June 12, 2016
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series:
“Outsiders”
Psalm 139
Luke 8:26-39
“Broken Chains”
Pray for God’s words and not my own…
A reading from the Gospel
of Luke, chapter 8, verses 29 to 36.Listen to the Word of God to you and me…the
beloved of God.
I
think we all know someone with some sort of disability. Some are seen and
others are not seen. We can feel chained down by our disabilities and feel left
out on life. So let’s first define the word “disability”.
“Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary”
tells us that:
a condition (such as an
illness or an injury) that damages or limits a person's physical or mental
abilities
: the condition of being
unable to do things in the normal way : the condition of being disabled
With
this definition I guess all of us really do have some sort of disability…
Who
do we see as “outsiders”? The past few weeks, we have looked at different ways
that who we consider to be “those people”…the ones we consider to be on the
outside of our acceptance, how we can change our view of others and how we can
bring them from the “outside” in. There are those who are on the outside
because they feel unworthy to be part of the inside and also about how we deem
others unworthy to be part of our inner circle. We have come to realize…we are
all unworthy and we are only made worthy in and through the blood of Jesus. There
are those who are out there lonely and afraid. We know that if we are to follow
Jesus we are to go and meet them where they are…wherever they are…and have
compassion…console them…and invite the inside where they can feel and know the
love of Jesus… We have also decided we want healing from being judgmentally
challenged and be those true ambassadors of Jesus and our homeland, heaven.
There
are also those who are on the outside that are sitting in chains of mental
illness, disability and addiction. They are forever tormented by the “demons”
within them. How do we think about mental illness? How do we treat those who
are chained by the enemy…Those who are sent “to the outskirts of the city” so
that they will not disrupt our lives with their illness? How about those who
either on their own or with the help of a doctor are wrapped in the chains of
addiction?
In
the story I read from Luke’s Gospel, we hear the story of what Jesus did when
He was encountered by one such as these. Now Jesus was going to the other side
of the lake probably to get away from the crowds. As a matter of fact, on the
way over He had fallen asleep in the boat. Well His sleep was interrupted
because of a storm that had all the sudden came on the lake (ok…snapshot…they were on the Sea of
Galilee. Now, this sea is very shallow…only 200 feet at its deepest part… and
because of that it is easy for a storm to happen. Also because it is 680 feet
below sea level it is surrounded by mountains. The mountains are cool and the
air around the sea is warm. This is the perfect set up for the perfect storm
that can happen at a moment’s notice…).
Now
I am sure He was tired…you know what it’s
like when your sleep is disturbed. So Jesus gets out of the boat and here
comes a man who is demon possessed…what did Jesus do? Did He ignore the man and
keep going? Did walk on the other side of the beach so that He would not have
to come in contact with him? Did He tell the man it was his own fault and had
to figure a way to get help on his own? No…He had compassion for this man and
helped.
This
man was chained down by this demon…this disease. Jesus met him where he was…and
helped. Now the people near by who saw this whole thing kind of reacted
differently than I would have hoped they did. You see instead of being
happy…they were more upset because they lost their pigs because they were pig
farmers. And what they do next? They asked the healer of their souls…of our
souls to leave…and so Jesus left… How
many times have we thought the cost was too much to get involved with these
children of God in shackles? How many times have we sent Jesus away because we
thought that what He was asking is too much for us to bear? Only the man
who was possessed was happy with the outcome and praised God for the healing.
Folks…fellow
ambassador’s for Christ and our home land…God healed us when we accepted Jesus
as our Lord and Savior. But I don’t think that’s the end of the story. You have
heard it said that we are blessed to be a blessing. I believe we are healed to
bring healing. We are saved to share our life preserver with other.
So…in
short…we are all unworthy but made worthy not through our own doing but what
Christ did on the Cross. We were all the unlovely until Christ came into our
lives and made us beautiful. We were all lonely on the outside until someone
asked us to come in and feel the unfailing love of God. We are now ambassadors
of our country who should have a new…uncluttered vision that can see the sacred
worth of all that we survey…of all we come in contact with. We are also healed
to bring healing to those who are on the outside of our communities…to bind
their wounds and bring them to the Master Healer for restoration…in more ways
than one… I like the show “Rehab Addict”
where they take old broken house and make them new again…reminds me what
happened and continues to happen in me as I seek to follow God’s will for my
life…
God
is calling His ambassador’s to reach out to those in chains…now matter what
those chains may be and help brake those chains that bind others. We are to be
the healing balm for those who are beaten down by the demons of the world.
Maybe if we could just see beyond the societal “stigma” that goes along with
mental illness…maybe if we could stop judging and start helping the
addicted…maybe…just maybe there would be turn in the tide of chaos in the world
around us. Perhaps if we rolled up our sleeves and got into the thick of it the
“Legion’s” of the world would shake in their boots when we came to town. What
do you think?
You
know…there are two people I am reminded of who did just that…rolled up their
sleeves to help others…not caring about the cost…Frank Violet and Madelyn
Townsend. They were at the church here and in the community, loving others
where they were. I would like you all to listen to a couple of witnesses to
their lives, Eve Rice and Ken Perkins. I think you will agree with me when I
call them true saints of this church and community…
Pray of dedication of the
kitchen and meeting room…Amen!
June 12, 2016
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series:
“Outsiders”
Psalm 139
Luke 8:26-39
and sermon, “Broken Chains”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
sermon
blog
meditation
blog
“God’s
Whisper” blog
Children’s
Message from Mystery Box
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
June 12, 2016
&
June 11, 2016
he missed a blessing
June 11, 2016
he couldn’t see her
June 11, 2016
he didn’t see her gift
June 5, 2016
she gave her all
June 5, 2016
offering to Christ
June 5, 2016
washing His feet
June 5, 2016
dividing the flock
June 5, 2016
Stetson Memorial UMC
“Senior Recognition Sunday”
Sermon Series:
“Outsiders”
Psalm 146
Luke 7:36-8:3
and sermon, “Judgmentally Challenged”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Children’s
Message from Mystery Box
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial
United Methodist Church
June 5, 2016
&
May 29, 2016
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series:
“Outsiders”
The Lonely
Luke 7:11-17
Psalm 96
and sermon, “You Are Never Alone”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Children’s
Message from Mystery Box
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
May 29, 2016
&
merged May 26, 2016
by the grace of God – v2
May 24, 2016
we are worthy
May 24, 2016
by the grace of God
edited May 24, 2016
Jesus was welcomed by the outsiders – v2
May 24, 2016
who is unworthy of God’s grace
May 23, 2016
who is unworthy of my grace
May 23, 2016
until we claimed Jesus
May 23, 2016
I am worthy
May 23, 2016
you are worthy
May 23, 2016
by grace we are on the inside
May 23, 2016
we are all unworthy
edited May 23, 2016
we are unworthy
May 23, 2016
he was unworthy
May 22, 2016
why are they kept on the outside
May 22, 2016
who are the outsiders
May 22, 2016
are they welcome
May 22, 2016
Jesus was welcomed by outsiders
May 22, 2016
silencing his voice
May 22, 2016
who is worthy
May 22, 2016
who are the outsiders
May 22, 2016
who do we find unworthy
May 22, 2016
Stetson Memorial UMC
Trinity Sunday
Psalm 8
Luke 7:1-10
and sermon, “Are You Worthy?”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Children’s
Message from Mystery Box
-
Smokey the Bear and one of Pastor Ruth’s business cards
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
May 22, 2016
&
May 22, 2016
cleave to God
John 16:14-15
devotion for May 21, 2016
read May 22, 2016
&
May 22, 2016
work to do - 3
John 16:12-13
devotion for May 20, 2016
read May 22, 2016
&
May 22, 2016
call me to hope
Romans 5:2b-5
"Trinity Sunday"
&
devotion for May 22, 2016
read May 22, 2016
"Align with God"
Rachel G. Hackenberg
Upper Room Disciplines for 2016
May 16, 2016 to May 22, 2016
&
May 22, 2016
we have hope in God
Romans 5:2b-5
Trinity Sunday
&
edited May 21, 2016
be one in the Spirit – v3
May 21, 2016
how are we different - 2
May 21, 2016
how is the world different
May 21, 2016
we feel the power
May 21, 2016
touching the earth
May 21, 2016
moving in us
May 21, 2016
the arc is bent
May 15, 2016
the ripples spread
Pentecost Sunday
Acts 2:1-21
devotion for May 15, 2016
read May 15, 2016
&
May 13, 2016
Each day is a blessing
Romans 8:14-17
devotion for May 13, 2016
read May 13, 2016
&
May 12, 2016
Come, Holy Spirit
John 14:25-27
devotion for May 12, 2016
read May 12, 2016
&
edited May 12, 2016
Peace in the struggles – v2
May 11, 2016
Peace in the struggles
John 14:8-17,
25-27
devotion for May 11, 2016
read May 11, 2016
&
“Creation in All Directions”
by Brad
Gabriel
for May 9,
2016 to May 15, 2016
The Upper
Room Disciplines 2016
&
edited May 20, 2016
be one in the Spirit – v2
May 15, 2016
be one in the Spirit
Pentecost Sunday
May 15, 2016
May 15, 2016
proclaimed - 2
Pentecost Sunday
May 15, 2016
restart the fire
Pentecost Sunday
May 15, 2016
ignited
Pentecost Sunday
May 15, 2016
make me hot
Pentecost Sunday
May 15, 2016
an uncontrolled fire
Pentecost Sunday
May 15, 2016
set afire
Pentecost Sunday
May 15, 2016
that spark - 2
May 15, 2016
set me ablaze - 2
May 15, 2016
Stetson Memorial UMC
Pentecost Sunday
Sermon Series:
“When in doubt…read the instructions”
Be One in the Spirit
(What did Jesus instruct His disciples then and now…?)
Acts 2:1-21
1 Corinthians 12:1-13
Psalm 104:2-35
and sermon, “Keep the Candle Burning…”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Children’s
Message from Mystery Box
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
May 15, 2016
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted
by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009,
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at
Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)
for usage. See all 41,330+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
No comments:
Post a Comment