Three times the Disciples of Jesus argue about who is the greatest. Can you imagine that? These disciples watch Jesus minister to the least, the last and the lost but they still are concerned with their pecking order in the followers of Jesus. Jesus overhears their arguments and gives them some advice.
Often differences among people can lead to division. Our nation in embroiled in racial tension and division in part due to the recent deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor among others. Unity does not just happen; we have to work at it. Rev. Julius Keller asks: what role can we who dare to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ do to bring about healing and reconciliation? What role can our church play in this process?
Our Bishop will be bringing a message of hope in troubled times on Pentecost Sunday. The Sunday that celebrates the birth of the Church.
We live in a world of conflict. People hate each other. But Jesus tells us to love each other. Are there any limits to this love? We want to know who is our neighbor so we can put borders around who we must love. So who is our neighbor? Who must we love?
There are some Christians who think that if someone doesn’t believe exactly like they do their salvation is in question. Is this true? Do we need to say certain words to make sure our salvation is not in question? Christians give different answers to these questions. Our answer depends on how wide is God’s mercy?
Sermon preached at Gold Canyon United Methodist Church in Gold Canyon, Arizona on July 5, 2015 by Rev. Fred Steinberg