Sermons - Milagro Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Perhaps one of the lessons that we can take from this story is that when we realize were wrong we don't have to make other people wrong or fall back into justification and rationalization. We can actually say -- you know what you’re right.

And this is my favorite definition of Hesed by Frank Johnson: “The consistent, ever-faithful, relentless, constantly-pursuing, lavish, extravagant, unrestrained, furious love of God!”

We have entered into a relationship with God in which we, too, are called to uphold our end. Michael Kinnamon says that a covenant “involves a commitment to walk together, seeking to be a part of community through prayer, study, conversation.” He says that “Covenant is a mutual agreement to hold one another accountable, intent on recognizing God’s grace in one another.” We are righteous when we do our very best to keep our covenant with God and god’s kids. We will never be perfect at it. Fortunately for us, God isn’t’ asking for perfection.

And this is my favorite definition of Hesed by Frank Johnson: “The consistent, ever-faithful, relentless, constantly-pursuing, lavish, extravagant, unrestrained, furious love of God!”

We have entered into a relationship with God in which we, too, are called to uphold our end. Michael Kinnamon says that a covenant “involves a commitment to walk together, seeking to be a part of community through prayer, study, conversation.” He says that “Covenant is a mutual agreement to hold one another accountable, intent on recognizing God’s grace in one another.” We are righteous when we do our very best to keep our covenant with God and god’s kids. We will never be perfect at it. Fortunately for us, God isn’t’ asking for perfection.

When we cannot find our way home to God, God will come to us.

When we cannot find our way home to God, God will come to us.

Jesus talked to people like Zaccheus – a hated tax collector; and the woman at the well, the Samaritan woman. And by so doing gave us the imperative to challenge social roles and social conventions and confront prejudice head-on. Jesus stopped the so-called adulterous woman from being stoned by her accusers. And in so doing he sets US on a path of seeking mercy over “justice” and gives us the vital job of making sure that in our pursuit of justice we have laws that are fair and consequences that are unbiased.

We are the sign. Each one of us sitting here today is a sign of God's love and truth and grace. We don't come here for a vending machine God to give us what we want. We don’t do it to be rewarded with riches, for God to grant us cars and houses and in being willing to live our lives like open books – we certainly don’t do it for the glory. We don't even do it so that we can assure ourselves a place in heaven.

We are the sign. Each one of us sitting here today is a sign of God's love and truth and grace. We don't come here for a vending machine God to give us what we want. We don’t do it to be rewarded with riches, for God to grant us cars and houses and in being willing to live our lives like open books – we certainly don’t do it for the glory. We don't even do it so that we can assure ourselves a place in heaven.