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SATURDAY NIGHT SERMON THREAD
Here’s the thing about words: they do things.
As a pastor, I stand up in front of people and declare the forgiveness of sins. I pronounce couples married. I baptize people into God’s family.
Words have power.
Here’s the thing about words: they do things.
As a pastor, I stand up in front of people and declare the forgiveness of sins. I pronounce couples married. I baptize people into God’s family.
Words have power.
Today we were out on the lake while 6yo was practicing her ice skating and 2yo was riding around in a sled.
One go-around with the sled, he toppled out and bumped his cheek on the ice. He cried and cried. We used our words to comfort him.
Words do things.
One go-around with the sled, he toppled out and bumped his cheek on the ice. He cried and cried. We used our words to comfort him.
Words do things.
When a sitting president tells a group of supporters known for violence to “stand back & stand by,”
then, “Come to DC on the 6th,”
then, “we’re going to give Republicans the boldness that they need to take back our country. Let’s march down Pennsylvania Ave”
things happen.
then, “Come to DC on the 6th,”
then, “we’re going to give Republicans the boldness that they need to take back our country. Let’s march down Pennsylvania Ave”
things happen.
Words can build. Words can destroy.
Words can bring life. Words can take life away.
Words can build up. Words can tear down.
Words can bring life. Words can take life away.
Words can build up. Words can tear down.
The words we use matter.
There are words that sow mercy and words that sow violence.
There are words that carry the weight of 400 years of violence against people because of the color of their skin.
There are words that lean on the violence of concentration camps for impact.
There are words that sow mercy and words that sow violence.
There are words that carry the weight of 400 years of violence against people because of the color of their skin.
There are words that lean on the violence of concentration camps for impact.
In Mark’s gospel today, we hear John speak: Prepare the way of the Lord.
And things happen.
We hear the very words of God: You are my beloved. With you, I am well pleased.
Words matter.
And things happen.
We hear the very words of God: You are my beloved. With you, I am well pleased.
Words matter.
These were the words spoken over you at your baptism as well. Words of belovedness, mercy, and grace as you were welcomed into the Beloved Community of God.
Together we claim those words spoken over us as our inheritance, but our baptismal call does not end there.
Together we claim those words spoken over us as our inheritance, but our baptismal call does not end there.
In our baptism, we are called to — among other things — strive for justice and peace in all the earth.
This means that, remembering the words spoken over us by God, we commit to using our words for the benefit of all.
This means that, remembering the words spoken over us by God, we commit to using our words for the benefit of all.
We use words to reject violence and domination, wherever they may roam.
We use words to reject systems of racism and white supremacy wherever they may stake a claim.
We use words to drive a stake through the wheels of injustice that run over the vulnerable in our community.
We use words to reject systems of racism and white supremacy wherever they may stake a claim.
We use words to drive a stake through the wheels of injustice that run over the vulnerable in our community.
And then we follow God’s lead and back up our words with our presence.
God bestows blessing upon Jesus in his baptism and then is present with him every step of the way into the resurrection of new life.
God bestows blessing upon Jesus in his baptism and then is present with him every step of the way into the resurrection of new life.
Likewise, we are blessed by God in our baptism and then God is with us as we show up for those who are marginalized, whose backs are against the wall, and who are told in word and deed that their lives do not matter.
So today I ask you,
Do you renounce the devil & all the forces that defy God?
Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God?
Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God?
We do. And we ask God to help us.
Do you renounce the devil & all the forces that defy God?
Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God?
Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God?
We do. And we ask God to help us.
You are God’s beloved. With you God is well please.
Now let’s get to work. Amen.
/end
Now let’s get to work. Amen.
/end
