Sunday, June 26 – “Facing the Challenge”

View this recorded version of Sunday Worship from June 26, 2022.

Bible Verses

Bible verses: Luke 9: 51-62

Reflection: “Facing the Challenge”

Excerpts from the sermon by Rev. David Brown:

“I was at the Festival of Homiletics (the art of preaching) in Denver, in May, and one of the preachers made a statement. The statement referred to people who had ‘candy theology’. I’d never heard candy theology, and still am not sure what it is but I think it’s a rather sweet theology [which] reminded me of a children’s song that I remember at a Bible school.

[Which goes] ‘Since I found Jesus I’m in-right, upright, happy all the time’. Well, I think this sermon wants to get across that following Jesus will not always be something where you will be happy all the time. Certainly not.

The disciples weren’t always happy all the time–but they would say it was still well worth the follow.

…Jesus sets His sight on Jerusalem; to go there to Jerusalem to confront the religious establishment of the day. Once Jesus has set his sight, there’s no turning back, and that’s something that Jesus wants His followers to know.

That’s something the early church (who wrote Luke) wants you to know: [there’s] no turning back. It’s like leaping off the diving board. Once you go off the diving board, you’re gonna make a splash.

It’s like playing ball. Once they say ‘play ball’ the game begins. So Jesus was serious.”