The Lighthouse Keeper

Greetings from Pastor Kerry, former pastor of Spring City UMC. This blog contains my sermon outlines and/or manuscripts from my pastorate among the people of Spring City PA, from 2006 to 2011. Pastor Dennis is now the lighthouse keeper. Come and worship on Sundays at 10:00 a.m.! www.springcityumc.org

Sunday, July 04, 2010

Bear One Another's Burdens

July 4th, 2010
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Communion Sunday

Bear One Another’s Burdens
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ...
Let us not grow weary in doing what is right. – Galatians 6:2, 9


My sermon outline:

• CNN.com 7/2/10 article on Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence (234 years ago)... in a draft of the DofI in the grievances against King George, historians have determined that TJ initially identified himself as speaking for his “fellow-subjects” but he changed the wording to say “fellow citizens”. Subtle but important distinction. TJ not addressing King George as subject, as one under authority, but as citizen, from a position of freedom and equality. Subject: I am beholden to you, I am obeisant to you. Citizen: I give allegiance to representative government.

• Such is the song Paul has been singing in Galatians... TJ: not citizens AND subjects but citizens alone. Paul: not justified, not rectified, not become righteous by Christ AND the Law but by Christ alone.

• An excerpt from the New Interpreter’s Bible... (side note: the NIB contributor calls the Galatian leaders against whom Paul is speaking “rival Missionaries” who are teaching that adherence to covenantal law (i.e. circumcision) is a necessary step for converts to Christian faith)

The rival Missionaries are telling you that in order to be Christ’s people, authentic children of Abraham, you must be circumcised and obey the commandments of the Sinaitic Law. But I say to you, by contrast, that if you bear one another’s burdens, becoming slaves of one another through love – correcting one another gently instead of competing viciously as the Missionaries have led you to do – you will fulfill the Law as Christ has redefined it. (Richard Hays NIB/XI 333-334)

• Recall Jesus was asked What is the greatest commandment, Love God, Love neighbor... Let your eyes be made new by me so that you may see neighbor as I see, as God sees them. Your neighbors are not subject to you, you are not subject to them, you are both beholden to God, both under God. See them as God sees them, have mercy on them as God has mercy on you, bear their burdens as you bear your own, and keep on keeping on as Christ kept on for you.

• We opened today’s worship service with America the Beautiful, a raptured vision of Katherine Lee Bates as she traveled through the American west... It is a prayer and a vision. Hymn 696. My paraphrase of the verses:

Verse 1: By God’s grace may the crowning achievement of America be our connection as family

Verse 2: Gained by the sacrifices of committed unknown soldiers, may our resources and priorities be divinely guided.

Verse 3: May we be made righteous & may the fruits of the spirit abound.

• Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ... Let us not grow weary in doing what is right. – Galatians 6:2, 9
In short, let us imitate Christ in love and humilty, in sacrifice and in vision

• Hymn 581 Lord, Whose Love through Humble Service

- Pastor Kerry

This Sunday: 64 in worship.
Fellowship Hall