Sunday 11/28/2004
Galatians 3.1-20 - Some deep stuff here - The Law was a curse for us - through the Law we see our sinfulness - God promised Abraham many descendants - Abraham had faith in God and believed this - through faith people become descendants of Abraham - and they will be blessed - some will be cursed by not keeping the Law - therefore I am cursed cause I can’t keep the law - Luther’s voice is ringing through here too - the person who is righteous by faith will live - those who do the works of the law shall live - seems contrary to faith - but I can’t do all the works of the law - so for me the Law is still a curse - cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree - Jesus hung on a tree - he is my curse - but by his action of haning on a tree and becoming my curse - I am saved-purchased and redeemed - Jesus was identified with me cause I am cursed - I am identified with Abraham since Jesus is his only true descendant of faith - then if I have faith in Jesus - I become a true descendant of Abraham and the blessing that all will live - I don’t receive this blessing through the Law - only through faith in Jesus salvation.
Jeremiah 51-52 - Babylon will be destroyed - the people of Israel will be rescued - the is hope in Jerusalem - God used his wisdom and power to create the earth and spread out the heavens - people who make idols are stupid! - God is God - all-powerful - He created everything and chose me to be his own - so Jeremiah has another object lesson - hmm I wonder! - about these object lessons - tie the message of doom to a rock - read the message in Babylon and throw the rock and the message into the Euphrates River - it will sink just like Babylon is about to sink - Chapter 52 is like a summary of events - Zedekiah was appointed king of Judah at the age of 21 - King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia attacked Jerusalem - Zedekiah escaped but was caught and arrested - Zedekiah was taken ot Riblah and put on trial and found guilty - Zedekiah’s sons were killed and Zedekiah’s eyes were poked out - They took Zedekiah to Babylon - the temple was burned down and all the stuff was taken out of it - no mention of the Ark of the Covenant -the people left in the city were taken away leaving only some poor people- the chief priest Seraiah was arrested along with sixty soldiers - they were led to Riblah and killed - a total of 4600 people were taken from Judah to Babylon
Psalm 144 - God - you are my rock - You are my friend - Why do you care about me? - Come down God! - Set me free - Save me - I will sing a new song while playing my harp -- yea right! -- I can’t even sing and clap at the same time - you better give me some special gifts for this one! -- you give blessings
Jesus is King of my life - giver of all good - giver of life - serve and follow his lead
Remember your stories and give thanks. Remember your stories of God’s love - way back in time - way deep in my heart - stories now present today and love deep inside
God created me and all that exists - God is all around - just look!
Matthew 24.36-44 - Jesus is coming unexpectedly - that’s true for the future and for now - Jesus comes to me unexpectedly - in places I could never imagine - in people I could never imagine - in things - sounds - sights - visions - dreams - words - in all creation - Jesus comes unexpectedly -- just feel it and sense Him with all you have. - Jesus came in an animal feeding bowl - Jesus comes into my heart
Romans 13.11-14 - Time to wake up - put on Jesus - see him active in your life - Jesus has come!
Psalm 27 - One thing I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. - he will set me high on a rock - teach me your way - lead me on your path - I believe I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living
Prayer - Look! - You are here -- Look! - You are coming -- As I reflect on how you give hope and gave hope in all times past - I look to you - Jesus - forgive my sins - give me hope - I see faith all over your people - increase my faith - I will believe and put my faith in you - as the church looks to Advent - let us see your presence here and now - all around - in everything and everyone - for you are God - you are everywhere - even deep within my heart - this I cherish most - for you are close - help me this week to take you with me into a world that I have been placed - to show my world that you are present everywhere - in everything - and that you alone bring hope and build faith - send your Spirit to lead and guide me along the way -- you are God! --- Amen
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