TEDxHouston 2011 - Chris Seay - Pastor at Ecclesia

A Most Unusual Communion

A Most Unusual Communion

Psalm 133; Matthew 15:21-28

Sometimes I have to laugh at myself. When I started this experience as Stated Supply, way back in the month of May, I created a chart to schedule my preaching plans. For these three months I plugged in my scheduled vacation and the dates when Charlie, Craig, and Jody would be preaching. I then went through the lectionary and read over the scriptures for each Sunday, making decisions about what passages I would use and the direction I anticipated for the message. So, in early May I had planned out three months of worship.

Facing the Storm

Facing the Storm

Psalm 85:8-13; Matthew 14:22-33

My name is Bartholomew.  I bring you greetings from the Christians who are worshipping in Antioch, Jews and Greeks, and from my colleague in ministry, Matthew.  Matthew and I have worked together for about thirty years, now. It’s hard for me to believe that it has been thirty years since our Lord was glorified and we were empowered to carry on his mission.

I Believe in the Sun, Even When it is Not Shining

I Believe in the Sun, Even When it is Not Shining

Romans 8:26-39

Our passage from Romans, today, is possibly my favorite passage in the Bible. At least it contains verses that have been quite meaningful for me. It starts off with the image of a person who is so burdened with life that he or she is unable even to form words to pray, and it concludes with a strong affirmation that, no matter what, God’s love will never, ever, let you go.

Let us hear the word of God as it comes to us through Romans 8:26-39

Thinking about the opening verses I am reminded of a phrase that I have often heard: “As the Bible says, God doesn’t give you more than you can handle.” My favorite response to that was from a gentleman who added, “I just wish God didn’t have such a high opinion of me.”  Well, frankly, I’ve searched. Those words are not biblical, and there are times they ring rather hollow for me.

I Know Something About Heavy Burdens

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

I Know Something About Heavy Burdens

Psalm 145:8-14; Matthew 11:16-19,25-30

Our reading from Psalm 145 begins with words that may be familiar. They speak of God’s grace and are often used as part of the assurance of forgiveness after a prayer of confession. This grace of God is then extended to all of creation and creation responds by giving praise to God. And then the closing words focus on God’s grace being a helping hand to those in need. Let us hear the word that God has for us in

Psalm 145:8-14

Last week we heard from Matthew about how Jesus was doing tremendous ministry throughout the countryside, in many villages and cities. Yet, the need continued to be great and Jesus commissioned the Twelve to go in his name, and he empowered them for their work. So good deeds are being done everywhere. You would think that when people saw good being done and how it impacted lives of people around them, and perhaps even their own lives, as well, that it would have made a difference in the choices they made. Doing good, showing love, being compassionate leads to others doing good, showing love and being compassionate. It’s like in the movie “Paying it Forward.” Except, too often in real life it doesn’t work out that nicely. It’s as if people are questioning, “Hey, if we allow all of this do-gooder stuff to continue, how will it really impact me? What will be the cost I have to pay? How will it impact my comfort and my quality of life?” So, too, Jesus’ ministry of compassion is met with opposition. It doesn’t matter what you do. If people feel the least bit threatened they’re going to question your motives, your actions, your intentions. That way the focus is taken off of them.

In our passage from Matthew, Jesus calls them out. He exposes their fear and hypocrisy. He then turns his attention to talking with God, which he follows with turning his attention back to those who are struggling, who feel the burdens of life. Let us listen for the word that God has for us in

Matthew 11:16-19,25-30

Over the past several years I have found that an important part of my preparation for preaching is to go to the Internet. There are a wide variety of web sites that offer reflections on the scripture selections from the lectionary. Some are written by scholars and theologians. Others are reflections by everyday preachers who are wrestling with the realities of their lives in their situations. With the reference in today’s passage about “those who are weary and are carrying heaven burdens,” I was struck by some of the situations I found in my readings yesterday.

A Cup of Cold Water

A Cup of Cold Water

Psalm 13; Matthew 10:40-42

Our first reading, this morning, is a short Psalm that is easily heard in three distinct parts. The first two verses are a description of a desperate situation. It seems that God is absent as my life is be falling apart. The middle two verses are essentially a prayer, a cry to God for help. The closing two verses are then an affirmation of trust that God will be faithful and will deliver. Let us listen for God’s word in this Psalm of a deserted soul:

Psalm 13

Our Gospel reading is also a short passage: three verses long. And it comes at the end of a rather long speech by Jesus to his disciples. Prior to Chapter 10, Matthew has piled up several stories of Jesus and his ministry. Matthew recalls stories of healings, of lepers being made whole, a woman with a hemorrhage touching the hem of Jesus’ robe; Peter’s mother-in-law is restored to health. There are also stories of a girl being given back her life, of demons that are destroyed, of a raging storm that is calmed. Sight is restored to the blind and a person who was unable to speak found her voice. I can just imagine that as the word spread around the countryside that there was this miracle worker and healer among them, the crowds grew day by day. Some were curious, others had real need and an aching hope. We are told, at the end of Chapter 9, that “When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion for them. . . .Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” So, in response to the human need that was evident, Jesus told the disciples to pray for laborers. Now, as we all know, you need to be careful what you pray for. The very next thing we learn, as Chapter 10 begins, is that Jesus sends his twelve disciples. And the disciples now become the Apostles, ones who are sent.

When you think about this image of laborers being sent into the harvest, what kind of work do you imagine they are given? Matthew tells us “Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness.” In other words, they are commissioned with a ministry of compassion.

What follows through Chapter 10 is a speech by Jesus where he gives further direction about where to go, how to behave, and what to expect. “Not everyone will welcome you with open arms. In fact, your ministry of compassion will also stir up a lot of resentment and opposition. But always remember who and what you represent.” And now, we come to our passage from Matthew. It lies at the end of Chapter 10. These are the closing words of Jesus’ instructions and warnings as he sends his disciples. Listen for the word that God has for us.

Matthew 10:40-42

You know, as scary as it can be to be given a difficult job to do, something new and different that needs a different set of skills than what you have ever used before, as scary as that is, how cool to be selected! Wow! Jesus wants me to do the things he’s been doing: healing the sick, casting out demons, helping the lame to walk and the blind to see. And he has given me authority and power to carry out this work. How cool is that! And to add to that, Jesus says who ever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me, and the one who sent him. So, whoever welcomes me is essentially welcoming God and God’s Son, Jesus. Wow! And, Double Wow!

Pentecost 2011

Empowered to Do, Empowered to Be

Acts 2:1-21; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-11; John 20:19-23

Pentecost is here. Our first reading, this morning is the account in Acts of the Spirit of God being unleashed on the disciples at the Jewish festival of Pentecost. If you listen, carefully, you may get a sense of the power that these frightened disciples felt as the wind, and flames began to stir within them.
Acts 2:1-21

Our second reading, and the focus for today, will be from 1 Corinthians. The giving of the Spirit was not simply a one time event. But there are gifts from the Spirit that remain with the church and empowers the church, even today.
1 Corinthians 12:3b-11

I would like to add to today’s readings a short passage from the Gospel of John. As the resurrected Jesus appears to his disciples, behind locked doors, he breathes on them his Spirit.
John 20:19-23

Over the years I have heard many stories and many ideas about the Holy Spirit, and the gifts of the Spirit. Many strike me as being a bit off the mark. So this morning, I would like to, very briefly, share my thoughts on what I would consider three misconceptions about the gifts of the Spirit.

Unfailing Spirit of Love

An Unfailing Spirit of Love

Psalm 66:8-20; John 14:15-24

Pentecost is coming: The gospel reading today is preparing us for the outpouring of the Spirit. But before the Spirit is unleashed, Jesus has to leave, a second time. So, today, the passage is taken from the part of John's Gospel just before Jesus is arrested and crucified. Jesus is preparing the disciples for his departure. His words are as meaningful, perhaps more meaningful, in anticipation of his Ascension.

Reading: John 14:15-26

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Recently, I met a man in a nursing home. He was, by all accounts, rather brilliant. His mind is still sharp and clear, even though his body is failing, terribly. He had been an intellectual and a scientist. For him, there was little room for superstitious things like religion. In life, in general, and particularly in the nursing home, he observed people around him who wore their religion like a badge. They would greet you with words of blessing, but if you didn’t do things their way, they could also “bless you out.” We see it, all the time. People who are quick to publicly profess their faith, who speak pious platitudes, but whose lives betray priorities that are quite different from what Jesus taught. For this scientist who is now in a nursing home and dependent on the good will of others, the absence of good will from those who profess Jesus simply reinforces his notion that it is nothing more than superstition.

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

The Dangers of Being A Royal Priesthood

The Dangers of Being a Royal Priesthood

OR

Being a Royal Priesthood Can Be a Royal Pain

Psalm 31:1-5,15-16; 1 Peter 2:2-10

Last year I was fortunate enough to have found some health problems through routine checkups. That meant I was able to avert having more serious problems later on. It also means that I have become more aware of the benefits of regular check ups. So last month I went to my primary physician for an annual physical. As important as it is to do, I will admit that there is something a little disconcerting about the experience. Maybe you know what I am talking about.

First, you are ushered to a little room by a medical technician, some one who checks a few vitals. Her primary purpose isn’t the vitals, though. She pulls out the hospital gown and the paper sheet and instructs you to take off all of your clothes, put on the gown that opens in the back, and you can use the sheet for a little extra cover. “And doctor will be in shortly.”

A Shepherd of Abundance

A Shepherd of Abundance

Psalm 23; Acts 2:42-47;  John 10:1-10

Recently I ran across a story of a rich beggar. Of course, we think of beggars as being people who have circumstances that have left them poor, without resources, and they find that seeking the generosity, or the pittances of others enables them to have food to eat. Well, there was once this beggar who was indeed poor. Due to injuries and the stigmas he carried in his village, he found that he was unable to make any meaningful money, so he had to beg. He also prayed. Regularly, he prayed for the means to live  so that he would not need to beg. One day, he was visited by a messenger who carried a special bag.

Be Holy? Be Perfect? Who Me?

Be Holy? Be Perfect? Who Me?

Leviticus 19:1-2,9-18; Matthew 32 5:38-48

Some years ago there was a little country church with a pastor who had a dog and the folks of the church loved the dog as much as their pastor. The dog was a seeing eye dog, or a service dog, who helped the pastor who was totally blind. The dog would lead the pastor on visitation calls. The dog would be with the pastor in his office; would be present  for various church events; he even took part in worship.