December 6, 2015
Stetson Memorial UMC
Second Sunday of Advent
Inspired by Marcia McPhee
Sermon Series “Awed and Odd”
Love In The Midst Of Hate
Isaiah 11:1-4a, 5-9
Romans 15:1-2, 5-7
(All Scripture is taken from the NIV Bible)
“Seek Love. . . ”
Prayer for the
Spirit’s leading. . .
A
reading from the book of Isaiah, chapter 11, verses 1-4a and 5-9. Listen to the
word of God for you and me, the people of God.
How easy is it to love other people? I mean really
love others? Even more so, how easy is it to see the love of God within the
world? There are times in all of our lives when we are given the choice to love
and accept others. So the real question is will you choose to love in spite of.
. . Fill in the blank?
Remember last week and what Marcia McPhee “Awed
& Odd” Sermon series that we are being inspired by this Advent season:
“We
Christians believe in “folly”–that there is peace, love, joy and hope in the
midst of the good and difficult times. This makes us “odd”–according to those
who proclaim the victory of decline and death all around. It is especially in
this season of expectant hope that we can instead proclaim the awe-inspiring
presence of God’s reign that continually makes all things new. This is a season
of odd “union”–swords into plowshares, wolves and lambs resting peacefully
together, and the “speechless” singing for joy!”
So here we are at the second Sunday of Advent. . . Last
week we had quite the conversation about seeing peace in the midst of conflict.
With all that is going on in the world around us even at this moment, it can be
hard to find peace. . . to see peace. . . to see God working out His plan. . . within
conflict. The stories we shared were inspiring and reminded us. . . or at least
myself. . . that God is always working out His plan even if I don’t perceive
it. We saw the light of God working within situations that others might deem
hopeless.
We also decided that we are a little “odd” because
we are “awed” by God who even in the darkness is there creating order out of
chaos. And we decided that we would rather be awed for God even though the
world calls us odd.
We
who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please
ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build
them up.
5
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of
mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one
voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Accept one
another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
(Romans 15:1-2, 5-7)
This week we are being stretched a little more. How
about “Love In the Midst Of Hate”? How many of you have been in a situation
that you may have been involved in a situation that put you right smack down in
the middle of this type of situation. . . this place of being? How did it feel?
OK now. . . remember the odd and awed-ness of the
Isaiah I read this morning. . . Wolves and lambs, sheep and lions, bears and
cows all getting along together. . . Gods
love in the midst of hate. Life can be so hard if you can’t see any kind of
good around you. All that you see is the chaos and despair. So my next question
is one to help awaken us to love. Where have you seen love in the midst of
hate?
The Isaiah scripture also gives us a glimpse of the
one who will come and show us the way. He will not judge with the eyes. This
shoot will judge fairly and in love. The example found in Jesus our Risen Lord
is one who shows us the way. With all the despair He saw, He answered with love
and healing giving hope to those around Him. As He judges and reigns there will
be peace in the midst of conflict and no more hate because all there will be
love.
We really do need eyes to see, ears to hear and a
heart that is open to what God is doing in the world around us. Then we will be
able to see the peace and love that is evident to all who seek love. But it
begins here (touch chest) and here (touch eyes). As we have an open Heart
and lead by the Spirit of God we will use eyes of love and grace as we seek the
love of God in the world around us. We will bring that vision to those around
us as we become the love of God in the world in which we live. . .
Let us pray. . . pray for us to awaken and see love with in hatred. . .
Amen
=====
edited December 8, 2015
In the Midst of Hate – v2
edited December 8, 2015
Seeking to Find Love – v2
edited/new December 7, 2015
Seeking to Find Love
December 7, 2015
In the Midst of Hate
edited December 7, 2015
Seek Love – v3
(Editng version 2)
edited December 7, 2015
Seek Love - v2
December 7, 2015
Seek Love
December 6, 2015
Second Sunday of Advent
Inspired by Marcia McFee
Sermon Series “Awed and Odd”
Love in the Midst of Hate
Isaiah 11:1-4a, 5-9
Romans 15:1-2, 5-7
message: “Seek Love. . . ”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
- Mystery Box
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
December 7, 2015
Second Sunday of Advent
&
November 29, 2015
First Sunday of Advent
Inspired by Marcia McFee
Sermon Series “Awed and Odd”
Peace Within the Conflict
Isaiah 2:4
Psalm 122:6, 7
Romans 13:11
Matthew 24:42, 44
message: “Peace in the Valley. . . ”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
- Mystery Box
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
November 29, 2015
First Sunday of Advent
All of my
poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002,
2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015.
All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for
usage. See all 40,360+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
No comments:
Post a Comment