Gratitude should be easy, right? But what if we received something that we didn't really want or ask for? Then it's a bit tricky. In Sunday's scriptures, we find God's people ignoring blessings as they focus on what they want and expect versus what God has provided.
In Isaiah, God's new way is announced to God's people. While recounting the amazing way through the sea in the Exodus, God also says to forget about that. This is something new. Isaiah lays out a stunning vision of streams in the desert along a beautiful passage. It's so breathtaking and wondrous that even the wild animals sing their praise to God.
However, from God's people, there is silence. There are no sacrifices, no songs, no celebrations. In fact, the people expect God to serve them rather than them serving God. This is quite a mess as the sermon explains.
The familiar story of Mary's anointing Jesus with precious perfume is met by Judas scolding Jesus, throwing Jesus' own teachings back in his face. Judfas has his fair points to make, but there is another spirit at work in this. It may even be a spirit with which you're familiar....
Check out the whole sermon with the video below, or download the text with the link below the video panel.
In Isaiah, God's new way is announced to God's people. While recounting the amazing way through the sea in the Exodus, God also says to forget about that. This is something new. Isaiah lays out a stunning vision of streams in the desert along a beautiful passage. It's so breathtaking and wondrous that even the wild animals sing their praise to God.
However, from God's people, there is silence. There are no sacrifices, no songs, no celebrations. In fact, the people expect God to serve them rather than them serving God. This is quite a mess as the sermon explains.
The familiar story of Mary's anointing Jesus with precious perfume is met by Judas scolding Jesus, throwing Jesus' own teachings back in his face. Judfas has his fair points to make, but there is another spirit at work in this. It may even be a spirit with which you're familiar....
Check out the whole sermon with the video below, or download the text with the link below the video panel.
| 03-13-16-ff-answers.pdf |
| 03-13-16-reflecting_gratitude.pdf |