In an attempt to rejuvenate the membership, there are changes going on at the little church on Hughes Street. One example is using a computer projector and screen. Sunday's spiritual message (also a new addition) was about "10 rules for Life". I tried to find the exact URL link that was on the screen with a Google search but no luck. I did find out that it's from a book, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules by Cherie Carter-Scott. Then,I found an excerpt which includes the ten rules on scribd.com, a place that I've only recently learned about myself.
The sermon this Sunday was from the book of James, second chapter, verses 1 through 7:
My brothers and sisters,* do you with your acts of favouritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ?* 2For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, 3and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, ‘Have a seat here, please’, while to the one who is poor you say, ‘Stand there’, or, ‘Sit at my feet’,* 4have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters.* Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6But you have dishonoured the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? 7Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?
New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition)
The main points that I took away from the sermon were that Jesus didn't discriminate against anyone. As a human, Jesus still sought out the ones who were less fortunate. On the other hand, the so call followers that James was writing to were prejudice towards those without wealth.
Our pastor touched on three different forms of Prejudice. They are Economical, Racial and Educational. How do I relate these things to myself (for I cannot speak for others)? Well, I'm in debt up to my eyeballs and beyond. Racial prejudice...I don't judge people by their covers. If anything, I have more of a conflict with personalities. The Educational prejudice for me came more into play in my previous career. Somehow, I managed to get through 30 years without even an Associates degree. My current career, it might have helped to have more English and Literature classes behind me but I seem to hold my own.
One other note that our pastor touched on was that up until relatively recent times, the church was responsible for "the widows and orphans". Then the government was tasked with it. My little church does what it can to support the local food bank. My friends help me directly. God bless them for that.
My question to you is...do you discriminate or find yourself prejudice in some way? If so, do you think that is something that Jesus would approve of?
DeColores
Lynn Hallbrooks
There are two scriptures that relate to this, I think. 1 John 4:20 -
ReplyDeleteIf a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
1 John 1:10 -
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
I have been very surprised (and saddened) to find that I DO at times have prejudices toward certain people that are different. I have found it pretty much to be true of MANY people. I think if we deny that we are prejudiced at times then we are a liar. :( I also know that if someone makes me angry or hurts somebody (or me) that I can be SUPER judgmental.
So what does this mean? Admit the fault, confess it, ask God to show me the wickedness of my heart when it is there! and work on being more and more like Christ (Who DOES the work, if that makes sense, Philippians 1:6 -
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Thanks...you bring up some good points. I am not without my faults. I just try not to pre-judge people.
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