Psalm 46

Psalm 121

James 5:1-20

We complete our series of sermons from The Letter of James with a reading from James 5.

In James 5:1-6 does James condemn wealth itself? In not, what does he condemn?

In James 5:7-11, does James describe Pie in the Sky hope for another life, or hope as a practice to be employed for the here and now? And, if it is for the here and now, what is its focus and result?

In James 5:13-20 we find a summary of the main themes of the letter — turning to God in prayer, receiving God’s wisdom from such prayer, and caring for the community through acts of service guided by that wisdom. Step back from these verses and envision a congregation guided by them. What would our relationships look like? Is it a community worth praying for? Pray for it!

Psalms 103:15-16 / James 4:1-17

This week’s reading, James 4, is pretty heavy. Like any good teacher or coach, James can be a taskmaster! And in James 4 we see him leveling with the worship community about the need to get their hearts right before God and with each other.

Do you agree with James that conflicts have their source in the way “You want something and do not have it” and “covet something and cannot obtain it” (James 4:2)?

What do you think James means when he writes, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God” (James 4:4)?

James gets philosophical in James 4:13-17. What do you think about his proposed shift in thinking, from, “I will,” to, “If the Lord wills it”?

James 3:1-18

In James 3:1-18, we continue to see God’s wisdom, generously given to those who ask for it, undergirding James’ message.

Why does James say (James 3:1) that teachers will be judged “with greater strictness”?

Who have been your teachers in matters of Christian faith? Among them, what are the characteristics of the best?

James continues to divide works into those that flow from faith and those that do not. How does he do this in James 3:5-12?

Think about those who lead at MBPPC (and do not just think of Pastor Lee). How are they doing at bringing forth the kind of spirit James describes in James 3:13-18?

James 2:18-26

We come to the closing verses of James 2 this Sunday — James 2:18-26.

If you want to earn extra credit, read Romans 1-4, or at least chapter 4, to understand how Paul uses the Abraham story in a way that contrasts with (even seems to contradict) James.

James continues to explore the relationship between faith and works. How would you summarize James 2:18-26 in this regard?

Do you think the words of Jesus in Matthew 15:7-9, quoting Isaiah 29:13, align with James’ perspective?

What do you believe about the relationship between faith and works?

James 2:1-17

For our third reading in The Letter of James, we move on to chapter two: James 2:1-17.

We will see the main themes in James reported, but also added to, as we read along. Note how bias, the relative relationships of rich and poor, and the relationship between faith and works all show up again.

Do you believe James is anti-rich? Why might he make and repeat his distinction between rich and poor as a matter of faith?

I have noted that James is a very “Jewish” letter. Note how the Law of Moses shows up in James 2:8-13. How does he summarize this in James 2:13?

Paul regarded faith in Jesus Christ as the basis of salvation from sin and death, as he brilliantly demonstrated in the Letter to the Romans. Martin Luther called The Letter of James “a gospel of straw” for its seeming contradiction of Paul, and its insistence on works. When you read James 2:17, do you agree with Luther? Do you see a way that James does not differ with Paul in content, but in emphasis?

James 1:17-27

For our second Sunday reading in the Letter of James, we come to James 1:17-27. This happens to be the Revised Common Lectionary reading for September 1st, 2024, so we are sort-of aligned, even though I am preaching from the entire letter between now and October 13th.

 Again, at first blush, it may seem as though James hops from topic to topic — the birth of the church (James 1:17-18), cultivating the art of listening (first to the Gospel) rather than rash speech (James 1:19-21), the necessity of works (but not as the basis of salvation, James 1:22-25), and a summary comment about “worthless” versus “true” religion (James 1:26-27). However, we can tease out the continuity with the main themes of faith (entrusting oneself to God) and wisdom.

 There are a few phrases that echo other Bible passages when we read about God as the gracious giver of Christian life in James 1:17-18. One is “the Father of lights”, and echo of Genesis 1:15-16. Can you find others (hint, the rest echo other New Testament letters)?

 What do you think — does James 1:22-25 require works as at least a partial agent of salvation?

Why do you suppose James is so specific about works that comprise true religion — “…to care for orphans and widows in their distress”?

Psalm. 15 / James 1:1-16

Psalm. 34:15-22 / John 6:56-69

Psalm. 34:9-14 / John 6:51-58

As we continue to read from the Gospel of John through the month of August, we also continue to move through its sixth chapter. We will stay in John 6 all month long. This Sunday, the reading is John 6:35, 41-51.

The reading retains the last verse from last Sunday, verse 35, in which Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Beginning in verse 41, the arguments begin. It is important, throughout John’s Gospel, to understand that John is referring only to religious authorities when he uses the phrase “the Jews”. He does not mean all Jewish people (Jesus himself was a Jew, as were his first disciples). As you read, then, read the arguments as opposition from those in power, who are threatened by Jesus and his movement.

How do the authorities try to discredit Jesus, thinking they know all about him, in verses 41-42? How does Jesus respond? Who, according to Jesus, gets to know who he truly is, and how do they know?

Reflect on your own faith. Did you “figure Jesus out”? Or is the ground of your faith more mysterious to you than that?

Psalm 78:23-29 / John 6:24-35

This Sunday, and throughout the month of August, the Gospel of John will be the focus of the sermons. This Sunday we will read John 6:24-35. I have always liked John 6, with its focus on bread — literal bread, the bread of heaven, and Jesus as the Bread of Life.

Notice, first, the interplay between literal bread, physical hunger, the bread of heaven, and spiritual hunger. Where is the focus of the people who speak with Jesus? Where is Jesus’ focus? How do we balance our lives in our physical bodies with the life of faith?

Give some serious thought to Jesus’ comment, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent” (John 6:29). What does it mean to “believe in” Jesus? This may seem a simple question; sit with it in prayer.

Psalms 24 / Mark 6:14-29

As you read Mark 6:14-29, consider these very contemporary themes: entitlement, rash promises, power and its misuse, and the way that people who exploit these things stand in opposition to Jesus and his followers. As The Preacher says in Ecclesiastes,

“…there is nothing new under the sun”!

Psalms 123 / Mark 6:1-13

Psalms 30 / Mark 5:21-43

This Sunday’s Gospel reading is a classic Markan doughnut — a story that begins, is interrupted, and resumes, with another story in the middle, like a doughnut and a hole.

Both of these stories feature females — a girl and a woman. How does this change your experience of them in contrast to the many stories that feature males?

What factors might make Jairus and the unnamed woman not seek help from Jesus? How do they manage (and overcome) these obstacles?

Where, in your own life, have you been afraid to seek healing? What does it mean to you that Jesus so often says, “Do not fear, only believe” (Mark 5:36)?

Psalms 107:1-3 / Mark 4:35-41

In Mark 4:35-41, we read one of the miracle stories about Jesus. In this story, he reveals his sovereignty over the elements of earth; in this case, the wind and sea. In these days of climate change, and of our need for courage in facing humanly-created climate variance, let us turn to Jesus as the One who set climatic conditions at peace.

Why do you think Jesus could remain so calm in the midst of the storm?

When have you experienced someone bringing calm to a storm in a powerful, healing way?

Jesus poses two questions to the disciples that are also good questions for us to ponder about ourselves: “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:40).

Psalms 92:1-4, 12-15 / Mark 4:26-34 / Mark 3:20-35

This Sunday, June 16, we read Mark 4:26-34. This is the culmination of Mark’s collection of Jesus’ parables of the kingdom of God. Parables have often been compared to Buddhist koans — riddles with no answer that are primarily meant to jar us from misunderstandings that we confuse with truth.

For example, it is a misunderstanding of the Gospel to conclude that good people are rewarded with heaven and bad people are forever punished in hell. Read Mark 4:26-34 carefully, and you will see that, whatever the kingdom of God is, Jesus does not present it as something we truly can understand — it grows mysteriously and abundantly, according to God’s will.

Read Mark 4:26-29. What can we do, or not do, to make the kingdom of God grow?

Read Mark 4:30-32. What does the image of the mustard seed suggest to you about the growth of the kingdom of God?

Psalms 130 / Mark 3:20-35

Isaiah 6:1-8 / Acts 2:1-21

Psalm 104:24-34 / Acts 2:1-21

Psalm 1 / Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

On this last Sunday of the season of Easter, we read about the days immediately following Christ’s resurrection and ascension. The first task is the replacing of Judas among the apostles.

Notice how Peter uses Scripture to interpret the apostasy of Judas in Acts 1:16 (referencing the Psalms quoted in Acts 1:20).

Pay close attention to the method they use to find new apostles — prayer, but also casting lots. What do you think about this? What does this say about the way we go about discerning qualified ruling elders at MBPPC?

Psalm 98 / Acts 10:44-48

Psalm 22:25-31 / Acts 8:26-40

Psalm 40:1-5 / Acts 3:12-19

During the remaining Sundays of Easter (it is a seven-week long season), and including the Day of Pentecost (May 19), I will be preaching from the Book of Acts. This week, our reading is Acts 3:13-21.

The apostles Peter and John have just healed a lame man, and restored his ability to walk. This draws a crowd of curious and amazed onlookers, and provides Peter with what we now call “a teachable moment”.

First, notice how Peter names God in verse 13. Now go back to Exodus 3:6. Why do you suppose Peter uses this reference for God?

Peter seems to make a rather blunt attack on the gathered Israelites. But notice what he says in verse 17! Could it be that, even today, people who oppose us about faith (or almost anything) act out of ignorance? How might our response be changed if we assume our opponents operate from ignorance more than malice? “Father, forgive them,” Jesus said from the cross, “for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

Psalm 3 / John 20:19-31

This Sunday we shift to the Gospel of John, chapter 20, verses 19-31.

This is the “Doubting Thomas” story. But there is much more to it than that.

It is always crucial to understand that “the Jews” (see verse 19) in John is a reference to the religious authorities, and not to all Jews (Jesus and his disciples were Jews, after all). Notice that Jesus speaks the blessing we also speak on Sundays: “Peace be with you.” This is, in our tradition, a priestly blessing, spoken in Jesus’ name. It is of a whole different order than, “Good luck” or “Have a nice day”. It is meant to convey “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

How do you respond to the story about the disciple Thomas (verses 24-29)? Do you relate to him?

Why do you think not all the signs Jesus did are recorded in Scripture (see verses 30-31)?

Isaiah 25:6-9 / Mark 16:1-8

On Easter Day we will read from Isaiah 25:6-9 and Mark 16:1-8.

What do we do when our deepest hopes are fulfilled?

Beginning with a reading from Mark 16:1-8, ask this question as you watch the women come to the empty tomb. What did they do? Why?

Now read Isaiah 25:6-9.

Does verse 8 speak to you of your own hope: “…[God] will swallow up death forever”?

What about the promise, “Then the Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces”?

How does your faith in the risen Christ affect the way you respond to these two statements?

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 / Mark 11:1-11

Psalm 51:1-12 / Jeremiah 31:31-34

This week, as we continue the Lenten theme of covenant, we come to a new covenant that God foretells in Jeremiah 31:31-34.

Jeremiah is a complex book, leaving scholars in lively disputation about its structure. However, the theme of covenant — given, broken, and restored — is woven throughout.

Why do you think God promises a new covenant? What problem might such a new covenant address?

What do you think Jeremiah points to when God says, “…when I took them by the hand…”? (Jeremiah 31:32)

The new covenant will be written on people’s hearts, and will render instruction obsolete. What does this say about a new relationship of people to the Law?

Numbers 21:4-9 / John 3:14-21

How often do we get to read and hear a sermon from the Book of Numbers? The literal answer, for those of us who follow the Revised Common Lectionary for our Sunday Scripture readings is a mere three times in 156 Sundays. This Sunday, the Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year B, is one of them.

Read Numbers 21:4-9.

The theme is not original here; the Israelites spend a good portion of their wilderness journey complaining to God and fantasizing about how good life was as slaves in Egypt — at least the diet was more varied than manna and quail three times a day! This opens us to the question, “Is it OK to complain to God?”

Numbers 21:6 would sure seem to indicate that, No, it is not a good idea to complain to God! Take some time to sort out this whole passage, Numbers 21:4-9. What does it say about God? What does it say about people? What does it say about the relationship between God and people?

Now take some time to sort yourself out about this passage. What do you think about it? What questions does it raise?

How do we square the loving, forgiving God we meet in Christ with this stern and punishing God?

I leave you to ponder...