Join us for Bs Joshua Lickter's sermon: I am With You This summer we look at the courage and encouraging words that God shares with us from the Prophet Isaiah when things look really rough. In this series we see in our readings how Isaiah always contrasts empire and the messiah. We know from history going back as far as we can, and even in the scripture, that humans are regularly ordering their lives around "empire". Does God work within "Empire"? Where does God meet us? Where is God's Empire and Kingdom? This week our guest, Josh, shares some insights into our scripture readings from Isaiah 42 and 43. How can we respond when we see some who have traded the humility of the cross of Jesus for the coercive power of the state? Even in confusion, how can we find a loving way forward towards Christ our neighbor? Some of the issues of our time are complicated, and often times we as humans prefer simple answers to complex questions. Has part of the church lost it's way? How can we go forward in the way of love? In this passage from Isaiah, in the midst of the chaos and confusion, God speaks to a remnant, a word of profound tenderness. From our reading in Isaiah 43: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; Josh reminds us that Jesus invites us to his table. Through the eucharist we are invited to feast on the life, the humility, the sacrifice, and the boundless love of Jesus Christ. The ultimate litmus test of any movement that claims the name of Jesus, is do they contain the very fruit of the Spirit of God; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, self control. These are the fruits that we seek for God to bring about in our own lives. Sunday Morning Services at 9:30 am. In Manchester by the Sea at the beautiful Crowell Chapel near the corner of School St. and Rosedale Ave. 3 Rosedale Ave. Manchester by the Sea, MA Details on our website services page. https://www.trinitynorthshore.org/services Connect with us at https://www.trinitynorthshore.org, follow us on our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/trinitynorthshore, on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/trinitynorthshore May the Peace of God be with you today.
