Posts in Sermon
What Time is it?

Throughout history many have tried to predict the time of Jesus’ return with these books. All of them have failed because they misunderstood these books. Remember Jesus did tell us it is not for us to know when he will return – that is up to God. We are called to live our lives so that when Jesus does return we can be called good and faithful servants.

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SermonThe Rev. John M. Cawkins
Our Refuge and Stronghold

Whether it be natural disaster, personal illness, or something of our own making, God is our refuge and stronghold. But we are often unable to see it. Sometimes, like the Jews in our Gospel story today, we ignore our troubles by deluding ourselves that it does not exist. Many times we turn to others who promise a solution.

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SermonThe Rev. John M. Cawkins
A Priest for All

Jesus called the disciples to lives of service and not lives in which they would be served. Greatness, for Jesus, comes from service to others. If you do not understand this, look to Jesus who is the model of godly life.

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SermonThe Rev. John M. Cawkins
Crowned with Glory and Honor

Be like Jesus who took them up into his arms. It is not just the children that we are called to lift up. It is also the hungry, homeless, widow, and immigrant Jesus calls us to love and care for so that all people may thrive and live the life God calls them to.

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SermonThe Rev. John M. Cawkins
A Kind of First Fruit

While we do not know for sure, it seems that James’ community would rather sit around and try to be theologians than to do the work of Christians. It also sounds like they argued and criticized each other to the point of getting angry with each other. Which was destructive to the community and did not show the unity they had in Jesus. It also seems that many of their arguments were just empty words.

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SermonThe Rev. John M. Cawkins
Thank the Lord

Instead of being content with the gifts God has given us we want more. Sometimes we try to bargain with God to give us more. Other times we get angry and blame God for not giving us what we desire. Jesus’ promise was never to give us what we want or to make life easier. His promise was to be with us to the end of the world no matter what happens.

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SermonThe Rev. John M. Cawkins
A Fragrant Offering

Paul is so concerned about our anger he mentions it twice. It is not your anger that is the problem, it is what you do with it that might be. If you hurt others it is wrong. If it motivates you to do right it is good. But anger can stew. That is why Paul tells you to deal with it quickly – before sundown.

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SermonThe Rev. John M. Cawkins
God’s Dwelling Place

Left to ourselves we tend to divide the world into us and them. We base this upon arbitrary criteria: the color of our skin, our income, our sexual identity, our education, our nationality, our political beliefs. If we truly are the community built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets and held together by Christ we will work to break down these human walls to bring to the world the Word of God who is our peace.

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SermonThe Rev. John M. Cawkins
Blessings

Amos, a simple herdsman and dresser of sycamore trees was called to confront the king. What a challenge that was. The powerless giving God’s message of destruction to the powerful. Only with God’s support could Amos have done that.

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SermonThe Rev. John M. Cawkins
Contentment

Being a Christian is difficult. While some may experience God in the way those ‘super apostles’ did, most Christians live in this world with real every-day struggles. That is where we truly meet God – through the struggles we share with our sisters and brothers in Jesus.

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SermonThe Rev. John M. Cawkins