.20He sent forth his word and healed them *and saved them from the grave.21Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *and the wonders he does for his children.22Let them offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving *and tell of his acts with shouts of joy.23Some went down to the sea in ships *and plied their trade in deep waters;24They beheld the works of the Lord *and his wonders in the deep.25Then he spoke, and a stormy wind arose, *which tossed high the waves of the sea.26They mounted up to the heavens and fell back to the depths; *their hearts melted because of their peril.27They reeled and staggered like drunkards *and were at their wits' end.28Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *and he delivered them from their distress.29He stilled the storm to a whisper *and quieted the waves of the sea.30Then were they glad because of the calm, *and he brought them to the harbor they were bound for.31Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *and the wonders he does for his children.32Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people *and praise him in the council of the elders.Part IIPosuit flumina33The Lord changed rivers into deserts, *and water-springs into thirsty ground,34A fruitful land into salt flats, *because of the wickedness of those who dwell there.35He changed deserts into pools of water *and dry land into water-springs.36He settled the hungry there, *and they founded a city to dwell in.37They sowed fields, and planted vineyards, *and brought in a fruitful harvest.38He blessed them, so that they increased greatly; *he did not let their herds decrease.39Yet when they were diminished and brought low, *through stress of adversity and sorrow,40(He pours contempt on princes *and makes them wander in trackless wastes)41He lifted up the poor out of misery *and multiplied their families like flocks of sheep.42The upright will see this and rejoice, *but all wickedness will shut its mouth.43Whoever is wise will ponder these things, *and consider well the mercies of the Lord. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The LessonsJeremiah 16:5-13English Standard Version5 “For thus says the Lord: Do not enter the house of mourning, or go to lament or grieve for them, for I have taken away my peace from this people, my steadfast love and mercy, declares the Lord. 6 Both great and small shall die in this land. They shall not be buried, and no one shall lament for them or cut himself or make himself bald for them. 7 No one shall break bread for the mourner, to comfort him for the dead, nor shall anyone give him the cup of consolation to drink for his father or his mother. 8 You shall not go into the house of feasting to sit with them, to eat and drink. 9 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will silence in this place, before your eyes and in your days, the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride.10 “And when you tell this people all these words, and they say to you, ‘Why has the Lord pronounced all this great evil against us? What is our iniquity? What is the sin that we have committed against the Lord our God?' 11 then you shall say to them: ‘Because your fathers have forsaken me, declares the Lord, and have gone after other gods and have served and worshiped them, and have forsaken me and have not kept my law, 12 and because you have done worse than your fathers, for behold, every one of you follows his stubborn, evil will, refusing to listen to me. 13 Therefore I will hurl you out of this land into a land that neither you nor your fathers have known, and there you shall serve other gods day and night, for I will show you no favor.' Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. The Song of Mary - MagnificatMy soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; * for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant From this day all generations will call me blessed: * the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him * in every generation.He has shown the strength of his arm, * he has scattered the proud in their conceit.He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, * and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, * for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, * to Abraham and his children for ever.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as It was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Mark 13:14-23English Standard Version14 “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, 16 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 17 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 18 Pray that it may not happen in winter. 19 For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. 20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. 21 And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!' or ‘Look, there he is!' do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand. Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. The Song of Simeon - Nunc dimittisLord, you now have set your servant free * to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, * whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, * and the glory of your people Israel.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersOfficiant: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Officiant: Let us pray The SuffragesThat this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful, We entreat you, O Lord.That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses, We entreat you, O Lord.That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ, We entreat you, O Lord.Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for the needs of others. Fourth Sunday in LentGracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.A Collect for PeaceMost holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works: Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.A Collect for Aid against PerilsBe our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.For MissionKeep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen. ThanksgivingsThe General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.A Prayer of St. ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. ConclusionMay the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. - Romans 15:13

God Poured Out His Spirit In All Who Trust Jesus; Let Him Lead! Ezekiel 39:28 - 29 . 28Then they will know that I am the Lord their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind. 29I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

In this Gospel Jesus teaches in the Synagogue in Capernaum and when confronted by a person with an unclean spirit He drives out the demon. In exorcisms, in order to drive out the demons, they must be confronted and they must name themselves. Fr. Jim reminds us that we too must confront and name our own demons in order to move beyond them. No sin is too big for God to forgive.from Mark 1:21-28Then they came to Capernaum,and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught.The people were astonished at his teaching,for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?Have you come to destroy us?I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"Jesus rebuked him and said,"Quiet! Come out of him!"Heart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary TimeMk 2:23-28Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

Ezekiel 36:24-28Then you shall live in the land that I gave to your ancestors, and you shall be my people,and I will be your God. Ezekiel 36:28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 Kings 18:[17-19] 20-39 17When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, "Is it you, you troubler of Israel?" 18He answered, "I have not troubled Israel; but you have, and your father's house, because you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals. 19Now therefore have all Israel assemble for me at Mount Carmel, with the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table." 20So Ahab sent to all the Israelites, and assembled the prophets at Mount Carmel. 21Elijah then came near to all the people, and said, "How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." The people did not answer him a word. 22Then Elijah said to the people, "I, even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets number four hundred fifty. 23Let two bulls be given to us; let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it; I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. 24Then you call on the name of your god and I will call on the name of the LORD; the god who answers by fire is indeed God." All the people answered, "Well spoken!" 25Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many; then call on the name of your god, but put no fire to it." 26So they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, crying, "O Baal, answer us!" But there was no voice, and no answer. They limped about the altar that they had made. 27At noon Elijah mocked them, saying, "Cry aloud! Surely he is a god; either he is meditating, or he has wandered away, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened." 28Then they cried aloud and, as was their custom, they cut themselves with swords and lances until the blood gushed out over them. 29As midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice, no answer, and no response. 30Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come closer to me"; and all the people came closer to him. First he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been thrown down; 31Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, "Israel shall be your name"; 32with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD. Then he made a trench around the altar, large enough to contain two measures of seed. 33Next he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood. He said, "Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood." 34Then he said, "Do it a second time"; and they did it a second time. Again he said, "Do it a third time"; and they did it a third time, 35so that the water ran all around the altar, and filled the trench also with water. 36At the time of the offering of the oblation, the prophet Elijah came near and said, "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your bidding. 37Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so that this people may know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back." 38Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and even licked up the water that was in the trench. 39When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, "The LORD indeed is God; the LORD indeed is God."

SECOND READING: Genesis 32: [3-13] 22-30   3 Jacob sent messengers before him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom, 4 instructing them, “Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: Thus says your servant Jacob, ‘I have lived with Laban as an alien and stayed until now, 5 and I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, male and female slaves, and I have sent to tell my lord, in order that I may find favor in your sight.' ” 6 The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” 7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed, and he divided the people who were with him and the flocks and herds and camels into two companies, 8 thinking, “If Esau comes to the one company and destroys it, then the company that is left will escape.” 9And Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD who said to me, 'Return to your country and to your kindred, and I will do you good,' 10I am not worthy of the least of all the steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan; and now I have become two companies. 11Deliver me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I am afraid of him; he may come and kill us all, the mothers with the children. 12Yet you have said, 'I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted because of their number.'" 13So he spent that night there, and from what he had with him he took a present for his brother Esau. 22The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. 24Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26Then he said, "Let me go, for the day is breaking." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me." 27So he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." 28Then the man said, "You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed." 29Then Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him. 30So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved." 

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 15:11-32  11Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. 13A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." ' 20So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe — the best one — and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate. 25Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27He replied, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' 28Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' 31Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'"

Pastor Darrell Jones breaks down Exodus 12:26-28 this morning. 26And it shall be, when your children say to you, 'What do you mean by this service?' 27that you shall say, It is the Passover sacrifice of the LORD, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.'" So the people bowed their heads and worshiped. 28Then the children of Israel went away and did so; just as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.Exodus 12:26-28 (NKJV)

Good Friday The Collect: Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Old Testament: Isaiah 52:13-53:12 13See, my servant shall prosper; he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high. 14Just as there were many who were astonished at him—so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of mortals— 15so he shall startle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which had not been told them they shall see, and that which they had not heard they shall contemplate. 1Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; and as one from whom others hide their faces he was despised, and we held him of no account. 4Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. 5But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8By a perversion of justice he was taken away. Who could have imagined his future? For he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people. 9They made his grave with the wicked and his tomb with the rich, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain. When you make his life an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days; through him the will of the Lord shall prosper. 11Out of his anguish he shall see light; he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. 12Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Psalm: Psalm 22 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? *        and are so far from my cry        and from the words of my distress? 2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; *        by night as well, but I find no rest. 3 Yet you are the Holy One, *        enthroned upon the praises of Israel. 4 Our forefathers put their trust in you; *        they trusted, and you delivered them. 5 They cried out to you and were delivered; *        they trusted in you and were not put to shame. 6 But as for me, I am a worm and no man, *        scorned by all and despised by the people. 7 All who see me laugh me to scorn; *        they curl their lips and wag their heads, saying, 8 “He trusted in the Lord; let him deliver him; *        let him rescue him, if he delights in him.” 9 Yet you are he who took me out of the womb, *        and kept me safe upon my mother's breast. 10 I have been entrusted to you ever since I was born; *        you were my God when I was still in my mother's womb. 11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near, *        and there is none to help. 12 Many young bulls encircle me; *        strong bulls of Bashan surround me. 13 They open wide their jaws at me, *        like a ravening and a roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water;    all my bones are out of joint; *        my heart within my breast is melting wax. 15 My mouth is dried out like a pot-sherd;    my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; *        and you have laid me in the dust of the grave. 16 Packs of dogs close me in,    and gangs of evildoers circle around me; *        they pierce my hands and my feet;        I can count all my bones. 17 They stare and gloat over me; *        they divide my garments among them;        they cast lots for my clothing. 18 Be not far away, O Lord; *        you are my strength; hasten to help me. 19 Save me from the sword, *        my life from the power of the dog. 20 Save me from the lion's mouth, *        my wretched body from the horns of wild bulls. 21 I will declare your Name to my brethren; *        in the midst of the congregation I will praise you. 22 Praise the Lord, you that fear him; *        stand in awe of him, O offspring of Israel;        all you of Jacob's line, give glory. 23 For he does not despise nor abhor the poor in their poverty;    neither does he hide his face from them; *        but when they cry to him he hears them. 24 My praise is of him in the great assembly; *        I will perform my vows in the presence of those who worship him. 25 The poor shall eat and be satisfied,    and those who seek the Lord shall praise him: *       “May your heart live for ever!” 26 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, *        and all the families of the nations shall bow before him. 27 For kingship belongs to the Lord; *        he rules over the nations. 28 To him alone all who sleep in the earth bow down in worship; *        all who go down to the dust fall before him. 29 My soul shall live for him;    my descendants shall serve him; *        they shall be known as the Lord's for ever. 30 They shall come and make known to a people yet unborn *        the saving deeds that he has done. Epistle: Hebrews 10:16-25 or 4:14-16; 5:7-9 16“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds,” 17he also adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” 18Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. 19Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. or 14Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 7In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.8Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered;9and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, Gospel: John 18:1-19:42 1After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” 5They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replied, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground. 7Again he asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.”9This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, “I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.” 10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. 11Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?” 12So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him. 13First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people. 15Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. 17The woman said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”18Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself. 19Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. 20Jesus answered, “I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23Jesus answered, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” 24Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.25Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed. 28Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate's headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. 29So Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30They answered, “If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” 31Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.” The Jews replied, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.” 32(This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.)33Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” 35Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” 38Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no case against him. 39But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 40They shouted in reply, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a bandit. 1Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. 3They kept coming up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking him on the face. 4Pilate went out again and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him.” 5So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” 6When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him.” 7The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God.”8Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. 9He entered his headquarters again and asked Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10Pilate therefore said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?” 11Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” 12From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor.” 13When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the judge's bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew Gabbatha. 14Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” 15They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but the emperor.” 16Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus;17and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. 18There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. 21Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,' but, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.'” 22Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” 23When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. 24So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill what the scripture says, “They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.” 25And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. 28After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” 29A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. 30When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. 31Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. 32Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. 35(He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.) 36These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, “None of his bones shall be broken.” 37And again another passage of scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they have pierced.” 38After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. 39Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. 40They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. 42And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Fourth Sunday in Lent The Collect: Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Old Testament: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 1The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” 2Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.' 3Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.” 4Samuel did what the Lordcommanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord's anointed is now before the Lord.” 7But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 8Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” 12He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.” 13Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lordcame mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah. Psalm: Psalm 23 1 The Lord is my shepherd; *        I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures *        and leads me beside still waters. 3 He revives my soul *        and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake. 4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,   I shall fear no evil; *        for you are with me;        your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *        you have anointed my head with oil,        and my cup is running over. 6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *        and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Epistle: Ephesians 5:8-14 8For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— 9for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 10Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Gospel: John 9:1-41 1As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him. 4We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man's eyes, 7saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. 8The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.' Then I went and washed and received my sight.” 12They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.” 13They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind.14Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 15Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.” 16Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. 17So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.” 18The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight 19and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;21but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” 22His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” 24So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” 25He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” 28Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” 30The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. 32Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. 33If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out. 35Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36He answered, “And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” 37Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” 38He said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped him. 39Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” 40Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” 41Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,' your sin remains.

Third Sunday in Lent The Collect: Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Old Testament: Exodus 17:1-7 1From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2The people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” 3But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” 4So Moses cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 5The Lord said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” Psalm: Psalm 95 1 Come, let us sing to the Lord; *        let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *        and raise a loud shout to him with psalms. 3 For the Lord is a great God, *        and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *        and the heights of the hills are his also. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, *        and his hands have molded the dry land. 6 Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *        and kneel before the Lord our Maker. 7 For he is our God,   and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *        Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice! 8 Harden not your hearts,   as your forebears did in the wilderness, *        at Meribah, and on that day at Massah,        when they tempted me. 9 They put me to the test, *        though they had seen my works. 10 Forty years long I detested that generation and said, *       “This people are wayward in their hearts;        they do not know my ways.” 11 So I swore in my wrath, *       “They shall not enter into my rest.” Epistle: Romans 5:1-11 1Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. 6For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.9Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. 10For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.11But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Gospel: John 4:5-42 5So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon.7A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8(His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) 9The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) 10Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11The woman said to him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” 13Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” 15The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.” 17The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband'; 18for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!”19The woman said to him, “Sir, I see that you are a prophet. 20Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. 24God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.”26Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking to you.” 27Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you speaking with her?” 28Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, 29“Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” 30They left the city and were on their way to him. 31Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33So the disciples said to one another, “Surely no one has brought him something to eat?” 34Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. 35Do you not say, ‘Four months more, then comes the harvest'? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. 36The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.' 38I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” 39Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” 40So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. 41And many more believed because of his word. 42They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.”

HOLY GOSPEL: John 4:5-42 Jesus defies convention to engage a Samaritan woman in conversation. Her testimony, in turn, leads many others to faith. 5 [Jesus] came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.6Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. 7A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) 9The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) 10Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11The woman said to him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” 13Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” 15The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.” 17The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband'; 18for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!” 19The woman said to him, “Sir, I see that you are a prophet. 20Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. 24God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.” 26Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking to you.” 27Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you speaking with her?” 28Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, 29“Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” 30They left the city and were on their way to him. 31Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33So the disciples said to one another, “Surely no one has brought him something to eat?” 34Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. 35Do you not say, ‘Four months more, then comes the harvest'? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. 36The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.' 38I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” 39Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” 40So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. 41And many more believed because of his word. 42They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost The Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Old Testament: Joel 2:23-32 23O children of Zion, be glad and rejoice in the Lord your God; for he has given the early rain for your vindication, he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the later rain, as before. 24The threshing floors shall be full of grain, the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. 25I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent against you. 26You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. 27You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I, the Lord, am your God and there is no other. And my people shall never again be put to shame. 28Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. 29Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit. 30I will show portents in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. 32Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls. Psalm: Psalm 65 1 You are to be praised, O God, in Zion; *         to you shall vows be performed in Jerusalem. 2 To you that hear prayer shall all flesh come, *         because of their transgressions. 3 Our sins are stronger than we are, *         but you will blot them out. 4 Happy are they whom you choose   and draw to your courts to dwell there! *         they will be satisfied by the beauty of your house,         by the holiness of your temple. 5 Awesome things will you show us in your righteousness,   O God of our salvation, *         O Hope of all the ends of the earth         and of the seas that are far away. 6 You make fast the mountains by your power; *         they are girded about with might. 7 You still the roaring of the seas, *         the roaring of their waves,         and the clamor of the peoples. 8 Those who dwell at the ends of the earth will tremble at your                            marvelous signs; *         you make the dawn and the dusk to sing for joy. 9 You visit the earth and water it abundantly;   you make it very plenteous; *         the river of God is full of water. 10 You prepare the grain, *         for so you provide for the earth. 11 I You drench the furrows and smooth out the ridges; *         with heavy rain you soften the ground and bless its increase. 12 You crown the year with your goodness, *         and your paths overflow with plenty. 13 May the fields of the wilderness be rich for grazing, *         and the hills be clothed with joy. 14 May the meadows cover themselves with flocks,    and the valleys cloak themselves with grain; *         let them shout for joy and sing. Epistle: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 6As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 16At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! 17But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth.18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Gospel: Luke 18:9-14 9He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' 13But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 14I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

24And the men of Israel had been hard pressed that day, so Saul had laid an oath on the people, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies.” So none of the people had tasted food.25Now when all the peopleg came to the forest, behold, there was honey on the ground. 26And when the people entered the forest, behold, the honey was dropping, but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath. 27But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath, so he put out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes became bright. 28Then one of the people said, “Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats food this day.'” And the people were faint. 29Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey. 30How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies that they found. For now the defeat among the Philistines has not been great.” 31They struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. And the people were very faint. 32The people pounced on the spoil and took sheep and oxen and calves and slaughtered them on the ground. And the people ate them with the blood. 33Then they told Saul, “Behold, the people are sinning against the LORD by eating with the blood.” And he said, “You have dealt treacherously; roll a great stone to me here.”h 34And Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people and say to them, ‘Let every man bring his ox or his sheep and slaughter them here and eat, and do not sin against the LORD by eating with the blood.'” So every one of the people brought his ox with him that night and they slaughtered them there. 35And Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first altar that he built to the LORD. 36Then Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until the morning light; let us not leave a man of them.” And they said, “Do whatever seems good to you.” But the priest said, “Let us draw near to God here.” 37And Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?” But he did not answer him that day. 38And Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the people, and know and see how this sin has arisen today. 39For as the LORD lives who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But there was not a man among all the people who answered him. 40Then he said to all Israel, “You shall be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side.” And the people said to Saul, “Do what seems good to you.” 41Therefore Saul said, “O LORD God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant this day? If this guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, O LORD, God of Israel, give Urim. But if this guilt is in your people Israel, give Thummim.”i And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped. 42Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was taken. 43Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” And Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey with the tip of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am; I will die.” 44And Saul said, “God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan.” 45Then the people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As the LORD lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.” So the people ransomed Jonathan, so that he did not die. 46Then Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place. Saul Fights Israel's Enemies 47When Saul had taken the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the Ammonites, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned he routed them. 48And he did valiantly and struck the Amalekites and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them. 49Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchi-shua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn was Merab, and the name of the younger Michal. 50And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the commander of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul's uncle. 51Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel. 52There was hard fighting against the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he attached him to himself.

Bible Readings: Exodus 16:1 – 35 John 6:22 – 40 Sermon Outline: John 6:27–36 (NKJV) 27Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” 28Then they said to Him,… The post 10/07/2022 – Morning Service: What is faith? appeared first on Maroubra Presbyterian Church.

Zerubbabel: Rebuild the Temple (Ezra 1-6) Ezra: Teach the Torah (Ezra 7-10) Nehemiah: Rebuild the Walls (Nehemiah 1-3) Nehemiah was more concerned with his relationship with God, than the plan for his endeavor. Nehemiah asked for favor before provision. 
Nehemiah: Faces Opposition (Nehemiah 4-7) I want to be right with God so I can do the right things with God. Ezekiel 36:24-28 24“ ‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God.

GOSPEL POWER l MAY 2, 2022 3rd Week of Easter I Saint Athanasius, bishop and doctor of the Church Gospel: Jn 6:22-29 22The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. 25When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” 28Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” Signs are pointers that direct one's attention to another reality. Jesus performed signs to enable his listeners to cross the barrier that separates the earthly realm from the heavenly realm, so that they might perceive here below the realities from above that he comes to reveal. He multiplied bread for the Jewish crowd to point to the superabundant and never-ending life that the heavenly Father desires to give them. But the barrier can be crossed only if one does not get attached to the sign, but seek instead, the sign-maker, who is Jesus himself. Faith in the sign-maker is an indispensable disposition, otherwise one would fall into the same error committed by the Jewish crowd. They did not want a mere signmaker but wanted Jesus to be their constant bread-provider. Rather than see material bread as a mere vehicle of revelation, they sought it for the limited satisfaction it brings and the temporary relief from physical hunger that it offers. Lord Jesus, even as we experience hunger for material food, may we sense with greater intensity the existential hunger for the food that lasts unto eternal life. Amen.

Wisdom Calls Aloud 20Wisdom calls out in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; 21in the main concoursec she cries aloud, at the city gates she makes her speech: 22“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? 23If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you. 24Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, 25because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction, 26in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you, 27when your dread comes like a storm, and your destruction like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish overwhelm you. 28Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me. 29For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. 30They accepted none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof. 31So they will eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. 32For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. 33But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety, secure from the fear of evil.”

John 6:22-4022The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. 25When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" 26Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." 28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" 29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." 30 So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'” 32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” 35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”       Focusing on the person of Jesus      I am the bread of life        v.35: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger.”       v.41: “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”       v.48: “I am the bread of life.”        v.51: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.”        v.55: “My flesh is true food.”        Working by Faith      John 6:27 “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”      1.     The Father's Seal on Jesus      2.     Food that endures to eternal life      3.    The Food that perishes

GOSPEL POWER l AUGUST 1, 2021 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Gospel: Jn 6:24-35 24When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. 25When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” 28Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'” 32Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” J esus frankly tells the Jewish crowd that they are looking for him for the wrong reasons. Will he not say the same thing to those of us today who think and, in fact, preach that the Gospel is about becoming prosperous and successful in this life? In this Sunday's Gospel episode, Jesus exposes the error in that line of thinking. It is not material food that he comes to offer. The bread that he multiplied for the Jewish crowd is meant to be only a pointer to a greater reality that the heavenly Father intends to give humankind. It is the mission of Jesus to reveal that greater reality and obtain it for us through the offering of his own life. Since it is a mystery that we cannot adequately grasp with purely human reasoning, what is asked of us is to believe the revelation and put our trust in the One who reveals it. Lord Jesus, give us the grace to feel the pangs of that greater hunger which no material food can ever satisfy. Amen

Listen to a sermon on this gospel reading: John 6.24–35 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?' 26Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.' 28Then they said to him, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?' 29Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.' 30So they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” ' 32Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.' 34They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.' 35 Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Wednesday 14th The Supernatural Today 3 There would be skeptics, people who will not believe the supernatural even if it happens right before their eyes. Thomas, one of Jesus' 12 apostles, was also a skeptic. He told the other apostles that he wouldn't believe Jesus was resurrected until he had personal and physical proof. There are still so many people like that today, they have chosen not to believe in the supernatural intervention of God whether simple or spectacular, it makes no difference. Some actually believe in God, they just don't believe the supernatural is for today. John 9:24-28 (NLT), 24 So for the second time they called in the man who had been blind and told him, “God should get the glory for this, [a] because we know this man Jesus is a sinner.” 25“I don't know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!” 26“But what did he do?” they asked. “How did he heal you?” 27“Look!” the man exclaimed. “I told you once. Didn't you listen? Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?” 28Then they cursed him and said, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses! 29 We know God spoke to Moses, but we don't even know where this man comes from.” It's amazing how people get angry and emotional about God and His supernatural acts. That was the situation with these religious leaders and the blind man that Jesus healed. They kept probing the man and his parents about Jesus, the man that healed him and the supernatural act of healing that the man received which was quite evident to them. The man that was healed said to the religious leaders, “I don't know the theology of His divinity or if He's an evil man or not. This I know however; I know I was blind but could now see.” People can argue about this for eternity but a man with experience is not at the mercy of a man with unbelief. Our job is not to convince anybody about the reality of the supernatural today, that's the work of the Holy Spirit, all we can do is to be a witness of the supernatural that we have seen and heard and trust God to do the rest. The bible says, let God be true and every man a liar. The fact that the religious leaders didn't believe, didn't stop the blind man from experiencing the supernatural, in the same way, whether we believe or not won't change the fact that God still does wonders today. He still intervenes in people's lives and circumstances. He also wants to intervene in your life too, all He's asking for is your cooperation through faith. God bless you. Enjoy the rest of your week.

Psalm 107:1-3, 23-321Give thanks to the LORD, for the LORD is good, for God's mercy endures forever.2Let the redeemed of the LORD proclaim that God redeemed them from the hand of the foe,3gathering them in from the lands; from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.23Some went down to the sea in ships, plying their trade in deep waters. 24They beheld the works of the LORD, God's wonderful works in the deep.25Then God spoke, and a stormy wind arose, which tossed high the waves of the sea.26They mounted up to the heavens and descended to the depths; their souls melted away in their peril.27They staggered and reeled like drunkards, and all their skill was of no avail.28Then in their trouble they cried to the LORD, and you delivered them from their distress.29You stilled the storm to a whisper and silenced the waves of the sea. 30Then were they glad when it grew calm, when you guided them to the harbor they desired.31Let them give thanks to you, LORD, for your steadfast love and your wonderful works for all people.32Let them exalt you in the assembly of the people; in the council of the elders, let them sing hallelujah! O God of creation, eternal majesty, you preside over land and sea, sunshine and storm. By your strength pilot us, by your power preserve us, by your wisdom instruct us, and by your hand protect us, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Homily for Mark 1:21-28Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet!  Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.If you would like to receive these reflections to your email, sign up: usml.edu/rector-reflections/Support the SeminarySubmit Prayer Intentions Audio courtesy of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, Ill.

FAITH WANTS MOREEphesians 3:20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, (NIV)Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (NKJV)JACOB WANTED MORE - Genesis 32:27-30But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27“What is your name?” the man asked. “Jacob,” he replied. 28Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed.” 29And Jacob requested, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed Jacob there. 30So Jacob named the place Peniel, saying, “Indeed, I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”ELISHA WANTED MORE - 2 Kings 2:9-10When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “What can I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of the prophetic spirit that energizes you.” 10Elijah replied, “That’s a difficult request! If you see me taken from you, may it be so, but if you don’t, it will not happen.”ZACCHAEUS WANTED MORE - Luke 19:1-4Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.MARY WANTED MORE - Luke 10:41-4241“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”GOD NEVER GIVES YOU LESS THAN HIMSELF. God Knows That Only He Can Satisfy Us.Wanting more of God always leads to getting more from God. But, just wanting more from God gets you neither more from Him or more of Him.Jacob Wrestled With God. What Are You Wrestling With? God Is In The Wrestling. Wrestling For Blessing.Elisha Chased After God. What Are You Chasing? God Is In The Chase. Chasing For Spiritual Power. Zacchaeus Climbed To See God. What Are You Climbing To See? God Is In The Climb. Climbing To See Him.Mary Chose God’s Presence. What Are You Choosing?THE SINFUL WOMAN WANTED MORE - Luke 7:37-3837A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.JABEZ WANTED MORE - 1 Chronicles 4:9-10Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 10And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (NLT) 7We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 8We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 11Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.2 Corinthians 11:23-28 (NLT) 23… I have…been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. 28Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.1 Corinthians 13:12 (NLT) 12Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.Philippians 1:12-13 (NLT) 12And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ.John 12:24 (NLT) 24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.Romans 8:17 (NLT) 17And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.Galatians 2:20 (NLT) 20My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

John 4:17"I have no husband," the woman replied. Jesus said to her, "You are correct to say that you have no husband.John 4:28Then the woman left her water jar, went back into the town, and said to the people,John 4:30So they left the town and made their... The post 901: Covenant Hour of Prayer (5th Oct, 2020) appeared first on DownloadSermon.com - Home of Unlimited Christian Sermons and Messages (Audio & Video).

Paul Arrested 27When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him,28shouting, Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.29(They had previously seen Trophimusthe Ephesianin the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.) 30The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul,they dragged himfrom the temple, and immediately the gates were shut.31While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar.32He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be boundwith twochains.Then he asked who he was and what he had done.34Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another,and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.35When Paul reached the steps,the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers.36The crowd that followed kept shouting, Get rid of him! Paul Speaks to the Crowd 37As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks,he asked the commander, May I say something to you? Do you speak Greek? he replied.38Arent you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wildernesssome time ago? 39Paul answered, I am a Jew, from Tarsusin Cilicia,a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people. 40After receiving the commanders permission, Paul stood on the steps and motionedto the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic[a]:221Brothers and fathers,listen now to my defense. 2When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic,they became very quiet. Then Paul said:3I am a Jew,born in Tarsusof Cilicia,but brought up in this city. I studied underGamalieland was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors.I was just as zealousfor God as any of you are today.4I persecutedthe followers of this Wayto their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison,5as the high priest and all the Councilcan themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associatesin Damascus,and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished. 6About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.7I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me,Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me? 8Who are you, Lord? I asked. I am Jesus of Nazareth,whom you are persecuting,he replied.9My companions saw the light,but they did not understand the voiceof him who was speaking to me. 10What shall I do, Lord? I asked. Get up,the Lord said,and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.11My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me. 12A man named Ananias came to see me.He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there.13He stood beside me and said, Brother Saul, receive your sight! And at that very moment I was able to see him. 14Then he said: The God of our ancestorshas chosen you to know his will and to seethe Righteous Oneand to hear words from his mouth.15You will be his witnessto all people of what you have seenand heard.16And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptizedand wash your sins away,calling on his name. 17When I returned to Jerusalemand was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance18and saw the Lord speaking to me.Quick!he said.Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me. 19Lord, I replied, these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprisonand beatthose who believe in you.20And when the blood of your martyr[b]Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him. 21Then the Lord said to me,Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles. Paul the Roman Citizen 22The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, Rid the earth of him!Hes not fit to live! 23As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaksand flinging dust into the air,24the commander ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.He directedthat he be flogged and interrogated in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this.25As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasnt even been found guilty? 26When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. What are you going to do? he asked. This man is a Roman citizen. 27The commander went to Paul and asked, Tell me, are you a Roman citizen? Yes, I am, he answered. 28Then the commander said, I had to pay a lot of money for my citizenship. But I was born a citizen, Paul replied. 29Those who were about to interrogate himwithdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen,in chains. Paul Before the Sanhedrin 30The commander wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews.So the next day he released himand ordered the chief priests and all the members of the Sanhedrinto assemble. Then he brought Paul and had him stand before them. 23Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrinand said, My brothers,I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscienceto this day.2At this the high priest Ananiasordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.3Then Paul said to him, God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck! 4Those who were standing near Paul said, How dare you insult Gods high priest! 5Paul replied, Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.[c] 6Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadduceesand the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, My brothers,I am a Pharisee,descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.7When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.8(The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection,and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.) 9There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Phariseesstood up and argued vigorously. We find nothing wrong with this man,they said. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?10The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks. 11The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said,Take courage!As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.

28Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29So Pilate went outside...

In today’s gospel reading, we are invited into a story, a story that simply did not just take place a long time ago, but a story that is truly our story, here and now.  Because of the nature of this gospel passage, I am going to do something different.  Before we hear the reading, I would like to share just a few insights with you.  The community to which the Gospel of John is addressed may very well have been expelled from the synagogue for confessing Jesus as Messiah.  They may well have felt isolated and abandoned.  So, as you experience hearing today’s reading about the isolated blind man, ask yourself how this passage might address the isolated and the abandoned, not only within John’s community, but also the isolated and abandoned among us today.  How does this story address us as we face a whole new form of living in isolation? Not only does this reading address the nature of this early Christian community, it also works to undermine a simplistic understanding of sin.  When the disciples voice a common view of the day that disability or hardship is the result of sin, a view some people today even continue to suggest, Jesus sharply disagrees.  Also, when the Pharisees assume that knowledge of the law automatically grants righteousness, Jesus counters their thinking by saying that precisely because they feel so certain regarding their understanding, because they deny their sin and claim to “see,” they are in fact sinning because they do not recognize and trust God’s very saving presence to them in the person of Jesus. So, are they really the blind ones? With these insights in mind, I invite you to listen or follow along and enter into this story.  John 9:1-41 As Jesus walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. 4We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, 7saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. 8The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” 12They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.” 13They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 14Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 15Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.” 16Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. 17So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.” 18The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight 19and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” 22His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” 24So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” 25He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” 28Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” 30The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. 32Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. 33If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out. 35Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36He answered, “And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” 37Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” 38He said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped him. 39Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” 40Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” 41Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.   Friends, to follow Jesus is to see differently.  Sometimes, to follow Jesus is to be brought into a messy situation, maybe even a crisis.  But, in the mess, we are called to trust that God is present and at work doing a new thing.  Sometimes, this newness means discovering that we are actually the blind ones when we think we see perfectly.  My friend, Pastor Bill Uetricht, quoted theologian John Petty on Thursday and then added some thoughts of his own. He wrote: “John Petty speaks of Lutheran irony, the notion that ‘it is precisely when we are most spiritually confident that we are in greatest spiritual danger, that it is precisely when we feel strong in faith, precisely when we are feeling the most committed, precisely when we are the most religious, that sin lies closest at hand.’”  My friend Bill then said, “I suspect that in the craziness of these current times, this wisdom is worth clinging to. Who knows for sure what it is all about? The call in the midst of it is not certainty, but trust. That isn't coming easy for me these days.” I agree with my dear friend, Bill.  That trust is not coming easy for me these days.  Yet, I do continue to trust God’s word to us.  That blind man was made new.  Theologian, Nadia Bolz Weber, writes, “New is often messy.  New looks like recovering alcoholics.  New looks like reconciliation between family members who don’t actually deserve it.  New looks like every time I manage to admit I was wrong and every time I manage to not mention when I’m right.  New looks like a very fresh start and every act of forgiveness.  New is the thing we never saw coming – never even hoped for – like our blind guy here.  But new ends up being what I needed all along.”  And, I would add, new is discovering the new ministries and new ways we are able to be together as people of Faith in the midst of the craziness of our present existence. Such newness is also what we call grace, it is what we call love.  Nadia Bolz-Weber continues by saying, “God simply keeps reaching down…reaching down into the dirt of your humanity and resurrecting you from the graves you dig for yourself through your violence, your lies, your selfishness, your arrogance, and your addictions.  And God keeps loving you back to life over and over….There are times when faith feels like a friendship with God.  But there are other times when it feels….I don’t know….more vacant.  Yet none of that matters in the end.  How you feel about Jesus or how close you feel to God is meaningless next to how God acts upon you.  How God indeed enters into your messy life and loves you through it, maybe whether you want God’s help or not.” In today’s story, one of the most remarkable things is the fact that the blind man didn’t seek out Jesus or ask his help.  Yet, he was healed and made whole.  And the powerful, life-giving truth of the gospel is that our suffering, our grief, the challenges we are currently facing, and even our sin will not have the last word. As our souls and bodies desperately cry out for relief, we hear the faint yet clear voice of the Christ calling us; reminding us that, through the cross, death and all its trappings have been swallowed up in victory. The final word rests not with suffering, not with blindness, not with this coronavirus and everything that we are currently facing and experiencing, but with the newness, life and peace that come through Christ. These days, we hear people reminding us to wash our hands over and over and over again, and it is a necessary reminder.  But, this story reminds us that the most sublime words imaginable are, “Go, wash.” And, I don’t mean just go wash your hands yet again.  I mean wash in the waters of your baptism and the water of life in which God daily bathes each one of us, whatever our circumstances.  We may not always sense this, but we trust God’s promise to us.  And, as the cool and refreshing waters of life wash over all of us – those baptismal waters in which we daily live – our eyes and our hearts are opened to behold the living Christ, standing as the chains of death and hell lay broken at his feet.  There is no other response than to simply trust, raise our voices and cry out at last, “Lord! I believe!”  

Find us online at: AdventNYC.orgEmail us at: Podcast@AdventNYC.orgTalk with us at: Advent Sermons & Conversations on FacebookCome to a service and hear the sermons live and in person Sunday morning 9am and 11am in English and 12:30pm in Spanish at 93rd and Broadway.Readings for this Week:First Reading: Joshua 5:9-12By celebrating the Passover and eating the produce of the promised land instead of the miraculous manna that had sustained them in the desert, the Israelites symbolically bring their forty years of wilderness wandering to an end at Gilgal.9The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt.” And so that place is called Gilgal to this day.  10While the Israelites were camped in Gilgal they kept the passover in the evening on the fourteenth day of the month in the plains of Jericho. 11On the day after the passover, on that very day, they ate the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. 12The manna ceased on the day they ate the produce of the land, and the Israelites no longer had manna; they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year.Psalm: Psalm 32Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord. (Ps. 32:11)1Happy are they whose transgressions | are forgiven,  and whose sin is | put away! 2Happy are they to whom the Lord im- | putes no guilt,  and in whose spirit there | is no guile! R 3While I held my tongue, my bones with- | ered away,  because of my groaning | all day long. 4For your hand was heavy upon me | day and night;  my moisture was dried up as in the | heat of summer. 5Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and did not con- | ceal my guilt.  I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” Then you forgave me the guilt | of my sin. 6Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in | time of trouble;  when the great waters overflow, they | shall not reach them. R 7You are my hiding-place; you preserve | me from trouble;  you surround me with shouts | of deliverance. 8“I will instruct you and teach you in the way that | you should go;  I will guide you | with my eye. 9Do not be like horse or mule, which have no | understanding;  who must be fitted with bit and bridle, or else they will | not stay near you.” 10Great are the tribulations | of the wicked;  but mercy embraces those who trust | in the Lord. 11Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice | in the Lord;  shout for joy, all who are | true of heart. RSecond Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21One way to describe the gospel is the promise that in Christ everything is transformed into newness. All mistakes, all deliberate sins, all old history is reconciled with Christ’s resurrection. This is Paul’s strong message to the congregation in the city of Corinth.16From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. 17So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; 19that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. 20So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32Jesus tells a parable about a son who ponders his father’s love only after he has spurned it. The grace he receives is beyond his hopes. That same grace is a crisis for an older brother who believed it was his obedience that earned his place in the father’s home.1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to [Jesus.] 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”  3So he told them this parable: 11b“There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’ 20So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.  25“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ ”

Find us online at: AdventNYC.orgEmail us at: Podcast@AdventNYC.orgTalk with us at: Advent Sermons & Conversations on FacebookCome to a service and hear the sermons live and in person Sunday morning 9am and 11am in English and 12:30pm in Spanish at 93rd and Broadway.Readings for this Week:Exodus 16:2-4, 9-152The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”  4Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not.”  9Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites, ‘Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.’ ” 10And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lordappeared in the cloud. 11The Lord spoke to Moses and said, 12“I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’ ”  13In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. 15When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.”Psalm 78:23-2923So God commanded the | clouds above  and opened the | doors of heaven, 24raining down manna upon | them to eat  and giving them | grain from heaven. R 25So mortals ate the | bread of angels;  God provided for them | food enough. 26The Lord caused the east wind to blow | in the heavens  and powerfully led out | the south wind, 27raining down flesh upon | them like dust  and flying birds like the sand | of the seas, 28letting them fall in the midst | of the camp  and round a- | bout the dwellings. 29So the people ate and | were well filled,  for God gave them | what they craved. REphesians 4:1-161I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.  7But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8Therefore it is said,  “When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive;  he gave gifts to his people.”9(When it says, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) 11The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. 14We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.John 6:24-3524When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were [beside the sea,] they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.  25When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” 28Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” 32Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”  35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

The Names and Titles of Jesus – Jesus the Bread of Life Episode 97 This series of the names and titles of Jesus will give us a more in-depth understanding of Jesus Christ our Lord. This is the sixth in the series. The following is an outline. I AM ἐγώ εἰμι Exodus 3:14 God's name “Give us this day our daily bread” Jesus feeding the 5000 A completely different Understanding of what bread 2. The sign of the feeding of the 5000 3. The background of the Jewish culture where God feed their ancestors with mana every day to sustain them Jesus is the true Bread of God that gives life because 1.He is the true Mana from God Context: 24when the people, therefore, saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?” John 6 26Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” 28Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” 29Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” 30Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? 31Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” 35Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. Isaiah 55:1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. 3Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. 32Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” 35Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me but raise them up at the last day. Jesus is the true Bread of God that gives life because He is the true Mana from God 2. He does the will of the Father 40For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” 41At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”43“Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. 44“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. 45It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God. ‘Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. 46No one has seen the Father except for the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. 48I am the bread of life. Jesus is the true Bread of God that gives life because He is the true Manna from God 2. He does the will of the Father 3. He gave His life so we can have eternal life 49Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. 50But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” 52Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.56Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. Something must die for me to live 60On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” 61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” Subscribe to the podcast: {Apple Podcasts}{Stitcher}{Google Play}{IHeartRadio}{YouTube}{Spotify} This series of the names and titles of Jesus will give us a more in-depth understanding of Jesus Christ our Lord. This is the sixth in the series. The following is an outline. I AM ἐγώ εἰμι Exodus 3:14 God's name “Give us this day our daily bread” Jesus feeding the 5000 A completely different Understanding of what bread 2. The sign of the feeding of the 5000 3. The background of the Jewish culture where God feed their ancestors with mana every day to sustain them Jesus is the true Bread of God that gives life because 1.He is the true Mana from God Context: 24when the people, therefore, saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?” John 6 26Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” 28Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” 29Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” 30Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? 31Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” 35Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. Isaiah 55:1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. 3Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. 32Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” 35Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me but raise them up at the last day. Jesus is the true Bread of God that gives life because He is the true Mana from God 2. He does the will of the Father 40For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” 41At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”43“Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. 44“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. 45It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God. ‘Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. 46No one has seen the Father except for the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. 48I am the bread of life. Jesus is the true Bread of God that gives life because He is the true Manna from God 2. He does the will of the Father 3. He gave His life so we can have eternal life 49Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. 50But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” 52Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.56Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. Something must die for me to live 60On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” 61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” Subscribe to the podcast: {Apple Podcasts}{Stitcher}{Google Play}{IHeartRadio}{YouTube}{Spotify} This series of the names and titles of Jesus will give us a more in-depth understanding of Jesus Christ our Lord. This is the sixth in the series. The following is an outline. I AM ἐγώ εἰμι Exodus 3:14 God's name “Give us this day our daily bread” Jesus feeding the 5000 A completely different Understanding of what bread 2. The sign of the feeding of the 5000 3. The background of the Jewish culture where God feed their ancestors with mana every day to sustain them Jesus is the true Bread of God that gives life because 1.He is the true Mana from God Context: 24when the people, therefore, saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?” John 6 26Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” 28Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” 29Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” 30Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? 31Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” 35Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. Isaiah 55:1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. 3Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. 32Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” 35Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me but raise them up at the last day. Jesus is the true Bread of God that gives life because He is the true Mana from God 2. He does the will of the Father 40For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” 41At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”43“Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. 44“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. 45It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God. ‘Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. 46No one has seen the Father except for the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. 48I am the bread of life. Jesus is the true Bread of God that gives life because He is the true Manna from God 2. He does the will of the Father 3. He gave His life so we can have eternal life 49Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. 50But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” 52Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.56Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. Something must die for me to live 60On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” 61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” Subscribe to the podcast: {Apple Podcasts}{Stitcher}{Google Play}{IHeartRadio}{YouTube}{Spotify}

January 19 Jeff Williams Bursting Your Bubble, Part 2 Good morning! Let's do our homework first. Let's get that over with. I know you've been studying hard all week 1Peter 3:15. You're excited. I can just see it in your face. You're excited to show me what you've learned. Let's go ahead and put that on the board and say it. A couple of words are missing. Say it out loud. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect 1 Peter 3:15 So every week we're going to have a few more words go away, and then in the last week we're just going to put up the reference and that's it. You're going to have to just know it and say it. If we have any first time visitors that week they're going to be so impressed with you. They're going to go, "Wow, what a church! Just put up the reference and they know the verse." I've shared with you in the past about my background and my home, growing up in Rockford, the son of a first generation Swedish immigrant. As would often happen when you were an immigrant, you would come over to America you'd get the lowest paying job. So he got a factory job making very little. When I was almost five, my dad passed away. That left my mom who had to drop out of school during the depression to help the family. She didn't have a job that paid very well. I grew up pretty far below the poverty line. Our family never owned a home; most of the time never drove a car. We had to rely on other agencies for food and clothing oft times. I grew up in a four-family flat and lived there basically my whole life until I went to school. It wasn't anything to look at, still isn't. It's still there and it was old when I was a little boy. There's a woman there, my neighbor upstairs, who lived there before I was born and still lives there today. She's lived in that apartment for fifty-five years. She's now eighty-seven years old and her husband just passed away. I've known them all my life. I visited her this week and just went to talk with her, talking to her and crying with her and praying with her. I left the apartment and went downstairs. I have not looked in our apartment (which is downstairs and across the way) in sixteen years. I bent down and I looked inside that window where so many years of my life were lived and was just hit with a flood of memories. I saw my bedroom. I envisioned myself as a little boy playing games in there. My mom and my sister., just a flood of memories coming back. As I looked around that space, which would look like nothing to you and no place certainly you'd want to be. By the way the apartment was empty. It's waiting for renters. I'm not being a peeping Tom. Nobody's in there. I'm looking in there and you know what came out of my mouth? It was one word: home. It's what I said. I didn't plan on saying that. I didn't know I was going to say that. I just looked inside for a while and just went, “Home.” I wasn't trying to make a sermon illustration. It was just how I felt. What's home to you? What does that mean to you? To me, home is the place where you feel like you belong, the place where you feel loved. It's the place that you wish you were, or you'd like to return to if you're not there. It's a place that you're fond of and there are memories there. It's home. It's where you feel comfortable. It's where you felt unconditional love. I thought, also, about a gentleman. I read about a Japanese war hero who just passed away this week. Did you read about Hiroo Onoda? He's a Japanese soldier who was dropped down in the western Philippines in 1944 and his mission was to spy on the Americans. So he would. His mission was: don't surrender and don't die. You're not like a kamikaze who's going to give his life up. Your job is to stay alive, gather intelligence, and help us win this war. Well, when the war was won and Japan surrendered, he didn't believe it. He thought it was all propaganda from the West. It was a big conspiracy theory. So he stayed in the jungle and fought. For 30 years Hiroo lived in the jungle and fought a war that nobody was fighting anymore. For thirty years he scavenged for food trying to survive, trying to avoid the enemy. He tried to be a faithful soldier. He even took some lives of some people who he thought were from the enemy. They would drop down leaflets into the jungle and when Hiroo would read them he would say they were a lie, it was propaganda, it was a conspiracy. He thought they were just tricks to tell him the war had ended when it really had not. So he would continue to hide. It wasn't until his commander in chief put on his military garb, flew to the Philippines, walked into the jungle until he found him and said, “Hiroo, the war is over. Surrender your sword with honor and come home.” And he did. When his commander-in-chief came in there and told him the war was over that's the only time he believed it. So he surrendered his sword and bowed in respect and came home to a hero's welcome. For 30 years he fought the war. You know that really sums up the Gospel. The Gospel is this: the war is over, surrender, and come home. That's the Gospel. God is not mad at you. We know people who will run from God their whole lives. They avoid church like the plague, and you will hear them say, if you invite them to church, “I don't want to go because the roof's going to fall in. If God ever gets a hold of me he's going to teach me a thing or two because I know I've done some bad things. If God ever gets my tail I'm in big trouble.” So they try to avoid God. They are fighting a war that's not there. God is not their enemy. God is not there to put his wrath on them. His wrath went upon his Son. What God is offering is grace and forgiveness and restoration. They don't know that. They don't understand that so they continue to run and hide. But the mission of the Gospel is to share that good news that you're not God's enemy and you need to surrender and you need to come home. Home needs to be a different place for you. Home needs to be not here on this earth but where God is and where the people of God are. So those are our orders. That's a tall order. Let's look and see how Jesus approached that. Let's take a look and see him interacting with the woman at the well in John chapter four. You want to talk about bursting bubbles that we saw on that video? Jesus is going to burst a lot of bubbles here in this passage, alright? A lot of comfort zone breaking here. I'm going to begin reading with verse four, and in a little while I'm going to engage you in the reading as well. You're going to have to come out of your comfort zone a little bit this morning. It says, 4Now he had to go through Samaria. 5So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. So it's noon. The day is getting hot. Jesus is thirsty. He sits down by the well. Now here is where I'd like you to join in. I'm going to be the narrator. Anything that's not dialog, I will read. Men, you get to be Jesus. You'll say the words of Jesus. Ladies, you will say the words of the woman at the well. Anything in parenthesis I will read, okay? You will read dialog; I will do the narration. Are you ready? Are you coming out of your comfort zone? Alright, let's go. 7When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” 11“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” 13Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17“I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” 19“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” Okay, we're going to stop there for a second. We're going to read on through verse thirty eventually, but we'll stop right there. Here's what's going on in the story. Here are the barriers that are being broken down: racial, cultural, religious, and gender. First of all, Jesus is a Jew and she is a Samaritan. A Samaritan was a person who was half Jew half Gentile, so there were racial prejudices between the two. The Jews really looked down on the Samaritans as second class. They were a reminder of what you were not supposed to do. You were not supposed to intermarry, intermix, with the other tribes and countries. That was a violation, so they are a reminder. They [the Jews] had a hatred, a visceral hatred, for the Samaritans. If somebody hates you, usually your response is you don't like them so much either. So there was hostility and tension between the two races. There was religious hostility. Judaism wanted to be really pure, but the Samaritans had a melting pot of religions, a synchronistic melting pot, an amalgamation of different faiths that they had adopted. So they [Jews] looked at them as religiously impure. For Jesus to start a dialog with somebody of this other race and religion was taboo. What's more, to do that as a male, you didn't talk to a woman who was by herself. You just didn't do that, especially if you were a rabbi. You would avoid that woman. You wouldn't even make eye contact, and she wasn't even allowed to speak to you. But Jesus starts a dialog, very out of the box. Jesus is certainly putting her outside her comfort zone, I guarantee you that. She knows what he's doing is very outside the box, and she's going to tell him that. She's not comfortable with this dialog. Then Jesus starts to get personal, doesn't he? He starts divulging things about her past that there's no way he could know. You've had five wives... wait a second now, that's a different story. [laughter] You've had five husbands, and the man you're living with now is not your husband. Now those are impressive numbers. To be on husband-to-be number six. Those are Zsa Zsa Gabor numbers. [laughter] Only old people laugh at that joke. So if you laugh, not naming names, Jody. But anyway, that's a lot of spouses! Especially back in the day, if you had that many spouses, man! I mean, she's probably coming to the water to drink alone because she's an outcast. You normally would come in the morning; you'd come as a group and get all your water for the day's chores. She comes at a strange hour. She comes by herself. That's probably not a coincidence. As soon as Jesus starts to probe into personal matters, what does she do? Does she engage in that subject? “Well, you're right. I have had five husbands. Here's what happened…” No, what does she do? She changes the subject. She starts talking about the mountain. “You know this mountain, we worship over here. Where do you guys worship?” Just total avoidance of the question. That's not uncommon. People are used to talking about the weather, or have you seen this movie?, or have you gone out to eat at that new restaurant? But if you start talking about substantive matters, don't be surprised when the person changes the subject. Don't be surprised if they avoid that because they think you're getting a little too personal. Jesus is so skilled that he softly addresses her concern or question and then brings it right back around. Let's continue reading. Let's start with verse 23... 23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” 25The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” 27Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” 28Then, leaving her water jar, ...and that is significant. It seems like a detail, like, John, why did you tell us that? Who in the world cares that she left her water jar. How in the world is that important to the story? That's huge! That's the reason she was there, right? The reason she was there was to draw water. Now what has happened is that represents a shift in her thinking. She was consumed with self, with the here and now, with the stuff of earth, and all of a sudden that doesn't even matter. She is now consumed with the things of heaven, with new life, with the news of the Savior. So, the water jar? The task that she had to do? That doesn't matter anymore. Something more important is here. Leaving the water jar, that's significant. the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30They came out of the town and made their way toward him. Revival is going to take place in this town through her. We might find, as a church, that it's the person you bring to the Lord who's going to do more good for the Kingdom than you do, and that's okay. So what's interesting in this story, to me, is when she says, “He told me everything I've ever done,” and she's excited about it. Don't you find that a little odd? “He told me everything I've ever done. Come and hear. Come and meet him.” If I said to you this morning, you came into church, and I said, “Now I can't tell you how we did this, but we've managed to capture, on video, everything you've ever done, and we're going to show it to the church this morning.” You'd be like - zoom! You're gone, right? You might even leave town, I don't know. But that's not fun for you. That's not something you're like, “Oh good, let me get some popcorn. I want to see that!” Because everybody in this room has done things that we don't want to share with the public. Hey, I'm embarrassed by that or I'm ashamed of that or that wasn't too good, right? But she said, “Everything I've ever done. He knows all about who I am and he knows about my past,” and yet, when she shares it, she's joyful about it, excited about it. Read between the lines. What was the message that Jesus was sharing with her? We get some of the dialog, but we don't get all of it. What was he sharing? You know what he's sharing? “The war's over. Surrender. Come home. God's not mad at you. I mean, I know you walk around in shame and in guilt and I know people ostracize you. I know they reject you. I know they judge you, but you know what? God's not mad at you. God loves you. God is going to give. I'm the Messiah and I'm here today.” She's no head of state. She's no rich powerful person. There's nothing she could do for him, but Jesus had an appointment with her that day. What does that say about our worth and our value? “The war's over. You've been running and hiding. You've been trying to find intimacy in all these relationships and it hasn't worked. You go from man to man to man to man to man and you can't find what you're looking for so you keep looking, and you'll never find it. You know why? Because it's only found in God. So surrender. Your way's not working. Come home. Come into the Father's Kingdom. Find a Father who loves you. Find the love you've been looking for your whole life. Come home to God.” That's the message of the Gospel. That's what Jesus was sharing with her. That's why she's so excited to tell her friends. If he had been judgmental towards her and condescending, would she go home and say to everybody enthusiastically and excitedly, “Come and meet a man who knows everything I ever did and treated me like dirt! Come and meet him, come and hear him!”? The place for the lecture would be right here where he says, “Right you are! The man you are living with is not your husband. You've had five husbands and the man you're living with now is not your husband.” Insert religious lecture right there. That's where you put it. But it's not there. You know the biggest problem with Christianity? Christians. The biggest obstacle for people coming to Christ is not Christ. It's not what he said. It's not what he did. Most people have no clue what he really said and did. It's Christians. We think somebody has sin in their life it's our business to lecture them and preach at them and let them know why we are so much more superior than they are. That kind of an attitude, that kind of approach just drives a wedge, and people do not respond to that. But all the dirt is there. The dirty laundry is all out in the open and yet Jesus still loves her. You know what your job is if somebody tells you about their past, their difficulties, their lifestyle? You know what your job is? It's to listen. It's not to preach. As they come to the Lord, the Holy Spirit and his Word will begin to work in their life and cleanse them. It's not your job, okay? I was playing basketball at the Club recently and one of my buddies was having a hard time. He was getting fouled a lot, and he was calling foul and the game was really intense. I hadn't gone on my dunking spree yet, where I take over the game and start doing monster slam dunks. I hadn't done that. Actually, I've never done that, but anyway. It was back and forth really intense and there was, “Aw, I didn't foul you! Come on, I didn't touch you!” He stops and he gives a speech right there on the basketball court. He says to the guy, “Can you get in my skin? Could you come inside of my body and feel what I feel? Do you feel the sensation in my right arm right now from where you fouled me? Can you feel what my right arm feels right now?” He pauses for effect. “If you can't get in my skin and you can't tell me what I feel then don't think you can call fouls for me.” Claps. Speech, great speech. But I agreed with him actually, because I've felt that way. When somebody fouled you and you call a foul and they say, “Well, I didn't foul you.” How do you know you didn't foul me? You don't know. You're not me. You can't get in my skin, exactly. When you encounter these seekers or these people who are non-believers and they live a lifestyle that you don't approve of and you know the Bible doesn't approve of, your job is not to judge them because you can't get in their skin. You don't know how they live. You don't know what their past, their background was, and you don't know how you would have lived had you grown up in their surroundings and had their parents or lack thereof. You might have been worse than they are. You have no idea. Your job is to listen to, support, and guide them. This whole idea of Christians acting in superiority, in a condescending manner, is so diametrically opposed to what Scripture says. It says you are to do so in gentleness and respect. One person has said that evangelism is one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread. You've got nothing to boast about, okay? Jesus comes and he just says, “Look, I know you've had a difficult past, but God loves you. You don't need to hide from him. You don't need to run from him. You don't need to go from relationship to relationship. Surrender and come home.” It's the Gospel. I think another powerful point in this story is that God will use you in the here and the now and the everyday circumstances and events of this life. It's great that we have a team in the Dominican Republic, but you don't have to get on a plane and fly to a different country to be used by God. Your mission field is right as you leave this parking lot. God can use you in your workplace, in your neighborhood, in your school, your home. You see? If you'd be willing to pray a dangerous prayer and say, “God, use me. God, I'm willing to come out of my comfort zone. Please open doors of opportunity for me to share my faith.” If you'll pray that risky prayer, that out of the “bursting your bubble” prayer God will put you in those situations. One of our members forwarded me a story about a young preacher in 1960 in Texas. It was going to be his first church, one of his first sermons. It was Easter time, so he really worked hard to get the theological masterpiece together. You know, lots a big words and impressive sermon to let them know they hired the right guy. The night before, he was taking somebody home from the congregation. He dropped them off and he got lost because he didn't know the roads. Now remember, 1960. There's no GPS, okay? Places aren't open late at night like they are now. Gas stations weren't open 24 hours like they are now. No GPS, no cell phones, right? You can't call his wife, can't call anybody else. He's just driving around hoping he can figure it out. He doesn't figure it out. He runs out of gas. So now, he's got to get out of his car and just start walking. He starts walking down this dusty dirt road out in the country in Texas. There's nothing around there. He finally sees, in the distance, a glow. He describes it as a glow. He walks towards it, and it gets brighter and brighter. As he gets closer, he hears music coming out, loud music. He finally realizes, as he gets closer, that it's a Texas roadhouse. I don't mean the chain where you get steak. [laughter] What time is it? We could end right now. Cinnamon butter, boy, that's...woo! Before you get me distracted, I'll get back to my story. That's good stuff! It's hot. Oh man! It's Texas roadhouse, but it's the kind of roadhouse where they're in there drinking hard alcohol. There are gangs in there and people are drunk and doing the things you do at a Texas roadhouse. They've got a bad reputation, roadhouses do. So, here's this preacher, he doesn't fit the mode. He comes walking into this bar and everybody looks at him like, who are you and what do you want? One of the guys says, “Hey, there's fresh meat. Maybe we can get some money off of this guy. Hey new guy, come over here and play some pool. You play pool?” “Oh, me? I haven't played since high school, but okay. Maybe God has me here for a reason, so okay.” The preacher starts playing a game of pool. He breaks, and he knocks a ball in. They're playing eight ball, so he gets to knock another one. The preacher said it was like God was guiding his pool cue. He ran the table. He knocked in all of his balls, and then he knocked in the eight ball. They're like, “Oh, you're a shark, huh?” They're laughing. “You came in here to take all our money, huh? You're a shark.” He says, “Nah, I'm no shark.” “Well, who are you? What are you doing here? We've never seen you before.” “Well, I'll tell you who I am. I'm a preacher here in Texas. I'm brand new. I'm at the church over here. I got lost and I ran out of gas. I saw this light in the road and I thought maybe there'd be somebody here who could give me a ride. I've got to get back home. I've got to finish preparing for Easter.” One of the guys listening says, “What's Easter?” The guy next to him goes, “Everybody knows what Easter is.” He says, “Well, I don't. I've never been to church before,” and he says, “What's Easter preacher?” Now the preacher's got an instant congregation. He's got all these guys leaning on their pool cues half drunk or stoned. He's looking at them, and he's got his congregation. He's like, “I don't think I can use my sermon for tomorrow morning with this crowd.” So he changes it a little. “Well, there was this dude named Jesus and he had a gang of twelve. He roamed the countryside doing good things, helping people. But the authorities didn't like him and they wanted to get him, so they convinced one of his gang to rat him out. He ratted him out for money. They took Jesus, and they beat him, and they put him on a cross, and they killed him. But God brought him back to life. God said that anybody who believed in his Son could have everlasting life. And that's the story of Easter. I'm giving you a real quick rundown here. He said a little bit more than that. That's Easter. “Huh, never heard that before. Well, thank you Shark. Let's get you home.” So he hopped on the back of a motorcycle. They drove off and took him back, said goodbye. He didn't know if he'd ever see the guys again. He shows up for church Sunday morning. The service was about to start and you hear the sound of rumbling motorcycles outside. Seven big burly guys in leather jackets come walking into the church. Usher's like, “Can I help you?” The leader goes, “We're just here to hear the shark tell the story of Easter again.” Sat down and listened. Hey, God will do that. God will break your bubble. He'll put you in those “out of the comfort zone” situations. Next thing you know he's got a congregation full of bikers from the Texas roadhouse. Do you want to take that risk? Do you want to be used by God or do you want to stay in your bubble? Well, I kind of like my world the way it is. I don't want anything to burst it. I've got to stop and we'll continue on next week. Let's pray. Father, thank you for this important story of the woman at the well and for giving us a model of how we can interact, even in everyday conversations, about everyday things like drawing water and how you're able to turn that conversation into a spiritual conversation. How you're able to take a person who wanted to avoid talking about what was uncomfortable and gently bring that back around. How you listened to her and how you did not judge her, but you offered her forgiveness. The message that the war was over, to surrender, that your way hasn't worked, and come home. To find unconditional love through your Gospel. That is what you've called us to say. That's what you've called us to demonstrate. Help us to do that, I pray. In Jesus name, amen.

Outreaching with an Eternal PerspectiveJohn 6:26-29 26Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal." 28Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" 29Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."