July 25, 2021, 9th Sunday After Pentecost 

"Let's Stay Home-What Could Go Wrong?" 

In this passage from the lectionary, it is the season of spring. As the army is at war, David decides to stay home in his palace. Here is just the beginning of David's problems. David informed the people he would lead them and shepherd them. However, we find that David is not where he is supposed to be. Pastor Killam reminds us that God doesn't intend this life for us. We travel back on all of David's indiscretions and become reminded of how Jesus also accepted him. It is through this story we see that Jesus also grants us acceptance. What happened to David when he stayed home? As you read all the excuses found for staying home, one after another, it begins to run thin. So society stays out because they prefer to do so. These excuses are mere afterthoughts. It is often in church that we become challenged to expand our horizons. Are you on your own? That is the recipe to languish, becoming anxious and weary. Maybe it's leaving you not to attempt anything as audacious as self-improvement. While the positive encouragements we hear in the church give us the daring to dream beyond our means. It is in church, you hear about becoming a saint. Maybe this is a difficult task, but it can endow your life with purpose. Becoming a church member might mean leaving behind the comfort of individualism and voluntarily allowing yourself to be bound to others. So here shines the beautiful picture of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as we do this because Jesus joyfully left behind his comfort and bound himself to us. It is our responsibility to make the presence of God a place where we dwell. 

Notes: Fixed mono audio. Tracks are now exported in stereo.