Religious and Spiritual, Matthew 23.1-12

Book_of_Common_Prayer_(1662).jpg

How is the saying "I'm spiritual, but not religious," just as much an error as the formality and religiosity of the Pharisees and Scribes? How does this apply to us? How can we avoid the pitfalls of this religiosity and legalism and the opposite error of throwing out all formality by claiming being 'spiritual'? In today's sermon, Fr. Jeremiah considers these things and how the answer is found in the humility of Jesus creating humility in us.

Image: By Church of England [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ABook_of_Common_Prayer_(1662).jpg)

Love God, Love Man, Matthew 22.34-36

512px-Vitrail_de_synagogue-Musée_alsacien_de_Strasbourg.jpg

In light of the Reformation, how is it even possible to approach a God who demands complete love of ourselves for himself? How do we serve him? Hear what how we respond to Jesus' statements today.

 

Image: By Ji-Elle (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons found at https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Vitrail_de_synagogue-Mus%C3%A9e_alsacien_de_Strasbourg.jpg

Rendering to God, Matthew 22.15-22

Emperor_Tiberius_Denarius_-_Tribute_Penny.jpg

When Jesus was asked a question about rendering taxes to Caesar, he gave an answer that shocked everyone. He said one should! But alongside that he also told us to give to God what is his. What do we make of this today? How might we understand how Jesus perfectly rendered to God what is his? Does it matter to me?

 

Image: By DrusMAX (Self-photographed) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Wedding Guests and Garments, Matthew 22.1-14

Image: Jan Brueghel the Elder [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AJan_Brueghel_(I)_-_Wedding_Banquet_-_WGA3572.jpg)

What's a wedding banquet with a bunch of random guests have to do with the kingdom of God? What do wedding clothes have to do with being welcomed into the kingdom? Is there a way to make sense of all of this? Listen to find out more from Father Jeremiah.

The Joy of Forgiveness, Psalm 32

397px-Study_of_King_David,_by_Julia_Margaret_Cameron.jpg

This Sunday, Andrew Hane, a student at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, NC, preached on the forgiveness that comes to us through Christ. He looked at Psalm 32 and David's words in light of his sin with Bathsheba and the coverup that he attempted before coming under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and returning back to God.

 

Image: Study of King David, by Julia Margeret Cameron, depicts Sir Henry Taylor, 1866, Public Domain.

Confrontation for Repentance, Matthew 18:15-20

692px-Meister_des_Book_of_Lindisfarne_001.jpg

In Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus speaks about reconciling oneself with a fellow believer who has sinned against you. This passage is the basis for our understanding of church discipline. Yet, it begins first with the pursuit of private reconciliation, a coming together of the wronged and the one who wronged. The purpose is that of repentance and life in the kingdom. As we come to understand this, we can find healing in our own personal relationships and be freed from the bitterness that can come when we are sinned against.

 

Image credit: By Meister des Book of Lindisfarne - The Yorck Project: 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei. DVD-ROM, 2002. ISBN 3936122202. Distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=155233

The Acts of God in Baptism

3404685668_ac20f457ec_z.jpg

What is happening when we baptize someone? Is it merely water poured over the person, or is there something deeper? In this sermon, Fr. Jeremiah reflects on how Anglicans understand baptism, reminding us that it is God is the primary actor, not man. This isn't about an act of obedience, but about a God who graciously claims us through the act of baptism for the sake of what Jesus has done for us through the cross. Listen to find out more!

Image attribution: Posted by WELS net at https://www.flickr.com/photos/welsnet/3404685668/in/photostream/. No changes made to image. Used according to Creative Commons license CC BY-NC 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/)

Weeds Amongst Wheat, Matthew 13.24-30, 36-43

When there are weeds growing amongst the wheat, what are we to do? Do we look to our Master and ask him? Or do we just plunge forward and attempt to remove them ourselves? What does the Master tell his servants to do? Wait until the harvest and then the reapers will deal with the weeds. Until them, let them grow and interact. What does that mean for us as we traverse this world?

 

Image by ㇹヮィㇳ (Ears of wheat) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Seed and Soil, Matthew 13.1-9, 18-23

Jesus told a parable about a sower going out to sow some seed. He tells us that the meaning of the seed is that it is the Word of God. How is seed like the Word of God? One way that they are the same is that the seed is intended to grow just as the Word is effective and does its work. Listen to find out more!

 

Image: Vincent van Gogh [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Weary One, Come, Matthew 11.25-30

Jesus calls those who are weary and heavy laden to himself. He reveals himself to those who are like this because these people know that they cannot get through this life without His help. Will you come to him and take his yoke?

By Cgoodwin (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

By Cgoodwin (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Grace Anglican Church, Sundays @ 10:30 AM, 800 Robinson Rd, Gastonia, NC
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 551081, Gastonia, NC 28054