Sabbath (17)

Ian

Thriving Together

Exodus 22:21–27, 1 Timothy 5:3–16, 2 Thessalonians 3:6–15 “God only helps those who help themselves.” This is one of those statements that should be considered a swear phrase in the church. This statement has been misused and people have been abused with it. Truly, if…

Continue reading...
Ian

Choosing Sabbath

Nehemiah 13:19–22, Isaiah 56:4–7, Mark 2:27–28, Hebrews 4:9–11 We really are bad at taking a Sabbath. Even in the “good old days” restaurants would be filled on Sundays with people leaving church and eating. So now we have memes that say, “consciously choosing to slow…

Continue reading...
Ian

Rest and Recharge

Exodus 35:2–3, Leviticus 25:2–5, Matthew 12:1–9 What recharges you? An extrovert will be charged up by being with people. An introvert charges by being alone. Both, in many respects, are forms of rest. Part of the problem with Sabbath, as it is practiced, and as…

Continue reading...
Ian

Living in the Gray

Nehemiah 13:4–22, Matthew 12:1–8 Nehemiah was “just” a layperson. He probably had no formal religious or other education. He wasn’t a “leader” of the people. He did, however, have an important position of trust with King Artaxerxes. To be the cupbearer meant that you were…

Continue reading...
Ian

3rd Friday after Pentecost

Psalm 40:1–16, John 7:21–24, Acts 15:1–21 To this very day, churches (and thus the church) struggle with what exactly their faith means and its implications. Certain things appear to have been settled, but others haven’t. Although, perhaps it is better to say that when push…

Continue reading...