Sep 8: Without Distinction

My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? James 2:1–4

Over the next few weeks, our first lesson will come the letter of James. Martin Luther did not care for James, and believed it focused too much on individual action rather than God’s grace. I believe James is written like a pastor to a congregation, rather than a like a theologian to the academy. If the church treats people better based on wealth or prestige this is not good. James argues there should be no distinctions in the church, but if one group should get preferential treatment, it should be the poor not the rich. Join us Sunday as we consider this challenge and hear an amazing healing story.

Sep 15: Power of Speech

But no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. James 3:8–9

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. This childhood saying comes so easily to me and yet we know it is definitely not true. In many cases, we carry with us the unkind words spoken to us our whole lifetime, particularly when those words were shared by a loved one. James encourages the church to watch what we say and how we say it. With our speech we have the power to raise people up, praise the Lord, and show kindness and love. We also have the capacity to tear people down, spew lies and hate, and blaspheme God. Let us welcome the Spirit to lead us in the power of our speech.

Sep 22: First Serve

Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Mark 9:33–35

I have a confession to make: I am competitive. I like to compete and I like to win. Over the years, I have learned to temper my impulses but sometimes it doesn’t work. The disciples were humans just like us who at times got things right and other times not so much. In our gospel for Sunday the disciples are arguing among themselves which of them was the greatest. Presumably they were nominating themselves as the best disciple, rather than seeing greatness in each other. Jesus reminds them the best way to follow him is to serve others, not to look good or be noticed, but because it is the right thing to do.