Faith in Action – Michael Seiler

Who’s Scruffy Looking?

By MichaelSermonsAnger, Bias, Faith in Action, Fear, God, Judging, Judgment, Priorities, Rich, Sin, Wealth

Psychology tells us that we are hard-wired to think that beautiful people are smarter than those that don’t fit into society’s norms of beauty. And that we think that tall people are more capable of leading, just by virtue of their size. And that people who smile are more trustworthy than those who frown or who keep an expressionless face.

And while psychology tells us that this is our initial, hard-wired reaction, it is good that we are thinking and rational creatures, because each of us has experienced a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a salesman with a winning smile who is intending to sell you a lemon. Our hard-wired brains lie to us initially, but it is our thoughts and our understanding that helps us to see beyond the outer facade.

A Child’s Reflection

By MichaelSermonsAmbition, Faith in Action, Jesus, Judgment, Others, Self Worth, Self-Examination, Servant, Service, Serving

There’s a story about an old man giving advice to a younger man about the battle of good and evil within him. I’m sure you’ve seen it either on social media, or had someone tell it to you at some point in your life. The story is about two wolves, and the one that wins the battle, the story says, is the one that a person feeds the most. I’d like you to take the general idea of this story, but instead of two wolves doing battle for your soul, I want you to think of two children. Because within each of us are two children that are battling for our souls.

Can You Hear Me Now?

By MichaelSermonsAdoption, Anger, Faith in Action, Fear, Hatred, Jesus, Judging, Judgment, Racism, Self-Examination, Self-Importance, Sin

The Gospel goes out of the way to make sure that we know that the person who came to talk to Jesus is a woman, a Gentile, and not only any Gentile, but a Syrophoenician. This is a woman of standing, in what Jesus and his disciples could call “enemy territory.”

Over the years, we have all probably used some slurs when speaking of others. But also, over the years, we have matured, and we have come to understand others better, and more importantly, we understand ourselves and our own insecurities and fears better, so that we no longer use these slurs.

Which makes Jesus using this term “dog” to describe not only the Syrophoenician woman, but all her countryfolk sound like fingernails on a chalkboard to us when we hear it. And it demands that we figure out an answer to what is happening.

Teddy Bears and Wildflowers

By MichaelSermonsFaith, Faith in Action, God, Hate, Hypocrisy, Jesus, Judgment, Self-Examination

As I was preparing for the service today, I thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a sermon that was the equivalent of Teddy Bears skipping through alpine meadows picking wildflowers and making bouquets to give to people?”

“I wonder what the Gospel for this week says…”

Hypocrites! You honor me with your lips, but your hearts are far from me!

We Can Do Nothing Else

By MichaelSermonsBread of Life, Disciples, Discipleship, Faith, Faith in Action, Jesus, Miracles, Rejection, Sacrifice

It is important to realize that they did not reject Jesus because of who Jesus was. After all, they had seen him turn water into wine, walk on water, and feed 5000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish. They had seen him heal people, and restore them to their lives within the community. They had watched him make the claim that he was the Messiah. And then, they tried to force him to become their king. They obviously were pretty excited about Jesus.

So what gives?

Who’s Your Timmy?

By MichaelSermonsComplaining, Control, Doubt, Faith, Faith in Action, Grumbling, Jesus, Judging, Power, Sacrifice

“I remember his parents, and how he got lost in Jerusalem when he was 12! They had to come back and find him!”

“I remember one time he built a table with one short leg, and it used to wobble constantly!”

“Come on now! This cannot be the Messiah! I used to babysit him!”

Do Not Fear. Only Believe.

By MichaelSermonsCure, Faith, Faith in Action, Gods Plan, Gods Will, Healing, Miracles, Poor, Relationships

Some of you know that I raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society by doing a bike ride every year in the fall. The goal of these rides is to raise enough money to fund research into a cure for MS. At every event, there are riders who have been diagnosed with MS, who…

Who Is This Guy?

By MichaelSermonsFaith, Faith in Action, Fear, Jesus, Miracles

It is interesting to note, in this story of the disciples and Jesus on a boat, crossing a lake, that Jesus asks the question, “Why are you afraid?” He does not tell his disciples that there is nothing to be afraid of.

This world has many things that can terrify us. This world has very real things that can harm us, and things that we really should be frightened of. And then, there are things that we fear that are purely imagined.

Jumping Out of the Nest

By MichaelSermonsDisciples, Discipleship, Faith, Faith in Action, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Pentecost

But Pentecost is not only called the Birthday of the Church because so many people were added to the group of believers, but because there was a drastic change in the disciples themselves. And because this change in the disciples changed how the group of believers structured themselves.

That Your Joy May Be Complete

By MichaelSermonsDisciples, Discipleship, Faith in Action, Fear, Gods Plan, Gods Will, Jesus, Judgment, Love, Loving God, Loving Neighbor

So, what God is saying is that our Joy will attain the purpose that God has intended for us, if – and when – we love one another. It’s a very simple commandment, but it is not always easy to implement.

In the sermon on the mount, Jesus had even told his disciples to “Love their enemies,” and to “Pray for those that persecute you.” Very simple commandments, but once again, not at all easy to implement. Love God, Love your neighbor, Love one another, Love even your enemies. Jesus would not have told us – his disciples – to love our enemies unless he knew that the command to love those who didn’t love us would bring us joy.

Tag: Faith in Action