Worship Previews 1.18.25: "S.A.D. - But I Say To You” and celebrating Human Relations Sunday

UPCOMING EVENT: FRIDAY, JAN. 23^RD - FELLOWSHIP SOUP LUNCH – delicious soups, chili and dessert for a freewill donation to benefit our various ministries – mark your calendar for 11:30am and join us in Fellowship Hall (entrance off 3^rd street) on Friday and again on Friday, Feb 27^th! Bring a friend! See you there!

WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY: 10:30 am.“S.A.D. - But I Say To You”  and celebrating Human Relations Sunday: Scriptures: Leviticus 19: 1-2, 9-18, Matthew 5:38-48.  Rev. Christopher Eshelman preaching.

In Matthew 5 we find Jesus teaching the crowds that flocked to hear him. He draws extensively from the teachings of the Old Testament but also often interprets and applies them in unexpected ways. Jesus’ approach is both liberating and often more strict than a literal reading of the Law. Do not be angry, do not lust, do not swear, and do not hate your enemy. Here and two other places in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus is quoted as summing up the law and the prophets as “Love your Neighbor.” Here he emphasizes that to do that necessarily includes loving your enemies.

The reason we are to do this is because as believers, we are to be “holy as God is holy.” God who makes the rains fall on the just and the unjust. God who has given us his first and his best in the person of Jesus. Born in humility, growing in community, baptized to “fulfill all righteousness.” The one we sang of as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” at Christmas now shows us what it is to walk in the Way. 

As we explore this and consider our next steps in this time and place, we’ll hear a passage from Leviticus that Jesus draws from. The 10 Commandments are given (twice) in Exodus. Here, similar teaching is reflected. 

Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive or defraud one another. ‘

“‘Do not pervert justice” Do not slander and “do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life.

Why must believes adhere to such a list? Because, God says: “I am the Lord.”  

I invite you to look around at the world today. How are we doing with this list and the many others like it in Scripture? How are we doing on loving our neighbors? Our culture is riddled with lies, slander, false witness, and unjust scales. Lives are endangered through neglect, violence, and disdain. This is not the Way. The standard of “an eye for an eye” was given as a way to limit violence. When harmed, one could only respond with equivalence. It was deemed unacceptable to kill in response to a theft, to wipe out a village to avenge a single murder. Our reactions were to be limited. Yet Jesus looks at that and raises the bar. But I say to you, love your enemies – pray for those who persecute you. The early church grew exponentially despite no legal standing or power because the early believers did exactly that. Christians cared for others, put themselves in harm’s way to protect neighbors, and sought the good of all.  Today we see a resurgence of the kind of “one of ours all of yours” excessive force that has marked the darkest times of human history. Our violence exceeds the limit of an eye for an eye and looks nothing at all like the way Jesus taught. We must repent. 

This weekend we will celebrate Martin Luther King Day. The Gordon Park’s museum has some wonderful events lined up that I encourage you to participate in as we reflect on who we are and who we want to be as a nation. In the United Methodist Church, we call this Sunday “Human Relations Sunday” and take a special offering that supports community development, justice and youth rehabilitation efforts around the world. We focus on what it takes to overcome our divisions and despair and to truly follow Jesus in loving our neighbors - all of them. As Rev. Dr. King said: “We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there "is" such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.” In another speech, he summed up his times and ours saying: “we must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” 

As we continue to explore themes of darkness and light and how we respond to the “Spiritual Affective Disorder” of these times, I believe Jesus and Dr. King were “singing from the same hymnal.” We will sing on Sunday: “The voice of God is calling its summons in our day… From ease and plenty save us; from pride of place absolve;Purge us of low desire; lift us to high resolve; Take us, and make us holy; teach us Your will and way” Join us this week in person or online, as we explore our next steps on another way – the way of Christ, who meets us where we are and calls us to wholeness. No matter where you are on your faith journey, we invite you to experience the love and presence of Christ, together with us at 10:30am each Sunday and explore your next steps! 301 S. National here in Fort Scott.  Find your path, share your journey!