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If we can’t strive for the other, how can relationships
even work? How can “family” work for
that matter? We were created by God’s marvelous hands not just as male and
female but for a greater purpose, greater unity—harmony in the world that would
shine the light of the Kingdom of God; once we have realized our commitment to
respond to Grace active in our lives.
Relationships take work but in turn produce fruit that is
the beautiful aspect of truly realizing that we are children of Grace and
promise dedicated to the Kingdom of God.
Our relationship to God is both a personal relationship as well as is to
be familial. All in the family accounted
for and accountable to one another. When
families are torn apart, what is the true root cause? There is some form of
divide, a disconnection made against the other and most likely made for or on
behalf of the self.
Living for the self alone is a lonely existence but our
current culture caters to it over and above family, over and above unity. Unity does not accommodate for the self and
its agendas, needs, etc. How can we truly know joy, harmony, peace and love if we
cannot hold any commitment, truly to any one beyond ourselves?
In regards to marriage, remembering mine still only six
years fresh; I made a commitment to love, care and honor my wonderful husband
Phil. Our wedding even included Holy Communion, which in retrospect speaks even
clearer to what sharing, sacrifice and commitment mean—living in, with and
through GRACE.
Both my husband and I are devout Christians. I do believe
that we follow the motto—the family that prays together stays together. We open
our mornings in prayer as a couple with our two furry children sitting on top
of us in bed. Every meal we have shared
together not only begins in prayer but we are thankful to one another for
being, for each other.
The unity and harmony we feel as a couple joined under
the Words of God, Words of Grace is that we are a team. Being a team is very
important because we are human creatures who are individuals as well as are now
together. “We’re all in it together,” is a lovely sentiment that actually comes
from the dark comedy of the early ‘80’s—Brazil.
In the movie, “We’re all in it together,” was a poster
billboard smattered across the miles and miles of fencing masking the barren wasteland
created by the evils of socialized/ controlled capitalism. The film was in many ways a Monty Python masterpiece
prophetically speaking against the evils of consumerism, political oppression
and “desire.”
The main character or hero of the film tried to forsake his
job and pursue a mate he met while working for the ministry of information
retrieval… Basically the entire film
shows him scheming and maneuvering against the government to pursue this woman
he fell in love with online. It was a
journey of the self to a certain extent as well as a cynical comment on how
relationships become complex in the first place.
The end of the film is steeped in ironic tragedy for the
woman in pursuit is killed as well as he is left essentially in a vegetative
state. Commitment and relationship were both failures here. He was not a team player but someone working
against the horrors of an oppressive political system, where care, concern and
love for the neighbor did not truly exist, yet alone God. He pursued an empty desire that would be “deleted.”
I hope you can hear the strong metaphors here in regards
to marriage and family beyond ourselves.
Our marriage and purpose as the church of Christ in this world but not
to be of it, was created for creating Grace and living faithfully renewed into
promise. This is a greater commitment to love God and neighbor while working
together in unity, harmony.
The world that the character Sam lived in, in the movie
Brazil was beyond representing the fallen state of humanity... It was in many ways as if no one there knew
of redemption, knew of hope… but only knew of an illusion of these. This is the most difficult thing our hearts
have to struggle with as disciples of Jesus moving forward into being and
purpose with a renewed commitment—a New-Natured commitment that as the
scriptures say: “….. 9Therefore what God has joined together,
let no one separate.”
Jesus was of course talking towards the institution of
marriage and the problems of divorce as how it was understood back then… But the profound TRUTH behind those Words
speak towards the intentions of our hearts in living together, moving forward
together as a part of the greater family of God!
The very last few verses Jesus imparts to the Pharisees
and the crowds that have gathered reveal the profound truth of our role in
creation as children of Grace and promise, Jesus says: “… Let the little
children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the
kingdom of God belongs. 15Truly I tell you, whoever does not
receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” 16And
he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.”
Our Old-Natured ways of living, realizing relationship
cannot be in bondage to the Law but must be obedient to the Gospel which is
centered through Christ in dedication to a greater purpose beyond
ourselves. We need one another to humbly
realize the Gospel imperative which builds those wonderful relationships. Which builds up the notion of family. Which builds up and reveals the beauty of
living Grace—compassion, kindness, love, mercy, concern, etc.
When we gather together here in this place as the Body;
that notion of family is to be and become so much more! Ministry together IS living into being the
true “bride” of Christ for we are committed to one another & to Christ
Jesus who gave us more than we could ever realize!
I’m sure there will be many a sermon today that will
avoid speaking to the truth of what these texts are truly about. This is the
difference between preaching the Word as a chaplain to culture or a Pastor for
Christ… This is how easily we shy away,
and in essence “divorce” ourselves from the Gospel imperatives’ TRUTH of being and
purpose for our lives. We must remember
our sovereign Lord is not only our Father and Redeemer but Creator—the high
priestly leader of the Kingdom of God.
Being married to another person is a wonderful
experience, speaking from experience!
Being married to the cause of Christ and His Gospel of Grace—New Natured
purpose for the world; Is the greatest goal!
The moment our hearts are led and shaped obediently to the Gospel of
Grace and Goodness is when we will know deeply what Joy, harmony, unity, peace
and Love truly mean in divine reflection.
Let us Pray:
Gracious and Loving Father
May we know true commitment
May we come to realize true unity
As children of Grace, children of Promise
Help us to know our place and role
In this world for Your Gospel imperative
May we never not be grateful
For all Good gifts You have given us
For all the bondage that You have freed us from…
May we strive together to rebuild and renew under You
AMEN
October 4th,
2015; 19th Sunday after Pentecost; Proper 22; Year B; SOLA Lectionary
Sermon By: Reverend Nicole A.M. Collins
Psalm 128;
Genesis 2:18-25; Hebrews 2:1-18; Mark 10:2-16
The link below was created on Thursday October 1st for the faithful viewers since
We will not be available this Sunday
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