MAC KIRK

  A Juxtaposition of Judgment and Love---a new Take Christ the King Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46 "Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."  BCP Today we see a juxtaposition ( the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect) of judgment and love. It is a literary device to do this.  Moby Dick contrasted the sea with the land for ex.  Other examples of juxtaposition are: " Dark, light. Despair, hope .  Juxtapose means to place two or more things side by side, often with the intention of comparing or contrasting them or to create an interesting effect.  Sweet sorrow is another ex. We see judgment

  Pre-Thanksgiving.  Serving God in the Hard Times Luke 17:10-19 The theme that runs through the lessons appointed for today's study and meditation is one of a question. We must all deal with it,. Some of us have not dealt with it very well. And others see how we react. The questions relate is "How do we serve God/love God/ in the hard times?" My theology professor used to say that God does not give Christians any easier life in this life or all would see the temporary benefits and become Chrislians. NO---God is calling us in grace and love to serve Him, not because we can get something, but because of Who He is. He is worthy of our love and worship. C.S.Lewis said there are two kinds of people: those who say to God " Thy will be done " and those to whom God says" A11 right then, have it your way." Do you see the difference? we talk a lot today about self esteem and how we feel. I would propose that if we do not put God first and our spiritual relation

  Marriage Feast and the Lamps .  Matthew 25     There seems to be no way to get around the final nature of the shut door and , " I do not know you" in this section of Scripture.  Positively, we can say that half of the women with the lamps had their lamps full of oil and were filling it when the Bride arrived unexpectedly and later.  Some of them were not true subjects of the King to be so ill-prepared .     Salvation is not just saying yes to Jesus.  It is really saying yes in our lives , and being aware of what is going on around us in our life and in the lives of others.  We cannot give salvation to those who will not believe and be prepared. This is illustrated by the women who could not fill their lamps .  They had no oil. They were out.    Yet they asked the Lord to open the door despite their lack of preparation .  Lord, , " Lord , open to us."  Vs 11.  The others went in vs 10 being ready.  But the door was shut already.  Those who had prepared were already