Sermon Details
- Pastor Name: Jonathan Cornell
- Date & Time: November 9, 2014 | 10:00am
SERMON SERIES:
Rooted and Built Up
We are continuing our series on Stewardship by looking at what Paul describes as the pathway to abundant generosity. Colossians 2 begins with this practical and beautiful picture of how a person comes to understand the fullness of the generosity of Jesus, so that we may do the same. Last week, we looked at where it all begins, as in every overarching story in Scripture, generosity and thanksgiving begin with grace—grace shown and grace known. Today, we are moving to the next clause in these verses, and what it means to walk with Jesus.
So as you are able, I want to invite you to stand with me, and read these verses from Colossians 2 once again. Read them out loud in such a way that the words sink down into your heart.
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Today, we are also looking at Mark 10:17-25:
And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
This is the Word of the Lord, thanks be to God. Amen, you can be seated and let’s pray.
PRAYER
It makes me so happy that my little ones Christian and Annie have recently discovered an interest in something near and dear to my own childhood, the Muppets. So far we have watched The Original Muppet Movie as well as the new rendition, Muppets Most Wanted. And let me tell you, it doesn’t matter how old you are, there is still something magical about that green felt puppet singing Rainbow Connection.
Those characters have such personality that it feels as though they are actually real people. But nothing reveals the incongruity and unfortunate truth that the Muppets aren’t actually real more than seeing Kermit the Frog walk. It is comical in its absurdity. But in life, sometimes it is those moments of absurdity that provide the most clarity.
Download the entire transcript here: Colossians 2 Mark 10 17-31
