Sunday, September 8th

BETTER ROCK THAN SAND 

“As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock.
When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.”

Luke 6:46-49

You are a builder. So am I. We are all engaged in building some kind of life, some kind of community, some kind of future. Even passively sitting on the sidelines contributes to some kind of outcome. On what foundation are we building, or resting?

Jesus draws attention to this issue with the crowd. He knows there are many who follow him and listen to him. Disciples of a rabbi listen, study, and learn things.

But disciples also do things. Or not.

Jesus reminds his crowd, along with us, how merely listening to his words and agreeing with them is not the same as following through with his will. Knowing we have a tendency to receive Jesus’ radical sayings, nod in agreement, but then carry on with the status quo, Jesus gets to the point with this parable about the difference between rock and sand. It means digging down deep, and not remaining on the surface. It is the transformation of heart and mind, not merely outward actions.

It is easy to imagine we are too busy to prioritize relationships with God, relationships with our neighbors, or to align our limited time on earth with the concerns of the Kingdom. The offer of spiritual empowerment that comes through prayer and practice, to pursue love, justice, and mercy, is set aside for other things that feel necessary and more immediately important. We build lives on and around those things, and try to fit God in between. But when the storm comes, as it always does, the ground gives way beneath us.

What does it mean to dig deep?
What does it mean to allow what is heaviest to weigh the most in our lives?

NEXT FOUR SUNDAYS

  • September 8th – ALL AGES; BLESSING OF STUDENTS/TEACHERS
  • September 15th – FISHING & FARMING: Matt 4:18-22; Luke 10:1-3
  • September 22nd – PERSONALLY: Psalm 139
  • September 29th – SERVE TOGETHER SUNDAY; Rob Stewart of New Horizons visiting; see SIGN UP LIST for needed donations

YOUNG CHURCH this Sunday

  • This Sunday, September 8th: ALL AGES STORYTELLER STYLE event
  • Readers wanted!

SERVE TOGETHER SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 29

This month includes a FIFTH SUNDAY! On September 29th, we will be devoting our Sunday morning gathering to remember and respond to the needs of street involved youth. One of the ministries we support, New Horizons, has provided us a list of much needed supplies. Executive Director Rob Stewart will visit and speak to us about the context of ministry to youth.

See the list of supplies and sign up here

Details: Sunday, September 29th; 10:30am