Tenth Sunday after PentecostProper 15(20)
Unifying Theme: |
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| Scripture | Theme | Hymns |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah
5:1-7 --or-- Jeremiah 23:23-29 |
God looks for His people to be just and righteous --or-- Speak God's word faithfully |
142: If Thou Shalt But Suffer
God to Guide Thee 473: Lead Me, Lord |
| Psalm
80:1-2, 8-19 --or-- Psalm 82 |
We survive and flourish only with God's favor --or-- God presides over all |
698: God of the Ages 715: Rejoice, the Lord Is King |
| Hebrews 11:29-12:2 | Faith in the Lord conquers all | 332: Spirit of Faith, Come
Down 385: Let Us Plead for Faith Alone 511: Am I a Soldier of the Cross |
| Luke 12:49-56 | The signs of God's purpose are all around us | 444: O Young and Fearless
Prophet 555: Forward Through the Ages |
Some of the scriptures in the Revised Common Lectionary this week aren't all that uplifting. In fact, some of them are downright depressing! What do we do with scriptures of doom and gloom? What kinds of songs are in our hearts when we read about trampled vineyards, false prophets, and judgment against God's people? Are they happy songs? Not usually! Even the Psalmist seems short on words of joy this week.
John and Charles Wesley were ministers in the Church of England. People looked to them for leadership and for guidance. John in particular is recognized as the founder of the Methodist movement. This did not happen without controversy, though. Whether it involved the question of free will and universal grace, the authority within the church to ordain ministers, or other issues, John continually found himself at odds with the hierarchy and other leaders in the Church of England. In such a conflicted environment, how could John avoid some of the same feelings of despair expressed by the prophets and the Psalmist?
Charles, too, experienced difficulties in his ministry and contended with a downcast spirit. With his brother John, he had gone to the Americas to work in the mission field. It wasn't long before Charles sailed back to England, discouraged and disillusioned, and John followed shortly afterward.
Things had not started well for either of the Wesleys. Nevertheless, they continued to seek the Lord. Are you ready for some scripture? Try, "Seek, and ye shall find." After experiencing defeat and a feeling of failure in the mission field, John and Charles each found the renewal of spirit that comes only in Christ. They had worked for years in Christ's church, but came to know and experience joy and fulfillment in their ministries only when they had been transformed to work for Christ Himself.
This week's featured hymn carries the answer to the despair of living without Christ. I cannot help believing that Charles Wesley was looking back on some of the darker days that he had experienced when he penned these words. Take a moment to read them out loud. Listen to what you are saying, and believe it!
| 1. Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore; mortals, give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore. Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; rejoice; again I say, rejoice. |
2. Jesus the Savior reigns, the God of truth and love; when he had purged our stains, he took his seat above. Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; rejoice, again I say, rejoice. |
| 3. His kingdom cannot fail; he rules o'er earth and heaven; the keys of earth and hell are to our Jesus given. Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; rejoice, again I say, rejoice. |
4. Rejoice in glorious hope! Jesus the Judge shall come, and take his servants up to their eternal home. We soon shall hear th'archangel's voice; the trump of God shall sound, rejoice! |
Even on your darkest days, rejoice indeed! The Lord is King!
God bless you--
Lection at HymnSite.com
God bless you!
| Passages suggested are from The Revised Common Lectionary: Consultation on Common Texts (Abingdon Press, 1992) copyright © by the Consultation on Common Texts (CCT), P.O. Box 340003, Room 381, Nashville TN 37203-0003. Reprinted with permission of CCT. |