eFollowingJesusMar7 - 99 sheep (read Matthew 18:10-14)

   The Church is the only club whose reason to exist is for those who don't belong.  We always pay attention to who isn't there, to whoever feels left out - who's been hurt by religion.  We notice who's confused, who's never cracked a Bible or knelt in prayer.  We don't fret over the 99 in the fold, while searching relentlessly for the one - and it's always just one, one at a time, not the hordes, just one.

   Even within the Church:  we do not give preference to the tall, rich, strong, or good-looking.  We don't even give preference to the stalwart volunteer or the time-tested leader.  No, "the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those parts of the body which we think less honorable we invest with the greater honor (1 Corinthians 12:22)."  We do not pity the weak or those who struggle: we honor them, we are grateful for them.  They remind us of our true selves before God, and of Jesus, whose power is perfected in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

   Lord, who is the one you want me to search for?  Help me to find that one, and love it back home.  

James

james@mpumc.org

Sunday's sermon on Matthew 16:13-26, "Take Up Your Cross," may be heard by clicking here - and you can get it via podcast too!  In the sermon you will hear about our effort to raise money for the reconstruction of the Moore Community House in Biloxi - and know that contributions may be sent to MPUMC, Box 6161, Charlotte 28207, or you can contribute online.

Here is the full text of Matthew 18:10-14 -  10: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.  11: For the Son of Man came to save the lost.  12: What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13: And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14: So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

The full eFollowingJesus series (thus far!) may be found on our web site.