Intersections

Some weeks, I can really get away with interpreting things, and giving you different perspectives on what the scripture is about. But this week- that skill seems to have been taken from me. There’s not much wiggle room in our text today for interpretation, no “high mountain” language where it could be looked at from different perspectives. Today, we’re given this selection that is pretty straightforward. If only the message was as easy to say as it is to interpret. Isaiah’s people are all about worship. They can’t wait to get into church. If only Isaiah knew how good he had it. They delight with the thought of God, and drawing nearer to Him. Here in our modern times, it doesn’t seem that our contemporary church can get that kind of excitement up for that, even at the holidays of Christmas and Easter! There’s so many other options, from coffee houses and bakeries, some people in the retail industries work, sports happen whether professional or kids, sometimes there are even practices o...

  Let’s be honest, I know the title of my sermon gives it away, but I’m going to try really hard not to skip ahead to verse 8 and to focus on the whole text. So let’s start at the beginning - this is one of my favorite verses, so let’s get into it.   Chapter 6 begins with God talking (through Micah) whether it’s a courtroom scene or not (scholars are divided about this). Ultimately - the fundamental relationship between God and people has been broken and God is trying to figure out what to do… how can God and the creation come back together in harmony?  God is challenging Israel in their present trouble. This isn’t a challenge where judgment is the end of the line, although it feels like it, doesn’t it? From Israel’s position, it feels to them like God has been silent all this time. But God responds with having them recall the exodus from Egypt, when the Lord redeemed them as they were slaves. The Lord provided for them with Moses and his family, and then also the mira...

       Complaining is the worst. I mean - with all that wasted energy, you could do so much! Good thing we don’t have any complainers among us! I certainly wouldn’t know any in my household.  Or even all over the Bible! That may be a reason why we can’t get more people to church; there’s so much complaining - just in our scripture. From the Israelites right after they were released from captivity to even Jesus complained about how stubborn people can be. I saw the photo that's on the cover of the bulletin. It inspired me because I imagined the man shouting his complaints into the void, much like yelling at the TV or writing comments on the internet.       Now, you know of those televangelists who love to talk about their faith and prosperity, that God can accomplish anything.  Complaining is the worst. I mean - with all that wasted energy, you could do so much! Good thing we don’t have any complainers among us! I certainly wouldn’t kno...