August 15, 2025 • 52 mins
How often do we forget the transformative power of love in our daily decisions? This episode invites listeners into a profound exploration of what it means to choose love over self-interest in our moment-by-moment lives.
The teaching begins with wisdom from Ecclesiastes that challenges us to stay present rather than longing for "the good old days"—a timely reminder for anyone feeling nostalgic for what once was. But the heart of the message addresses something we've all experienced: those moments when our reactions feel almost automatic, like road rage when someone cuts us off in traffic. Instead of merely suggesting we watch our language, the conversation digs deeper, asking us to examine and transform our underlying thoughts that fuel those reactions.
One of the most illuminating concepts explored is understanding our personal "kingdoms"—defined as anywhere we have influence or choice. From selecting shoes in the morning to how we respond to family members' requests, these seemingly small decisions form our kingdom. The revolutionary question posed is: "What kind of kingdom will yours be? One ruled by love or one ruled by fear?" This reframing helps us understand Jesus's prayer, "Your kingdom come," as an invitation to surrender our personal influence to God's loving guidance.
The message culminates in a beautiful parallel between Holy Communion and being ready for celebration at a moment's notice—reminding us that Jesus came not to be served but to serve.
Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by daily irritations, struggling with scarcity thinking, or simply wanting to experience more joy in ordinary moments, this episode offers practical wisdom for transforming your thinking and choosing love, even when it's inconvenient. Listen and discover how changing your mind might be the first step toward changing your world.
This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving
In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to the First Love Church podcast.
This is a collection of Sundayteachings inspired by the
Revised Common Lectionary andrecorded weekly in Ocala,
Florida.
It's with a lot of gladness andjoy that we greet you this
morning.
It's a good day to be in thehouse of the Lord.
It is a good day to be in thepresence of the other, in the
presence of love and in thepresence of Christian fellowship
(00:24):
.
The Christ in us greets thismorning.
The Christ in you, and we aregrateful for your presence here
this morning.
For those of you that areonline and joining us, thank you
.
Your presence means a lot to us.
For those of you that were herethis morning in person, we're
grateful that you were here alsobecause you got to hear
Catherine sing this morning.
That was a little gift to youthis morning.
(00:45):
You are welcome.
You'll have to check with who tothank.
In that, I thank God for all ofthe goodness that it is, and
just a reminder that we areloved and cared for.
And so this morning I bless youfrom the heart of God.
You are loved, just as you arewhole and complete.
(01:09):
You are loved and you arewelcomed in the house of God.
This morning, from Ecclesiastes, chapter 10, there is a warning
for us, a warning for you, awarning for the world.
I remind you that the book ofEcclesiastes was written
centuries ago and this wisdom isdon't long for the good old
(01:29):
days, pay attention, stay in thepresent.
In some translations of thisverse it says that wisdom would
never ask that question andwisdom would never tell you to
long for what is past.
Find the good now.
Find the present now.
Find God now.
We are so grateful that you arehere.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Yeah, you don't want to talk a little bit about that.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
It's coming up.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Okay, because we've had some conversations all week
long.
Well, you go ahead and say it,you just flew right by that, I
know because we're coming up tosome things We've got to you
want to build a.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
I want to build.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
It's almost the bridge that I don't like.
I should have showed up forrehearsal.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Yeah, well, that's fine.
Say what you'd like to sayabout it, though.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Well, it's all good, I'll wait, oh, okay.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
It's just brewing.
So we're building on this.
I'm learning how to celebrateit with you.
Oh, I'm grateful in yourpresence this morning and I want
you to read the scripture withus.
I remind you that we are in theseason of Pentecost and in this
(02:36):
season, together, we arepracticing attuning our souls,
attuning our spirits to the HolySpirit, god's own spirit, the
spirit that is transforming, thespirit that is full of miracles
, and so I remind you thismorning that miracles are
available for you because God isavailable to you, and God is
(02:57):
miraculous and love cantransform anything.
So listen to the power of thisparticular portion of scripture
to all of us this morning as weread together.
Listen for the words of theSpirit and then listen for the
hope of what the Spirit canaccomplish in all of us.
Verse 28.
(03:17):
If any one of you has stolenfrom someone else, never do it
again.
I want us all to read thistogether, and I like you to pay
attention to the fact.
It's very easy If you've stolen, just don't do it again.
Don't make your life aboutshame.
Don't do it again.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
This is.
You know whatever it is, butthis is the truth of God's word
to us.
If any one of you has stolenfrom someone else, from someone
else, never do it again.
Instead, be industrious,earning an honest living, and
then you'll have enough to blessthose in need.
We're going to have to waitthere for a minute.
(03:56):
Talk amongst you.
Go ahead and honor that it lostit.
No that's not this beautifulportion of scripture, and I'm
going to get back the text here.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
I think it was going to go rest.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
You will have enough to bless those in need.
Let that settle in your heart.
That is why we have anything,so that we can bless those in
need and never let ugly orhateful words come from your
mouth.
Whoopsie daisy, whoopsie daisy.
Let's just ask the Lordtogether right now Father,
forgive us, for we have sinned,and now we are reminded by the
(04:36):
power of the Holy Spirit.
Ugly and hateful words are notfrom the Spirit of God.
We abide no hatred, buttogether we're going to read 29.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Are not from the spirit of god, we abide no
hatred, but together we're goingto read 29.
I'd like to stop here before weread 29 and just ask you to
consider that maybe we've readthis verse, or verses like it, a
hundred times and then we'relike, okay, yeah, I gotta, I
gotta do some languagemodification.
And I'd ask you how well hasthat been going for you?
How well has that?
And I'd ask you, how well hasthat been going for you?
How well has that approach tonot letting ugly words come out
(05:07):
of your mouth, how well has thatworked?
And I would ask that you'd maybeask the Spirit of God to change
your thinking, to change yourthoughts, to change the way that
you look at things, becausethere was a time when and it's
(05:32):
not my so distant past thattraffic could really enrage me,
but that, you know the spirit ofgod began to ask me the simple
question do you really thinkthat person left their house and
their goal was to get right infront of you so they could drive
in a way that you consider iswrong or stupid, or dumb or
inefficient, at the very least,and they did it all to provoke
(05:53):
you out of anger?
Well, when we and you'reshaking your head?
Yes, and hopefully humorily.
Otherwise we'll just form aprayer circle around all of us.
But the truth is, because we dothink that then we become angry
and all the oh, I've got to makesure I don't call them a stupid
idiot Like Heather would reallyhelp me for many years.
(06:17):
She would say that's a child ofGod and I'd go bless that child
of God as they drive around inignorance and stupid, terrible.
And so I just added the childof God, as they drive around in
ignorance and stupid, terrible.
And so I just added this, thechild of God, to the insult,
because the still the judgmentwas there based on my thinking.
But imagine if you could, justwhat freedom would that bring
you?
Because that person stilldrives away completely oblivious
(06:39):
, that they've ruined your dayso that now you gave them that
power.
And now there's a frustrationin you and the whole family
feels uncomfortable, maybe evenunsafe, as you now start driving
and pushing the limits of yourcar's actual ability to function
.
All because we allowedourselves a way of thinking and
(07:02):
the Spirit of God is offering us, over and over, a new way of
thinking.
I can tell you, story afterstory in just this week, how I'm
looking back.
You know I can't believe you'vechosen to drive that way, but I
refuse to let that provoke meand ruin my time with my
children, with my family, inthis car, making everyone feel
(07:26):
unsafe because I want to rageout at somebody because of the
way that I'm thinking.
Is anyone with me?
Or are you all just mad at menow for messing with your
sanctuary?
Your car is your sanctuary.
You don't want me to mess withthat, but what if it really
could be a place of true peace?
We have to change the way wethink, don't we?
Speaker 1 (07:46):
And never let ugly or hateful words come from your
mouth, but instead let yourwords become beautiful gifts
that encourage others to this,by speaking words of grace to
help them.
We're going to read thistogether.
Then we're going to the nextverse and we're going to read
that together and we're going tolet these words challenge us.
We're going to read thistogether.
Then we're going to the nextverse and we're going to read
that together.
We're going to let these wordschallenge us.
(08:07):
We're going to allow the HolySpirit to let us reimagine what
it would be like that we wouldhave understanding that we would
agree with Jesus's prayer, thatwe would be one Even in traffic
.
The person ahead of you inanother car is one with you
because we are in Christ.
Never let ugly or hateful wordscome from your mouth, but
(08:28):
instead let your words becomebeautiful gifts that encourage
others to do this, by speakingwords of grace to help them.
The Holy Spirit of God hassealed you in Jesus Christ until
you experience your fullsalvation.
(08:48):
So never grieve the Spirit ofGod, nor take for granted his
holy influence in your life.
Lay aside bitter words, tempertantrums, revenge, profanity and
insults, but instead be kindand affectionate toward one
(09:10):
another.
Has God graciously forgiven you, then graciously forgive one
another in the depths ofChrist's love, amen.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
I would venture to say that when we do get mad and
rage at people for the thingsthat we do, it's because in our
mind we've forgotten of whatwe've been forgiven of.
But if we could keep that typeof thing in our mind, then all
of a sudden we are just thebearers of grace and kindness,
because we were reminded thatwe're existing because of it.
(09:43):
Amen.
So let's really do, let Godchallenge us and change our mind
in some areas, because the waythat we've been thinking is the
reason why we're in some of theruts that we're in, that we're
trapped in some of the placesthat we are, and God is offering
this way of escape.
But we have to be willing tosurrender to a new way, amen.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
Amen.
I'm grateful this morning thatthis season of Pentecost allows
for us the practice of learningto attune our souls to the voice
of the Spirit.
And in those previous words, itreminds us what the voice of
the Spirit sounds like.
It's tender, it's gentle, it'sloving, it's patient.
(10:28):
And so when our words do notsound like that, we need to
remind ourselves oh, I need tomaybe adjust this or listen to
what the Spirit would say aboutthis.
I remind you that in thoseprevious verses it also did not
include any shame.
You are not shamed because youdid that, just do something
different.
And here's the power of theSpirit to change the way that we
(10:50):
think about things, totransform the way that we
understand things and how we seethe world.
And so this morning we go toLuke's gospel.
It's taking the heels on theportion of scripture that we
read last week.
Jesus was telling us a parable,a story about a man who had so
much stuff he had to buildbigger barns, or thought he did
(11:12):
so that he could do what hewanted and live a life for
himself.
And Jesus confronted him andsaid you're foolish if you think
that you are promised tomorrow.
Today, your life is demanded ofyou.
And so this understanding, thischange of thought that we are
not in charge of our destinies,that there is a gift of life
(11:34):
that we are invited into, I wantto just interject that you've
hit upon something a coupletimes.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
There's not shame in the way that God corrects us,
and so if you have a frameworkin your mind about your
relationship with God that issurrounded by shame, I would
challenge you to maybe considerthat maybe somewhere along the
line you've fallen into some badteaching or you've decided for
yourself and made someagreements with some things that
(12:02):
are just out of whack and madesome agreements with some things
that are just out of whack, andI really just want you to see
that it's going to take effortfor all of us, because there are
, I think, really woven withinreligion and I use religion as
that term to mean about God, butwithout God, because the Spirit
of God brings joy and sometimespeople are just drudging it out
(12:22):
in their spirituality, and it'sreally not spirituality without
God, because the spirit of Godbrings joy and sometimes people
are just dredging it out intheir spirituality, and it's
really not spirituality, it'sjust some kind of a religious
form.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
If God can clothe the fields and the meadows with
grass and flowers, can't heclothe you as well?
Oh, struggling one with so manydoubts, I repeat it Don't let
worry enter your life.
And when I read that I was like, well, it's too late, now it's
already there.
Well, what do we do when theworry has already entered the
(12:54):
life and the worry is now rulingthe life?
What do you do then?
Where's our way of escape?
Now and again, these are thewords of Jesus.
And why, every week, do we cometogether and remind ourselves
of the words of Jesus?
Because Jesus is saying to allof us, the humanity of Jesus is
saying this is what it means tolive in this world.
If we just look at how thingsare and we don't allow the
Spirit of God to bring us to ahigher way of thinking, we will
(13:18):
worry.
It's part of our human natureand Jesus is offering us a way
to live higher, to return to thegood.
Don't let worry enter your lives.
Live above the anxious caresabout your personal needs.
And this is where theinvitation of the teaching of
Jesus brings us into.
How do we love the world well?
(13:38):
How do we love ourselves well?
We ask these things and Jesusgives us beautiful answers.
People everywhere seem to worryabout making a living, but your
heavenly father knows your everyneed and will take care of you.
And here Jesus is offering us areparenting when our earthly
(13:59):
fathers and mothers have failedus.
Jesus is saying I remind youthat you have eternal parents
who love you and who have goodplanned for you, and so you are
not disadvantaged because youhave a person who, in their
humanity and in an illusion,failed you.
Jesus is reminding you youbelong to the human family, you
(14:21):
belong to a global family ofpeople, and God has good for us
Each and every day.
He will supply your needs asyou seek his kingdom
passionately, above all else,and this is the invitation.
In another translation it saysseek first the kingdom, and all
of these things will be addedunto you.
Sometimes we know that verseand we know it so well it no
(14:45):
longer affects the way that welive, and it's a language
sometimes that we don't use inour everyday vernacular.
And so this understanding thatmy needs, a deep knowing for us,
my needs will be met, and Iwill seek god's kingdom.
Did you want to say somethingright there?
I?
could okay, but here's what Iwant to say, because I didn't
(15:05):
want to run over somebody.
There's my little um, the oomph.
Somebody's starting theirmotorcycle.
God bless them and let'stogether say may they be safe
and may angels protect them asthey do that.
But here is this oomph, as youseek first the kingdom, what
does it actually mean to haveGod's kingdom in your life?
It's language that we don't usea lot, and so I would like to
(15:26):
speak about it for just a moment.
I want to tell you, or remindyou, whether you know it and
this is a reminder whether youdidn't know it every person has
a kingdom, and here's what akingdom is.
A kingdom is anywhere you haveinfluence.
What shoes did you choose thismorning to put on?
(15:49):
Regarding shoes, that was yourkingdom.
You put them on.
A kingdom is anywhere you havechoice, anywhere you have
influence, and so you can decidein your kingdom what kind of
kingdom this will be.
Will it be a kingdom ruled bylove?
Will it be a kingdom ruled byfear?
(16:10):
Will my choices be ruled byfear and scarcity, or will my
choices be ruled by the factthat God has said to me that I
belong, that everything willalready be provided and that
peace is available.
So before you listen to thisand say kingdom language I don't
know what that is.
That's a metaphor.
The kingdom is right now.
(16:30):
Jesus said this to us.
He said the kingdom is so closeto you, it's in your mouth.
Your choice is right here.
Your choice is what you say,what you do, whatever you have
choice over, whatever you haveinfluence over, that is your
kingdom.
So we pray during the week, wepray.
I hope that you pray every day.
May your kingdom come, may yourwill be done in our lives, even
(16:51):
as it is in heaven, on earth,even as it is in heaven.
So what you are actually prayingis not that God comes and
globally wipes over every empire, every politician, every
structure.
You're saying let your thoughtscome into my choices, let your
kingdom come into the way that Ilive.
I just want to ask you if wecould all imagine together is
(17:13):
there any hungry child in God'skingdom?
No, but there are hungrychildren all around us, and for
a horror.
And we, as the people of God,need to allow our minds to say
what would it look like for usto live in the world, to imagine
a world where no one is hungry,where no one goes to sleep at
(17:34):
night afraid.
This is the beauty of what theHoly Spirit does for us, but
this is what the text is tellingus.
In your kingdom, god hasprovision already there, but you
do have a kingdom.
Each one of us has an area ofinfluence over our choices and
over the choices of the peoplearound us when jesus was asked
(17:55):
to pray, this is the first thingthey said your kingdom come,
your will be done.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
And when you and I pray that, we're declaring that
his kingdom, his influence, hisdecision on what color the shoes
should be, and then we carrythat out, we put those shoes on,
so that means his kingdom come.
If I really believe that, and Ibelieve that his kingdom has no
hunger in it, then I'm going todo something about feeding.
I am going to be a part of it.
(18:22):
Oftentimes we say, well, yeah,that is a big thing, god, you
better do something about it.
And he says, yeah, I have aplan, and it involves you and
involves your kindness andinvolves your generosity, and so
that's where we often put thebrakes on.
And so I just want to challengeyou that that, again, we all
have a kingdom.
It's your way of thinking, it'syour way of doing.
Will you surrender that?
(18:44):
And that's what that prayer isabout.
When j Jesus is asked what topray, well, on a regular basis,
we need to pray your kingdomcome.
Because my kingdom has a lot ofinfluence in my life, my way
that I want things done.
I get so particular about theway that I want.
(19:04):
Heather and I were like lastnight we were repenting to all
old people Because it turns out9 or 10 o'clock is a good idea
to go to bed.
Sorry, we were wrong for allthose years when we were staying
up until 2 in the morning.
We're like this is a good idea,I like it.
So our kingdom is bowing toanother kingdom, amen.
(19:27):
And it's happening all the time, or we force ours on others and
so I wonder where is the check?
Who challenges you, questionsyour way of thinking or gives
you another thought Because,yeah, you paid for that car, you
paid insurance, you paid taxes,you paid for all that gas.
(19:47):
Yeah, it's your kingdom inthere, and your kingdom can come
, your will can be done, but itdoesn't turn out to be as
peaceful, as loving, astransformative to the world.
And so can we allow ourdecisions to bring the kingdom
of God to others?
Amen.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
So don't ever be afraid, dearest friends, your
loving Father joyously gives youhis kingdom realm with all of
its promises, and this takes forus a moment to imagine a father
who has everything and whoseonly joy is to give it to us.
God is not withholding.
Love does not withhold beloved.
Love gives, love gives.
(20:27):
Love does not insist on a wayof scarcity, but love is
generous in its giving, andthat's how God is with us.
And so Jesus confronts an ideathat we have that God is angry
and that God is parceling outthings, and if we ask for this,
then we won't be able to ask forthat and this idea of ask for
the beauty, ask for the kingdomto come, ask for peace, ask for
(20:51):
these things and then allow themto be in your life.
Your loving father joyouslygives you his kingdom realm with
all of its promises.
So the Holy Spirit here isactually confronting what is
your idea about God?
Is God a stern father who iswaiting to see if you're going
to do good with something, or isGod a loving father who is
(21:16):
joyful to give you every goodthing?
So now, now that you know thatthis is who God is, now that you
know that you are loved andpart of God's family.
Sell what you have and give tothose in need, making deposits
in your account in heaven, anaccount that will never be taken
from you.
Your gifts will become a secureand unfailing treasure
(21:40):
deposited in heaven forever.
And God is telling us abeautiful truth.
Jesus is showing us here's theway to train your heart.
Give something away and yourheart will be toward those
things.
And he's saying give it to thepoor.
Let your heart be for those whoare disadvantaged.
Let your heart be for thosewithout the privilege that you
(22:01):
yourself have.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
You know, that's oftentimes taught to us in
church, and I'd ask you toconsider a different perspective
, and maybe the idea was that,um, you know where your treasure
is.
Your heart is so obviously youknow where.
Where you're putting moneyshows that your heart isn't
right.
You know, uh, and and really I,it might very well be that
(22:25):
jesus has shown us as a way thatyou can direct your own heart,
that you can decide I'm going togive towards helping these
family members and watch yourheart change towards them, or
I'm going to give towards thechurch and watch my heart change
towards the feelings that youmight have.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
So there's maybe, maybe just a more beautiful side
to that scripture than maybe wehave been uh, uh, shown before
where you deposit your treasure,that is where your thoughts
will turn to and your heart willlong to be there also.
What a beautiful invitationinto another way of living.
(23:08):
When you live in scarcity, whenyou live in lack, when you live
holding on only to yourself,you are the only person your
heart is looking for.
And so this invitation is intogiving into generosity, is a way
to train ourselves to seeeveryone, to be one with our
brothers and sisters.
To practice this kind of livingis a way out of selfishness, is
(23:32):
a way out of self-centeredness,is a way out of isolation and a
way into community, a way intooneness, a way into the practice
of saying and doing.
Jesus talks about this manytimes.
It's not enough just to saysomething.
Where is the action?
In fact?
The next verse tells us thisthat there will be something.
(23:54):
It's great to say that you lovesomeone Dennis and I said we
loved each other 34 years ago,but if that's the last time we
ever said we loved each other orwe ever did anything to prove
that we loved each other, sowhen we say that we love the
world or we love God, then whatdoes it mean?
Jesus said whatever you didinto the least of these.
(24:16):
You've done it to me.
Speaker 2 (24:17):
So if you are a person who says I have received
good from God and I love God andI want to do something back,
then this is the practice for usto do good for each other, to
do good for those who have noone doing good for them, and to
practice this oneness you know,there, the, the oftentimes, the
things we're going to talk aboutand encourage you are are going
(24:38):
to be the practices, and so ifyou don't have things that you
were, um, you know, nathanielwas complaining getting out of
the truck yesterday because itwas leg day, and so here's this
young man who's getting in outof a truck and he's going oh, ah
, ah, ah.
(24:59):
But see, he has a trainingregiment that's forcing him for
some discomfort, for an end goalthat he wishes to have more
strength and be and be healthier, you know.
So there's these practices andwe can't, we can't wish our
spirituality in there, and sowe'll offer you practices, but
it still is is up to you toconsider them, uh, and and and
(25:23):
to to apply whatever ones wepause here for a moment to thank
you for joining us today.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
If you're finding this episode meaningful, would
you take a moment to share itwith a friend?
This podcast is made possiblethanks to the generosity of
people just like you.
If you would like to supportthe ongoing work of First Love
Church and the continued work ofour podcast, visit us online at
firstlovechurchorg, remindingyou to like, follow and
(25:52):
subscribe.
Speaker 2 (25:52):
And I felt like God really showed me that many of us
don't choose the good thing.
The thing that is right here islove that we can just love.
And you know, I got to tell youthat all my kids, for the next
two weeks, will be under thesame roof.
How many more times is thatgoing to happen in my life?
Hopefully a lot more.
(26:14):
Maybe a handful Right.
And so I was just sitting on thecouch and I was so tired, like
I'm just going to sit up andjust watch it, and I chose love.
Yeah, but you've got to get upand you've got to do stuff and
you've got to do this.
Well, if you don't get up andyou got to do stuff and you got
to do this Well, if you, if youdon't get good rest and this,
(26:36):
you know all fear.
Or I can choose it, or I canchoose love, and I and I just
want God to show you and me thisweek where am I, where are my
opportunities to choose love, tochoose God?
Or do I choose the illusion,the thing that's outside of God,
my own way of doing things, myown interests?
Am I preaching to anybody here?
Speaker 1 (26:59):
Jesus says here be prepared for action at a
moment's notice.
If shame and scarcity and fearare your starting point, then
this just could be a burden toyou.
Be prepared for action at amoment's notice is different,
when you know that you're lovedand when you're in love.
(27:19):
Jesus is reminding us to stayin love.
He goes on to explain it alittle bit further, but I remind
you that I hope that all of youhave had an experience sometime
where you've really lovedsomeone and when they've needed
you, even though your body mayhave been tired.
It was a joy.
I mean, some of us have hadexperiences with little babies.
(27:39):
Catherine's friend brought alittle tiny baby to our house
this weekend and I was remindedof how much they need and how
inconvenient they are and howthey ask for something at
inappropriate times and how allof these things.
And I want to tell you that itwas a joy to serve this little
(27:59):
baby because we all loved himand somehow we get in our minds
that we grow out of love or wefall out of love.
But there is a frequency in God.
There is a current, an fall outof love.
But there is a frequency in God.
There is a current, an eternalcurrent of love, that if we
choose to stay in that love,that we choose to be ready for
action, to love someone, to putour love into action, be like
(28:23):
the servants who anticipatetheir master's return from a
wedding celebration.
They are ready to unlock andopen the door for him at a
moment's notice.
Now, jesus is telling a storyhere, a parable, and he's
talking to people, and this istheir worldview, and this is
what's happened.
There are servants and thereare masters, and there are
people that are greater than youand there are people who are
(28:44):
less than, and Jesus is askingus, or inviting us to change
something or to be aware ofsomething that is possible.
They are ready to open the doorat a moment's notice.
What great joy is ahead for theawakened ones who are waiting
for the master's return.
And so he's reminding us thatyou have a choice to go to sleep
on the job or, if you can allowyourself by the spirit to be
(29:07):
awakened, allow your thoughts tobe awakened, allow the spirit
to bring you up.
There's a joy there that hehimself will become their
servant and wait on them at histable as he passes by, and all
of the people are going.
But that's not how it workswith masters and servants,
because they know cruel servantsand cruel masters.
(29:29):
And Jesus is saying there'sanother way to live in life and
to expect things.
And Jesus is explainingsomething about himself and
about God that when God shows up, God comes to serve us.
Jesus said I did not come, thatI would be served.
I came, that I would serve andI would give my life as a ransom
(29:50):
for many.
So when we are in love and whenwe are in the frequency of love
, and when we choose to alignourselves to spirit, we will be
people who respond out of love.
We don't look at someonesuffering and go.
I don't know what choice youmade.
We will do something about thesuffering of others.
We will do something about thegood that needs to be done and
(30:14):
we will quickly return to thegood.
He may appear at midnight oreven later, but what great joy
for the awakened ones wheneverhe comes.
This is joy beyond what theycould imagine, because they were
joyful to serve.
And now it says that thatmaster is going to come and he's
going to serve them at histable.
You see where I'm going withthis, because you know what we
(30:36):
do here in this church, right Atthe end of every service, we
celebrate Holy Communion, wecelebrate the mystery.
What great joy for them who areawakened to the idea that when
the master comes, he's going toserve them at his table.
Every time we gather togetherwe can be awakened into this
really holy, beautiful thought.
(30:57):
Of course, if they knew aheadof time the hour of the master's
appearing, they would be alert,just as they would be ready if
they knew ahead of time that athief was coming to break into
their house.
And Jesus is offering us thisinvitation of saying wake up.
Don't allow yourself to live onautopilot, don't allow yourself
(31:19):
just to trudge through the daywithout experiencing the world
around you, the Holy Spirit inyou.
This is an awareness, this a apractice in stillness to go.
How do I stay in the frequency,in the eternal current?
How do I stay awake to thethings of the spirit and not be
(31:40):
lulled by distraction?
This is a timeless wisdom forus to say.
How do I stay engaged and awake?
Speaker 2 (31:52):
You know, and I think that asking God for that
awareness, the other day I hadworked outside and I came in and
Heather said hey, you want tohelp me clean this kitchen?
And that's a loaded question.
But with my wife I have to bereal careful about the answer,
because the question was do youwant to help me with this?
(32:14):
And I will help you with thekitchen.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
But to ask me to want to clean the kitchen seems like
too much to ask it does notseem like too much to me, but my
wife interested in your thing,don't you want to, we'll say
well then, if you don't want tohelp, don't you know?
You don't have to.
Speaker 2 (32:31):
This is not and so I have to be real careful because
I want to help and I want, so Imight have to phrase that
sentence in a way that bothhonors truth but still doesn't
disappoint her.
And so so we cleaned thekitchen, and that turned into
quite a project, you know.
And about the time I finallythen got to my chair and plopped
(32:55):
down, I heard some rattling atthe front door.
That was locked and it wasraining outside, and that was
Nathaniel, and I love him, butsurely he would understand, but
surely he would understand that.
But there's something that wealways have this opportunity to
(33:17):
choose ourself or choose love,and God's not angry up in heaven
when you choose yourself.
But you miss the opportunity toascend in him, you miss the
opportunity to allow the spiritof God to bring a joy into your
home that wasn't there, to bringGod into the very midst.
(33:41):
And so I stood up out of thatseat and I ran over there, and
you it's for the person thatevery Sunday morning chooses a
young man to not stay out lateon a Saturday night, or, if he
does stay out late on a Saturdaynight, to still appear to be
awake enough to play drums, togive to our church faithfully
(34:04):
every week, like that, and I cansay, well, I better repay him.
No, I could never repay that,but if I am inspired by that
kind of love, that's whatempowers me.
There's one thing that at myhouse that's tricky.
All my sons are very good sonsand very helpful, but there's
one son that is the easiest toask to help and that is David.
(34:28):
David, since he was a smallchild.
If you say David, will you helpme?
He says how can I serve you,david, since he was a small
child.
If you say David, will you helpme?
He says how can I serve you?
How can I serve you, father?
It sounds like he's beingsarcastic.
Could someone really be thatkind Now?
The others, they'll help, but Imight get a monologue on what
(34:48):
they've done so far today.
That sounds a little likesomebody I know, doesn't it?
But David always does that, andso it's my joy when I find out
he needs something.
How, how can I serve you?
And I'm not trying to payingback, but his light has
(35:09):
illuminated my path.
Amen, it's making me a betterhuman being, because I cannot
hear that and not be changed byit.
It's too good, it's too much ofGod, amen, and so let a love
inspire us to rise up out of ourseat and be so gracious as to
(35:31):
unlock a front door.
How noble is your pastorbecoming?
How Christ-like?
I'm going to levitate in aminute here.
I'm not patting myself on theback, I'm just using examples of
how we can be different.
It's my house, by God.
I pay the bills.
I deserve to sit here.
Well, yeah, I mean, you canjustify, justify anything, but
(35:53):
you know what's right.
This is to get up out of ourseat and to love those people
around us and to serve them.
Amen, and those are practicesand we may not get it right.
And so what do you do when yousteal?
Sit around in shame for weeksand weeks.
Speaker 1 (36:10):
don't, just, don't do it anymore, just don't do it
anymore.
Speaker 2 (36:13):
If you mess up this week on this goal of being
loving and choosing love, thenjust go well.
Speaker 1 (36:20):
The universe is generous and will give you
another chance to love again,hopefully, or to try these kind
of beauties.
Speaker 2 (36:26):
My daughter lives in Paris, got her boyfriend here.
I hope you guys meet him.
Lives in Paris, got herboyfriend here.
I hope you guys meet him.
Speaker 1 (36:35):
He's an amazing person and so I'm 252, three
days on Duolingo, which is anapp for learning French.
Speaker 2 (36:42):
Yeah, and I'm learning French and I just know
nothing.
I'm trying so hard.
But one thing it says to me,because I make a lot of mistakes
on it it goes even when youmake a mistake, you're still
learning.
And I just wish that wouldflash up when I yell at somebody
in traffic.
All week long I've beenpreaching to the church about
(37:03):
this.
That one person, well, you knowwhat?
I do believe that from thebottom of my heart, even though
you made a mistake, you're stilllearning.
And what do we do?
Feel shame about it for weeksand weeks.
Or can we just choose the nexttime?
Speaker 1 (37:19):
choose good, choose god, choose love we've been
talking a little bit about.
You just mentioned david and itreminded me of something that
happened when he was very smalland I have his permission to
share it.
Um, there are many things thatI could share and stories that I
could share about David, but hewas little enough for me to
actually be picking him up outof a car seat and car seats are
(37:40):
cumbersome and they are helpfulbut so I was lifting him up out
of the car seat and he was ableto walk and he was having
conversation with me, but I waslifting him out of the car seat
to put him on the ground and hegoes do you know what I do when
I'm looking out the window?
And he would stare out thewindow for a very long time in
the car when he was little andI'd be like no, I don't know
(38:00):
what you do.
And David would always approachme with theological
conversations when I didn't wantto have them, and children will
do that to you, like I'm sure Iwas going in the house where
there were other people, therewas groceries, but he stopped,
and so then I stopped and hesaid you know what I do when I
look out the window or when I'min the shopping cart.
In the shopping cart isimportant for us to remember too
he's actually in the front seatof the shopping cart when I
(38:21):
look out the window, when I'm inthe shopping cart and I said,
no, what do you?
Good?
And then he goes, and then Isay to myself, I love you.
And then I started repenting.
I just got down.
I'm like I would like to givemy life to Christ, because my
tiny child reminds me of what Ineed to do when I stand in the
(38:44):
presence of someone else is toopen my heart to them.
I love you.
See, as we get older, we haveall these prejudices and all
these judgments and all thesereasons, and we have things that
we are not even aware.
When's the last time you lookedat someone that you didn't know
in the eyes and in your ownheart?
(39:04):
You opened it up to them andsaid I love you.
Speaker 2 (39:07):
I remember him being very young like that, and he
said I ask God something alongthe lines of I ask him to show
me how I can love this person,and it's everyone I see.
Speaker 1 (39:19):
That was one of his superpowers.
Speaker 2 (39:20):
Yeah, that's what it was, Because he said he'll ask
you those questions too.
What superpower would you haveif you had any superpower?
And I'm like invisibility, ofcourse, why not.
What else is there?
And then he'll go and I'm likeinvisibility, of course, why not
?
You know what I mean?
What else is there?
And then he'd go.
Mine is to love people, nomatter what, and I'm like I
(39:41):
missed that one.
This is better than invisible.
That was a way better choice.
Pastor really missed that one.
Speaker 1 (39:48):
We bring these little stories up and their wisdom is
eternal.
Yeah, what would it look likefor us to practice being aware
of the people right in front ofus or around us and saying I
could love you.
I choose to love you.
I allow the light of Christ inme to be the light in you.
And maybe that's how, the nexttime someone asks you for
(40:09):
something, you can say how can Iserve?
Because love motivates us.
Love is a energy, love issomething right in front of us.
And Jesus says to his friends sokeep alert.
What does that mean?
Keep alert?
It means that you might getdrowsy.
It means that you might bereally tired.
It means that you might justdisengage from real life and
(40:32):
come into the illusion or intodistraction.
And Jesus is saying be ready atall times.
Only love can give you theenergy to be ready at all times.
Only love can make you wake upin the middle of the night or
interrupt you and still bringyou joy.
And it says I can promise youthat the Son of man will
(40:54):
surprise you.
When is the last time youcontemplated how Jesus was going
to surprise you?
Jesus said this of himself he'sgoing to appear when you don't
expect him?
What does it look like for usto understand that Jesus'
(41:17):
appearances is an invitationinto living life fully awake,
and there are practices that wecan do to stay engaged in the
spirit, to stay engaged in thisidea of ascension and of another
way of living that Jesus offersus.
Speaker 2 (41:36):
You know, even reframing this verse to not be
well.
When you least expect it, he'sgoing to come up and catch you
doing something wrong, like thatbumper sticker.
Jesus is coming act busy.
What about the idea that Jesuswill come when you least expect
it to empower you to do what youcan't do, when you're in that
(41:56):
place of vulnerability, whenyou're not even expecting God to
be able to empower you and helpyou?
I've seen that so many times inmy life, when I literally feel
like I'm down to zero hope, atthe very end of the rope, and
that's when he comes, not to go.
Look at you at the end of therope again, rope dangler.
That's where I always catch you.
(42:17):
I'm going to nickname youPerson that constantly gets
yourself in trouble.
No, he's there to pick us upand bring us into grace and
abundance, safety.
You know blessing, and so Iwonder if we could just just
reframe the gift that is givento us and the opportunities that
we have here, and I think thatthat inspires and brings joy and
(42:40):
and and for us to.
To just consider that idea thatbe instant, in season and out
of season, that I'd be ready atall times.
Well, that that's easier saidthan done if I have to do all
the preparation.
The only person I know is readyfor the beach is Catherine.
She has everything already inthe purse and ready and I'm
(43:05):
driving there and I have to stopat Walmart every time we go to
the beach.
It's a good thing there's oneby the beach, but it's not the
promise that you have to thebeach.
Good thing there's one by thebeach, but it's not the promise
that you have to be ready.
It's the promise that God willempower you and do in you what
you can't do in your ownstrength.
Amen.
Speaker 1 (43:25):
There are practices that all of us are invited into,
and this is what it means to bea person who is devoted to the
living like Jesus did, to bedevoted to the living like Jesus
did, to be devoted to thepractices that Jesus had.
And Jesus was a man devoted toprayer and devoted to stillness
and devoted to the meditation.
And it is one of the thingsthat Pastor Dennis is going to
(43:47):
start for us a series onWednesday nights on learning how
to still ourselves, learningthe quiet practice of meditation
and contemplation, and learninghow to prepare ourselves.
Just as this verse says bealert, be ready at all times.
Catherine and I since she's here, I'm going to talk about her a
(44:09):
little bit more but we were inOklahoma and we were on a short
trip and someone introducedthemselves to us and they had a
young person with them and theysaid thank you so much for
meeting them.
We were meeting them and thisyoung person got dragged along.
It wasn't even their child, butit got dragged along to this
boring meeting and it was theirbirthday.
(44:30):
Did you ever not want to dosomething on your birthday,
especially if you're like 11 andit was their birthday?
Did you ever not want to dosomething on your birthday,
especially if you're like 11.
Anyway, this little person wasthere and within 10 minutes,
catherine had for that person acupcake and she had a banner and
a crown and it had a candle.
And this other person wasastonished and said you didn't
(44:53):
even know this person so youcouldn't have known it was their
birthday.
And she says I'm ready for acandle.
And this other person wasastonished and said you didn't
even know this person so youcouldn't have known it was their
birthday.
And she says I'm ready for acelebration.
She had it in her car, in a bag.
The candle she got from thecafeteria not the candle, the
cake, that wasn't old, buteverything else was prepared for
a celebration.
That is Holy Communion, beloved.
Every week Jesus is prepared,there's the feast, the master's
(45:18):
coming, you're loved, and whatdoes it look like for us to
always be prepared for acelebration?
Now, maybe you'll keep a bannerand a crown.
And let me tell you the look onthis 11 year old face when she
was at this board meeting.
Now, all of a sudden, she waswearing a crown and a banner.
That's good news, beloved.
You can very ugly meeting ifyou have a banner on and a crown
.
What does it look like for allof us to say what does the world
need now?
A celebration Remindingeveryone?
(45:39):
We're at the table and themaster is coming to serve us and
love is there.
So what does it look like forall of us to not just, you know,
load up our car with partysupplies, but to live our lives,
willing to say where car withparty supplies, but to live our
(46:00):
lives, willing to say where isthe joy and how can I be a part
of it?
Where is the pain and how can Ibring healing?
Where is the suffering and howcan I attend and where is the
spirit leading us into life thatis full?
Jesus said I've come, that youwould have life and have it to
the full.
There is an invitation for allof us.
There is a practice that we doevery week, that we reorient
ourselves toward feasting, wereorient ourselves toward
(46:23):
wholeness and together, when wepractice Holy Communion, we
enter into a mystery.
We enter into a place where wesay we will allow the master to
serve us.
We are awake and it is joy.
Speaker 2 (46:39):
It is joy that brings us into the presence of love
you know, for for years, um, uh,in, in in a small way, I think
I've like resented my children,because I've watched Heather so
consistently pick up after themand do the dishes and make the
(47:04):
meals and help the laundrywhenever she can, and just all
this stuff.
I'm like, well, they can learn.
They can learn, and not thatthey don't do wonderful things
around the house.
But I'm just saying that thatthis effort of love has done
something to my heart, thatinstead of all those years of
(47:31):
trying to yell at somebody, getthem to do something different,
the whole time, really the onlyperson in the house that really
needed to change was me and uhand so so now you know, you know
I'm picking up the, the dishtowel way more, you know, than I
ever did, you know, and andjust finding that place to serve
(47:52):
and because how long will Ihave the kids in the house
anyway?
Right, in the scheme of things,you know, it goes by so fast
and it's like this is really aprivilege and I'm seeing it as
so and I think to myself thatway of being a mother, that kind
(48:21):
of love.
I didn't understand it, maybeas a man, or just me personally
and my issues.
But as I saw it, I wanted toreject it, I wanted to correct
it, I wanted to.
But as I got on board, I see itas the love of god and I see it
as that example of howleadership would not be served
(48:47):
but would serve, and how that,at the end of the day, it wasn't
about what I got them to do.
It's about what we can teach,what we can reveal to our family
and to the world.
We miss many of us through thinkwe got good logic and
(49:13):
justification for why we need tocorrect these kids and do this
and do that, or the people atwork or whatever, when the real
power is in loving and servinglike Christ.
I know this is not a popularmessage, but we're getting ready
to go to communion now andwe're going to the master, and
(49:34):
we're not required to go tocommunion now.
And we're going to the masterand we're not required to crawl
on our knees, we're not requiredto do some kind of you know,
chant hours long in order toearn some place of forgiveness.
But all of the forgiveness, allthe heavy lifting has been done
by our God and we're invited tothis table, the table where
(49:57):
we're not serving, but we'reserved.
And now, if I could wishanything for you and me, it'd be
that we would leave this tableand go out and be a reflection
of Christ.
And what would that reflectionbe?
That we would leave this tableand go out and be a reflection
of Christ.
And what would that reflectionbe?
Beating them over the head withthe Bible telling them what
(50:18):
they're doing wrong.
No, don't shake your head.
Yes to that.
That was the wrong part.
Oh, that we would just.
We would love and serve withwhatever breath we have left in
our body.
Speaker 1 (50:31):
Would you pray with us this morning?
God who is love?
All-loving God, merciful God,may your spirit open the eyes of
our understanding.
May we see you, and may it bewith delight that we look for
(50:55):
you in unexpected places.
For all of the needs that wehave, we ask you to supply, for
all of the harm that we havedone.
We ask you to forgive us Forthe harm that we have done.
We ask you to forgive us Forthe harm that we have felt.
(51:16):
We ask you to forgive them.
We thank you for the peace thatwe will meet together at this
communion table, for the gracethat will be given to us, and we
thank you for the opportunityto enter into the mystery of
your love.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, may you change the way that we
(51:44):
think and may you allow us tosee as Jesus sees.
We hope you've enjoyed thisweek's sermon.
If you would like moreinformation about us, visit us
online at firstlovechurchorg.
Welcome to the First Love Church podcast.
This is a collection of Sundayteachings inspired by the
Revised Common Lectionary andrecorded weekly in Ocala,
Florida.
It's with a lot of gladness andjoy that we greet you this
morning.
It's a good day to be in thehouse of the Lord.
It is a good day to be in thepresence of the other, in the
presence of love and in thepresence of Christian fellowship
(00:24):
.
The Christ in us greets thismorning.
The Christ in you, and we aregrateful for your presence here
this morning.
For those of you that areonline and joining us, thank you
.
Your presence means a lot to us.
For those of you that were herethis morning in person, we're
grateful that you were here alsobecause you got to hear
Catherine sing this morning.
That was a little gift to youthis morning.
(00:45):
You are welcome.
You'll have to check with who tothank.
In that, I thank God for all ofthe goodness that it is, and
just a reminder that we areloved and cared for.
And so this morning I bless youfrom the heart of God.
You are loved, just as you arewhole and complete.
(01:09):
You are loved and you arewelcomed in the house of God.
This morning, from Ecclesiastes, chapter 10, there is a warning
for us, a warning for you, awarning for the world.
I remind you that the book ofEcclesiastes was written
centuries ago and this wisdom isdon't long for the good old
(01:29):
days, pay attention, stay in thepresent.
In some translations of thisverse it says that wisdom would
never ask that question andwisdom would never tell you to
long for what is past.
Find the good now.
Find the present now.
Find God now.
We are so grateful that you arehere.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Yeah, you don't want to talk a little bit about that.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
It's coming up.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Okay, because we've had some conversations all week
long.
Well, you go ahead and say it,you just flew right by that, I
know because we're coming up tosome things We've got to you
want to build a.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
I want to build.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
It's almost the bridge that I don't like.
I should have showed up forrehearsal.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Yeah, well, that's fine.
Say what you'd like to sayabout it, though.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Well, it's all good, I'll wait, oh, okay.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
It's just brewing.
So we're building on this.
I'm learning how to celebrateit with you.
Oh, I'm grateful in yourpresence this morning and I want
you to read the scripture withus.
I remind you that we are in theseason of Pentecost and in this
(02:36):
season, together, we arepracticing attuning our souls,
attuning our spirits to the HolySpirit, god's own spirit, the
spirit that is transforming, thespirit that is full of miracles
, and so I remind you thismorning that miracles are
available for you because God isavailable to you, and God is
(02:57):
miraculous and love cantransform anything.
So listen to the power of thisparticular portion of scripture
to all of us this morning as weread together.
Listen for the words of theSpirit and then listen for the
hope of what the Spirit canaccomplish in all of us.
Verse 28.
(03:17):
If any one of you has stolenfrom someone else, never do it
again.
I want us all to read thistogether, and I like you to pay
attention to the fact.
It's very easy If you've stolen, just don't do it again.
Don't make your life aboutshame.
Don't do it again.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
This is.
You know whatever it is, butthis is the truth of God's word
to us.
If any one of you has stolenfrom someone else, from someone
else, never do it again.
Instead, be industrious,earning an honest living, and
then you'll have enough to blessthose in need.
We're going to have to waitthere for a minute.
(03:56):
Talk amongst you.
Go ahead and honor that it lostit.
No that's not this beautifulportion of scripture, and I'm
going to get back the text here.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
I think it was going to go rest.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
You will have enough to bless those in need.
Let that settle in your heart.
That is why we have anything,so that we can bless those in
need and never let ugly orhateful words come from your
mouth.
Whoopsie daisy, whoopsie daisy.
Let's just ask the Lordtogether right now Father,
forgive us, for we have sinned,and now we are reminded by the
(04:36):
power of the Holy Spirit.
Ugly and hateful words are notfrom the Spirit of God.
We abide no hatred, buttogether we're going to read 29.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Are not from the spirit of god, we abide no
hatred, but together we're goingto read 29.
I'd like to stop here before weread 29 and just ask you to
consider that maybe we've readthis verse, or verses like it, a
hundred times and then we'relike, okay, yeah, I gotta, I
gotta do some languagemodification.
And I'd ask you how well hasthat been going for you?
How well has that?
And I'd ask you, how well hasthat been going for you?
How well has that approach tonot letting ugly words come out
(05:07):
of your mouth, how well has thatworked?
And I would ask that you'd maybeask the Spirit of God to change
your thinking, to change yourthoughts, to change the way that
you look at things, becausethere was a time when and it's
(05:32):
not my so distant past thattraffic could really enrage me,
but that, you know the spirit ofgod began to ask me the simple
question do you really thinkthat person left their house and
their goal was to get right infront of you so they could drive
in a way that you consider iswrong or stupid, or dumb or
inefficient, at the very least,and they did it all to provoke
(05:53):
you out of anger?
Well, when we and you'reshaking your head?
Yes, and hopefully humorily.
Otherwise we'll just form aprayer circle around all of us.
But the truth is, because we dothink that then we become angry
and all the oh, I've got to makesure I don't call them a stupid
idiot Like Heather would reallyhelp me for many years.
(06:17):
She would say that's a child ofGod and I'd go bless that child
of God as they drive around inignorance and stupid, terrible.
And so I just added the childof God, as they drive around in
ignorance and stupid, terrible.
And so I just added this, thechild of God, to the insult,
because the still the judgmentwas there based on my thinking.
But imagine if you could, justwhat freedom would that bring
you?
Because that person stilldrives away completely oblivious
(06:39):
, that they've ruined your dayso that now you gave them that
power.
And now there's a frustrationin you and the whole family
feels uncomfortable, maybe evenunsafe, as you now start driving
and pushing the limits of yourcar's actual ability to function
.
All because we allowedourselves a way of thinking and
(07:02):
the Spirit of God is offering us, over and over, a new way of
thinking.
I can tell you, story afterstory in just this week, how I'm
looking back.
You know I can't believe you'vechosen to drive that way, but I
refuse to let that provoke meand ruin my time with my
children, with my family, inthis car, making everyone feel
(07:26):
unsafe because I want to rageout at somebody because of the
way that I'm thinking.
Is anyone with me?
Or are you all just mad at menow for messing with your
sanctuary?
Your car is your sanctuary.
You don't want me to mess withthat, but what if it really
could be a place of true peace?
We have to change the way wethink, don't we?
Speaker 1 (07:46):
And never let ugly or hateful words come from your
mouth, but instead let yourwords become beautiful gifts
that encourage others to this,by speaking words of grace to
help them.
We're going to read thistogether.
Then we're going to the nextverse and we're going to read
that together and we're going tolet these words challenge us.
We're going to read thistogether.
Then we're going to the nextverse and we're going to read
that together.
We're going to let these wordschallenge us.
(08:07):
We're going to allow the HolySpirit to let us reimagine what
it would be like that we wouldhave understanding that we would
agree with Jesus's prayer, thatwe would be one Even in traffic
.
The person ahead of you inanother car is one with you
because we are in Christ.
Never let ugly or hateful wordscome from your mouth, but
(08:28):
instead let your words becomebeautiful gifts that encourage
others to do this, by speakingwords of grace to help them.
The Holy Spirit of God hassealed you in Jesus Christ until
you experience your fullsalvation.
(08:48):
So never grieve the Spirit ofGod, nor take for granted his
holy influence in your life.
Lay aside bitter words, tempertantrums, revenge, profanity and
insults, but instead be kindand affectionate toward one
(09:10):
another.
Has God graciously forgiven you, then graciously forgive one
another in the depths ofChrist's love, amen.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
I would venture to say that when we do get mad and
rage at people for the thingsthat we do, it's because in our
mind we've forgotten of whatwe've been forgiven of.
But if we could keep that typeof thing in our mind, then all
of a sudden we are just thebearers of grace and kindness,
because we were reminded thatwe're existing because of it.
(09:43):
Amen.
So let's really do, let Godchallenge us and change our mind
in some areas, because the waythat we've been thinking is the
reason why we're in some of theruts that we're in, that we're
trapped in some of the placesthat we are, and God is offering
this way of escape.
But we have to be willing tosurrender to a new way, amen.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
Amen.
I'm grateful this morning thatthis season of Pentecost allows
for us the practice of learningto attune our souls to the voice
of the Spirit.
And in those previous words, itreminds us what the voice of
the Spirit sounds like.
It's tender, it's gentle, it'sloving, it's patient.
(10:28):
And so when our words do notsound like that, we need to
remind ourselves oh, I need tomaybe adjust this or listen to
what the Spirit would say aboutthis.
I remind you that in thoseprevious verses it also did not
include any shame.
You are not shamed because youdid that, just do something
different.
And here's the power of theSpirit to change the way that we
(10:50):
think about things, totransform the way that we
understand things and how we seethe world.
And so this morning we go toLuke's gospel.
It's taking the heels on theportion of scripture that we
read last week.
Jesus was telling us a parable,a story about a man who had so
much stuff he had to buildbigger barns, or thought he did
(11:12):
so that he could do what hewanted and live a life for
himself.
And Jesus confronted him andsaid you're foolish if you think
that you are promised tomorrow.
Today, your life is demanded ofyou.
And so this understanding, thischange of thought that we are
not in charge of our destinies,that there is a gift of life
(11:34):
that we are invited into, I wantto just interject that you've
hit upon something a coupletimes.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
There's not shame in the way that God corrects us,
and so if you have a frameworkin your mind about your
relationship with God that issurrounded by shame, I would
challenge you to maybe considerthat maybe somewhere along the
line you've fallen into some badteaching or you've decided for
yourself and made someagreements with some things that
(12:02):
are just out of whack and madesome agreements with some things
that are just out of whack, andI really just want you to see
that it's going to take effortfor all of us, because there are
, I think, really woven withinreligion and I use religion as
that term to mean about God, butwithout God, because the Spirit
of God brings joy and sometimespeople are just drudging it out
(12:22):
in their spirituality, and it'sreally not spirituality without
God, because the spirit of Godbrings joy and sometimes people
are just dredging it out intheir spirituality, and it's
really not spirituality, it'sjust some kind of a religious
form.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
If God can clothe the fields and the meadows with
grass and flowers, can't heclothe you as well?
Oh, struggling one with so manydoubts, I repeat it Don't let
worry enter your life.
And when I read that I was like, well, it's too late, now it's
already there.
Well, what do we do when theworry has already entered the
(12:54):
life and the worry is now rulingthe life?
What do you do then?
Where's our way of escape?
Now and again, these are thewords of Jesus.
And why, every week, do we cometogether and remind ourselves
of the words of Jesus?
Because Jesus is saying to allof us, the humanity of Jesus is
saying this is what it means tolive in this world.
If we just look at how thingsare and we don't allow the
Spirit of God to bring us to ahigher way of thinking, we will
(13:18):
worry.
It's part of our human natureand Jesus is offering us a way
to live higher, to return to thegood.
Don't let worry enter your lives.
Live above the anxious caresabout your personal needs.
And this is where theinvitation of the teaching of
Jesus brings us into.
How do we love the world well?
(13:38):
How do we love ourselves well?
We ask these things and Jesusgives us beautiful answers.
People everywhere seem to worryabout making a living, but your
heavenly father knows your everyneed and will take care of you.
And here Jesus is offering us areparenting when our earthly
(13:59):
fathers and mothers have failedus.
Jesus is saying I remind youthat you have eternal parents
who love you and who have goodplanned for you, and so you are
not disadvantaged because youhave a person who, in their
humanity and in an illusion,failed you.
Jesus is reminding you youbelong to the human family, you
(14:21):
belong to a global family ofpeople, and God has good for us
Each and every day.
He will supply your needs asyou seek his kingdom
passionately, above all else,and this is the invitation.
In another translation it saysseek first the kingdom, and all
of these things will be addedunto you.
Sometimes we know that verseand we know it so well it no
(14:45):
longer affects the way that welive, and it's a language
sometimes that we don't use inour everyday vernacular.
And so this understanding thatmy needs, a deep knowing for us,
my needs will be met, and Iwill seek god's kingdom.
Did you want to say somethingright there?
I?
could okay, but here's what Iwant to say, because I didn't
(15:05):
want to run over somebody.
There's my little um, the oomph.
Somebody's starting theirmotorcycle.
God bless them and let'stogether say may they be safe
and may angels protect them asthey do that.
But here is this oomph, as youseek first the kingdom, what
does it actually mean to haveGod's kingdom in your life?
It's language that we don't usea lot, and so I would like to
(15:26):
speak about it for just a moment.
I want to tell you, or remindyou, whether you know it and
this is a reminder whether youdidn't know it every person has
a kingdom, and here's what akingdom is.
A kingdom is anywhere you haveinfluence.
What shoes did you choose thismorning to put on?
(15:49):
Regarding shoes, that was yourkingdom.
You put them on.
A kingdom is anywhere you havechoice, anywhere you have
influence, and so you can decidein your kingdom what kind of
kingdom this will be.
Will it be a kingdom ruled bylove?
Will it be a kingdom ruled byfear?
(16:10):
Will my choices be ruled byfear and scarcity, or will my
choices be ruled by the factthat God has said to me that I
belong, that everything willalready be provided and that
peace is available.
So before you listen to thisand say kingdom language I don't
know what that is.
That's a metaphor.
The kingdom is right now.
(16:30):
Jesus said this to us.
He said the kingdom is so closeto you, it's in your mouth.
Your choice is right here.
Your choice is what you say,what you do, whatever you have
choice over, whatever you haveinfluence over, that is your
kingdom.
So we pray during the week, wepray.
I hope that you pray every day.
May your kingdom come, may yourwill be done in our lives, even
(16:51):
as it is in heaven, on earth,even as it is in heaven.
So what you are actually prayingis not that God comes and
globally wipes over every empire, every politician, every
structure.
You're saying let your thoughtscome into my choices, let your
kingdom come into the way that Ilive.
I just want to ask you if wecould all imagine together is
(17:13):
there any hungry child in God'skingdom?
No, but there are hungrychildren all around us, and for
a horror.
And we, as the people of God,need to allow our minds to say
what would it look like for usto live in the world, to imagine
a world where no one is hungry,where no one goes to sleep at
(17:34):
night afraid.
This is the beauty of what theHoly Spirit does for us, but
this is what the text is tellingus.
In your kingdom, god hasprovision already there, but you
do have a kingdom.
Each one of us has an area ofinfluence over our choices and
over the choices of the peoplearound us when jesus was asked
(17:55):
to pray, this is the first thingthey said your kingdom come,
your will be done.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
And when you and I pray that, we're declaring that
his kingdom, his influence, hisdecision on what color the shoes
should be, and then we carrythat out, we put those shoes on,
so that means his kingdom come.
If I really believe that, and Ibelieve that his kingdom has no
hunger in it, then I'm going todo something about feeding.
I am going to be a part of it.
(18:22):
Oftentimes we say, well, yeah,that is a big thing, god, you
better do something about it.
And he says, yeah, I have aplan, and it involves you and
involves your kindness andinvolves your generosity, and so
that's where we often put thebrakes on.
And so I just want to challengeyou that that, again, we all
have a kingdom.
It's your way of thinking, it'syour way of doing.
Will you surrender that?
(18:44):
And that's what that prayer isabout.
When j Jesus is asked what topray, well, on a regular basis,
we need to pray your kingdomcome.
Because my kingdom has a lot ofinfluence in my life, my way
that I want things done.
I get so particular about theway that I want.
(19:04):
Heather and I were like lastnight we were repenting to all
old people Because it turns out9 or 10 o'clock is a good idea
to go to bed.
Sorry, we were wrong for allthose years when we were staying
up until 2 in the morning.
We're like this is a good idea,I like it.
So our kingdom is bowing toanother kingdom, amen.
(19:27):
And it's happening all the time, or we force ours on others and
so I wonder where is the check?
Who challenges you, questionsyour way of thinking or gives
you another thought Because,yeah, you paid for that car, you
paid insurance, you paid taxes,you paid for all that gas.
(19:47):
Yeah, it's your kingdom inthere, and your kingdom can come
, your will can be done, but itdoesn't turn out to be as
peaceful, as loving, astransformative to the world.
And so can we allow ourdecisions to bring the kingdom
of God to others?
Amen.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
So don't ever be afraid, dearest friends, your
loving Father joyously gives youhis kingdom realm with all of
its promises, and this takes forus a moment to imagine a father
who has everything and whoseonly joy is to give it to us.
God is not withholding.
Love does not withhold beloved.
Love gives, love gives.
(20:27):
Love does not insist on a wayof scarcity, but love is
generous in its giving, andthat's how God is with us.
And so Jesus confronts an ideathat we have that God is angry
and that God is parceling outthings, and if we ask for this,
then we won't be able to ask forthat and this idea of ask for
the beauty, ask for the kingdomto come, ask for peace, ask for
(20:51):
these things and then allow themto be in your life.
Your loving father joyouslygives you his kingdom realm with
all of its promises.
So the Holy Spirit here isactually confronting what is
your idea about God?
Is God a stern father who iswaiting to see if you're going
to do good with something, or isGod a loving father who is
(21:16):
joyful to give you every goodthing?
So now, now that you know thatthis is who God is, now that you
know that you are loved andpart of God's family.
Sell what you have and give tothose in need, making deposits
in your account in heaven, anaccount that will never be taken
from you.
Your gifts will become a secureand unfailing treasure
(21:40):
deposited in heaven forever.
And God is telling us abeautiful truth.
Jesus is showing us here's theway to train your heart.
Give something away and yourheart will be toward those
things.
And he's saying give it to thepoor.
Let your heart be for those whoare disadvantaged.
Let your heart be for thosewithout the privilege that you
(22:01):
yourself have.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
You know, that's oftentimes taught to us in
church, and I'd ask you toconsider a different perspective
, and maybe the idea was that,um, you know where your treasure
is.
Your heart is so obviously youknow where.
Where you're putting moneyshows that your heart isn't
right.
You know, uh, and and really I,it might very well be that
(22:25):
jesus has shown us as a way thatyou can direct your own heart,
that you can decide I'm going togive towards helping these
family members and watch yourheart change towards them, or
I'm going to give towards thechurch and watch my heart change
towards the feelings that youmight have.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
So there's maybe, maybe just a more beautiful side
to that scripture than maybe wehave been uh, uh, shown before
where you deposit your treasure,that is where your thoughts
will turn to and your heart willlong to be there also.
What a beautiful invitationinto another way of living.
(23:08):
When you live in scarcity, whenyou live in lack, when you live
holding on only to yourself,you are the only person your
heart is looking for.
And so this invitation is intogiving into generosity, is a way
to train ourselves to seeeveryone, to be one with our
brothers and sisters.
To practice this kind of livingis a way out of selfishness, is
(23:32):
a way out of self-centeredness,is a way out of isolation and a
way into community, a way intooneness, a way into the practice
of saying and doing.
Jesus talks about this manytimes.
It's not enough just to saysomething.
Where is the action?
In fact?
The next verse tells us thisthat there will be something.
(23:54):
It's great to say that you lovesomeone Dennis and I said we
loved each other 34 years ago,but if that's the last time we
ever said we loved each other orwe ever did anything to prove
that we loved each other, sowhen we say that we love the
world or we love God, then whatdoes it mean?
Jesus said whatever you didinto the least of these.
(24:16):
You've done it to me.
Speaker 2 (24:17):
So if you are a person who says I have received
good from God and I love God andI want to do something back,
then this is the practice for usto do good for each other, to
do good for those who have noone doing good for them, and to
practice this oneness you know,there, the, the oftentimes, the
things we're going to talk aboutand encourage you are are going
(24:38):
to be the practices, and so ifyou don't have things that you
were, um, you know, nathanielwas complaining getting out of
the truck yesterday because itwas leg day, and so here's this
young man who's getting in outof a truck and he's going oh, ah
, ah, ah.
(24:59):
But see, he has a trainingregiment that's forcing him for
some discomfort, for an end goalthat he wishes to have more
strength and be and be healthier, you know.
So there's these practices andwe can't, we can't wish our
spirituality in there, and sowe'll offer you practices, but
it still is is up to you toconsider them, uh, and and and
(25:23):
to to apply whatever ones wepause here for a moment to thank
you for joining us today.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
If you're finding this episode meaningful, would
you take a moment to share itwith a friend?
This podcast is made possiblethanks to the generosity of
people just like you.
If you would like to supportthe ongoing work of First Love
Church and the continued work ofour podcast, visit us online at
firstlovechurchorg, remindingyou to like, follow and
(25:52):
subscribe.
Speaker 2 (25:52):
And I felt like God really showed me that many of us
don't choose the good thing.
The thing that is right here islove that we can just love.
And you know, I got to tell youthat all my kids, for the next
two weeks, will be under thesame roof.
How many more times is thatgoing to happen in my life?
Hopefully a lot more.
(26:14):
Maybe a handful Right.
And so I was just sitting on thecouch and I was so tired, like
I'm just going to sit up andjust watch it, and I chose love.
Yeah, but you've got to get upand you've got to do stuff and
you've got to do this.
Well, if you don't get up andyou got to do stuff and you got
to do this Well, if you, if youdon't get good rest and this,
(26:36):
you know all fear.
Or I can choose it, or I canchoose love, and I and I just
want God to show you and me thisweek where am I, where are my
opportunities to choose love, tochoose God?
Or do I choose the illusion,the thing that's outside of God,
my own way of doing things, myown interests?
Am I preaching to anybody here?
Speaker 1 (26:59):
Jesus says here be prepared for action at a
moment's notice.
If shame and scarcity and fearare your starting point, then
this just could be a burden toyou.
Be prepared for action at amoment's notice is different,
when you know that you're lovedand when you're in love.
(27:19):
Jesus is reminding us to stayin love.
He goes on to explain it alittle bit further, but I remind
you that I hope that all of youhave had an experience sometime
where you've really lovedsomeone and when they've needed
you, even though your body mayhave been tired.
It was a joy.
I mean, some of us have hadexperiences with little babies.
(27:39):
Catherine's friend brought alittle tiny baby to our house
this weekend and I was remindedof how much they need and how
inconvenient they are and howthey ask for something at
inappropriate times and how allof these things.
And I want to tell you that itwas a joy to serve this little
(27:59):
baby because we all loved himand somehow we get in our minds
that we grow out of love or wefall out of love.
But there is a frequency in God.
There is a current, an fall outof love.
But there is a frequency in God.
There is a current, an eternalcurrent of love, that if we
choose to stay in that love,that we choose to be ready for
action, to love someone, to putour love into action, be like
(28:23):
the servants who anticipatetheir master's return from a
wedding celebration.
They are ready to unlock andopen the door for him at a
moment's notice.
Now, jesus is telling a storyhere, a parable, and he's
talking to people, and this istheir worldview, and this is
what's happened.
There are servants and thereare masters, and there are
people that are greater than youand there are people who are
(28:44):
less than, and Jesus is askingus, or inviting us to change
something or to be aware ofsomething that is possible.
They are ready to open the doorat a moment's notice.
What great joy is ahead for theawakened ones who are waiting
for the master's return.
And so he's reminding us thatyou have a choice to go to sleep
on the job or, if you can allowyourself by the spirit to be
(29:07):
awakened, allow your thoughts tobe awakened, allow the spirit
to bring you up.
There's a joy there that hehimself will become their
servant and wait on them at histable as he passes by, and all
of the people are going.
But that's not how it workswith masters and servants,
because they know cruel servantsand cruel masters.
(29:29):
And Jesus is saying there'sanother way to live in life and
to expect things.
And Jesus is explainingsomething about himself and
about God that when God shows up, God comes to serve us.
Jesus said I did not come, thatI would be served.
I came, that I would serve andI would give my life as a ransom
(29:50):
for many.
So when we are in love and whenwe are in the frequency of love
, and when we choose to alignourselves to spirit, we will be
people who respond out of love.
We don't look at someonesuffering and go.
I don't know what choice youmade.
We will do something about thesuffering of others.
We will do something about thegood that needs to be done and
(30:14):
we will quickly return to thegood.
He may appear at midnight oreven later, but what great joy
for the awakened ones wheneverhe comes.
This is joy beyond what theycould imagine, because they were
joyful to serve.
And now it says that thatmaster is going to come and he's
going to serve them at histable.
You see where I'm going withthis, because you know what we
(30:36):
do here in this church, right Atthe end of every service, we
celebrate Holy Communion, wecelebrate the mystery.
What great joy for them who areawakened to the idea that when
the master comes, he's going toserve them at his table.
Every time we gather togetherwe can be awakened into this
really holy, beautiful thought.
(30:57):
Of course, if they knew aheadof time the hour of the master's
appearing, they would be alert,just as they would be ready if
they knew ahead of time that athief was coming to break into
their house.
And Jesus is offering us thisinvitation of saying wake up.
Don't allow yourself to live onautopilot, don't allow yourself
(31:19):
just to trudge through the daywithout experiencing the world
around you, the Holy Spirit inyou.
This is an awareness, this a apractice in stillness to go.
How do I stay in the frequency,in the eternal current?
How do I stay awake to thethings of the spirit and not be
(31:40):
lulled by distraction?
This is a timeless wisdom forus to say.
How do I stay engaged and awake?
Speaker 2 (31:52):
You know, and I think that asking God for that
awareness, the other day I hadworked outside and I came in and
Heather said hey, you want tohelp me clean this kitchen?
And that's a loaded question.
But with my wife I have to bereal careful about the answer,
because the question was do youwant to help me with this?
(32:14):
And I will help you with thekitchen.
Speaker 1 (32:18):
But to ask me to want to clean the kitchen seems like
too much to ask it does notseem like too much to me, but my
wife interested in your thing,don't you want to, we'll say
well then, if you don't want tohelp, don't you know?
You don't have to.
Speaker 2 (32:31):
This is not and so I have to be real careful because
I want to help and I want, so Imight have to phrase that
sentence in a way that bothhonors truth but still doesn't
disappoint her.
And so so we cleaned thekitchen, and that turned into
quite a project, you know.
And about the time I finallythen got to my chair and plopped
(32:55):
down, I heard some rattling atthe front door.
That was locked and it wasraining outside, and that was
Nathaniel, and I love him, butsurely he would understand, but
surely he would understand that.
But there's something that wealways have this opportunity to
(33:17):
choose ourself or choose love,and God's not angry up in heaven
when you choose yourself.
But you miss the opportunity toascend in him, you miss the
opportunity to allow the spiritof God to bring a joy into your
home that wasn't there, to bringGod into the very midst.
(33:41):
And so I stood up out of thatseat and I ran over there, and
you it's for the person thatevery Sunday morning chooses a
young man to not stay out lateon a Saturday night, or, if he
does stay out late on a Saturdaynight, to still appear to be
awake enough to play drums, togive to our church faithfully
(34:04):
every week, like that, and I cansay, well, I better repay him.
No, I could never repay that,but if I am inspired by that
kind of love, that's whatempowers me.
There's one thing that at myhouse that's tricky.
All my sons are very good sonsand very helpful, but there's
one son that is the easiest toask to help and that is David.
(34:28):
David, since he was a smallchild.
If you say David, will you helpme?
He says how can I serve you,david, since he was a small
child.
If you say David, will you helpme?
He says how can I serve you?
How can I serve you, father?
It sounds like he's beingsarcastic.
Could someone really be thatkind Now?
The others, they'll help, but Imight get a monologue on what
(34:48):
they've done so far today.
That sounds a little likesomebody I know, doesn't it?
But David always does that, andso it's my joy when I find out
he needs something.
How, how can I serve you?
And I'm not trying to payingback, but his light has
(35:09):
illuminated my path.
Amen, it's making me a betterhuman being, because I cannot
hear that and not be changed byit.
It's too good, it's too much ofGod, amen, and so let a love
inspire us to rise up out of ourseat and be so gracious as to
(35:31):
unlock a front door.
How noble is your pastorbecoming?
How Christ-like?
I'm going to levitate in aminute here.
I'm not patting myself on theback, I'm just using examples of
how we can be different.
It's my house, by God.
I pay the bills.
I deserve to sit here.
Well, yeah, I mean, you canjustify, justify anything, but
(35:53):
you know what's right.
This is to get up out of ourseat and to love those people
around us and to serve them.
Amen, and those are practicesand we may not get it right.
And so what do you do when yousteal?
Sit around in shame for weeksand weeks.
Speaker 1 (36:10):
don't, just, don't do it anymore, just don't do it
anymore.
Speaker 2 (36:13):
If you mess up this week on this goal of being
loving and choosing love, thenjust go well.
Speaker 1 (36:20):
The universe is generous and will give you
another chance to love again,hopefully, or to try these kind
of beauties.
Speaker 2 (36:26):
My daughter lives in Paris, got her boyfriend here.
I hope you guys meet him.
Lives in Paris, got herboyfriend here.
I hope you guys meet him.
Speaker 1 (36:35):
He's an amazing person and so I'm 252, three
days on Duolingo, which is anapp for learning French.
Speaker 2 (36:42):
Yeah, and I'm learning French and I just know
nothing.
I'm trying so hard.
But one thing it says to me,because I make a lot of mistakes
on it it goes even when youmake a mistake, you're still
learning.
And I just wish that wouldflash up when I yell at somebody
in traffic.
All week long I've beenpreaching to the church about
(37:03):
this.
That one person, well, you knowwhat?
I do believe that from thebottom of my heart, even though
you made a mistake, you're stilllearning.
And what do we do?
Feel shame about it for weeksand weeks.
Or can we just choose the nexttime?
Speaker 1 (37:19):
choose good, choose god, choose love we've been
talking a little bit about.
You just mentioned david and itreminded me of something that
happened when he was very smalland I have his permission to
share it.
Um, there are many things thatI could share and stories that I
could share about David, but hewas little enough for me to
actually be picking him up outof a car seat and car seats are
(37:40):
cumbersome and they are helpfulbut so I was lifting him up out
of the car seat and he was ableto walk and he was having
conversation with me, but I waslifting him out of the car seat
to put him on the ground and hegoes do you know what I do when
I'm looking out the window?
And he would stare out thewindow for a very long time in
the car when he was little andI'd be like no, I don't know
(38:00):
what you do.
And David would always approachme with theological
conversations when I didn't wantto have them, and children will
do that to you, like I'm sure Iwas going in the house where
there were other people, therewas groceries, but he stopped,
and so then I stopped and hesaid you know what I do when I
look out the window or when I'min the shopping cart.
In the shopping cart isimportant for us to remember too
he's actually in the front seatof the shopping cart when I
(38:21):
look out the window, when I'm inthe shopping cart and I said,
no, what do you?
Good?
And then he goes, and then Isay to myself, I love you.
And then I started repenting.
I just got down.
I'm like I would like to givemy life to Christ, because my
tiny child reminds me of what Ineed to do when I stand in the
(38:44):
presence of someone else is toopen my heart to them.
I love you.
See, as we get older, we haveall these prejudices and all
these judgments and all thesereasons, and we have things that
we are not even aware.
When's the last time you lookedat someone that you didn't know
in the eyes and in your ownheart?
(39:04):
You opened it up to them andsaid I love you.
Speaker 2 (39:07):
I remember him being very young like that, and he
said I ask God something alongthe lines of I ask him to show
me how I can love this person,and it's everyone I see.
Speaker 1 (39:19):
That was one of his superpowers.
Speaker 2 (39:20):
Yeah, that's what it was, Because he said he'll ask
you those questions too.
What superpower would you haveif you had any superpower?
And I'm like invisibility, ofcourse, why not.
What else is there?
And then he'll go and I'm likeinvisibility, of course, why not
?
You know what I mean?
What else is there?
And then he'd go.
Mine is to love people, nomatter what, and I'm like I
(39:41):
missed that one.
This is better than invisible.
That was a way better choice.
Pastor really missed that one.
Speaker 1 (39:48):
We bring these little stories up and their wisdom is
eternal.
Yeah, what would it look likefor us to practice being aware
of the people right in front ofus or around us and saying I
could love you.
I choose to love you.
I allow the light of Christ inme to be the light in you.
And maybe that's how, the nexttime someone asks you for
(40:09):
something, you can say how can Iserve?
Because love motivates us.
Love is a energy, love issomething right in front of us.
And Jesus says to his friends sokeep alert.
What does that mean?
Keep alert?
It means that you might getdrowsy.
It means that you might bereally tired.
It means that you might justdisengage from real life and
(40:32):
come into the illusion or intodistraction.
And Jesus is saying be ready atall times.
Only love can give you theenergy to be ready at all times.
Only love can make you wake upin the middle of the night or
interrupt you and still bringyou joy.
And it says I can promise youthat the Son of man will
(40:54):
surprise you.
When is the last time youcontemplated how Jesus was going
to surprise you?
Jesus said this of himself he'sgoing to appear when you don't
expect him?
What does it look like for usto understand that Jesus'
(41:17):
appearances is an invitationinto living life fully awake,
and there are practices that wecan do to stay engaged in the
spirit, to stay engaged in thisidea of ascension and of another
way of living that Jesus offersus.
Speaker 2 (41:36):
You know, even reframing this verse to not be
well.
When you least expect it, he'sgoing to come up and catch you
doing something wrong, like thatbumper sticker.
Jesus is coming act busy.
What about the idea that Jesuswill come when you least expect
it to empower you to do what youcan't do, when you're in that
(41:56):
place of vulnerability, whenyou're not even expecting God to
be able to empower you and helpyou?
I've seen that so many times inmy life, when I literally feel
like I'm down to zero hope, atthe very end of the rope, and
that's when he comes, not to go.
Look at you at the end of therope again, rope dangler.
That's where I always catch you.
(42:17):
I'm going to nickname youPerson that constantly gets
yourself in trouble.
No, he's there to pick us upand bring us into grace and
abundance, safety.
You know blessing, and so Iwonder if we could just just
reframe the gift that is givento us and the opportunities that
we have here, and I think thatthat inspires and brings joy and
(42:40):
and and for us to.
To just consider that idea thatbe instant, in season and out
of season, that I'd be ready atall times.
Well, that that's easier saidthan done if I have to do all
the preparation.
The only person I know is readyfor the beach is Catherine.
She has everything already inthe purse and ready and I'm
(43:05):
driving there and I have to stopat Walmart every time we go to
the beach.
It's a good thing there's oneby the beach, but it's not the
promise that you have to thebeach.
Good thing there's one by thebeach, but it's not the promise
that you have to be ready.
It's the promise that God willempower you and do in you what
you can't do in your ownstrength.
Amen.
Speaker 1 (43:25):
There are practices that all of us are invited into,
and this is what it means to bea person who is devoted to the
living like Jesus did, to bedevoted to the living like Jesus
did, to be devoted to thepractices that Jesus had.
And Jesus was a man devoted toprayer and devoted to stillness
and devoted to the meditation.
And it is one of the thingsthat Pastor Dennis is going to
(43:47):
start for us a series onWednesday nights on learning how
to still ourselves, learningthe quiet practice of meditation
and contemplation, and learninghow to prepare ourselves.
Just as this verse says bealert, be ready at all times.
Catherine and I since she's here, I'm going to talk about her a
(44:09):
little bit more but we were inOklahoma and we were on a short
trip and someone introducedthemselves to us and they had a
young person with them and theysaid thank you so much for
meeting them.
We were meeting them and thisyoung person got dragged along.
It wasn't even their child, butit got dragged along to this
boring meeting and it was theirbirthday.
(44:30):
Did you ever not want to dosomething on your birthday,
especially if you're like 11 andit was their birthday?
Did you ever not want to dosomething on your birthday,
especially if you're like 11.
Anyway, this little person wasthere and within 10 minutes,
catherine had for that person acupcake and she had a banner and
a crown and it had a candle.
And this other person wasastonished and said you didn't
(44:53):
even know this person so youcouldn't have known it was their
birthday.
And she says I'm ready for acandle.
And this other person wasastonished and said you didn't
even know this person so youcouldn't have known it was their
birthday.
And she says I'm ready for acelebration.
She had it in her car, in a bag.
The candle she got from thecafeteria not the candle, the
cake, that wasn't old, buteverything else was prepared for
a celebration.
That is Holy Communion, beloved.
Every week Jesus is prepared,there's the feast, the master's
(45:18):
coming, you're loved, and whatdoes it look like for us to
always be prepared for acelebration?
Now, maybe you'll keep a bannerand a crown.
And let me tell you the look onthis 11 year old face when she
was at this board meeting.
Now, all of a sudden, she waswearing a crown and a banner.
That's good news, beloved.
You can very ugly meeting ifyou have a banner on and a crown
.
What does it look like for allof us to say what does the world
need now?
A celebration Remindingeveryone?
(45:39):
We're at the table and themaster is coming to serve us and
love is there.
So what does it look like forall of us to not just, you know,
load up our car with partysupplies, but to live our lives,
willing to say where car withparty supplies, but to live our
(46:00):
lives, willing to say where isthe joy and how can I be a part
of it?
Where is the pain and how can Ibring healing?
Where is the suffering and howcan I attend and where is the
spirit leading us into life thatis full?
Jesus said I've come, that youwould have life and have it to
the full.
There is an invitation for allof us.
There is a practice that we doevery week, that we reorient
ourselves toward feasting, wereorient ourselves toward
(46:23):
wholeness and together, when wepractice Holy Communion, we
enter into a mystery.
We enter into a place where wesay we will allow the master to
serve us.
We are awake and it is joy.
Speaker 2 (46:39):
It is joy that brings us into the presence of love
you know, for for years, um, uh,in, in in a small way, I think
I've like resented my children,because I've watched Heather so
consistently pick up after themand do the dishes and make the
(47:04):
meals and help the laundrywhenever she can, and just all
this stuff.
I'm like, well, they can learn.
They can learn, and not thatthey don't do wonderful things
around the house.
But I'm just saying that thatthis effort of love has done
something to my heart, thatinstead of all those years of
(47:31):
trying to yell at somebody, getthem to do something different,
the whole time, really the onlyperson in the house that really
needed to change was me and uhand so so now you know, you know
I'm picking up the, the dishtowel way more, you know, than I
ever did, you know, and andjust finding that place to serve
(47:52):
and because how long will Ihave the kids in the house
anyway?
Right, in the scheme of things,you know, it goes by so fast
and it's like this is really aprivilege and I'm seeing it as
so and I think to myself thatway of being a mother, that kind
(48:21):
of love.
I didn't understand it, maybeas a man, or just me personally
and my issues.
But as I saw it, I wanted toreject it, I wanted to correct
it, I wanted to.
But as I got on board, I see itas the love of god and I see it
as that example of howleadership would not be served
(48:47):
but would serve, and how that,at the end of the day, it wasn't
about what I got them to do.
It's about what we can teach,what we can reveal to our family
and to the world.
We miss many of us through thinkwe got good logic and
(49:13):
justification for why we need tocorrect these kids and do this
and do that, or the people atwork or whatever, when the real
power is in loving and servinglike Christ.
I know this is not a popularmessage, but we're getting ready
to go to communion now andwe're going to the master, and
(49:34):
we're not required to go tocommunion now.
And we're going to the masterand we're not required to crawl
on our knees, we're not requiredto do some kind of you know,
chant hours long in order toearn some place of forgiveness.
But all of the forgiveness, allthe heavy lifting has been done
by our God and we're invited tothis table, the table where
(49:57):
we're not serving, but we'reserved.
And now, if I could wishanything for you and me, it'd be
that we would leave this tableand go out and be a reflection
of Christ.
And what would that reflectionbe?
That we would leave this tableand go out and be a reflection
of Christ.
And what would that reflectionbe?
Beating them over the head withthe Bible telling them what
(50:18):
they're doing wrong.
No, don't shake your head.
Yes to that.
That was the wrong part.
Oh, that we would just.
We would love and serve withwhatever breath we have left in
our body.
Speaker 1 (50:31):
Would you pray with us this morning?
God who is love?
All-loving God, merciful God,may your spirit open the eyes of
our understanding.
May we see you, and may it bewith delight that we look for
(50:55):
you in unexpected places.
For all of the needs that wehave, we ask you to supply, for
all of the harm that we havedone.
We ask you to forgive us Forthe harm that we have done.
We ask you to forgive us Forthe harm that we have felt.
(51:16):
We ask you to forgive them.
We thank you for the peace thatwe will meet together at this
communion table, for the gracethat will be given to us, and we
thank you for the opportunityto enter into the mystery of
your love.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, may you change the way that we
(51:44):
think and may you allow us tosee as Jesus sees.
We hope you've enjoyed thisweek's sermon.
If you would like moreinformation about us, visit us
online at firstlovechurchorg.
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