Pentecost 24 Proper 27 C RCL November 7, 2010
Haggai 1:15b-2:9
Psalm 98
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5; 13-17
Luke 20:27-38
This morning’s sermon will be brief in order to make time for Lori and Beth to report on Diocesan Convention.
The prophet Haggai had the ministry of offering encouragement to the leaders and people of Judah as they returned from exile in Babylon and did the difficult work of rebuilding the temple. As they looked upon their unfinished project, it was easy to become discouraged. Haggai assures them that God has called them to do this, that God will be with them every step of the way, and that the new temple will surpass the glory of the first temple.
The Thessalonians have been having a difficult time. Some false teachers have been telling them that the second coming of Jesus has already happened. As we know, over time, there have been many people who have said the end of the world is at hand. Paul tells the people that these upsetting and fear-filled teachings are false, that God has called them and is with them and that they should stand fast in their faith.
The Sadducees are among many religious leaders who try to trip up Jesus. The law says that, if a man dies and his wife is childless, the man’s brother should take her as his wife in order that she may bear a child to carry on his name. The Sadducees give this example in order to prove their belief that there is no resurrection. Jesus tells us that heaven is different from this life. There, we are children of the resurrection.
We are in a process of building and rebuilding, not only in bricks and mortar, but in the life of our community. We need to remember that God has called us together, that God is with us, God is guiding us. We are called to move forward in faith, not give way to fear. We are called to seek and do God’s will, and God will give us the grace to carry that out. We are kingdom people, shalom people. We have been made new, thanks to the grace of our Lord Jesus. “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.” Amen
Filed under: Sermons |
Grace Episcopal Church (Sheldon, VT) 