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Sermon Archive
Rev. Dr. Thomas Bohache is CTL's pastor. We hope you'll find these inspired messages uplifting. To view a sermon, click on the title and wait a few moments for a new window to open. The corresponding Call to Worships, Ancient Readings and Contemporary Readings are listed below for your reference. Enjoy! "Be Reconciled" - Rev. Bohache
"Courage to Hope, Desire for Freedom, Search for Joy" -- Rev. Bohache "Humble Journey" - Rev. Bohache "Making 'The Impossible Dream' Come True" - Rev. Bill Heagen, Guest "Ready for Revolution!" - Rev. Eva O'Diam, Guest "Prepare the Way" - Rev. Bohache "Rejoice Always" - Rev. Bohache "A New Thing" - Rev. Bohache "Justice Seekers or Justice Makers?" - Rev. Eva O'Diam, Guest "Serving With Great Humility" - Rev. Bohache "Life That Really Is Life" - Rev. Bohache "Dare To Dream" - Rev. Boon Lin Ngeo, MCC-NYC, Guest "Joy In Heaven" - Rev. Bohache Sunday, January 30, 2011 -- Fourth Sunday After the Epiphany
Call to Worship One: Our faith is a journey with God. Many: Sometimes we go slowly; sometimes we speed ahead. One: But sometimes we sit down in the middle of the road. Many: At those times may God guide our footsteps toward truth. One: In all our endeavors, may be do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with the God of our understanding-- Many: Who creates miracles wherever we go and allows peace to be born in the midst of unrest. One: Today we claim the promises of God, ALL: Who leads us toward truth each and every day, if we will allow it to be so. Ancient Reading—Micah 6:6-8; With what shall I come before the Sovereign One, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will God be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? God has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Sovereign One require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Contemporary Reading—From Keep Your Courage: A Radical Christian Feminist Speaks by Carter Heyward (London: SCM Press, 2010, pp. 6-7): “To live as people chosen by God is thus to extend our wings as far as we can and—with the Holy Spirit as the wind beneath our wings—to soar toward inclusivity, seeking out those who have been marginalized by us or others, those cast out by the dominant social order and, too often, by the deafening silence of the liberal church. . . . Dare we dream that our own small lives can make a big difference as we struggle toward that utopian realm—Jesus called it the ‘kingdom of God’—when the lust for profit has finally succumbed to the constant love for one another . . . ?” Spiritual Instruction Title—“Humble Journey” Sunday, January 16, 2011 -- Second Sunday After the Epiphany
Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Call to Worship (Adapted from Linda H. Hollies, Trumpet in Zion: Black Church Worship Resources, Year A; Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 2001, p. 38) One: The God of dreamers and visionaries summons us! Many: I have a dream! One: The God who works in us the will and the ability to live, work, and die for justice, is in our midst. Many: I have a dream! One: The God who speaks to us in dreams and reveals mystery to us in visions demands our attention. Many: I have a dream! One: Before you were born, while yet in your mothers’ wombs, God formed you and called you by name. Many: We ARE a dream! Thanks be to God! Ancient Reading—Luke 14:25-33 (NLT-1998); Great crowds were following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, “If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters – yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me. But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if there is enough money to pay the bills? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of funds. And then how everyone would laugh at you! They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and ran out of money before it was finished!’ Or what king would ever dream of going to war without first sitting down with his counselors and discussing whether his army of ten thousand is strong enough to defeat the twenty thousand soldiers who are marching against him? If he is not able, then while the enemy is still far away, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace. So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me.” Contemporary Reading—From When God Whispers Your Name by Max Lucado (W Publishing Group, 1994, 1999; pp 99-104): “Born some six hundred years before Jesus, Josiah inherited a fragile throne and a tarnished crown. . . . But by the end of Josiah’s thirty-one-year reign, the temple had been rebuilt, the idols had been destroyed, and the law of God was once again elevated to a place of prominence and power. . . . An entire generation received grace because of the integrity of one man. Could it be that God placed him on earth for that reason? Could it be that God has placed you on earth for the same? Maybe your past isn’t much to brag about. Maybe you’ve seen raw evil. And now you, like Josiah, have to make a choice. Do you rise above the past and make a difference? Or do you remain controlled by the past and make excuses? . . . The past does not have to be your prison. You have a voice in your destiny. You have a say in your life. You have a choice in the path you take. Choose well and someday – generations from now – your grandchildren and great-grandchildren will thank God for the seeds you sowed.” Spiritual Instruction Title—“Making ‘The Impossible Dream’ Come True” – guest preacher Rev. William Heagen Sunday, January 9, 2011 -- First Sunday After the Epiphany
Call to Worship (Adapted from Touch Holiness, edited by Ruth C. Duck and Maren C. Tirabassi, p. 39; Copyright © 1990 The Pilgrim Press; reprinted by permission of the publisher.) One: We enter this place of worship in search of light to guide our way. Many: We seek to exchange the ashes of mourning for the garland of joy. One: We come because we have seen the light afar off and desire to come closer. Many: We want to join with others in walking in the light so we may enjoy true human communion. One: We worship that our light may shine and draw others to God’s light. Many: In Christ, the light has come into the world, the bright expression of God among us. ALL: Let us worship God! Ancient Readings -- Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43; Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." Matthew 3:13-17: Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." Contemporary Reading—A Quote by Elizabeth Stuart: "Gay and lesbian Christians know that God's spirit is not a tame dove but a wild goose, free of ecclesiastical attempts to control and confine it, that makes its home in the most unlikely places. The Spirit comes not in quiet conformity but demanding to be heard." Spiritual Instruction Title—“Ready for Revolution!” – Rev. Eva O’Diam CTL WORSHIP INFO FOR DECEMBER 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010 -- Second Sunday of Advent Call to Worship One: Prepare the way of the Lord! Many: We open our hearts to receive Christ. One: Prepare the way of the Lord! Many: We open our minds to receive wisdom. One: Prepare the way of the Lord! Many: We open our souls to receive salvation. ALL: With all our being we welcome the wholeness that results from the coming of our Lord, now and forevermore. Ancient Reading—Matthew 3:1-12; In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’" Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." Contemporary Reading—From “Unearthing a People’s History” by Richard A. Horsley (in Christian Origins, edited by Richard A. Horsley, volume 1 of A People’s History of Christianity; Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2005, p. 7): “The Romans reconquered Galilee and Judea with typically vengeful destruction of villages, slaughter and enslavement of the inhabitants, and crucifixions of hundreds of combatants to further terrorize the populace. . . . The epidemic and escalating social banditry may be a good barometer of the steady disintegration of village life under the accumulating economic pressure.” Spiritual Instruction Title—“Prepare the Way” Sunday, November 28, 2010 - First Sunday of Advent
Friends and Family Sunday Call to Worship (Adapted from Touch Holiness, edited by Ruth C. Duck and Maren C. Tirabassi; used by permission of the publisher. Copyright © 1990, The Pilgrim Press.) One: Let us gather together in thanksgiving to God! Many: For God has made us and this earth which gives us nurture. One: Let us gather together in gratitude to one another. Many: For we are the bearers of God’s blessing and love for the earth and its people. One: Let us praise God. Let us join hearts. Many: Let us reach out in care and courage so that the goodness of life may be for all God’s children-- ALL: Today and for generations to come! Amen. Ancient Reading—Philippians 4:4-9; Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Contemporary Reading—From Saving Paradise by Rita Nakashima Brock and Rebecca Ann Parker (Boston: Beacon Press, 2008, p. 409): “We come to know the world as paradise when our hearts and souls are reborn through the arduous and tender task of living rightly with one another and the earth. Generosity, non-violence, and care for one another are the pathways into transformed awareness. . . . Paradise is human life restored to its divinely infused dignity and capacity . . . Paradise is not a place free from suffering or conflict, but it is a place in which Spirit is present and love is possible.” Spiritual Instruction Title—“Rejoice Always” Sunday, November 14, 2010 - Twenty-Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
Call to Worship (Adapted from Touch Holiness, edited by Ruth C. Duck and Maren C. Tirabassi; used by permission of the publisher. Copyright © 1990, The Pilgrim Press.) One: O God, lift the light of your countenance upon us. Many: O God, be gracious to us and hear our prayer. One: You have put more joy in our hearts than have those who claim to have all the answers and pleasures in abundance. Many: In peace we shall lie down, for you alone, O God, let us dwell in safety. ALL: Alleluia and Amen! Ancient Reading—Isaiah 65:17-25; For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity; for they shall be offspring blessed by God—and their descendants as well. Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent-- its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says God. Contemporary Reading—From The Prophets: A Liberation-Critical Reading by Carol J. Dempsey (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2000, pp. 171 and 179): “Perhaps some of the most extraordinary passages found in the entire prophetic corpus occur in Isaiah 40-66, texts that challenge the human community and provide a vision for all creation. . . . [T]he message remains ever new and calls forth a response from all those who are responsible for the quality of life of and on the planet. . . . Isaiah 65:17-25 proclaims a splendid vision of earthly life, of what the ‘coming day’—the transformed order—will look like when the servant’s work of justice and righteousness is brought to completion. This is an ancient vision that an ancient prophet has made known to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Spiritual Instruction Title—“A New Thing” Sunday, October 17, 2010 - Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost
Call to Worship (Adapted from Touch Holiness, edited by Ruth C. Duck and Maren C. Tirabassi; used by permission of the publisher. Copyright © 1990, The Pilgrim Press.) One: This is the Sabbath—we seek deep within our restful selves for re-creation. Many: This is Sunday—we celebrate the bright resurrection and its good news. One: This is the day which our God has made. Many: Let us rejoice and be glad in it. ALL: Alleluia! Hebrew Scripture—Jeremiah 31:27-34 The days are surely coming, says God, when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of humans and the seed of animals. And just as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring evil, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says God. In those days they shall no longer say: The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge. But all shall die for their own sins; the teeth of everyone who eats sour grapes shall be set on edge. The days are surely coming, says God, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says God. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says God: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, "Know God," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says God; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. Gospel—Luke 18:1-8 Jesus told his disciples a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" Spiritual Instruction Title—"Justice Seekers or Justice Makers?" - Rev. Eva O'Diam CTL WORSHIP INFO FOR OCTOBER 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010 - Nineteenh Sunday After Pentecost Call to Worship (Adapted from Touch Holiness, edited by Ruth C. Duck and Maren C. Tirabassi; used by permission of the publisher. Copyright © 1990, The Pilgrim Press.) One: For the living of these days Many: Let us heed promptings of possibility, One: Let us evoke creativities of compassion, Many: Let us be poised for flight on soaring wings of faith and love. ALL: Come! Let us worship! Ancient Reading—Luke 17:5-10 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" The Lord replied, "If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here at once and take your place at the table'? Would you not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink'? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, 'We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!'" Contemporary Reading—From The Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon by St. Francis of Assisi (13th century): “Most High Almighty Good Lord, Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor, and all blessings! To You alone, Most High, do they belong. And no human person is worthy to mention You. Be praised, my Lord, with all Your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, by whom You give us the light of day! And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor. Of You, Most High, he is a symbol! Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Moon and the Stars! In the sky You formed them bright and lovely and fair. Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Wind and for the Air and cloudy and clear and all Weather, by which You give sustenance to Your creatures! Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Fire, by whom You give us light at night, and he is beautiful and merry and mighty and strong! Be praised, my Lord, for our Sister Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and produces fruits with colorful flowers and leaves! Be praised, my Lord, for those who forgive for love of You and endure infirmities and tribulations. Blessed are those who shall endure them in peace, for by You, Most High, they will be crowned! Be praised, my Lord, for our Sister Bodily Death, from whom no living person can escape! Blessed are those whom she will find in Your most holy will, for the Second Death will not harm them. Praise and bless my Lord and thank Him and serve Him with great humility.” (Taken from An Anthology of Christian Mysticism, edited by Harvey D. Egan; Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2nd edition 1996; pp. 219-220) Spiritual Instruction Title—“Serving with Great Humility” Sunday, September 26, 2010 - Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Call to Worship One: Like the first Christians, we come to be filled. Many: We come to remember and to honor the power of Jesus Christ in our lives. One: Yet the world is not always ready to receive the love and the harmony that theChrist Spirit offers. . Many: But we will remain resolute, our eyes fixed on the path before us. One: We strive to share Christ with the world. Many: With God's help, may it be so! Ancient Reading—I Timothy 6:6-19 There is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. But as for you, people of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will bring about at the right time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life. Contemporary Reading—From Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years by Diarmaid MacCullough (New York: Viking/Penguin, 2009, p. 120): “One has always to remember that throughout the New Testament we are hearing one side of an argument. . . . [The other] voices are lost, or concealed in texts modified much later. Up to the end of the first century, it is virtually impossible to get any perspective on the first Christian Churches other than that of writing contained in the New Testament, however much we would like to have a clearer picture of why and how conversions took place. There is a silence about six crucial decades, during which so many different spirals of development would have been taking place away from the teachings of the Messiah . . .” Spiritual Instruction Title—“Life That Really Is Life” Sunday, September 19, 2010 - Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost
MCC-CTL's Thirty-Third Anniversary Celebration Call to Worship One: Today is a special day! Many: We commemorate our beginnings and our journey as a people of faith called Christ the Liberator. One: This journey has been many-faceted.. Many: There have been joys; there have been sorrows. One: There have been blessings; there have been frustrations. Many: And through it all we have experienced the hand of God, guiding us to the next step, in whose name we worship today and every Sunday for as long as God wishes. One: May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in the sight of God, Many: Our Rock and our Redeemer! Amen! First Reading—Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19 Now God's Word came to me saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” . . . But you, gird up your loins; stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not break down before them, or I will break you before them. And I for my part have made you today a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall, against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says God, to deliver you. Second Reading—Luke 4:21-30 Then Jesus began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" He said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Doctor, cure yourself!' And you will say, 'Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.' " And he said, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet's hometown. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers a in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went on his way. Spiritual Instruction—”Dare to Dream!” – Rev. Boon Lin Ngeo, MCC New York Sunday, September 12, 2010 - Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Call to Worship One: Like the shepherd going after the one lost sheep, or like the housewife diligently searching her home for the one lost coin, Many: God is searching for us! One: Will we allow ourselves to be found? Many: Yes! We will open ourselves to the God who never gives up on us. One: And in the process we will also discover God in new and different ways. Many: And then we will leave here refreshed and renewed and ready to tell the world about the God we have met and who continually meets us in our journeys. ALL: Alleluia and Amen! Ancient Reading—Luke 15:1-10 All the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." So he told them this parable: "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When you have found it, you lay it on your shoulders and rejoice. And when you come home, you call together your friends and neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, `Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Contemporary Reading—From Sinners: Jesus and His Earliest Followers by Greg Carey (Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2009, pp. 34-35): “Early Christians repeated the stories of how Jesus invited sinners into his company and invited himself into sinners' homes. Friends and enemies alike knew Jesus as a friend of sinners. . . . His companionship with sinners had no strings attached. He did not scold them for their behavior. . . . Some people, perhaps many people, believed that a respectable religious leader like Jesus had no business cavorting with sinners. Yet Jesus identified himself with sinners. And some sinners joined his movement. That is how the Gospels tell it . . .” Spiritual Instruction Title—“Joy in Heaven” |
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