SJLC Sermons

In this sermon, we embark on a journey through the wilderness, understanding a period majorly characterized as a time of emptiness, which can relate to our feelings of isolation. Reflecting on the scripture from Mark's Gospel, we hear how Jesus Himself spent 40 days in the wilderness, challenged by Satan, yet never alone as attended by angels and His eternal faith in God.

We draw parallels to the Greek definitions of wilderness, 'eremos' and 'topos', connoting an empty place; a place empty of life, water, food, and people. The vacuum-like feel that conveys an eerie sense of being alone, something corroborated by Aristotle's philosophy that nature abhors a vacuum. His belief is that an empty space, inevitably, gets filled with something. It applies to our personal lives, experiences in ministry, and spiritual journey through Lent as well.

Historical and modern human experiences bear testament to our many encounters with empty-place moments and our instinctive quest to fill the void with something. Devil offers temptations to fill our emptiness with ungodly distractions, mirroring the legend of Robert Johnson, the Mississippi blues musician's alleged trade of his soul for unparalleled talent at the crossroads in the wilderness.

We often find ourselves confronted by fears, fears that make us feel alone, fears that drive us to give in to temptation, fears that make us doubt our faith. But the ironic part is there's no space truly empty, because we are never alone - a lesson directly from Jesus's journey in the wilderness. Our shared faith, collective worship, and the sacrament of Holy Communion all affirm this. Ultimately, it's understanding that Jesus's presence fills every empty place in our lives with His divine love, grace, forgiveness, and peace that allow us to journey faithfully through the wilderness of Lent and life.

Together in faith, we overcome fears, filling our emptiness not with worldly power or self-importance but with Jesus. That's the true power of belief - the answer to our existential questions, enabling us to journey through this world faithfully. Hence, we must always bear in mind - we are never alone. To this truth, we thank God. Amen.

In this powerful sermon, we delve into the significance of mountaintop experiences in Scripture, focusing on the extraordinary transfiguration of Jesus. We journey to a moment when Jesus was transfigured before the eyes of his disciples, Peter, James, and John on a high mountain, unveiling his divine glory through an immense glow from his clothes, conversations with Moses and Elijah, and the audible affirmation of His divine sonship by God Himself. This episode explores how mountaintop experiences were not just moments of divine revelation, but also a preparation guide for significant missions. From Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt to Jesus propelling His disciples into a mission of redemption, each encounter provided divine direction and equipped leaders for their upcoming tasks. We examine the influences of these moments, revealing the essence of divine presence and mission field that they encapsulate. This sermon concludes with an assuring message for the future, emphasizing that no matter what uncertainties lie ahead, we can trust that Jesus walks with us down the mountain and into the future.

In this episode, we follow Jesus and his disciples as they navigate their spiritual journey, witnessing miracles and confronting pressures of the world along the way. This compelling narrative begins with Jesus leaving the synagogue to enter the house of Simon and Andrew. Here, we find Simon's mother-in-law, ill with fever. In a striking act of kindness, Jesus takes her by the hand, lifts her up, and the fever departs from her, illustrating the power of faith and the transforming love of God.

As the evening approaches, the scene shifts as the whole city gathers around, each person beset with illness or afflicted by demons. Undeterred by the tumult, Jesus extends his healing powers, curing many of their diseases, and exorcising demons. In these remarkable acts, we see Jesus's compassion and the divine powers entrusted upon him. Yet amidst the miracles, an important message resonates, reminding us of the true essence of the gospel.

Following the tumultuous events, Jesus retreats to a deserted place to seek solace and to pray, which links to the contemporary concept of 'forest bathing'. Similar to this mindful practice amidst nature, Jesus's retreat into the wilderness is viewed as a means to reconnect with God and restore spiritual equilibrium. Herein, we uncover the age-old wisdom about seeking spiritual restoration amidst nature, away from the sensory overstimulation that typically engulfs human civilization.

The frantic quest of the disciples to find Jesus in the wilderness captures the worldly temptation of busyness that often distracts us from the peace and wholeness offered by God. This episode calls out the perils of being bound to the pressures of worldly gains, material possessions, and social status while losing sight of spiritual well-being.

In the end, the narrative returns to an image of selfless service, distinguishing it from work—a profound distinction that stems from one's connection with God. The gospel concludes with a beautiful image of restoration and resurrection, which allows Peter's mother-in-law to serve selflessly. This transformation into a life of service, which bears witness to the gospel, is what every encounter with Jesus invites us to.

Ultimately, the message implores us to seek wholeness and restoration in God and resist the world's temptations to busyness and distraction. By carving out moments of silence, by taking a restful walk in the wilderness, or by experiencing the healing wonders of 'forest bathing', we can open our heart to God's love, embrace the message of resurrection, and transform our lives into a meaningful service of others.

Today we celebrate Christmas Eve with the re-telling of the Christmas story for our 11:00 am family service. Join us as our children gather around the steps for the re-telling of this beautiful story.