Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost
Sunday, 9, October 2005
Isaiah 25:6-9
Phillipians 4:4-13
Matthew 22:1-10[11-14]
Psalm 23
Children's Sermon: Frank said he's "going to have a feast." He talked about the food pantry, and how food is a gift that belongs to God. God gives to use so we can give to others.
Sermon: (Frank Eberhardt)
Paul writes about the secret of contentment. It was written from prison. It's not a magical formula, or magical words of power. The secret is Jesus and his love. We have the love of Christ when we're in our prisons of hurt, failure and our loss of innocence. Christ comes to us in love, reminding us that he is one with God and he has conquered death. These are reminders of his love. When everything else in your life is shattered, the love of Jesus remains. It's the secret of contentment. Be content in knowing you are saved.
Barbara Burd adopted a child from China. The adoption would cost her $10,000. The child had a heart defect and required surgery. This woman had a Nissan van, which worked fine, despite the fact it was supposed to be recalled. It just so happened that if she didn't keep the car, and instead let it be recalled, she could receive thousands in the trade-in. She knew the van would eventually break, but God promised to take care of them. So she had hope.
The pilots of Flight 471 had to land the plane. The landing gear had broken, the crew had the plane in emergency mode, they had the emergency chute down, but here and there, people were going for their luggage. A woman went for her makeup bag, a man for his suitcase. Another had a huge piece of luggage that wouldn't fit on the chute. We often are so fixed on our possessions that we fail to be effective children of God. You can get another house, another makeup bag, another whatever, but we need to see to the needs of other people.
After September 11th, after the hurricanes and tsunamis, like Hurricane Rita, many people lost everything. But many people still gathered together in worship, despite it all. They knew the secret.
A girl was featured in a story in the Kansas City Star. She decided to help a homeless family. She networked people to bring a home to the homeless, and got them jobs. The teen tells people that God gave her the tools to use. People criticized her for her youth, but she knew that all we have belongs to God, all our talents and skills and possessions.
Everyone is invited to the feast of Christ. He removes the cover on the world. Rejoice. We can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. The Lord is near. Pray in every situation. Know the secret, and you'll understand stewardship. It's God's resources, not ours. Virginia Hoffer wrote something on stewardship. One of the points was that you check to see how much time you have, and use the time wisely.
Believe that you are part of the people of God. God makes us free to forgive ourselves, and others, but doesn't overtly ask for our money. However, there is a secret. If God has your heart, he has your wallet as well.