Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, August 11, 2024)
Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.
Jesus taught his disciples to love even their enemies. He did not urge them to hate the Pharisees and teachers of the religious law who criticized him and rejected him, only not to follow their example. Rather he encouraged his disciples to do good to their enemies, to pray for them, and to ask God’s blessing on them. Jesus restrained James and John when they would have asked God to send down fire from heaven and burn up a Samaritan village that did not welcome Jesus and his disciples.
In this Sunday’s message we look at the instructions the apostle Paul gave to the church at Ephesus on how live as followers of Jesus and to treat others.
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
This is the day that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Grant us this day and every day the will and the power to be the kind of worshipers that you, our God and Father, seek, those who worship you in spirit and in truth. This we ask through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, Redeemer, and Friend. Amen.
Open this link to hear Joel Payne’s “Come, Let Us Sing” (Psalm 95)
Come, let's sing
to the Rock of ages,
worship him,
joyful and contagious;
bring a song of glory to our God.
Come, let's bow,
kneel before our maker,
praise him now,
there is no-one greater;
bring a song of glory to our God.
He made the earth, the oceans wide,
the desert plains, the mountain heights;
the heavens praise him and his people cry:
O the Lord our God is great,
our God is King of all the earth.
Raise a shout, let praise ring out,
our God is King of all the earth.
Come, let's sing
to the Rock of ages,
worship him,
joyful and contagious;
bring a song of glory to our God.
Come, let's bow,
kneel before our maker,
praise him now,
there is no-one greater;
bring a song of glory to our God.
He made the earth, the oceans wide,
the desert plains, the mountain heights;
the heavens praise him and his people cry:
O the Lord our God is great,
our God is King of all the earth.
Raise a shout, let praise ring out,
our God is King of all the earth.
And now if we hear his voice,
the sound of his glory reaching down,
then with humble hearts we'll turn towards him.
Now if we hear his voice,
the sound of his glory reaching down,
then with humble hearts we'll turn towards him,
bow before him.
O the Lord our God is great,
our God is King of all the earth.
Raise a shout, let praise ring out,
our God is King of all the earth.
O the Lord our God is great,
our God is King of all the earth.
Raise a shout, let praise ring out,
our God is King of all the earth.
The Bible tells us to approach God confidently,
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
As we do. We must confess our sins,
seeking forgiveness through God’s boundless
goodness and mercy.
Let us confess our sins to God our Father
Silence
Heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault;
by what we have done
and by what we have failed to do.
We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ who died for us,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your name. Amen.
Merciful Lord, grant to your faithful people pardon and peace,
that we may be cleansed from all our sins,
and serve you with a quiet mind;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Christ Tomlin’s “Forever.”
Give thanks to the Lord our God and King
His love endures forever
For He is good, He is above all things
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
With a mighty hand and outstretched arm
His love endures forever
For the life that's been reborn
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
And ever
Forever
From the rising to the setting sun
His love endures forever
By the grace of God we will carry on
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
And ever
Forever
His love endures forever
His love endures forever
His love endures forever
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise
Sing praise, sing praise
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
And ever
Forever
Forever God is faithful
Forever God is strong
Forever God is with us
Forever
And ever
Forever….
Open this link to hear Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin’s “Holy Is He.”
We stand and lift up our hands
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
We bow down and worship Him now
How great, how awesome is He
And together we sing
Holy is the Lord, God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord, God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory
We stand and lift up our hands
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
We bow down and worship Him now
How great, how awesome is He
And together we sing
And everyone sing
Holy is the Lord, God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord, God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory
Yeah, it's rising up all around
It's the anthem of the Lord's renown
It's rising up all around
It's the anthem of the Lord's renown
[Repeat]
Together we sing
And everyone sing
Holy is the Lord, God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord, God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory
Let us pray
Silence
Grant to us, Lord, we beseech you,
the spirit to think and do always such things as are right,
that we, who cannot do anything that is good without you,
May by you be enabled to live according to your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Old Testament, the Book of Leviticus, Chapter 19, Verses 1-37.
The Lord also said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the entire community of Israel. You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.
“Each of you must show great respect for your mother and father, and you must always observe my Sabbath days of rest. I am the Lord your God.
“Do not put your trust in idols or make metal images of gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God.
“When you sacrifice a peace offering to the Lord, offer it properly so you will be accepted by God. The sacrifice must be eaten on the same day you offer it or on the next day. Whatever is left over until the third day must be completely burned up. If any of the sacrifice is eaten on the third day, it will be contaminated, and I will not accept it. Anyone who eats it on the third day will be punished for defiling what is holy to the Lord and will be cut off from the community.
“When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. It is the same with your grape crop—do not strip every last bunch of grapes from the vines, and do not pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the Lord your God.
“Do not steal.
“Do not deceive or cheat one another.
“Do not bring shame on the name of your God by using it to swear falsely. I am the Lord.
“Do not defraud or rob your neighbor.
“Do not make your hired workers wait until the next day to receive their pay.
“Do not insult the deaf or cause the blind to stumble. You must fear your God; I am the Lord.
“Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly.
“Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people.
“Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord.
“Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin.
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
“You must obey all my decrees.
“Do not mate two different kinds of animals. Do not plant your field with two different kinds of seed. Do not wear clothing woven from two different kinds of thread.
“If a man has sex with a slave girl whose freedom has never been purchased but who is committed to become another man’s wife, he must pay full compensation to her master. But since she is not a free woman, neither the man nor the woman will be put to death. The man, however, must bring a ram as a guilt offering and present it to the Lord at the entrance of the Tabernacle. The priest will then purify him before the Lord with the ram of the guilt offering, and the man’s sin will be forgiven.
“When you enter the land and plant fruit trees, leave the fruit unharvested for the first three years and consider it forbidden. Do not eat it. In the fourth year the entire crop must be consecrated to the Lord as a celebration of praise. Finally, in the fifth year you may eat the fruit. If you follow this pattern, your harvest will increase. I am the Lord your God.
“Do not eat meat that has not been drained of its blood.
“Do not practice fortune-telling or witchcraft.
“Do not trim off the hair on your temples or trim your beards.
“Do not cut your bodies for the dead, and do not mark your skin with tattoos. I am the Lord.
“Do not defile your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will be filled with prostitution and wickedness.
“Keep my Sabbath days of rest, and show reverence toward my sanctuary. I am the Lord.
“Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the Lord your God.
“Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. Fear your God. I am the Lord.
“Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
“Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight, or volume. Your scales and weights must be accurate. Your containers for measuring dry materials or liquids must be accurate. I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
“You must be careful to keep all of my decrees and regulations by putting them into practice. I am the Lord.”
Silence
A reading from the New Testament, Paul’s Letter to Ephesians, Chapter 4, Verse 25 through Chapter 5, Verse 2.
So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Silence
When my oldest niece was a toddler, her grandmother had a male black cat who was affectionately called “Tom.” My niece and her parents lived next door to my mother and my niece was a frequent visitor to her grandmother’s home. My grandfather was still alive when she was a toddler, and he lived with my mother. Like all male cats, Tom was territorial and marked his territory with his pungent smelling musk. He must have considered my grandfather a part of his territory as on at least one occasion after rubbing himself against my grandfather’s trouser leg, backed up to the trouser leg and sprayed it with musk, causing my grandfather to utter one of his rare expletives. This happened within the hearing of my niece who was later heard repeating in a loud voice “Damn cat! Damn cat!”
Children will imitate what their parents and other adults in their lives say and do. They will copy the attitudes, ways of thinking, and behavior of these adults. Children lack discernment, the ability to judge people and things well, and consequently may internalize the bad qualities of the character of these adults along with the good ones. They also pay more attention to what adults do than to what they say. Indeed, their interactions with significant adults in their environment coupled with their temperament, traumatic childhood experiences, and a number of innate predispositions common to all human beings will shape who they become in adulthood.
Among these predispositions is the negativity bias (or negativity effect), the tendency to pay more attention to negative information the positive information. This cognitive bias is hardwired into our brains and may have at one time served a critical survival function. Due to the negativity bias we give more weight to negative experiences than neutral or positive ones. Consequently, negative experiences influence us more than positive experiences even when they are equal in intensity. You can learn more about the negativity basis and how it affects us in the article, “What Is Negativity Bias? Definition & Examples.” online at https://www.scribbr.com/research-bias/negativity-bias/.
The negativity bias explains why people once they form a negative opinion of someone else are not likely to change their opinion of that person even though their perceptions of that person may be completely inaccurate and have no basis in reality.
The negativity bias not only can affect our perceptions of other people but also ourselves. If a child is repeatedly told that they are stupid or are treated as if they are stupid, they will come to believe that they are stupid.
The negativity bias is one of the reasons that people are more likely to take to heart the negative things others say to them than they will the positive things or the negative things that they overhear others saying about them or they hear second hand. This is another reason to be careful what we say around children.
In today’s New Testament reading the apostle Paul quotes the first half of a verse from a psalm, “Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.” (Psalm 4:4) When we are angry, our anger clouds our judgment, and we are apt to see the person with whom we are angry through the lens of our negativity bias, distorting our perceptions of that person. Our distorted perceptions may further inflame our anger toward that person. We may say hurtful things to them, either deliberately to hurt them or without giving thought to what we are saying. We may treat them in a hurtful way. Due to their negativity bias they are likely to take to heart what we said to them or how we treated them and brood about it. When we think for a long time about things that make us sad, worried, or angry, we magnify the effects of these things upon us. As a consequence, even a few hurtful words can have a harmful effect upon the person at whom they were directed out of proportion to what was said.
Paul also warns against brooding over things that anger us as our anger can create a situation that the spiritual forces which oppose God can exploit to influence us for their own ends. These forces cannot defeat God. Indeed, they are already defeated. However, they do all that they can to harm humankind. When we nurture bitter feelings and resentment toward someone else and harbor a grudge against that person, we create an opportunity for them to take advantage of our negative feelings and to make things worse.
The instructions which Paul gives on how to live as a follower of Jesus Christ in today’s New Testament reading echo to some extent the instructions from God which Moses relays to the Israelites in today’s Old Testament reading.
As well as giving instructions on what not to do, Paul also gives instructions on what to do. Paul concludes his list of precepts and truths for Christian living with these words “Imitate God in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.” As a child imitates a parent, we are to imitate God. What Paul had in mind is not imitating God like my niece imitated her great grandfather, repeating his angry words. Rather we are to imitate those qualities of God’s character that are highlighted in the Bible. Paul may have been thinking about what God called out to Moses as he passed in front of Moses. ““Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Exodus 34:6). Or what Jonah complained to God. “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people.” (Jonah 4:2)
The qualities of God’s character that we are to imitate are those that Jesus exhibited. We are to imitate God’s compassion, God’s faithfulness, God’s generosity, God’s helpfulness, God’s kindness, God’s love, God’s patience, God’s willingness to let bygones be bygones, to forgive and forget the bad things that we have done. We are to accept or absorb these qualities so that they become a part of our character.
As Paul wrote in his Letter to the Galatians, “What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” (Galatians 5:6) The life of love that we live, following Jesus’ example, is an expression of our faith in him. We take him at his word and model our lives on what he taught and did. We show our love for Jesus by treating others as he would have us treat them.
When we live a life of love, following Jesus’ example, we ourselves set a good example for not only for the children in our lives but also the adults. We spread the influence of Jesus in their lives, and they learn from our words and actions what a difference an active faith in Jesus can make in people’s lives. We become salt and light to those around us as Jesus taught his disciples to be, true witnesses to the risen Christ.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Alison Robertson’s hymn, “Love Is the Touch.”
1 Love is the touch of intangible joy;
love is the force that no fear can destroy;
love is the goodness we gladly applaud:
God is where love is, for love is of God.
2 Love is the lilt in a lingering voice;
love is the hope that can make us rejoice;
love is the cure for the frightened and flawed:
God is where love is, for love is of God.
3 Love is the light in a tunnel of pain;
love is the will to be whole once again;
love is the trust of a friend on the road:
God is where love is, for love is of God.
4 Love is the Maker, and Spirit, and Son;
love is the kingdom their will has begun;
love is the pathway the saints all have trod:
God is where love is, for love is of God.
[Instrumental interlude]
5 Love is the touch of intangible joy;
love is the force that no fear can destroy;
love is the goodness we gladly applaud:
God is where love is, for love is of God.
God is where love is, for love is of God.
Let us confess our faith, as we say:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER
Holy is the Lord, God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord, God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory
We stand and lift up our hands
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
We bow down and worship Him now
How great, how awesome is He
And together we sing
And everyone sing
Holy is the Lord, God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord, God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory
Yeah, it's rising up all around
It's the anthem of the Lord's renown
It's rising up all around
It's the anthem of the Lord's renown
[Repeat]
Together we sing
And everyone sing
Holy is the Lord, God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
Holy is the Lord, God Almighty
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory
The earth is filled with His glory
Let us pray
Silence
Grant to us, Lord, we beseech you,
the spirit to think and do always such things as are right,
that we, who cannot do anything that is good without you,
May by you be enabled to live according to your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Old Testament, the Book of Leviticus, Chapter 19, Verses 1-37.
The Lord also said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the entire community of Israel. You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.
“Each of you must show great respect for your mother and father, and you must always observe my Sabbath days of rest. I am the Lord your God.
“Do not put your trust in idols or make metal images of gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God.
“When you sacrifice a peace offering to the Lord, offer it properly so you will be accepted by God. The sacrifice must be eaten on the same day you offer it or on the next day. Whatever is left over until the third day must be completely burned up. If any of the sacrifice is eaten on the third day, it will be contaminated, and I will not accept it. Anyone who eats it on the third day will be punished for defiling what is holy to the Lord and will be cut off from the community.
“When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. It is the same with your grape crop—do not strip every last bunch of grapes from the vines, and do not pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the Lord your God.
“Do not steal.
“Do not deceive or cheat one another.
“Do not bring shame on the name of your God by using it to swear falsely. I am the Lord.
“Do not defraud or rob your neighbor.
“Do not make your hired workers wait until the next day to receive their pay.
“Do not insult the deaf or cause the blind to stumble. You must fear your God; I am the Lord.
“Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly.
“Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people.
“Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord.
“Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin.
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
“You must obey all my decrees.
“Do not mate two different kinds of animals. Do not plant your field with two different kinds of seed. Do not wear clothing woven from two different kinds of thread.
“If a man has sex with a slave girl whose freedom has never been purchased but who is committed to become another man’s wife, he must pay full compensation to her master. But since she is not a free woman, neither the man nor the woman will be put to death. The man, however, must bring a ram as a guilt offering and present it to the Lord at the entrance of the Tabernacle. The priest will then purify him before the Lord with the ram of the guilt offering, and the man’s sin will be forgiven.
“When you enter the land and plant fruit trees, leave the fruit unharvested for the first three years and consider it forbidden. Do not eat it. In the fourth year the entire crop must be consecrated to the Lord as a celebration of praise. Finally, in the fifth year you may eat the fruit. If you follow this pattern, your harvest will increase. I am the Lord your God.
“Do not eat meat that has not been drained of its blood.
“Do not practice fortune-telling or witchcraft.
“Do not trim off the hair on your temples or trim your beards.
“Do not cut your bodies for the dead, and do not mark your skin with tattoos. I am the Lord.
“Do not defile your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will be filled with prostitution and wickedness.
“Keep my Sabbath days of rest, and show reverence toward my sanctuary. I am the Lord.
“Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the Lord your God.
“Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. Fear your God. I am the Lord.
“Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
“Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight, or volume. Your scales and weights must be accurate. Your containers for measuring dry materials or liquids must be accurate. I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
“You must be careful to keep all of my decrees and regulations by putting them into practice. I am the Lord.”
Silence
A reading from the New Testament, Paul’s Letter to Ephesians, Chapter 4, Verse 25 through Chapter 5, Verse 2.
So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Silence
True Witnesses to the Risen Christ
When my oldest niece was a toddler, her grandmother had a male black cat who was affectionately called “Tom.” My niece and her parents lived next door to my mother and my niece was a frequent visitor to her grandmother’s home. My grandfather was still alive when she was a toddler, and he lived with my mother. Like all male cats, Tom was territorial and marked his territory with his pungent smelling musk. He must have considered my grandfather a part of his territory as on at least one occasion after rubbing himself against my grandfather’s trouser leg, backed up to the trouser leg and sprayed it with musk, causing my grandfather to utter one of his rare expletives. This happened within the hearing of my niece who was later heard repeating in a loud voice “Damn cat! Damn cat!”
Children will imitate what their parents and other adults in their lives say and do. They will copy the attitudes, ways of thinking, and behavior of these adults. Children lack discernment, the ability to judge people and things well, and consequently may internalize the bad qualities of the character of these adults along with the good ones. They also pay more attention to what adults do than to what they say. Indeed, their interactions with significant adults in their environment coupled with their temperament, traumatic childhood experiences, and a number of innate predispositions common to all human beings will shape who they become in adulthood.
Among these predispositions is the negativity bias (or negativity effect), the tendency to pay more attention to negative information the positive information. This cognitive bias is hardwired into our brains and may have at one time served a critical survival function. Due to the negativity bias we give more weight to negative experiences than neutral or positive ones. Consequently, negative experiences influence us more than positive experiences even when they are equal in intensity. You can learn more about the negativity basis and how it affects us in the article, “What Is Negativity Bias? Definition & Examples.” online at https://www.scribbr.com/research-bias/negativity-bias/.
The negativity bias explains why people once they form a negative opinion of someone else are not likely to change their opinion of that person even though their perceptions of that person may be completely inaccurate and have no basis in reality.
The negativity bias not only can affect our perceptions of other people but also ourselves. If a child is repeatedly told that they are stupid or are treated as if they are stupid, they will come to believe that they are stupid.
The negativity bias is one of the reasons that people are more likely to take to heart the negative things others say to them than they will the positive things or the negative things that they overhear others saying about them or they hear second hand. This is another reason to be careful what we say around children.
In today’s New Testament reading the apostle Paul quotes the first half of a verse from a psalm, “Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.” (Psalm 4:4) When we are angry, our anger clouds our judgment, and we are apt to see the person with whom we are angry through the lens of our negativity bias, distorting our perceptions of that person. Our distorted perceptions may further inflame our anger toward that person. We may say hurtful things to them, either deliberately to hurt them or without giving thought to what we are saying. We may treat them in a hurtful way. Due to their negativity bias they are likely to take to heart what we said to them or how we treated them and brood about it. When we think for a long time about things that make us sad, worried, or angry, we magnify the effects of these things upon us. As a consequence, even a few hurtful words can have a harmful effect upon the person at whom they were directed out of proportion to what was said.
Paul also warns against brooding over things that anger us as our anger can create a situation that the spiritual forces which oppose God can exploit to influence us for their own ends. These forces cannot defeat God. Indeed, they are already defeated. However, they do all that they can to harm humankind. When we nurture bitter feelings and resentment toward someone else and harbor a grudge against that person, we create an opportunity for them to take advantage of our negative feelings and to make things worse.
The instructions which Paul gives on how to live as a follower of Jesus Christ in today’s New Testament reading echo to some extent the instructions from God which Moses relays to the Israelites in today’s Old Testament reading.
As well as giving instructions on what not to do, Paul also gives instructions on what to do. Paul concludes his list of precepts and truths for Christian living with these words “Imitate God in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.” As a child imitates a parent, we are to imitate God. What Paul had in mind is not imitating God like my niece imitated her great grandfather, repeating his angry words. Rather we are to imitate those qualities of God’s character that are highlighted in the Bible. Paul may have been thinking about what God called out to Moses as he passed in front of Moses. ““Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Exodus 34:6). Or what Jonah complained to God. “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people.” (Jonah 4:2)
The qualities of God’s character that we are to imitate are those that Jesus exhibited. We are to imitate God’s compassion, God’s faithfulness, God’s generosity, God’s helpfulness, God’s kindness, God’s love, God’s patience, God’s willingness to let bygones be bygones, to forgive and forget the bad things that we have done. We are to accept or absorb these qualities so that they become a part of our character.
As Paul wrote in his Letter to the Galatians, “What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” (Galatians 5:6) The life of love that we live, following Jesus’ example, is an expression of our faith in him. We take him at his word and model our lives on what he taught and did. We show our love for Jesus by treating others as he would have us treat them.
When we live a life of love, following Jesus’ example, we ourselves set a good example for not only for the children in our lives but also the adults. We spread the influence of Jesus in their lives, and they learn from our words and actions what a difference an active faith in Jesus can make in people’s lives. We become salt and light to those around us as Jesus taught his disciples to be, true witnesses to the risen Christ.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Alison Robertson’s hymn, “Love Is the Touch.”
1 Love is the touch of intangible joy;
love is the force that no fear can destroy;
love is the goodness we gladly applaud:
God is where love is, for love is of God.
2 Love is the lilt in a lingering voice;
love is the hope that can make us rejoice;
love is the cure for the frightened and flawed:
God is where love is, for love is of God.
3 Love is the light in a tunnel of pain;
love is the will to be whole once again;
love is the trust of a friend on the road:
God is where love is, for love is of God.
4 Love is the Maker, and Spirit, and Son;
love is the kingdom their will has begun;
love is the pathway the saints all have trod:
God is where love is, for love is of God.
[Instrumental interlude]
5 Love is the touch of intangible joy;
love is the force that no fear can destroy;
love is the goodness we gladly applaud:
God is where love is, for love is of God.
God is where love is, for love is of God.
Let us confess our faith, as we say:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER
Let us pray for the Church and the world.
Father, we pray for your holy catholic Church
that we all may be one.
Father, we pray for your holy catholic Church
that we all may be one.
Grant that every member of your Church may truly and humbly serve you:
that your name may be glorified by all people.
We pray for all bishops, elders, deacons, and licensed local pastors
that they may be faithful ministers of your word and sacraments.
We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world
that there may be justice and peace on the earth.
Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake
that your glory may be proclaimed through our lives.
Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble
that they may be delivered from their distress.
We praise you for your saints who have entered their eternal joy
may we also come to share in the fulness of your kingdom.
We pray for our own needs and for those of others:
Silence
Those present may add their own petitions
Gracious God, grant that the desires of your people’s hearts
may find favour in your sight, through the intercession
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Uniting our prayers and praises with all Christians in all times and all places,
we humbly pray as Jesus taught us:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Molly Ijames’ arrangement of
Jeff Nelson and Scott Wesley Brown’s “Grace Alone.”
Every promise we can make
Every prayer and step of faith
Every difference we will make
Is only by His grace
Every mountain we will climb
Every ray of hope we shine
Every blessing left behind
Is only by His grace
Grace alone, which God supplies
Strength unknown He will provide
Christ in us our cornerstone
We will go forth in grace alone
[Instrumental interlude]
Every soul we long to reach
Every heart we hope to teach
Everywhere we share His peace
Is only by His grace
Is only by His grace
Every loving word we say
Every tear we wipe away
Every sorrow turned to praise
Is only by His grace
Grace alone which God supplies
Strength unknown He will provide
Christ in us our cornerstone
Cornerstone
We will go forth in grace alone
We will go forth
We will go forth
We will go forth in grace alone
THE SENDING OUT OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Holy and everliving God,
by your power we are created
and by your love we are redeemed;
guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,
that we may give ourselves to your service,
and live each day in love to one another and to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Those present may extend their hands in blessing to each other.
May the Lord bless and keep us;
May the Lord make his face to shine upon us,
and be gracious to us.
May the Lord lift us his countenance upon us,
and give us peace.
The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
Those present may exchange a gesture of peace with these or similar words:
Peace be with you.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Molly Ijames’ arrangement of
Jeff Nelson and Scott Wesley Brown’s “Grace Alone.”
Every promise we can make
Every prayer and step of faith
Every difference we will make
Is only by His grace
Every mountain we will climb
Every ray of hope we shine
Every blessing left behind
Is only by His grace
Grace alone, which God supplies
Strength unknown He will provide
Christ in us our cornerstone
We will go forth in grace alone
[Instrumental interlude]
Every soul we long to reach
Every heart we hope to teach
Everywhere we share His peace
Is only by His grace
Is only by His grace
Every loving word we say
Every tear we wipe away
Every sorrow turned to praise
Is only by His grace
Grace alone which God supplies
Strength unknown He will provide
Christ in us our cornerstone
Cornerstone
We will go forth in grace alone
We will go forth
We will go forth
We will go forth in grace alone
THE SENDING OUT OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Holy and everliving God,
by your power we are created
and by your love we are redeemed;
guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,
that we may give ourselves to your service,
and live each day in love to one another and to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Those present may extend their hands in blessing to each other.
May the Lord bless and keep us;
May the Lord make his face to shine upon us,
and be gracious to us.
May the Lord lift us his countenance upon us,
and give us peace.
The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
Those present may exchange a gesture of peace with these or similar words:
Peace be with you.
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