Claimed, gathered and sent

This is the sermon I am preaching on Sunday at St. Timothy Lutheran Church . The text is Philippians 4:1-9 In Philippians Paul speaks emotionally as the father, pastor, and teacher giving his dear ones words of lasting advice. He repeats and applies what he has already stated, giving practical advice for a life centered in Christ, which applies to us today too.   The first piece of advice is not to waver in the faith, but to stay on track and be steady in God (v. 1). Paul uses intimate language, unabashed in his love for this dear church. He addresses the entire community of faith at Philippi, leading to the specific appeal of the verses that follow Paul’s second piece of advice is specifically for two individuals for unity (vv. 2-3). These were close co-workers of Paul. He wants the women to "iron out their differences and make up" (v. 2), regarding their work together in the gospel. Unity and harmony are so important that Paul appeals to another co-worker at Philippi t...

This is the sermon I preached on Sunday, 8/11, Animal Sunday in the Season of Creation at St. Timothy Lutheran Church. The gospel was Luke 12:22-31.   Today we worship with the entire living family on Earth. We celebrate birds, animals, reptiles, and all living creatures. Wisdom functions in the readings to help us perceive God’s creation in a way that is not self-serving. We see Jesus’ teaching and creation interacting together to teach the disciples to trust their heavenly Father for everything. I had a professor who always said that when we see a “therefore,” we need to find out what it’s “there for.” Prior to today’s gospel was a dialogue with a man from the crowd, which led to Jesus’ parable of the rich fool. Our first verse summarizes the gist of Jesus’ teaching. First of all, he tells the disciples to not worry about food and clothing. It’s not like the old saying, “Don’t worry. Be happy” because there is good reason to be happy—the loving care of God. If one is...

Here are some thoughts on the gospel for the second Sunday of Creation, Animal Sunday, that were sent to the people of St. Timothy Lutheran Church. What is your take on this passage? I'm inviting you into conversation with me about this. Feel free to comment. Luke 12:22-31 22 He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the gra...