MAC KIRK

  The Rich Man and Lazarus-“ Two Men, Two Roads, Two Results” Luke 16:19-31 We could look through the Gospel of Luke , and we could discuss such things as Discipleship (“ Strive to enter through the narrow gate” 13:24), Counting the Cost as a Disciple and bearing our Cross (14:27), the Lost sheep, lost coin from Luke 15 and last Sunday the Parable of the Unjust Steward Luke 16 where we heard “ You cannot serve God and riches” 16:13 These have not been easy lessons . Today  we are focused on a story from Luke. I would think we should be careful if we call this a parable since it is more than that I believe. Parables are stories but in this story we have characters who are named. Be careful not to dismiss stories of Jesus either because in them we have the Word of the Gospel. I subtitled this message years ago when I talked about it ----“ Taking a wrong turn in life” Today we are looking at two ways of living. I am not trying to identify anyone here as I talk about this. I am si...

  Grace in the Holy Trinity GRACE and Trinity Sunday ( Before I talk about this subject, I want to share with you something that was written by a Christian I who knew; It touched me deeply because this is also somewhat my own experience....) "Good article. I was raised by atheists, but was baptized (in the Presbyterian church!) when I was four. I speculate it was done because my grandmother probably wouldn't stop nagging until they said, O all right, if it will get her off our backs. But I don't know why they did it with any certainty. Anyway, they did. There was no follow up. My Father refused to go to church even for my sister's or my wedding, simply because they were in church. I never knew what a church was through my childhood. It was not until my late teens that I found my own way to church, with no guidance, let alone encouragement, from anyone. As a result, my theology of baptism has been clear: I can trust the Father who works effectively his will through wate...

  Whitsunday (Pentecost) First Lesson Wisdom 1:1-7 1 LOVE righteousness, ye that be judges of the earth: think of the Lord with a good (heart,) and in simplicity of heart seek him. 2 For he will be found of them that tempt him not; and sheweth himself unto such as do not distrust him. 3 For froward thoughts separate from God: and his power, when it is tried, reproveth the unwise. 4 For into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter; nor dwell in the body that is subject unto sin. 5 For the holy spirit of discipline will flee deceit, and remove from thoughts that are without understanding, and will not abide when unrighteousness cometh in. 6 For wisdom is a loving spirit; and will not acquit a blasphemer of his words: for God is witness of his reins, and a true beholder of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue. 7 For the Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: and that which containeth all things hath knowledge of the voice. 1st Lesson Questions - Do froward thoughts (V. 3) ever separat...

  Sunday after the Ascension June 1. Hebrews 4:14-5:10 ( Ev.Prayer 1928 BCP) Fit in between the end of Easter celebration and  Pentecost June 8 is the dramatic festival of the Ascension of our Lord into heaven after His Resurrection , seen by many for 40 days.  ( last Thursday May 29) " Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16 1.  All of the Jewish sacraments and ordinances are now fulfilled in Christ, our High Priest.  His High Priesthood is eternal as shown in Heb 5, after Melchizedek, the high Priest in Genesis.  In other words there is no need for any other sacrifices ....

John 16:33  "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: ; I have overcome the world."     I suppose if we were truthful and we were asked what is one thing we desire in this life more than anything else it would be " peace."    I think this is something we really need. On Friday mornings my schedule is to prepare the Sunday sermon , and this is one I wish I could study all day ,as I have meditated on it all week ---it does not seem to fill my cup yet totally.   When I was in the service I tried to bring a little peace to the married couples and single Soldiers in our units.  I would bring them to various places to give them a break from the hum drum of the routine of military life.  We traveled to various places such as the redwoods of California, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin area, and to the Carmel beach near Monterey , CA.  The Koreans had a retreat ...

  Easter 5/ Easter 4 ( traditional readings mostly -Job 19:21-27a; Revelation 19:1-9; Gospel John 16:5-15)  Sermon- " The Comforter according to Jesus" "A junior high music teacher had just organized a band in her school. The principal was so proud of the music teacher's efforts that without consulting her he decided that the band should give a concert for the entire school. The music teacher wasn't so sure her young musicians were ready to give a concert, so she tried to talk the principal out of holding the concert, to no avail. Just before the concert was ready to begin, as the music teacher stood on the podium, she leaned forward and whispered to her nervous musicians, "If you're not sure of your part, just pretend to play." And with that, she stepped back, lifted her baton and with a great flourish brought it down. Lo and behold, nothing happened! The band brought forth a resounding silence. Sometimes we in the church are like that junior high ...