|
|
When Faithfulness Counts as Righteousness
Proper 18 | OT 23 | Pentecost 15
Full installment posted Tuesday afternoon.
|
|
| Dean Feldmeyer |
|
|
Whether we look to the headlines or in the particulars of our own experiences, life is full of situations that seem impervious to easy solutions. Yet, as team member Dean Feldmeyer points out in the next installment of The Immediate Word, we trudge on like Sisyphus and keep trying to roll that heavy stone up the hill. Where do we find the strength to keep on "keeping on," and how do we keep hope alive against all odds? Dean suggests that the answer is to be found in the opening verse of this week's lectionary epistle text, in which the writer of the First Letter to Timothy notes that despite his sordid past, "I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service." We may not see a difference in our circumstances immediately -- but God sees and rewards faithfulness by strengthening us and providing us with the resources we need to cope with whatever comes our way. Here's a preview:
When Faithfulness Counts as Righteousness
by Dean Feldmeyer
1 Timothy 1:12-27
Thirty-three miners are trapped below ground in Chile. They have been trapped for nearly a month, and it may be Christmas before they are brought out. So they have organized themselves into a disciplined cadre who work hard to support each other in those very trying circumstances. The eldest among them has become their chaplain and counselor -- sublimating his own doubts and fears, leading prayer and worship time, hearing their fears and worries. Another has become the medical officer, relying on advice from the surface and a few first aid courses he took decades ago. Others continue to work, clearing away the debris that falls into their safe room as the new shaft is dug.
How do they do it? How do they keep from dissolving into their own fears and doubts, giving in to the panic which must from time to time invade their consciousness?
For that matter, how do our national leaders, the President and the Secretary of State, rally within themselves the wherewithal to go once again to the Middle East in an effort to hammer out a peace accord between Palestinians and Israelis? Everyone knows the odds are against them. Everyone says that the hope of any lasting peace agreement is a long shot at best. So where do they get the energy to go back yet again?
Paul, in his letter to Timothy (v. 12) may give us a hint at how such behavior is possible. God, he says, counts faithfulness as righteousness. God rewards faithfulness as if it were righteousness. And haven't we heard that somewhere before? Of course we have. It's what was said of Abraham -- he believed the Lord, and the Lord reckoned his belief as righteousness (Genesis 5-6).
From beginning to end, from Genesis to Timothy, from Abraham to Paul -- God counts and rewards faithfulness as righteousness....
>> Full installment posted Tuesday afternoon.
>> Subscribe to The Immediate Word
|
What is The Immediate Word?
The Immediate Word gives a theological perspective on today's headlines and popular culture for your sermon, children’s sermon, and worship service. The Immediate Word gives a theological perspective on today's headlines and popular culture.
Cutting Edge: THE IMMEDIATE WORD gives you the tools to be cutting edge ... to put you in touch with today's most critical issues and to aid you in crafting messages and presentations that will truly help your congregants understand the Gospel in the context of what is current and most important to them.
Collaborative: THE IMMEDIATE WORD is a unique collaboration of some of the sharpest, most contemporary clergy of our day in an Internet-based service that gives you weekly information, inspiration, and presentation materials for your sermon, children’s sermon, and worship service.
Enabling: THE IMMEDIATE WORD will enable you to create high-impact sermons, children’s sermons, sermon outlines, worship services and compose pastoral prayers that help people pray with you, write compelling pastoral columns for your newsletter, arm your Sunday school teachers with meaningful, up-to-the-minute discussion sermon material, speak more constructively during the "Concerns of the Church" portion of your sermon, children's sermon and worship service about matters that worry your parishioners, advertise timely discussion topics to draw people into your church, and more.
Interactive: THE IMMEDIATE WORD is a dynamic, interactive process. First, among the team of clergy that creates it every week. Secondly, with you: you can personally participate in the creation process by providing your input and reactions to the input of others on new sermons, children’s sermons, sermon outlines and worship resources.
Timely: THE IMMEDIATE WORD sends participants the topic of the week on Friday and the final product on Tuesday afternoon, giving you time to digest the sermon and worship service materials and then incorporate them into your preparations for the coming Sunday service to deliver high-impact sermons and worship services.
Satisfaction Guaranteed: THE IMMEDIATE WORD is not only guaranteed to satisfy you, we believe it will actually energize your ministry. We are so confident that you will find THE IMMEDIATE WORD to be such a great value that if you are not completely satisfied with the service we will refund the balance of your subscription payment, no questions asked.
>> Subscribe to The Immediate Word
|
|
|
|
