• Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
with
Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
www.FirstChurchBville.com
FirstChurchBville@gmail.com @FirstUMCBville @kerrfunk
I preached today at another church in
town, Barboursville Baptist Church, as several area churches participate in a
“pulpit swap.” All in all, six churches participated, and feedback was pretty
positive. We might aim for twice a year swaps.
This
sermon is on youtube at https://youtu.be/JUzzQSUH4ks
•
I’ve been a pastor in Barboursville for about four years. Three ish years ago
several area pastors revived an ecumenical pastor gathering, and we call
ourselves BAM (Bville Area Ministerium). There’s currently 7 churches whose
pastors meet once a month or so.
•
Isn’t it funny how language changes from region to region? Once I lived where
they called the stuff that roads are made of “macadam.” Other places call it “blacktop”
(even as in Take the blacktop south out
of town for three miles and turn right). I grew up with “asphalt”.
Simple
example, but language can really define us, who’s in the circle and who’s an
outsider, intentionally or unintentionally.
We
make / define outsiders. Isn’t that horrible?
•
Who’s in the circle. In some respect (not all) that’s denominations and states
and ideologies.
•
Today’s Isaiah reading (Isaiah 56:1, 6-8). We don’t get to say who’s in the
circle. It’s up to God. And God says that even folks we’d call outsiders, if
they covenant with God, He’ll bring them into his temple with joy. He’ll make
it a house of prayer for all nations.
And if God accepts someone we’d call outsider…
And if God accepts someone we’d call outsider…
•
what do we do? Isaiah 56:1 act justly, righteously.
Be
humble and edifying. Consider the wellbeing of others. Weigh it against your
own. Build other people up.
Serve
others (is it convenient? Was it convenient for Jesus?) and judge not.
Live
graciously to all.
Habit
#5 (Stephen Covey, Seven
Habits of Highly Successful People).
Seek first to understand then to be understood.
Seek first to understand then to be understood.
•
Let us live as examples of unity within Bville. It exists among your pastors.
Imagine.
Unity
within WV. Within nation. Within world (worldwide church news 500th anniversary
of Martin Luther and the reformation, a joint declaration including many
worldwide church bodies)
Unity
as a means of addressing substance use disorder and racism. We stand together against substance abuse. We stand together for recovery and for ministry to families.
•
We have a story to tell to the nations.
56 The Lord says:
Act justly and do what is righteous,
because my salvation is coming soon,
and my righteousness will be revealed.
Act justly and do what is righteous,
because my salvation is coming soon,
and my righteousness will be revealed.
6 The immigrants (foreigners.
outsiders) who have joined me,
serving me and loving my name, becoming my servants,
everyone who keeps the Sabbath
without making it impure,
and those who hold fast to my covenant:
7 I will bring them to my holy mountain,
and bring them joy in my house of prayer.
I will accept their entirely burned offerings
and sacrifices on my altar.
My house will be known
as a house of prayer for all peoples,
8 says the Lord God, who gathers Israel’s outcasts.
I will gather still others to those I have already gathered. ò
serving me and loving my name, becoming my servants,
everyone who keeps the Sabbath
without making it impure,
and those who hold fast to my covenant:
7 I will bring them to my holy mountain,
and bring them joy in my house of prayer.
I will accept their entirely burned offerings
and sacrifices on my altar.
My house will be known
as a house of prayer for all peoples,
8 says the Lord God, who gathers Israel’s outcasts.
I will gather still others to those I have already gathered. ò
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