February 12, 2012
Sixth Sunday of Epiphany
Worship Theme: God’s glory manifested in cleansing
2 Kings 5:1-14 NRSV Bible
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Mark 1:40-45
Soul Cleaning Time!
As the days are getting longer with more light than dark, I am beginning to think more about spring and less about the winter. I am looking forward to when the flowers start blooming again, the warm weather starts becoming a reality instead of a thought and a more variety of birds start coming back to the bird feeders. I also am beginning to think about how it’s just about time to open the windows and getting rid of all that winter dust and getting that nice spring scent in the house. I don’t know about you but I can’t wait to clean the house of all its winter doldrums an welcoming in the newness of spring. . . There’s something about a clean, fresh smelling house that just lifts my spirit. A new, fresh start. . .
At this same time of year I also think about my soul. . . does it need some cleaning, does it need to have the freshness restored to it? We can tend to get ourselves spiritually stale and need some type of renewed freshness in our spiritual life. The world around us is full of dirt and grime and sometimes this dirt and grime comes “under the door of our spirits” and makes it dull and lifeless instead of the luster and shine God intended it to have. But how, when and where can we find this healing. . . this cleansing that is so needed for our spirits?
In the 2 Kings Scripture from this morning, we heard about a man named Naaman. Now he was a big and important guy but he had one drawback that caused him to be an outcast. He had leprosy. Now Leprosy was a disease thought as a symbol of sin. We hear in the bible about Moses sisters Miriam being struck with leprosy by God because she plotted against Moses because of his marriage to an “outsider”. It was her punishment from God. But how was Naaman cleansed from this disease. It was through the waters. . . through the word of God given by Elisha who told him what to do. Reluctantly he followed this word to him and he was made clean. Through the water of God’s word. . . through baptism we are made clean. This is one way how we are cleansed. . .
In the 1 Corinthians we heard, we are told that our cleansed life demands discipline. We are to run the race with integrity and with purpose. We keep our spirits clean by following that discipline of running the race to win. I like how the Message Translation puts this scripture. . .
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
The Message (MSG)
You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.
We need to run hard. . . run for the eternal not the things that fade away. . . stay alert and in top condition. . . The cleansed life demands discipline. . . the when in the equation, when we run the race that is set before us the way God would have us run, we can live with and in that cleansed life. . .
So. . . where do find that cleansing? I would like to read for you a story of cleansing. . . of Jesus’ healing touch. It is found in Mark chapter 1 verses 40-45. It is found on page 911 in the pew bible. Read along with me and hear the Good News. . .
(Read from Mark 1)
It was Jesus’ touch that healed this leper. . . It was the lepers faith and trust in Jesus that healed him. . . This man was told not to say anything to anyone. . . to go straight to the priest in the temple but this man could not keep quiet. . . this man needed to shout it from the roof tops. . . I have been healed by the touch of Jesus! I am no longer an outcast! I no longer am ashamed! It was at the feet of Jesus I found healing and wholeness! Where do we find healing and wholeness. . . where are we cleansed? At the feet of Jesus. . . at the foot of the cross. . . in Holy Communion with Christ! Each time we celebrate the Lord’s Supper. . . Communion. . . we are healed by the compassion and love of Christ. . .
It’s soul cleaning time. We are about to enter one of the most important times in the Christian life. We are about to enter the time of Lent. . . the time when Jesus completed His mission on earth. . . the time when we were made whole and cleansed by the foot of Calvary’s Cross. Last week, we talked about how life isn’t a bowl of cherries but we have hope. . . life is about coming up with those who are weak and being that healing balm for them. . . sharing the Good News with them. But we ourselves need to be made whole before we can help others who are broken. Beloved. . . are you in need of some soul cleaning. . . do you need to hear a word from God to be cleansed. . . is it time to “get back on track” and continue the race? My invitation to you and to me is this. . . come to the cross. . . come to Jesus’ feet and be healed. Then too we may be able to leap for joy and give the Lord a shout! We to can shout from the roof tops I have been healed by the touch of Jesus! I am no longer an outcast! I am no longer ashamed! It was at the feet of Jesus I found healing and wholeness! Let us run with perseverance the race set before us. . . let us run as athletes for the prize. . . a prize not of this world but the next. Let us be the healing balm to the nations in Jesus’ name.
Amen!
February 12, 2012
Worship Theme – “God’s glory manifested in cleansing”
Mark 1:40-45 (NRSV)
2 Kings 5:1-14 (NRSV)
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NRSV)
Call to Worship ((Psalm 30:1-4 NRSV Bible)
Unison Prayer (Worship & Song ©2006 Upper Room Books)
Prayer of Dedication (GBOD 1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
hymn “Spirit Song”, UMH #347
hymn “Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy”, UMH #340
hymn “Have Thine Own Way, Lord”, UMH #382 (Jeremiah 18:6)
and sermon, “Soul Cleaning Time!”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
February 12, 2012
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 15,690+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
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