Claimed, gathered and sent

This is the sermon I preached at St. Timothy' s and St. Mark's . The text is John 20:19-31 .            Have you ever been afraid? I mean have you ever really been afraid? I’m talking about quaking in your boots, perspiration dripping down your forehead, shortness of breath, hair standing up on the back of your neck, fear. The kind of fear you experience in a nightmare, where you are being chased by a tarantasaurus rex.           Fear is powerful. It affects us emotionally and physically. Fear can immobilize us, preventing us from living the abundant life God has in mind for us.           During holy week, Jesus’ disciples had experienced an emotionally draining week. Their master had been killed. He was buried in a tomb and now three days later, they heard from some women that he was alive. They had no proof of it for themselves, however. ...

This is the e-message shared with St. Timothy Lutheran Church yesterday. These thoughts are based on John 20:19-23, 26-31 . Jesus' Parlor Tricks   The disciples had locked themselves into a room because they were afraid. They couldn't go anywhere because of their fear. Fear, of their own making, was the guard that had locked them up in this prison. You have to sympathize with the disciples. Their Master had just been killed and who’s to say they aren't next?            Look who is here! It's Jesus. Was this some kind of parlor trick? Now you see him; now you don't.  We do not know if Jesus walked through the closed doors or if they opened of their own accord for him or if he just suddenly appeared.              What are the locked doors that prevent us from being all God has called us to be? Is it fear or anger or loneliness or fatigue? None of these doors can kee...