Category Archives: Scripture

Because of their unbelief

21 Monday Aug 2017

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Matthew 13:58 “Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”
Mark 6:5 “Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief.”

I have always wondered that these Scriptures, both referring to Jesus’ coming to Nazareth (“His own country”), say He couldn’t do mighty works there because of their unbelief. Does lack of faith really render Jesus powerless? There are other Scriptures that show Jesus doing miracles in spite of the lack of faith.

I believe the Gospel from yesterday’s daily lectionary (not the Sunday Eucharist lectionary) gives us the key. John 5:30 says,

“I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” Jesus never, ever, did  whatever He wanted to do. He didn’t even consider doing His own will apart from the Father, as His prayer in the garden prior to His arrest clearly shows.

Here, in His own hometown, Jesus is once again obeying the will of His Father as explained in Proverbs 3:34 (and quoted in both James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5): “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Why did the people of Nazareth receive so few miracles? Because they were filled with pride. They knew Jesus’ humble beginnings; many of them knew Him personally as a child. They were convinced there was nothing in His upbringing that would justify the reputation He had – they were just as good as He was, He wasn’t special. The Father, true to His Word, resisted them … and Jesus, true to the Father, obeyed … not reluctantly, but with joy and peace, because He knows the Father’s plan is best.

Can we say the same?

Ask; listen; then obey

13 Sunday Aug 2017

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Sermon 13 August 2017

Ask; listen; then obey  by Fr. Dana

  • The voice of the Lord is powerful; it makes things happen!
  • The first time Peter heard Jesus’ voice
  • Peter needs a Word from Jesus
  • The lesson for us: ask God to speak; wait and listen; act in obedience

Lectionary:  Jonah 2:1-9; Psalm 29:1-11; Romans 10: 6-11; Matthew 14:22-33

Referenced Scriptures:  Luke 5:1-7; Hebrews 13:5

Recording:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRm0hIcDKzmfaXmZ-l

Spring is here at last

07 Monday Aug 2017

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Sermon 06 August 2017

Spring is here at last  by Fr. Dana

  • Our winter pruning
  • Our solid foundation
  • Our spring budding
  • God’s invitation

Lectionary:  Isaiah 55:1-5; Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21

Referenced Scriptures:  Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 104:15

Recording:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRmz_IiPUKp1-wAUZ2

EKEK suvelaager 2017 Vormsil – guest teaching

31 Monday Jul 2017

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EKEK suvelaager 2017 Vormsil – Eesti Karismaatiline Episkopaalkirik (CEC Estonia)

Guest teaching 22-23 July 2017

Fulfilling the mission of the Church:

  • Session 1: Prayer as the spine of your life  by Fr. Dana
    • Hebrews 11:6; Matthew 6:33; John 17:15-16, 18; Romans 8:28-29; Daniel 3:15-18, 24-25
  • Session 2: Unhealed wounds, unconfessed sins  by Fr. Dana
    • 1 John 1:8-1; Matthew 5:23-24; Mark 2:1-12a; Matthew 6:11-15; James 5:16a
  • Saturday Mass: Baptism & confession: Bathing & spot-cleaning  by Fr. Dana
    • John 13:4-12; 1 John 1:8-10
  • Sunday Mass: Love as Christ defines it  by Fr. Dana
    • John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; John 15:11-14; John 15:5; Matthew 6:6; Matthew 22:39; Matthew 5:4; John 15:12-16a; Luke 5:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Recordings:

Preparing to build on a solid foundation

09 Sunday Jul 2017

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Sermon 09 July 2017

Preparing to build on a solid foundation  by Fr. Dana

Taking stock:

  • We must count the cost
  • We must build with lasting materials
  • God will give the increase
  • Be strong and very courageous!

Lectionary:  Song of Solomon 2:8-13; Psalm 45:7-15; Romans 7:15-25a; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Referenced Scriptures:  Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 6:47-49; Ephesians 2:19-22; Luke 14:27-33; 1 Corinthians 3:9-15; 1 Corinthians 3:5-8; Joshua 1:2b-9

Recording:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRmzHnKGqsyTgxv6G0

Our response to Jesus’ lament

03 Monday Jul 2017

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Sermon 02 July 2017

Our response to Jesus’ lament by Fr. Dana

  • Jesus laments, wishing to gather us in but we refuse
  • Mankind rejects God’s love again and again throughout history
  • The cause is MICE: Materialism, Ideology, Compromise, Ego *
  • The solution is 4I’s: Identify, Involve, Invest, Increase *

Lectionary:  Jeremiah 28:5-9, 15-17; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-21, 35-37; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 10:37-42

Referenced Scriptures: Matthew 23:37-38a/Luke 13:34-35a; Acts 7:35-42a; 2 Samuel 11-12; Luke 10:25-37; Genesis 25:29-34; Matthew 15:18-20a; Matthew 7:3-5/Luke 6:41-42

* Concepts from Bp. Michael Davidson, Cathedral Church of The King, Olathe, Kansas  USA

Recording – St. Stephen’s CEC, London:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRmy6ACIJMliLEkOYl

Recording – St. Andrew’s mission, Edinburgh:  https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYHlhfoSlmRmy9kzrxypJQqISZ8

When your pursuit fails

28 Wednesday Jun 2017

Posted by in Followers of Jesus, Scripture, The Journey

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Is there an intention, plan, or project in your life which is failing?  If so, could that pursuit be from your own desires rather than God’s will for you?  Sometimes it’s hard to tell.  What should you do?

I recommend:
1. Lay it on the altar – offer your desire up to God to do with as He will
2. Ask God, who is your loving Father, that if your pursuit is not His will He would take away the desire in your heart
3. Then ask Him, that if your pursuit is His will He would give you the courage, strength, and perseverance to keep working until it comes to pass
4. Finally, ask Him to show you the way forward; He may have a different route to your destiny

This is not a one-time action, either.  Always hold plans in your hands loosely, as God may desire to change your direction at any point.  Trust Him: He knows what He is doing.

Whatever your pursuit, ALWAYS live in the present even as you pursue the future.  God desires us to “bloom where we are planted”, to bear fruit in our present circumstances.  That’s why He told the Israelites as they were heading into captivity, “And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.” (Jeremiah 29:7)  Paul and Silas sang in prison with their feet in the stocks, and the jailer and his entire household were saved.  Don’t be so focused on the future completion of your pursuit that you neglect to do good to those around you today.

Finally, be of good courage.  Keep in remembrance the words of the Pharisee Gamaliel to the High Priest and his council when Peter and the other apostles were preaching and healing in the Name of Jesus:
“…if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” (Acts 5:28b-39)