Our New Birthright
Rev. Terry Lee Corpier
Life in the Spirit • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 2 viewsJesus calls the body of believers to serve in the best way, where our minds are not overwhelmed with the tasks of serving God or by destructive and compounding teachings, but freed to continually love.
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem when Martha welcomed Jesus into their home.
Martha was preparing their home but became overwhelmed with her task.
Mary decided to spend her time near Jesus and listening to what Jesus had to say.
Neither of their choices was a problem in and of themselves.
Each chose to serve Jesus in their own way.
The difference was in the focus and direction of their minds.
While Mary was at piece with her choice, Martha was overly concerned about what Mary chose for herself, trying to cast guilt on Mary.
She questioned Jesus, asking, “do you not care…” and she tried to have Jesus force Mary to help her.
The Colossian church had a similar problem. – Colossians 10:15-29
While the Gospel had been shared with them, many became distracted by false teaching about Christ:
Some became convinced by others that the flesh was corrupt and always will be, while the spirit was separate and holy but trapped in the flesh.
Since the flesh is always corrupt, then Jesus could not have been fully human and his dying on the cross was merely a symbolic act.
Since Jesus called God his Father, then he must be just another spiritual being in the pantheon, lower than the supreme God, who his death must have appeased.
They thought if they knew this other, hidden mystery of God, it somehow made them more worthy of God’s grace.
They became distracted from the truth of the Gospel.
Like Martha or the Colossians, sometimes we become distracted from what is important.
Maybe we become distracted by the variety of entertainments around us.
Maybe we become distracted by the variety of pleasures around us.
Maybe we become distracted by work.
But, even when doing good and important things, we can become distracted from what is most important.
We become distracted from who we truly are.
In Martha’s case, she became distracted by all the things she thought were necessary.
She challenged Jesus’ sense of compassion for herself but had less compassion for Mary.
Jesus reflected Martha’s compassion but reversed it toward Mary
Jesus used the language of compassion:
Her own name in repetition, plus, undoubtedly, a compassionate tone.
He refocused her vision on the essentials of being present and hearing the Gospel.
Love for others instead of focusing on perceived problems.
In addressing the Colossians, Paul found that they became distracted by other “gospels.”
Paul also used the language of compassion:
He gave thanks and praise for what God had done among them and their general character, their reputation among others.
But they also needed to refocus on what was essential in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul wanted the Colossians to be their best in Christ.
The Holy Spirit is always guiding the people of God toward their best potential for good.
Our best potential for good is found through our inheritance in Christ.
Christ enabled the way for us to be restored in relation to God.
The Good News of Jesus Christ who died for our sins and was resurrected to liberate us from all evil at works in us through the presence of the Holy Spirit continually perfecting us in love.
This is why coming to repentance and renouncing all evil is important to starting that journey.
Martha needed to recognize that her anxiety caused her to tell Jesus to force Mary to help her.
But, that is not the way of God in Jesus Christ. His way is love.
Perfect Love casts out all fear. – 1 John 4:8
The Colossians needed to recognize that Jesus’ death and resurrection was sufficient to save them, they did not need to look for other answers out of fear that they were not included.
Just like Martha and the Colossians we sometimes need our vision corrected.
And, sometimes, we find that others need to be refocused on Christ and his mission to restore the world.
Loving others includes careful and thoughtful correction when others lose focus.
This happens best in relationships committed to seeking each other’s best potential for good.
This also happens when we are love with courageous hearts, seeking our collective good together.
A body stays healthy when all parts are concerned for all other parts.
This the mission and the body that we inherited in Christ.
If you are feeling the need to repent and renounce evil and enter into the inheritance of God, I invite you to pray with me.