Tag Archives: Self-Importance

08Sep/24

Can You Hear Me Now?

September 8, 2024SermonsAdoption, Anger, Faith in Action, Fear, Hatred, Jesus, Judging, Judgment, Racism, Self-Examination, Self-Importance, SinMichael

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.

14Jul/24

Don’t Lose Your Head

July 14, 2024SermonsAnxiety, Control, Fear, Idolatry, Idols, Judgment, Power, Pride, Self-Control, Self-Importance, Sin, WealthMichael

Which leads us to this particular evening, when Herod was entertaining guests and dignitaries, both from the leadership of Galilee, and from the Roman Empire. His step-daughter, which we know from Josephus to be named Salome, dances for him and the guests. And this is where the story goes off the rails a bit. We are told that Herod was so pleased with Salome’s dancing that he offered her half his kingdom as a reward.

And the result of this was the death of John the Baptist.

Drama! Intrigue! It’s a story that leaves us full of questions.

22May/22

Duct Tape and Dwelling Spaces

May 22, 2022SermonsFaith, Faith in Action, Fear, God, Hate, Hatred, Love, Self-Acceptance, Self-Examination, Self-Importance, Sin, TransformationMichael

There can never be a beloved community – a community that includes all God’s children regardless of any self-imposed differences to keep ourselves apart – there can be no peace, no living together in harmony, unless there is forgiveness and understanding.

20May/22

Freedom Fruits

May 20, 2022A Slow Walk Through the Bible, Galatians, New Testament BooksChrist, God, Loving Neighbor, Self-Examination, Self-Importance, Self-Justification, Self-RestraintMichael

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed toRead More…

16May/22

Fearful or Free

May 16, 2022A Slow Walk Through the Bible, Galatians, New Testament BooksAnger, Christ, Fear, God, Hatred, Loving Neighbor, Self-Examination, Self-Importance, Self-JustificationMichael

Tell me, you who desire to be subject to the law, will you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman andRead More…

09Apr/21

Who Says You’re Important?

April 9, 2021A Slow Walk Through the Bible, Galatians, New Testament BooksHearing God, Humility, Self-Importance, Standing Up, Submission, YieldingMichael

As more proof, Paul lets us know that these people “added nothing to me.” Or, stated differently, they found no fault with his Gospel, and therefore did not need to correct him. Moreover, they saw, they recognized, that Paul had “been entrusted with the Gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel for the circumcised.” And so they all agreed that Paul and Barnabas would go to the Gentiles, and Peter and the others would work on sharing the Gospel with the Jews.