This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday, the last in the Christian year. It's a Sunday where take time to reflect on Christ as the Ruler of the Universe, the One who Reigns. It's a time for us each to ask, "What rules my life?"

As we head into a season where so much is vying for our attention, we get the chance the center ourselves on Christ before Advent begins. What a gift! Take a few moments to read our Scriptures, Psalm 100 and 1 Corinthians 3:10-11,16-23. Take another moment to think about who or what reigns in your life right now, and come with that reflection to this sermon.

A Mission Moment by Mark B.

A mission moment by Heather B.

Relationships: we all have them.

Some are thriving; some are broken; but most probably fall somewhere on the spectrum between thriving and brokenness. They can be at the same time both rewarding beyond measure and frustrating as all get out! Some of us, by nature, actively seek out relationships while others of us shy away from them for any number of reasons.

But what is it that makes a relationship work or fall apart? What is necessary to build one, and what will inevitably destroy one? What, if anything, do our day-to-day relationships have on our relationship to God - and vice versa?

As we continue with our sermon series, In God We Trust, we are thinking about relationships. To help us in considering this topic, we will be focusing on 1 Kings 17:8-16 and Luke 16:19-31. What do these passages say to you about relationships?

A Mission Moment

When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Is it the color of your eyes, the state of your hair-do, your smile, a pimple, or mole? Any crows feet? (Oh wait that last one may just be me!)

In one of the most often quoted passages in Scripture 1 Corinthians 13, Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13, “now we look through a mirror dimly.”

In general, we think the mirror is an honest object. It reflects exactly what is before it, but remember that the modern mirror was not created until the middle ages and not around in Paul’s time. In biblical times, mirrors we simply polished metals like mirrored bronze. So although our mirrors have changed significantly, I believe our human conditions have not. We still struggle to see what God has woven into us: our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls.

In fact, I wonder if it is possible that modern mirrors and many other aspects of our culture are actually fooling us. We can look in the mirror and think, "I know JUST who you are." But Paul claims that we are always just looking through a very blurred reflection, because without love, we will not be able to see the truth, the depth, the beauty, and the power of the person before us. Cheesy as it sounds, God’s patient, humble, honest love is like the ultimate Windex. It clears off all the layers we place upon ourselves and delves deep to the core of who God made us to be - or rather, who God is making us to be, day by day and one faithful act of love after another. Read the passages for this sermon, and ask yourself what God is seeking to reveal to you about you or what God wants you to reflect to someone you love.

Speaking of love, this sermon (with the help of CHUMCers Chuck Carr and Carol Anderson) remembers the CHUMC saint, Margaret Magi, who passed away in 2016. This sermon has been inspired by her generous bequest to CHUMC. Always giving to the church, especially in times of need, Margaret did not let death stop her generosity. As you have hopefully heard, this year we received $256,000 from her estate! We remain in awe of both Margaret’s ongoing and abundant faithfulness and the ways God provides. In her stewardship and her leadership and service at the church, Margaret reflected the sacrificial love God calls us to. And I believe in that service, she discovered more fully who God made her to be and helped CHUMC in becoming who we are today.

“Doubt Everything” was Karl Marx’ motto.

“Question Authority” read pins worn by protesters during the Vietnam War.

Both could summarize Koholeth’s, the author of Ecclesiastes, approach to life and its meaning. We must wrestle with life and not always accept things as they are simply explained. We must question and occasionally doubt answers spoon fed to us.

But, as Ellen Davis asks, did either Karl Marx or protestors from the past or present, truly live out their mottos? Did they question everything including their own knowledge, assumptions, and very self? Did they doubt or question their own ability to come to a clear conclusion?

As we conclude our study of Ecclesiastes this week, it is my hope that we recognize the important role this work plays in our sacred Scriptures and what it is asking of us. At its core, “the book highlights every absurdity in human experience, every contradiction in human thought.” And in so doing, it asks that we not condemn Scripture, faith, God, or life itself as meaningless, because we can see the apparent contradictions. We and our lives are not above or apart from such contradictions. Rather, it invites us to practice humility, to humbly wrestle with God and struggle with one another as we “doubt from the inside.” As Ecclesiastes concludes “Fear God” (also translated as “revere” God) and practice God’s commandments of love (Ecclesiastes 12:13.)

So read the passages for this sermon and think over the last several weeks. Do we have more fear of missing out on pleasure, secular accomplishments, or knowledge than we fear or revere what God might be asking of us in this very fleeting yet poignant moment that God alone gives to us?

So, yes, we can question authority, but let us also question our own need to understand the significance of every moment and, instead, contemplate what it might look like in our own life to name our own limitations and, in the same breath, name the limitless possibilities of God our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. How can we be like Abel and please God in the simple, fleeting and yet beautiful moments of life?