Lectionary Readings for September 20:
Proverbs 31: 10 – 31
Psalm 1
James 3: 13 – 4:3, 7 – 8a
Mark 9: 30 – 37
I am looking forward to being back in the pulpit bringing a message from God’s Word. Thank you to everyone who kept me in prayer, visited me and sent me cards. Thank you to all of you who kept the work of the church going – this truly is the ministry of all believers. A huge thanks to Dorice Koetje, our secretary, who keeps the office running efficiently. It is truly a blessing from God when I am away from the office to have an efficient and caring person in the office.
The passages above (click on the word Lectionary Readings to go to the passages online) speak of a wisdom born of service and humility. The Proverbs passage speaks of one who does good for others. Psalm 1 speaks of living out of a delight in God’s law. Mark speaks of receiving little children into our midst and thus receiving Christ. Little children, while important in a family, were of little importance in society. One of my favorite phrases out of these passages comes in James where it says, “Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.” From the phrase, “gentleness born of wisdom” comes my sermon title, “Gentle Wisdom”.
1. In what ways can we practice gentle wisdom in our lives?
2. How do we as a church receive those in our society who are marginalized and seemingly unimportant, as children were in New Testament times?
3. How does the description of a “capable wife” speak to us of a life of service and good for others?
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