Proper 11C - (July 18, 2010)

[Jon Twitchell]

• First reading and Psalm
  • Amos 8:1-12
  • Psalm 52
• Alternate First reading and Psalm
  • Genesis 18:1-10a
  • Psalm 15
• Second reading
  • Colossians 1:15-28
• Gospel
  • Luke 10:38-42

[Ryan Scott]

I'll be preaching two sermons from within the Colossians passage here. The first will be focused on 1:21 and the "estrangement that Christ has reconciled." I'm still early in the planning, but I think it will focus generally on the transformation Christ's life and work enable in our lives.

The second sermon will focus on 1:24 and what it means that Paul says he is "completing what is lacking in Christ's afflictions." Quite frankly, I chose this focus simply because it doesn't make a lot of sense to me and I want a chance to dig in deeper (a chance I haven't taken just yet).

[Ryan Scott]

So I've adapted my focus on the first sermon (Colossians 1:15-23) to be more an exploration of "the image of the invisible God" and what that means in light of the cross.

The conclusion basically becomes - when we look for an image of God we're pointed to Christ and when we look for an image of Christ we're pointed to the cross. Paul's understanding of this relationships seems to be that an all-powerful God with a multitude of choices for redemption and reconciliation chose the weakness of the cross. Thus it is love, not strength that holds real power in the world.

Hopefully I'll be a bit more eloquent on Sunday.

[Jon Bemis]

So I've adapted my focus on the first sermon (Colossians 1:15-23) to be more an exploration of "the image of the invisible God" and what that means in light of the cross.

The conclusion basically becomes - when we look for an image of God we're pointed to Christ and when we look for an image of Christ we're pointed to the cross. Paul's understanding of this relationships seems to be that an all-powerful God with a multitude of choices for redemption and reconciliation chose the weakness of the cross. Thus it is love, not strength that holds real power in the world.

Hopefully I'll be a bit more eloquent on Sunday.

I like the direction you have taken with this. Let us know how you develop it.

[Ryan Scott]

Well since this is a lectionary sermon, but not on the appointed week, I've finished the text of what I'll take with me. I usually write out the whole sermon to fit on two pages, so there's no fumbling with papers. I don't read it, nor do I really refer to it at all - it's only there as a backup in case I blank somewhere or lose my train of thought.

So this is a rough version, but it's what I'll be preaching this Sunday (6/4/2010).

Colossians 1 15-23.doc

[Mike Wooldridge]

So this is a rough version, but it's what I'll be preaching this Sunday (6/4/2010).

I think you meant 7/4/2010.

[Ryan Scott]

I preached my sermon on Colossians 1:15-23 this morning. Here's the audio if anyone's interested - http://pennsvillenazarene.org/index....8&showid=32907

[Ryan Plott]

i liked it. what were the five images on the opening slides?

[Ryan Scott]

i liked it. what were the five images on the opening slides?

Just some pictures that showed up on google images when searching for "image of god."

[Carolyn Franklin]

I enjoyed hearing your sermon, Scott.
gc

[Ryan Scott]

I preached a second sermon from the Colossians passage this week, focusing mainly on 1:24-2:5. I went with quite a different approach than I'm normally inclined to preach, but it seemed to be well received.

Here's the link to listen - http://pennsvillenazarene.org/index....8&showid=33232