Tag Archives: communion

Am I a Misanthrope?

Posted on by

It might be in my blood. It might not be. My dad was a likable guy. People in church, in the neighborhood, and in our family loved him. When my dad’s genes are showing up, I am pretty likable, if I do say so myself.

And then there’s dad’s cousin, Wayne. Since you’re not supposed to speak ill of the dead, I won’t talk about Wayne. But if I did talk about him, I’d say he was a crusty old grouch who didn’t like anyone. Whoops — well, when I do things like that (speaking ill of the dead), I guess it’s Wayne’s genes that are showing up.

What about you? Are you a lover of humankind or a misanthrope?

Although Wayne lived into his late 80?s, he’s the exception to the rule. Generally people who don’t love others lead shorter, lonelier lives. Their lack of spiritual and emotional health leads to a lack of physical health. Who knows what damage it does for eternity.

In this podcast, we examine how the Christians in Corinth were behaving toward one another — without love or respect — and we work to learn how we can do the opposite.

The sermon notes are available upon request. Email me at the address below.

 

 

You can listen to the podcast at the bottom of this post.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Celebrating Todays by Recalling Yesterdays…

Posted on by

I often say that I am a nostalgist. There’s no such word, but there should be.* I like to think of the past and remember it, happy or sad. Sometimes people avoid thinking about the past because the memories are filled with pain. Other times people don’t let their minds go there because when placed beside the past, the present feels pretty lame.

For the redeemed, there are parts of the past that we’d rather forget. Having opened the eyes of our hearts to the hope to which we’ve been called, we see our past lives for what they were — and some of those memories are not ones we hold fondly. Yet, in Ephesians 2, the text recalls our past — a past that isn’t so pretty.

Why?

The answer is that thinking back to who you were and contrasting it with who God has made you, evokes appreciation in your heart and life.

This Communion Service podcast encourages us to look back at our past so we can appreciate what God’s done in our lives.

*I’ve recently been made aware there is such a word as nostalgist. Thanks Allen. 🙂

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

What Is Communion?

Posted on by

There’s a radio preacher on the shortwave that I’ve listened to who teaches his people to take communion in their homes. He leads them in taking it, reading the passages, giving the message, and saying the prayer. He even says, “This take in remembrance of me. Let us take it together.”

At first, I thought, “That’s kind of a good idea. It’s good for shut-ins.”

But as I have come to understand Communion and Community, I see that we are to take it together — as we are assembled together. I am not saying it’s wrong, if you can’t get out to be with other Christians, to take it alone.

But the design is to be taking it together.

This message speaks to the meaning of the word “Communion” and how it relates to togetherness.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download