Recent sermonsI need to begin this week’s email in rather a different way. Someone pointed out to me that my choice of an illustration in last week’s email was insensitive. They did it in rather an insensitive way, but I believe their main point was essentially correct. Bigots fall into the biblical category of the fool, and it is healthy and biblical to point out the folly of fools. Still we must do it being careful not to be offensive ourselves or to make people as uncomfortable as bigots do. I failed to exercise proper caution and sensitivity. I am deeply and genuinely sorry. This general apology is the best I can do unless some (or all) of you let me know you were personally offended. Then I would welcome the opportunity to apologize personally and seek your forgiveness.
This week’s journey into Matthew’s gospel may look like deja vu to those who have been with us through the series. You may read the account of Jesus feeding thousands of people and think, “Didn’t we just do this one chapter back?” Well, remember a wise man once said “Deja vu is not what it used to be.” We all know people who tell us the same story over and over again. Matthew is not one of them. There are many similarities but the differences are critical. In fact, the second miraculous feeding is a continuation of the lesson Jesus was teaching the disciples in his dealing with the Canaanite women we looked at last week.
In the evening service we will find Paul struggling with being down and praising God for helping him get back up. He also teaches the Corinthians (and us) a very important distinction between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow. Though they can look very much the same they differ in both cause and effect. Good to know the difference. Sorrow is not just sorrow and can be harmful or, when it is godly, actually helpful.
Don’t be sorry in either way that you missed worship this week! Services at New Hope at 10:45 and 5:30. Come early and stay late. See you there.
Jack
