St. Andrew Methodist Church Sermons
About
Available on
Community
667 episodes
A man named Timothy is a coworker in ministry alongside the apostle Paul, known for being the young apprentice with whom Paul engages in mentorship. In 1Timothy, Paul is greatly concerned with the authentic teachings of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the danger of misinformation of false teachers in his era. Over two millennium, our concern was hardly wavered – are we not still concerned about reality and discerning what is ‘fake news’? This was a rightful concern then, as it is now. What then does the minister, Paul, recommend as attributes when discerning teachings of God? That the work of God would be advanced through sincere faith, a good conscience, and pure heart. Thus, these are qualities for which we can pray! In the whole of Scripture, it is clear that God’s hope for humanity is that we would rightly desire God – above anything and everything else. There is no other Gospel than Christ.
A man named Timothy is a coworker in ministry alongside the apostle Paul, known for being the young apprentice with whom Paul engages in mentorship. In 1Timothy, Paul is greatly concerned with the authentic teachings of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the danger of misinformation of false teachers in his era. Over two millennium, our concern was hardly wavered – are we not still concerned about reality and discerning what is ‘fake news’? This was a rightful concern then, as it is now. What then does the minister, Paul, recommend as attributes when discerning teachings of God? That the work of God would be advanced through sincere faith, a good conscience, and pure heart. Thus, these are qualities for which we can pray! In the whole of Scripture, it is clear that God’s hope for humanity is that we would rightly desire God – above anything and everything else. There is no other Gospel than Christ.
A man named Timothy is a coworker in ministry alongside the apostle Paul, known for being the young apprentice with whom Paul engages in mentorship. In 1Timothy, Paul is greatly concerned with the authentic teachings of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the danger of misinformation of false teachers in his era. Over two millennium, our concern was hardly wavered – are we not still concerned about reality and discerning what is ‘fake news’? This was a rightful concern then, as it is now. What then does the minister, Paul, recommend as attributes when discerning teachings of God? That the work of God would be advanced through sincere faith, a good conscience, and pure heart. Thus, these are qualities for which we can pray! In the whole of Scripture, it is clear that God’s hope for humanity is that we would rightly desire God – above anything and everything else. There is no other Gospel than Christ.
Paul’s journeys are arduous and complicated, as evidenced when he arrives in Jerusalem. There he is met with persecution, in which he is presented before the Sanhedrin to be tried; and he is ultimately arrested. Throughout it all, Paul’s dedication to the Way, the Gospel of Christ, is grounded in his experience of his conversion which he takes the time to present in speech before crowds of people. It is his very testimony and recalling this conversion that initiates this persecution upon himself. We are to look at Paul and his trial, arrest, and release from prison as an example of what clinging tightly to the Gospel is worth – with God on our side, we never go about the work of the Way alone.
Paul’s journeys are arduous and complicated, as evidenced when he arrives in Jerusalem. There he is met with persecution, in which he is presented before the Sanhedrin to be tried; and he is ultimately arrested. Throughout it all, Paul’s dedication to the Way, the Gospel of Christ, is grounded in his experience of his conversion which he takes the time to present in speech before crowds of people. It is his very testimony and recalling this conversion that initiates this persecution upon himself. We are to look at Paul and his trial, arrest, and release from prison as an example of what clinging tightly to the Gospel is worth – with God on our side, we never go about the work of the Way alone.
A deeply gratifying experience is to have people in your life in whom you can trust. Of course, Paul tells us that Christ is our hope and is worthy of our steadfast trust forever. But in addition, like us, Paul has confidants and trusted partners in whom he refers to throughout his letters. When concluding his text to Romans, Paul takes the time to thoughtfully thank them in appreciation, and send onward his greeting of grace and peace. Among those listed are prominent women: Phoebe, Priscilla, Mary, and Junia, among others. The radicality of this gesture lies within the historical context of 1st century AD in the Greco-Roman empire: a place and time in which women were treated without any respect, dignity, equality, or worth. The choice that Paul makes when entrusting Phoebe, a leader in the church as a deacon whom he calls ‘sister’, to carry his long letter to the Romans is no small task. Paul refers to Priscilla as a coworker in Christ Jesus. What does this mean for the Christian movement? It takes all of us. Diverse people, united in mission.
A deeply gratifying experience is to have people in your life in whom you can trust. Of course, Paul tells us that Christ is our hope and is worthy of our steadfast trust forever. But in addition, like us, Paul has confidants and trusted partners in whom he refers to throughout his letters. When concluding his text to Romans, Paul takes the time to thoughtfully thank them in appreciation, and send onward his greeting of grace and peace. Among those listed are prominent women: Phoebe, Priscilla, Mary, and Junia, among others. The radicality of this gesture lies within the historical context of 1st century AD in the Greco-Roman empire: a place and time in which women were treated without any respect, dignity, equality, or worth. The choice that Paul makes when entrusting Phoebe, a leader in the church as a deacon whom he calls ‘sister’, to carry his long letter to the Romans is no small task. Paul refers to Priscilla as a coworker in Christ Jesus. What does this mean for the Christian movement? It takes all of us. Diverse people, united in mission.
A deeply gratifying experience is to have people in your life in whom you can trust. Of course, Paul tells us that Christ is our hope and is worthy of our steadfast trust forever. But in addition, like us, Paul has confidants and trusted partners in whom he refers to throughout his letters. When concluding his text to Romans, Paul takes the time to thoughtfully thank them in appreciation, and send onward his greeting of grace and peace. Among those listed are prominent women: Phoebe, Priscilla, Mary, and Junia, among others. The radicality of this gesture lies within the historical context of 1st century AD in the Greco-Roman empire: a place and time in which women were treated without any respect, dignity, equality, or worth. The choice that Paul makes when entrusting Phoebe, a leader in the church as a deacon whom he calls ‘sister’, to carry his long letter to the Romans is no small task. Paul refers to Priscilla as a coworker in Christ Jesus. What does this mean for the Christian movement? It takes all of us. Diverse people, united in mission.
The best part about a team is that each individual member brings something unique to the collective whole for the purpose of advancing toward the team’s goal. Paul’s writings serve to spread this idea in the early Christian faith as he encourages the hearers of his letter to the Romans to not only discern their individual gifts (given graciously to them by God), but moreover to put them in action. Here, ‘the team’ is the body of Christ. As Paul has written before, a key element of his ministry is focused on unifying a diverse group of people, to advance the mission given to him by Christ. How can one ever endure this mission if they are lost in conforming to the (fleeting, faulted, and frail) pattern of this world...no, rather we must be “transformed by the renewing of [our] minds” as he writes in Romans 12:2!
The best part about a team is that each individual member brings something unique to the collective whole for the purpose of advancing toward the team’s goal. Paul’s writings serve to spread this idea in the early Christian faith as he encourages the hearers of his letter to the Romans to not only discern their individual gifts (given graciously to them by God), but moreover to put them in action. Here, ‘the team’ is the body of Christ. As Paul has written before, a key element of his ministry is focused on unifying a diverse group of people, to advance the mission given to him by Christ. How can one ever endure this mission if they are lost in conforming to the (fleeting, faulted, and frail) pattern of this world...no, rather we must be “transformed by the renewing of [our] minds” as he writes in Romans 12:2!
The best part about a team is that each individual member brings something unique to the collective whole for the purpose of advancing toward the team’s goal. Paul’s writings serve to spread this idea in the early Christian faith as he encourages the hearers of his letter to the Romans to not only discern their individual gifts (given graciously to them by God), but moreover to put them in action. Here, ‘the team’ is the body of Christ. As Paul has written before, a key element of his ministry is focused on unifying a diverse group of people, to advance the mission given to him by Christ. How can one ever endure this mission if they are lost in conforming to the (fleeting, faulted, and frail) pattern of this world...no, rather we must be “transformed by the renewing of [our] minds” as he writes in Romans 12:2!
Paul’s writings often reflect the high expectations that God has for God’s people. Through Jesus Christ, the invisible God is made visible, as Paul writes in Colossians 1:15. Since the beginning, God has been about the business of reconciling us back to God, in loving-kindness. But now, in a new way, Paul highlights the crucial role Jesus has in this mission . . . and the supremacy of the Son of God, as he describes, is far beyond our wildest dreams. In Jesus, who is both fully God and fully man, we are given the example of the actions and attributes of a life in right relationship with God. Paul correctly treats this with the intensity it deserves – by writing in his letter to Colossae the ways in which maturity in Christ is not only ideal, but expected. In fact, this maturity will yield real transformation, by growing in our relationships, movements, and conversations so that our very existence serves as a pointer to the Light of Light, true God of true God.
Paul’s writings often reflect the high expectations that God has for God’s people. Through Jesus Christ, the invisible God is made visible, as Paul writes in Colossians 1:15. Since the beginning, God has been about the business of reconciling us back to God, in loving-kindness. But now, in a new way, Paul highlights the crucial role Jesus has in this mission . . . and the supremacy of the Son of God, as he describes, is far beyond our wildest dreams. In Jesus, who is both fully God and fully man, we are given the example of the actions and attributes of a life in right relationship with God. Paul correctly treats this with the intensity it deserves – by writing in his letter to Colossae the ways in which maturity in Christ is not only ideal, but expected. In fact, this maturity will yield real transformation, by growing in our relationships, movements, and conversations so that our very existence serves as a pointer to the Light of Light, true God of true God.
Paul spends considerable time imprisoned in Ephesus during his third journey and writes several letters preserved in the NT, including the letter to the Philippians. A couple of things are clear from the letter. First, Paul is clearly very close to the Philippians; they hold a special place in his heart. Second, he thinks his end may be near and writes in that context. So, he urges the Philippian believers toward genuine Christ-likeness, esp. in the prelude to the Christ-hymn of 2:8-11. To have the same mind as Christ, which was revealed in Jesus’ humility and obedience . . . “to death, even death on a cross.” This leads us to the second passage from later in the letter. Here, Paul reminds the Philippians that everything . . . everything . . . even what we value most in life . . . falls away in comparison to knowing Christ, for this knowing is unsurpassable. What does this say about the priorities in our lives?
Paul spends considerable time imprisoned in Ephesus during his third journey and writes several letters preserved in the NT, including the letter to the Philippians. A couple of things are clear from the letter. First, Paul is clearly very close to the Philippians; they hold a special place in his heart. Second, he thinks his end may be near and writes in that context. So, he urges the Philippian believers toward genuine Christ-likeness, esp. in the prelude to the Christ-hymn of 2:8-11. To have the same mind as Christ, which was revealed in Jesus’ humility and obedience . . . “to death, even death on a cross.” This leads us to the second passage from later in the letter. Here, Paul reminds the Philippians that everything . . . everything . . . even what we value most in life . . . falls away in comparison to knowing Christ, for this knowing is unsurpassable. What does this say about the priorities in our lives?
We continue in 1 Corinthians, and it is Communion Sunday, so an obvious Scripture choice is to comment on the abuses laid out 1 Corinthians 11 and note the already-formed traditions in 11:23-26. This is the oldest writing we have on the Lord’s supper. 1 Corinthians 13 has become such an oft-used wedding piece, we’d almost think that was the occasion for its writing. It was not. The Corinthians have an over-spiritualized understanding of the Christian life, so Paul urges them to remember all the spiritual gifts they might claim pale next to the gift of love. Even a quick reading of the chapter reveals that even this theology is eschatological for Paul, looking ahead to the day when love will be complete. For a Wesleyan, love is where we begin to understand the nature of God and his work in this world.
We continue in 1 Corinthians, and it is Communion Sunday, so an obvious Scripture choice is to comment on the abuses laid out 1 Corinthians 11 and note the already-formed traditions in 11:23-26. This is the oldest writing we have on the Lord’s supper. 1 Corinthians 13 has become such an oft-used wedding piece, we’d almost think that was the occasion for its writing. It was not. The Corinthians have an over-spiritualized understanding of the Christian life, so Paul urges them to remember all the spiritual gifts they might claim pale next to the gift of love. Even a quick reading of the chapter reveals that even this theology is eschatological for Paul, looking ahead to the day when love will be complete. For a Wesleyan, love is where we begin to understand the nature of God and his work in this world.
We continue in 1 Corinthians, and it is Communion Sunday, so an obvious Scripture choice is to comment on the abuses laid out 1 Corinthians 11 and note the already-formed traditions in 11:23-26. This is the oldest writing we have on the Lord’s supper. 1 Corinthians 13 has become such an oft-used wedding piece, we’d almost think that was the occasion for its writing. It was not. The Corinthians have an over-spiritualized understanding of the Christian life, so Paul urges them to remember all the spiritual gifts they might claim pale next to the gift of love. Even a quick reading of the chapter reveals that even this theology is eschatological for Paul, looking ahead to the day when love will be complete. For a Wesleyan, love is where we begin to understand the nature of God and his work in this world.
It is easy to miss the transition from Paul’s 2nd journey to his 3rd in Acts 18 (verses 22 & 23). During the course of this 3rd journey (map), Paul writes several letters to Christian communities he founded, including the house churches in Corinth, where a plethora of issues and problems have arisen. Not surprisingly Paul begins the letter we know as 1 Corinthians with a call for unity (1:10-17). It will not be the last time Paul urges unity in this long letter. Further, Paul also urges the Corinthians to remember that the cross reveals God’s power and wisdom, set against the views of the world. This is, in part, why it is so hard for us to remain united and lift up the enduring truths of God’s work set forth in the pages of Scripture. The Gospel is profoundly counter-cultural; it is the world turned upside-down.
It is easy to miss the transition from Paul’s 2nd journey to his 3rd in Acts 18 (verses 22 & 23). During the course of this 3rd journey (map), Paul writes several letters to Christian communities he founded, including the house churches in Corinth, where a plethora of issues and problems have arisen. Not surprisingly Paul begins the letter we know as 1 Corinthians with a call for unity (1:10-17). It will not be the last time Paul urges unity in this long letter. Further, Paul also urges the Corinthians to remember that the cross reveals God’s power and wisdom, set against the views of the world. This is, in part, why it is so hard for us to remain united and lift up the enduring truths of God’s work set forth in the pages of Scripture. The Gospel is profoundly counter-cultural; it is the world turned upside-down.
We return to Paul’s second journey and two pivotal stops. In Athens, Paul preaches to the intellectual heart of the Greco-Roman world, in terms that will speak to them. He tells them about one true God and that the time for judgment has come. And the proof? The resurrection of Jesus. Some wanted to hear more, some sneered. Much like 2022. Paul goes on to Corinth, where he spends eighteen months and meets Priscilla and Aquila, who will become early leaders in the church. Paul set up his tent-making business alongside theirs, working with them and “reasoning” in the synagogue every Sabbath “trying to persuade Jews and Greeks” (18:4). And how did he reason? From the Hebrew scriptures outward to Jesus. Just as we are called to sit down today and reason together about our differences, on the basis of the authority of Scriptures. As usual, once it became too difficult with the Jews in Corinth, Paul went on to preaching to the Gentiles.
We return to Paul’s second journey and two pivotal stops. In Athens, Paul preaches to the intellectual heart of the Greco-Roman world, in terms that will speak to them. He tells them about one true God and that the time for judgment has come. And the proof? The resurrection of Jesus. Some wanted to hear more, some sneered. Much like 2022. Paul goes on to Corinth, where he spends eighteen months and meets Priscilla and Aquila, who will become early leaders in the church. Paul set up his tent-making business alongside theirs, working with them and “reasoning” in the synagogue every Sabbath “trying to persuade Jews and Greeks” (18:4). And how did he reason? From the Hebrew scriptures outward to Jesus. Just as we are called to sit down today and reason together about our differences, on the basis of the authority of Scriptures. As usual, once it became too difficult with the Jews in Corinth, Paul went on to preaching to the Gentiles.
Paul was not only the founder of many Christian communities, he continued to be their “senior pastor,” writing back to them and even visiting some on later trips. One such community is Thessalonica, where there had been trouble with some of the Jews in the city who had rejected Paul’s message. 1 and 2 Thessalonians are early letters (AD 50/51) written not long after Paul’s first visit. 1 Thessalonians opens with a lengthy thanksgiving (1:2-10) for the faithful disciples, who had become imitators of Paul and Jesus. Paul commends them to all of Achaia (the Greek mainland south of Macedonia), for their faith has become known everywhere (1:8). May the same be true of us! 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 is one of many calls from Paul for the believers to “stand firm and hold fast to the teachings” Paul had passed on to them (2 Thessalonians 2:15).
Paul’s 2nd journey cements his mission to the Gentiles, as he travels through Asia Minor and then across into Macedonia and Greece. He continues to found new communities of believers. Early on, he meets Timothy who becomes one of Paul’s most important associates. In Philippi, Paul meets Lydia, who embraces the Gospel. Always on the move, Paul is chased out of Thessalonica and embraced in Berea. In Corinth, Paul meets Priscilla and her husband, Aquila, who become leaders in the early church. In all this, we see the Holy Spirit at work: sending Paul westward (Acts 16:6-10), opening hearts to the truth of the Gospel, gathering new leaders, even springing Paul and Silas from jail in Philippi (16:16-40). The Spirit will not be held back, instead pressing Paul ever forward. The work of the Spirit continues in us all even now.
Paul’s 2nd journey cements his mission to the Gentiles, as he travels through Asia Minor and then across into Macedonia and Greece. He continues to found new communities of believers. Early on, he meets Timothy who becomes one of Paul’s most important associates. In Philippi, Paul meets Lydia, who embraces the Gospel. Always on the move, Paul is chased out of Thessalonica and embraced in Berea. In Corinth, Paul meets Priscilla and her husband, Aquila, who become leaders in the early church. In all this, we see the Holy Spirit at work: sending Paul westward (Acts 16:6-10), opening hearts to the truth of the Gospel, gathering new leaders, even springing Paul and Silas from jail in Philippi (16:16-40). The Spirit will not be held back, instead pressing Paul ever forward. The work of the Spirit continues in us all even now.
Galatians is perhaps the earliest of Paul’s letters in the NT. Written to Christian communities in central Asia Minor, between his first and second missionary journeys. The letter reveals that these churches have significant problems, even falling prey to those spreading a pseudo-Gospel. Paul writes with a strong edge – for what could matter more than this spreading of the Good News. Not surprisingly, Paul’s touches on the three themes in this series, as will most of this letter: stay true to the authentic Gospel, remain unified as the reborn people of God, and grow in Christ-likeness, i.e., in the fruit of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us all.
Galatians is perhaps the earliest of Paul’s letters in the NT. Written to Christian communities in central Asia Minor, between his first and second missionary journeys. The letter reveals that these churches have significant problems, even falling prey to those spreading a pseudo-Gospel. Paul writes with a strong edge – for what could matter more than this spreading of the Good News. Not surprisingly, Paul’s touches on the three themes in this series, as will most of this letter: stay true to the authentic Gospel, remain unified as the reborn people of God, and grow in Christ-likeness, i.e., in the fruit of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us all.
Emerging from fifteen years being readied to be the apostle to the Gentiles, Paul and his traveling companion, Barnabas, make a trip into Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey. Luke lets us listen on Paul the preacher as he speaks first to a gathering of Jews and God-fearers. Paul begins with the story of the Exodus and brings it forward to Jesus, through whom everyone is set free from sin, a righteousness that could not be obtained through the Law of Moses (13:39).
Emerging from fifteen years being readied to be the apostle to the Gentiles, Paul and his traveling companion, Barnabas, make a trip into Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey. Luke lets us listen on Paul the preacher as he speaks first to a gathering of Jews and God-fearers. Paul begins with the story of the Exodus and brings it forward to Jesus, through whom everyone is set free from sin, a righteousness that could not be obtained through the Law of Moses (13:39).
What a surprising God we worship. Who would guess that God would become incarnate with the humblest of beginnings? Who would guess that this same God would choose a zealous Pharisee, an ardent persecutor of Jesus’ earliest followers to carry the Good News to the Gentile world? But God did just that. The persecutor Saul becomes the apostle Paul, traveling the Roman Empire to begin colonies of a new human race, those who put their faith in Jesus and were, consequently, reborn.
