I wrote this post yesterday and did not post it, so it is a day late for Veteran’s Day.
Lets all remember to give thanks to our Veterans and thanks to our God for their sacrifice. While we all know that war is a terrible thing and something that none of us want, we all know that it is a part of life. As long as we as human beings put self before others we will always have disagreements that lead to seperation and yes even war. While many factors come into play to get nations to the point of war, each one of us as Christ’s children are responsible for resisting the need for war. When a nation feels justified in the need for war then it’s population is responsible for supporting that nation in its efforts. Our Veterans answer that call to protect our freedom and our way of life. They deserve more than they get. The least we can do is thank them for the sacrifice they have made.
In our Matthew 25:14-30 Lectionary Scripture for this coming Sunday we hear Jesus tell us the parable of the talents. Money entrusted to three men. Two of those men take the money/talent and grow it into more. The third man hordes the talent he was given, afraid to take a risk. All three were rewarded for their efforts. Two were given more and one had everything taken from him. As Christians we are called to be a people who are willing to sacrifice some of our time, some of our money, some of the abilities that God has given us. When we ignore God’s call to take a risk, you know like step out on faith, we are denying that He is our God or at least denying Him in a part of our lives. While love is the driving force behind the ministry Jesus Christ has given us we also must remember the warning about being cast out into the darkness.
Soldiers in the armed services are asked to make sacrifices of time, money and abilities. Sometimes even their lives. If we believe in our God and His Son we too should be willingly to give of our selves even more.
A feast set before Jane and I by our daughter Tracie. We were truly glad we were invited.
Our scripture reading from Matthew 22:1-14 has Jesus telling the parable of the King inviting his friends to a wedding feast. When his friends turn down his invitation he invites everyone.
Jesus is telling the Jewish nation that since they have rejected Him, God will open the invitation to join Him in the Kingdom of Heaven to all. That invitation goes out to everyone including the inhabitants of Israel who do not reject Him. This invitation to all gentiles and sinners is against all that the proud law following religious leaders believe in. This invitation is a message to all of us today to be careful about who we reject or encourage to not participate in our worship services.
The United Methodist Church has the slogan of “Open doors, Open Hearts and Open Minds.” A slogan we must always remember to take very seriously. It is Jesus Christ Himself that has given the “Open” invitation.
The “open” invitation must start with each of us as individuals in our own hearts. “Open” to all races and cultures. If we are not open to the second greatest commandment of “Love your neighbor as yourself” then how can we be open to worshiping with all who come seeking a God who will lead them in the right and good way.
One more point to make sure we are always aware of in our daily witness. Our actions and our words are always a witness to others. Our physical actions (body language) are also a witness to others. Through our words, our actions and our body language we send a message about whether or not our hearts are open to all. Please keep in mind at all times that a frown can close a door as well as a hand held up or a finger pointed. A smile and open arms are a great way to witness to the world.
“The vineyard is the nation of Israel, and its owner is God. The cultivators are the religious leaders of Israel, who, as it were, had charge for God of the welfare of the nation. The messengers who were sent successively are the prophets sent by God and so often rejected and killed. The son who came last is none other than Jesus himself. Here, in a vivid story, Jesus set out at one and the same time the history and the doom of Israel.”
Barclay; William (2010-11-05). The Gospel of Matthew, Volume Two: 2 (New Daily Study Bible) (p. 306). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition.
Jesus told this parable to a challenge a certain group of people. What does it mean to us today. Perhaps we can look at this parable as Jesus giving us a challenge. We as the Church of Jesus Christ are the stewards left in charge of the vineyard and the vineyard is of course the whole world. The vines that have been implanted in this vineyard are God’s Holy Word, our Bible. The study of that bible and the application of those studies to our lives are the fruit which grows upon those vines. Our reaching out to harvest that fruit is our witness to the world, our sharing His Holy Word.
Are you a good steward of God’s Holy Word? Is the fruit that is growing on the vine sour or sweet? Is it good full bodied nourished fruit or is it dried up and shriveled looking fruit? Do you listen to the prophets that God is sending your way? Have you rejected the Son God has sent to save you? Are you in danger of being removed from the vineyard? Lots of questions to be answered and I hope that you can answer all of them in a way that says God will reward you for being His good steward of all that He has entrusted you with.
Have a blessed beautiful weekend and keep His Word close to your heart and ready to share,
This is how we begin our church service at Wesley United Methodist Church. As you can see we are a small church that begins asking for God’s blessings on our country and our Church. Come join us in worship, prayer and praise.
Thanks to my Son in Law, Jeremy Parzen, for the film clip.
Jesus Christ is taken up into the clouds in Acts Chapter 1:9. The disciples then go to the Upper Room where they “With one mind all of them kept devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” They kept praying waiting for the Helper that Jesus had promised them.
In Acts Chapter 2, we see the Holy Spirit coming to the disciple: Act 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, all of them were together in one place. Act 2:2 Suddenly, a sound like the roaring of a mighty windstorm came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. Act 2:3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated, and one rested on each of them. Act 2:4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them that ability.
What a sight that must have been. They experienced the Holy Spirit in a way that none other has experienced it since. Their experience may have been one of a kind but the Holy Spirit has interacted with many people since. In order for us to experience the Holy Spirit, feel the warmth, know the presence, we must be in prayer with an open mind and open heart. Those disciples 2000 years ago were doing exactly that. Their hearts and minds were living in prayer and expectation. Are you? Want to change your life? Give a little of your time to spend time with the one who saves us all. Can it possibly be that simple? The connection is just that simple. Open your hearts and minds and pray.
Wesley United Methodist Church, Orange TX 