Reign - Matthew 25:31-46 - Reign of Christ - 11-22-20

 

Sermon podcast from our Reign of Christ Sunday - 11-22-20 online worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Matthew 25:31-46

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Reign

Sermon podcast from this past Sunday at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL.  Matthew 25:31-46
Reign of Christ Sunday
"Reign" podcast

Negative?

Sometimes I feel really positive.  Other times, not so much. Lately I’ve really been paying attention to how often I think of things in negative terms, and it was too many. I can’t simplify everything into a “Look, I’m always going to think of things in positive terms and I’m not going to think in negative terms anymore” description, but I am noticing and consciously trying to see more positives. I really don’t want to rant against negatives. They are always present. So why not focus on what I support instead of what I'm against? For instance:

• I support comprehensive, compassionate and fair immigration reform.
• I support marriage equality
• I support LGBT equality
• I support a woman’s right to chose.
• I support the paycheck fairness act
• I support a $15 an hour federal minimum wage with annual cost of living increases
• I support single payer healthcare reform.

And as I express those things, I recognize that many will have immediate negative thoughts. Some of them will probably be directed at the causes I just said I support. Others likely will be directed at me for supporting those causes. I also recognize that many will have positive thoughts about the causes I listed (and others I support) as well as about me for supporting them.

All those ideas are present here today. And, for right now, I want to focus on the positives. Not the positives relating to the things I just said I support, but rather “the positives” in general. This week’s Bible reading from Matthew 25:31-46 tells the parable of the sheep and the goats. There are negatives and positives. And I want to focus on the positives – and perhaps even enhance them.

• I was hungry and you had a banquet in my honor.
• I was a stranger and you introduced me to all of your friends.
• I was naked and you took me on a shopping spree.
• I was sick and you brought me soup and you took me to the doctor.
• I was in prison and you told me I was loved no matter what.

How positive can we get?

Welcomed

This week's Bible reflection (Negative negative) is very present in what is, of course, a very positive sermon for Sunday at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL.  It's Thanksgiving Dinner Sunday after the worship service, too!  (A positive sermon and free Thanksgiving dinner?  Y'all come!)
"Welcomed" text
"Welcomed" podcast

Negative negative

I’m trying to see more positives. I don’t want to rant against negatives. They are always present and it is necessary to define what one does not support as much as it is to communicate what you support. For instance:

• I support the Occupy Wall Street Movement.
• I support President Obama’s policies and agenda.
• I support marriage equality
• I support health care reform.

And as I say those things, I recognize that many will have immediate negative thoughts. Some of them would probably be directed at the causes I just said I support. Others likely would be directed at me for supporting those causes. I also recognize that many will have positive thoughts about the causes I listed (and others I support) as well as about me for supporting them.

And, of course, I want to focus on the positives. This week’s Bible reading from Matthew 25:41-46 tells the parable of the sheep and the goats. There are negatives and positives. And I want to focus on the positives – and perhaps even enhance them.

• I was hungry and you had a banquet in my honor.
• I was a stranger and you introduced me to all of your friends.
• I was naked and you took on a shopping spree.
• I was sick and you made me chicken soup
• I was in prison and you told me that God loves me no matter what.

 How positive can you get?

The Sheep and the Goats

This week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc (Bleating question) sparked some more thought and now it's tomorrow's sermon at Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL

"The Sheep and the Goats" text

"The Sheep and the Goats" podcast

Bleating question

Here's this week's i.ucc Bible study blog entry:

Sheep and goats are similar

• Both have hooves
• Both are herbivores
• They have similar lifespans (in the wild from 7-13 years)
• Both are considered to be "The first domesticated animal" from about 10,000 years ago (Iran)
• Both thrive best in herds
• Though from different species – there have been instances of sheep-goat hybrids that have survived.
• Geneticists have also produced sheep-goat chimera – animals having cells from both sheep and goats (they’ve also been called "geep")
• Both are considered "clean" animals by Jewish custom
• Both make similar sounds (it’s called "bleating")

Sheep and goats are different

• They have different tails (goat tails are short and upturned – sheep tails are longer and they hang down.)
• Beards – male goats have them – sheep don’t
• Curiosity: Goats are inquisitive and somewhat playful. Sheep . . . aren’t

As symbols in this week’s Bible reading from Matthew 25:31-46, sheep and goats appear to be very different.

• Goats represent those who claim to follow God yet ignore the needs of their neighbor.
• Sheep represent those who claim to follow God and live that claim unaware.

And sure, there are other ideas and interpretations as to exactly who these sheep and goats are and what they really represent. But this week I’m wondering something different:

How are these sheep and goats alike?