(A “Sermon Echo” is a short reminder or elaboration of something I preached or heard on a previous Sunday.)

For Christ the King Sunday, Pastor Chelsie spoke about what it means to be a strong leader based on the example Christ the King. More specifically, she spoke on his example from a short selection of Luke’s crucifixion narrative. (See Luke 23:32-43) Based on Jesus’ example, good strong leaders are people who:

1. Forgive those who have hurt them. Jesus’ was being gravely wronged but chose to offer forgiveness and even prayed for those mistreating him.
2. Look out for others. Jesus could have saved himself but instead died for us.
3. Doesn’t return insult for insult. Jesus was sneered at, insulted, mocked, and taunted but did not retaliate.
4. Hears the lowly and offers mercy. With all that was happening, Jesus still listened to the thief beside him and showed mercy rather than condemnation.

Let’s be thankful Jesus was that kind of leader and let’s all strive to follow his example.

(A “Sermon Echo” is a short reminder or elaboration of something I preached or heard on a previous Sunday.)

As Thanksgiving approaches we often begin thinking about all the things for which we are thankful. Our lists are usually made up of all the things God has done for us and that God has given us. Pastor Chelsie reminded us, however, that our lists often lack one big category: Future blessings!

Isaiah 65:17ff says,

“See, I will create
    new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
    nor will they come to mind.
¹⁸ But be glad and rejoice forever
    in what I will create,

The passage goes on from there to describe some of those future blessings. (I suggest you look it up and read about it.) But notice those words in verse 18, “But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create.” If we ought to be glad and rejoice in future blessings, we ought also to be THANKFUL or future blessings!

(A “Sermon Echo” is a short reminder or elaboration of something I preached or heard on a previous Sunday.)

 Haggai 1:3-6 says, “Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: ‘Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?’ Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.'”

From there the passage elaborates on the aforesaid and explains that their economy has been sabotaged by God because their priorities and values were out of order. They were focusing on their own interests while neglecting God and their relationship with him. No doubt about it, it was time for them to rebuild the temple.

Now that we are post-crucifixion, post-resurrection, post-ascension, and post-Pentecost, we are not called upon to rebuild an earthly temple. Instead we are called upon to be building the Kingdom; that is, spreading the gospel. The question is: Are our own priorities and values in proper order or have we let our own interests cause us to neglect our mission? It’s something to cerebrate…

(A “Sermon Echo” is a short reminder or elaboration of something I preached or heard on a previous Sunday.)

On Sunday, we observed All Saints Day (which was technically two days earlier). In some traditions the title of, “Saint,” is reserved for a special superclass of the Lord’s followers; individuals like the Apostle Paul, Francis of Assisi, and Mother Teresa. Biblically, however, all who have repented and accepted Christ are saints. Not because of their own purity or because of their great deeds but because God has made them holy. (Notice the New Testament references to, “holy ones,” in the NIV; in the more literal translations like the NRSV and NASB, the word is, “saints.”)

Take some time to remember and honor the saints; not just the famous ones such as those I’ve already mentioned, but those who have been influential in your own spiritual journey. Perhaps a grandmother, or a father, or an aunt, or a Sunday School teacher, or a youth pastor… We don’t worship the saints but it is fitting and proper that we remember and honor them.

Also, if you are a Christian, remember that you hold the title of, “Saint.” Saint Wilson! That has a certain ring to it. Why don’t you try it? Say out loud, “Saint {Insert Your Name]”. Now, strive to live accordingly!