Rev. Zach

Introduction to the gospel reading: Last week we heard that Jesus was the fulfillment of the promise of redemption made through Isaiah. We talked about the way in which the fulfillment God’s promises not only happened in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus but also in those moments of our lives where people demonstrate love and grace and mercy. Over the last few weeks we’ve also struggled with the question of whether this promise of redemption is simply for those that believe or are they for those that believe to demonstrate and offer to all the world. Listen now to what Jesus has to say about all of that, and what the Spirit might teach us today. [ After reading Luke 4:21-30 I began the sermon by singing a verse from San Francisco by the Mowglis.] I’ve been in love with love And the idea of something binding us together You know that love is strong enough I’ve seen time tell tales about that systematic drug Yeah that heart that beats as one It’s collect...

Jeremiah 1:4-10       1 Corinthians 13:1-13       Luke 4:21-30 “Have you ever noticed that when someone says, ‘no offense’ it means that they want to say something offensive.” I was reminded of that last Sunday by one of our youth. Not because she said, “No offense.” but because she made the observation about that phrase. Her comment reminded me of some other disclaimers, such as, “I’m not trying to be mean,” or “I’m just saying.” All of these are phrases that can sneak in to our vocabulary and mask the true nature of our feelings, our beliefs, and our fears. Fear is a very real thing that we all have to manage and live with. It has been described as a monster in the closet or under the bed, and when we do not recognize how fear motivates us then we can become its prisoner. We become the monster. We lose the ability to become motivated by love. I think that’s why scripture tells us, and characters like Jeremiah, over and over again not to fear. Of course,...