Worship Preview 8.4.24

First United Methodist Church         

This Sunday: 10:30am – “Who Do We Say that We Are?” Pastor Christopher Eshelman Preaching. Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 and 2 Timothy 2:8 – 4:8

Last week we experienced what it might have been like to be in a congregation receiving a letter from the Apostle Paul. As Pastor travelled to help his son move, Carol and Steve led the service, reading an “epistle” he’d sent. How we hear and read a letter like this is necessarily different from how we would read or hear other writing – a narrative, a poem or hymn. Letters do not stand alone, they build on existing relationships and storytelling. This week we will begin a new series that is intended to take us much deeper in to our understanding of Scripture– and of the grace and hope in Christ to be found in its pages and our lived community. A well-known verse found in 2nd Timothy states: “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.”

When it was written, what we now know as 2nd Timothy was not Scripture. It was a letter designed to encourage and equip pastors. So “All Scripture…” here referred to what we generally call the Old Testament – a collection of writings originally in Hebrew that include the Torah, the Wisdom books, and the Prophets. Found within its pages are stories, songs, poems, lists and inventories – all sorts of ways of telling the story of the Hebrew people. Over time, as Christianity became a separate movement from Judiasm, letters like 2ndTimothy came to be collected and considered by the church councils, as similarly inspired texts – found “useful for teaching and correction…” thus… Scripture.

A formal list was established at the Council of Rome in 382AD, continuing to be revised through 1563 when the Roman Catholic Council of Trent concluded and, separately, the Church of England’s 39 Articles were adopted (Eastern Orthodox Christians have a slightly larger list of text derived from the Synod of Jerusalem in 1672).  But by 1563 the familiar “66 Books” 39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament, was settled.

Last week we read Philemon – and sang “Amazing Grace.” The hymn was written by John Newton, an Anglican clergyman who had formerly been a slave ship captain but in experiencing God’s grace the courage to change, to challenge his society, and to inspire others to faith and freedom. In the letter, Paul asks for the slave Onesemus to be freed on the basis of being a brother in Christ and helpful to Paul’s ministry. Slavery is a difficult concept in the New Testament, many verses seem to accept it as normal, but some push back. Some of that is because the authors thought the 2nd coming was so imminent there wasn’t time or need to change society. Some of it was that the church adopted worldly ways and sought power and human favor. We have to discern.

When we read Scripture, we need to see it not as simple instruction but the story of inspired people wrestling with the questions of who we say God is and how we live it out.  The same Bible slave masters in the American South used to justify their power and position gave inspiration, through texts like Exodus and Revelation, alongside the Gospels, to the slaves who sought their own dignity and freedom. We Christians are fond of saying that God never changes – and yet our understanding of God’s will certainly has. I think that is appropriate. God isn’t finished with us yet!

Engaging with Scripture tells us who we say we are as well. We have choices to make and have to discern. To help us do that, over the next few weeks we will c0ntinue to dive deep into Scripture – this week drawing from two more letters – we will begin exploring one of the most controversial books included in those canon lists. As I’ve considered the world we live in, listened to what some other congregations in town proclaim, and considered the questions Jesus asked in our most recent series - I’ve decided to do a sermon series and small group study over the book of Revelation. Too often Christians either avoid this book altogether, or they root themselves almost entirely in its terrible visions (often filtered through novels like “Left Behind”, leading to what I believe is a distorted and dangerous projection of Christ as a violent general and faith as dominance and abandonment of others. That understanding is at odds with the whole of Scripture – and even at odds with the point of the Book of Revelation!

In August and September, we will be unpacking that and offering an understanding of John of Patmos’ visions that lead, like all Scripture, to undying hope and the possibilities of renewal – on earth as it is in heaven! We will begin that series this week, with a look at how “end times” are addressed in the Epistles and by sharing Christ’s table. All are invited to partake of this gift of bread and cup, that through it we may become the body of Christ for the world. We are not alone or abandoned – the same God who called the Prophets of old and transformed lives like Paul and Newton is working here and now as well! Softly and gently, Jesus is calling us! We invite you to journey with us, beginning Sunday at 10:30am. 301 S. National.

Last week, we heard Paul’s benediction in 1 Thessalonians and we will wrap up with his words again: “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.” and “May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.”

Upcoming Events: 

Wednesday, August 7th  5:30–6:30pm: Feeding Families in His Name resumes after a week of rest – this free meal is available to everyone without obligation. A “to-go” meal is distributed under the portico at 301 S. National. A reminder: Please do not block nearby driveways while waiting. Thank you. We have recently had one of our freezers fail and are replacing it at a cost of about $6000, if you would like to support this ministry, you can make donations online at www.firstumcfortscott.org/onlinegiving. 

Next Sunday, August 11th 5:30pm – Ice Cream Social. Join us in Fellowship Hall for a cool treat and plenty of cookies and brownies, along with fellowship and conversation – invite a friend!