My friend Scott Elliott is also a seminarian-in-care of the Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ and studies with me at Eden Theological Seminary. That makes us the only Oregonians on campus. Scott delivered a great sermon today at his field placement site on Matthew 5:43-48. Part of the sermon dealt with the critical issue of inclusiveness that is such an important theological concept in the United Church of Christ:
The idea of an inclusive table, of all people being God’s people, was radical in the Greco-Roman culture that Jesus lived in where meals were meant to be a time and place where, well, everyone knew and took his and her place. Discrimination on the basis of wealth, ethnicity, gender, race, disabilities, social standing and enemies was the norm.
The idea of an inclusive table, of all people being God’s people, is just as radical today where such discriminations continue.
Of course, Jesus’ inclusive table means more that just letting folks we loath in for a meal, it means to love all people simply because, whether yellow, black or white, they are precious in God’s sight. In other words, Jesus does not make social distinctions and discriminations about who he is present with, or who he loves.
Click here to download and read Scott’s entire sermon. Good stuff.
Another sermon I came across today was preached by The Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Samuel, pastor of Victory for the World Church (United Church of Christ) in Stone Mountain, GA. Dr. Samuel preached on Matthew 18:10-14 in a sermon that was broadcast on Day 1.
Day 1 is the voice of the Protestant church, presenting outstanding preachers from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Episcopal Media Center, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, and other Protestant denominations. Our website features an extensive collection of lectionary-based sermons in text and audio, and other helpful information for lay persons and pastors alike.
Dr. Samuel is pastor of one of the largest congregations related to the United Church of Christ. He preached today on some of the same themes that Scott lifted up:
My brothers and sisters, so much of the world's attention and resources are focused upon those who are considered to be the best and the brightest among us. The dominant cultural mindset of today says that everyone ought to be able to keep up; and if someone falls behind, it is because they have failed to take proper responsibility for themselves. Those left behind should have tried more strenuously, prayed more earnestly, studied more diligently, worked more consistently, and perhaps even lived more righteously. The present and the future belong to the victors, not the victims.
This is the current mindset of our contemporary culture, and this is the reason why the nation's resources and the tension have shifted away from the needs of the marginalized and is now almost exclusively focused upon the priorities and interests of the majority. But, thank God that the kingdom of Jesus Christ does not conform to the cultural and political mindset of America. Instead of an exclusive focus on the priorities and privileges of the majority, Jesus shifts our attention to the care and concern of the minorities and the marginalized rather than keeping pace exclusively with those who are living large and doing well. Jesus in the text focuses our attention upon those who have been left back, left out, and left behind.
You can listen to the audio of Dr. Samuel’s sermon by clicking here or read the text here. Day 1 is an excellent resource. They let listeners hear some of the most effective preachers in America share the word of God. Listen in. Don't be surprised if you hear Scott Elliott on their program before long.
