Baptism Sunday and Praise Worship Sunday
Rev. JoBeth
Marshall
Lectionary
Scripture: Psalm 22; Hebrews 4:12-16;
Mark
Sermon
Synopsis of: "What Is Your
Fortune?"
In our Hebrews
text for today we learn that simultaneously our God is both exacting and
gracious unto us as human beings of earth.
Psalm 22 called
an Individual Lament covers verses 1 thru 15 which come from the author thought
to be David. He is in deep despair about the tribulations of life. Jesus shared
despair from the cross upon which he died as he lamented to God sharing his
anguish about the circumstances in his life upon the earth. Jesus also knew
that Psalm 22 ends with David knowing that even in deepest
despair God is with us , knows our hearts and is able to deliver us into hope
carrying with us the wisdom and courage to either live upon earth or die unto
earthly life. Either way God is the true final answer.
In Mark we
discover that for God all things are possible in life and even beyond death.
Can we let go of our need to try to control and give God our whole lives?
God’s expectation
for us is to live our lives fully giving thanks and that all or 100% of our fortune(time, talent, riches) will be used in ways that are
pleasing to God. Jesus tells us that despite whatever our earthly difficulties,
agonies or sorrows, we are to live in courageous love - whatever life throws at
us. We can share our anger and anguish with God knowing that God can be trusted
in faith, now and into generations yet unborn.
Can we answer God’s
steadfastness for us with good use of our life’s fortune? Whatever our fortune,
we are to spend it, use it and give it in love for God and our neighbor.
What Is Your
Fortune? Amen.