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LINKS TO THE SERMONS |
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| “Purses Never Wear Out” August 12, 2007 Pastor Fred Cook Jesus tells us, “Don’t be afraid,” but it seems there is a lot to be afraid of. Sell your possessions, give alms…risk…be dressed for action...have your lamps lit....be prepared.....be alert. Sounds kind o’scary to me Christopher Reeves knew what it was like to be scared. On Memorial Day 1995, he fell from his horse and was instantly paralyzed from the neck down and fighting for every breath. When he woke up 5 days later, he was told that he needed an operation and there was a 50% chance of surviving. He might never be able to breathe on his own again. His first thought was to die and save everyone the trouble. When his wife Dana came, he was unable to speak because of the ventilator. He mouthed the words”maybe you should let me go.” Dana started to cry. “I am only going to say this once. I will support whatever you want to do because this is your life and your decision. But I want you to know I will be with you for the long haul no matter what.” Then she added these words, “you’re still you and I love you.” That was when Reeves made his decision, “I can’t drift away from this. I don’t want to leave.” Jesus said, “Do not be afraid for it is God’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” It was in his giving that the kingdom became a reality. The gates of the kingdom open when you are prepared to let life go. Also, in the reading besides be not afraid it is God’s pleasure to give you the kingdom. Be not afraid and make yourselves purses that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, I have been aware of women’s purses for sometime, especially the one that our granddaughter carries over her shoulder. It weighs a ton. I never can figure out how they can look so small and be crammed with so much. At first glance much of it seems useless. It often turns out that some of that useless stuff is needed the next day. In the land of Jesus just about everyone carried a purse with various useful things in it. Jesus tells us to make some spiritual purses, filled with things in them that will not fail in heaven, but also would continue to provide for us here. Unfailing treasure in heaven. What is this unfailing treasure? How do we accumulate a purse filled with treasures in heaven? It is giving away blessings here and now. It is living as Christ lived here and now. Did you read the accounts of three of our young people who had been helped in some way by our congregation and shared some of the learning’s and events that have occurred. Treasure in heaven mean those things we give away here on earth. The kingdom comes in the giving. It means you will never have treasure in heaven if you wait to have enough of whatever you don’t have before you spread goodwill and engage in random acts of kindness. We keep waiting for the right time before we do something special for someone else. We keep waiting until we feel fit before engaging in getting fit. We keep waiting until we have learned more before we begin the project. We keep waiting for the right time, the right place, the right person, the right setting rather than the risking what we have at hand and with who is before us. Make yourselves purses that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven. For where your treasure is, there will your heart also. With what we do, what we think, what we pray, even what we feel, makes our purse and helps to establish an unfailing treasure in heaven and on earth. In the Gospel of Thomas there is the story of Thomas going to India. Thomas was employed by King Gondolophus to build him a palace. He was given money to start construction. Every time the king asked him about his palace, Thomas would put off answering the question. Just about at the end of his patience he asked Thomas if the palace was built. “Yes it is done.” “Can we go see it?” “You cannot see it now, but when you depart this life, you shall see it. I have built you a place in heaven by giving your money to the poor and needy in your kingdom.” Somehow Thomas survived and became a Christian along with many others. For them light had come. For them a great pearl had been discovered. For them the world changed. Do not wait to forgive. Do not wait to visit someone. Do not wait to begin that special project. Do not wait to do a random act of kindness. Believe Christ, Trust God and do what the Spirit urges you to do in the depths of your heart. You are helping to change the world. Blessed be the name of God, day by day. As always you can get a DVD of this sermon. Contact the church office.
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