Carl DeLine

Call to Worship: Lord, thank you for being in my life. Thank you for a love that goes beyond understanding. Today as I give you my love may there be others who shall experience it. May they see you and learn of your love.

A Message in Song: “Here I Am Lord”
“Make Me A Channel of Your Peace”

First Reading: Genesis 21:8-21
Psalm: Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17
Second Reading: Jeremiah 20:7-13
New Testament: Romans 6:1b-11
Gospel: Matthew 10:24-39
Key Verse: Romans 6:11, In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Meditation: Bang! No sooner is Pentecost over and the discussion turns to behavior. What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus Christ?

In my coaching work I have spent most of my life in a secular environment. Lately I have again started to spend more time in the Christian world. By the way I just tested my sugar and it was 66. I believe the target is between 80 and 120. Sarcoidosis and diabetes keep reminding me no matter how much I may want to be a follower of Jesus Christ I am still very human. There just seem to be tons of interruptions!

The verse says, count yourself dead to sin. Interesting verse when it seems so much has been done to rationalize sin out of the equation of life. Many years ago people would make paintings with people whose feet would not touch the ground as a way to say sin could not affect them. As humorous as that sounds that kind of thinking exists today. Count your “blessings” as a way to illustrate how significant you are to God!

Churchyness/spirituality has somehow elevated some people to “believe” that they are in some way consumed with being a “truer” follower of Jesus.

Pray hard enough or in a “special” way and you will overcome illness and  escape the trauma of life. Whoa, here comes yet another concept. Avoid trauma, avoid drama, after all these are the things that take joy out of life. How many times do you find yourself being advised to stay away from people who create or bring problems into your life. Yet, read each of the Biblical texts and “bang” reality, i.e. sin enters the scene. Perhaps the text is encouraging something different then avoiding sin. Perhaps we are encouraged in the midst of sin all around us to acknowledge this thing called the Spirit filled life as the freedom to accept/choose God. In so doing the door opens and and we graciously accept an alternative. God becomes an option. This is not about religion, not about becoming more “spiritual” it is simply practicing God’s way as  a choice.

The next song describes it well.

“Be Not Afraid”

Benediction:

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”

Amen.