The Bible contains many radical and subversive teachings. Its call for us to side with the poor, the oppressed and the powerless is a direct threat to how business has always been done in the world.
The call flows from the declaration that we are all created in the image of a holy God and that in Christ, we are new creations of God’s Spirit. Our hope in following Christ is that we can reach beyond the limits of our human nature and discover our higher spiritual identity.
Embracing this call is an audacious act. It requires us to say no to the powerful voices within us and around us that encourage mediocrity, stagnation and a sense of entitlement.
The best way to say no to everything that would stifle our growth and destroy our lives is to say yes to becoming our best selves — as difficult as that is. This Sunday we’ll be guided by the story of Nehemiah and by Jesus preaching his first sermon.
Please hear the words of our Epistle lesson in Colossians as your call to worship: “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory” (3:1-4).
With love and warmth,
Pastor Evan Howard