What God Wants
Stanley Hauerwas
(This piece is from the book “Jesus Changes Everything.” Chapter 7: Kingdom Promises)
We are forever getting confused into thinking that scripture is mainly about what we are supposed to do rather than a picture of who God is in the world. The basic message of the Sermon on the Mount is not about what works but rather about the way God is. Cheek-turning is not advocated as what works, but taught because this is the way God is- God is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Jesus is the Sermon on the Mount. His teaching is not a stratagem for getting what we want; it is a picture of life that is available now that we have seen what God wants and what he does in Christ. We seek reconciliation with our neighbor not because we will feel so much better afterward, but because reconciliation is what God is doing in the world in Christ.
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Part of the difficulty with the Beatitudes is that they seem abhorrent to us- in particular, we do not honor, or like to be, the meek. To be meek is, we think, to lack ambition and drive. You can’t be meek and survive the rough and tumble of the world. And that may be so, if the rough and tumble of the world is all there is. Granted, to be meek or peace-loving in a world that knows nothing but mechanisms of getting ahead at the expense of others will more than likely not lead to getting ahead in life. It is no wonder that Jesus’ first followers lived in renunciation and want. They are as Bonhoeffer notes in The Cost of Discipleship, “the poorest of the poor, the most tempted of the tempted, the hungriest of the hungry. They have only him. Yes, and with him they have nothing in the world, nothing at all, but everything, everything with God.” And yet Jesus saw and felt their suffering and had compassion on them. It is these Jesus calls blessed, not because they are somehow unfortunate but because they have responded to his call that leads to true life.
Announcements:
THIS SATURDAY- I was notified yesterday that there will be a city wide clean up. A flyer of the event has been posted below. If you are interested in helping Pastor Steven and his 3 kids Saturday morning in picking up trash in a park or parking lot, please let me know ASAP (972-921-2516). We will meet at the High School at 9am on Saturday to receive our instruction on where to go. A lunch will be provided by The City of Kodiak.
Mothers’ Day
For the past two years, the women of CBC have led all aspects of the service on Mothers’ Day. Would you like to join us this Mothers’ Day, May 10? Please let Marilyn know by texting or calling her at 907.539.2386 and letting her know what role or roles you would be comfortable with taking. We’ll be looking for 2-3 short messages, scripture readers, ushers, musicians, prayer leaders, and if you have a reading that you would like to provide that would also be welcome. If someone is inspired to provide a children’ s sermon that would also be great.
Link to the CBC Calendar
I am so proud of our church and the way we came together to create a worshipful experience in so many ways during Holy Week. Thank you everyone! We are a strong and faithful church!
We will be having a night of fun for our kids on May 29 (a Friday) from 5-7. The aim is to be low-key with video games and a movie… and even some pizza for good measure.
Church Weekly Schedule
Sunday worship at 11am
Sunday School at 9:45am
I am teaching through the Gospel According to Matthew
Youth/Children’s Group! Daniel and Emily Mendez are heading up the Youth Group Bible Study at 9:45
Wednesday Prayer Posse 12pm
Trail Life each Sunday from 2-3pm
Pastor Steven’s Office Hours 8-4 Mon-Thursday
I have an open sign (if it is on, I am here)
If I am not in the office at these times, I am meeting with someone
Call or text me 972-921-2516
Email steven@kodiakcbc.org
