Wednesday Morning Repentance and Sermon Starters for Sunday

Yes, so I love when I think I did something well and then find out maybe I shouldn't have done what I did in the first place...

I preached on John 8:1-11 last week, one of two passages of Scripture that are believed to not be originally a part of Christian Scripture (the other being the last half of Mark 16) because they do not appear in the earliest manuscripts. It was not in the Revised Common Lectionary, but it was in the Catholic Lectionary. I thought it fit better with my other texts, so I decided to use it instead. Friday afternoon, I was in a panic because I felt that maybe I shouldn't have used it. I called my mom (who at least until I find a wife is the person I always go to for advice because she's typically right and honest about such things) and asked her what I should do. After we talked, she and I both agreed to keep it. And I did.

I thought the sermon went well, and people were generally responsive to it. However, we finished translating John 7 in Greek today, and we talked about how the next little section of John was probably not part of Scripture. I was like, "Whoops." I talked to the professor about it afterward a little, and although he said he personally wouldn't preach on it, I didn't feel so bad because, as I said, it seems to fit (when understood properly) with the rest of Scripture. And since I tied it in with passages from other parts of Scripture, I don't feel as bad.

As I was looking at one of the websites I use for exegetical material (exegeting the text means to draw out details and context to determine what the author is saying), they argue that while it may not be original to the manuscripts and thus to the canon, it is still worthwhile to the church. First, it is in line with the teachings of Christ and his relation to sinners (again, when understood properly and in context), it is in line with the nature/character of the Pharisees, it blends a note of grace with the challenge to live a more godly life, and it has served redemptive purpose in the life of the church. So, if you want to be strict about it, perhaps I shouldn't have preached on this text. But oh well, you live and learn. I didn't teach heresy or anything people shouldn't have heard, so the Spirit must have been at work all the same. I hope he challenges people to do what I felt led to teach: that God forgives us of our sins in Christ and remembers them no longer, but we are called to leave our lives of sin and follow Christ.

On a different note, here is what I'm preaching on this week: it is Palm Sunday, and I am preaching on Isaiah 50:4-9, Philippians 2:1-11, and Luke 22:7-38. The theme is centered around the humility of Christ in coming to earth to die for us, and the fact that the one who wishes to be the greatest must be the servant of all, following in Jesus' footsteps. I haven't done a whole lot with this one yet, but if you're really interested...the place and time for this is Bessemer Presbyterian Church in Bessemer, PA at 10:45AM.

I'm also working on getting the Holy Week stuff together...if all goes to plan, they should be especially neat services. I only hope the people there find it worshipful and meaningful. So if you aren't otherwise engaged, we will have services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday at 7PM, and Easter Sunrise at 7AM on Sunday (with breakfast afterward - but let me know if you actually want to come to that so I can put in a reservation), followed by Easter Sunday Divine Worship at 10:45. It's Easter Sunrise that I'm a little worried about - I'm attempting a shortened communion-less (regrettably) Easter Vigil service that morning. It will be interesting - we'll have to see how that one goes.

That's all - have a good one.