We've begun a new year, and we will find many things tugging at us, yearning to gain our attention and esteem. But not all things are worthy. Indeed, many (most?) things are simply distractions. When we're pre-occupied by distractions, we can miss the important stuff. You may have seen someone like the master of distraction pictured at left.
In bigger life terms, we can end up focused on futile nonsense rather than being fixed on God's promise.
The Isaiah 25 text is a real puzzle. You'll have to check out the sermon (video or text) to unpack it. In short, the strong and ruthless have completely used up everything - I mean everything - only then realizing that the poor and weak have had refuge and salvation in the love of God. They realize that God is worthy of their faithful trust, not the world's agenda.
The selection from the First Letter of John begins by praising members of the family of God for their faithfulness, their attentiveness to God and the good news of Jesus. It continues by warning that the things of the world are not the things of God; there should be no confusion. For all that is in the world—the cravings of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live for ever.
The challenge for the faithful this year is just the same as always. We know the world will offer easier, more pleasing, more alluring, and more profitable approaches to life. Faith stands on its own, standing with God, and with Christ, and with the Kingdom, bearing the promise of life as it was intended, now and forever.
In bigger life terms, we can end up focused on futile nonsense rather than being fixed on God's promise.
The Isaiah 25 text is a real puzzle. You'll have to check out the sermon (video or text) to unpack it. In short, the strong and ruthless have completely used up everything - I mean everything - only then realizing that the poor and weak have had refuge and salvation in the love of God. They realize that God is worthy of their faithful trust, not the world's agenda.
The selection from the First Letter of John begins by praising members of the family of God for their faithfulness, their attentiveness to God and the good news of Jesus. It continues by warning that the things of the world are not the things of God; there should be no confusion. For all that is in the world—the cravings of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live for ever.
The challenge for the faithful this year is just the same as always. We know the world will offer easier, more pleasing, more alluring, and more profitable approaches to life. Faith stands on its own, standing with God, and with Christ, and with the Kingdom, bearing the promise of life as it was intended, now and forever.
| 01-04-15-ff-answers.pdf |
| 01-04-15-fixed_on_god.pdf |