St. Paul's Darien » Fr. Christopher P. Leighton

On the Mark – September 5th 2010

Fr. Christopher P. Leighton — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 11:00:00 +0000

Good News From Luke

For the next three months, we will be studying the Gospel of Luke. Luke gives the account of Jesus’ life, suffering, death and resurrection. In his gathering of data from eyewitnesses, he emphasizes in Jesus’ teaching the way of salvation for Jews and Gentiles. Luke highlights prayer, joy, special concern for the role of women, commitment to serving those in need, compassion for sinners, and the person and work of the Holy Spirit.

I pray that you will join the Body of Christ in learning and re-learning this wonderful Gospel. Take time to read your Bible daily. Join a cell group at St. Paul’s (contact Kim Stumpf or Joann Cerretani). Bring your Bible to church and listen to sermons from Luke. There will be study questions in the leaflet each week.

Let’s share in the Good News from Luke!

Your brother in Christ,

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

On the Mark – September 5th

On the Mark – August 29th 2010

Fr. Christopher P. Leighton — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:25:00 +0000

The Wreckage of Unbelief

Unbelief has become the norm. It is evident all around us regarding every institution of our society. Trust has been broken, and people have been hurt. There seems to be nothing to be believed in anymore.

As astounding as this is, unbelief is also rampant throughout the churches of the United States. Many people, especially clergy, no longer uphold the Bible as the Word of God, Jesus as the Savior of the world, and the ten commandments as binding on their behavior.

Adding to this bleak picture is the condition that many who call themselves Bible-believing Christians are merely holding on to their faith with “white knuckles”, hoping they will be able to get to the finish line. Where is the faith that moves mountains? Where is the faith that pleases God?

Jesus said to his followers when they approached the tomb of their dead friend Lazarus, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” [John 11:40].

Every one of us needs to ask ourselves if we believe in a God who answers prayer. We need to repent of the sin of unbelief and to walk by faith anticipating the glory of God!

Your brother in Christ,

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

On the Mark – September 5th

Fr. Christopher Leighton – Revelation 3:7-13 – August 22nd

Fr. Christopher P. Leighton — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 02:49:10 +0000

On the Mark August 22nd 2010

Fr. Christopher P. Leighton — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 11:55:36 +0000

God and You are a Majority

Today we are blessing the backpacks of students during the 10:30 service. Why? Because since it is time to go back to school we want to pray for each student and their upcoming school year.

There are many challenges associated with going to school. There are joys that can come with learning. Who children choose to associate with will lead to decisions that will build or tear down character for a lifetime.

In addition, when students go into a situation with the blessing of God they are not alone. Do you know that when you walk into a room, four people walk in: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit go with you. With God, you are a majority! Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before all people, that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven. [Matthew 5:16}.

Have a blessed coming school year!

Your brother in Christ,

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

On the Mark August 22nd

Fr. Christopher Leighton – Revelation 3:1-6 – August 15th

Fr. Christopher P. Leighton — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 02:37:11 +0000

To the Church in Sardis

Introduction:

When was a time when “you were your own worst enemy”?

Are you someone who wakes up bright and cheery? Or do you need some time to adjust?

Are you a “last minute” person? Why or why not?

Observation:

How does Jesus describe Himself in v. 1?

Is the church commended for anything?

What is the current state of this church? What is going to happen if nothing changes?

Interpretation:

Why would the facts that the Son of God has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars be of particular importance to the church at Thyatira?

Why is Jesus ready to “come against” this church?

Why is it significant that He says “a few names” in v. 4? What does “walk with me in white” mean?

Application:

Have you been “spiritually asleep” at different points in your journey?

When have you seen the fruit of repentance?

What will be like to hear Jesus confess your name before His Father and His Father’s angels?

How does this word help you to overcome?

On the Mark – August 15th 2010

Fr. Christopher P. Leighton — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 11:00:00 +0000

If the Shoe Doesn’t Fit…

The sign in the running shoe store said it all, “If the shoe doesn’t fit, don’t wear it”. How many times had I heard the converse thought, “If the shoe fits, wear it”! Now the novel slogan was being applied literally to the care of the foot. The owner of the store was chagrined when I told him that I’d lost a toenail from running too much. He exclaimed that it was the shoe’s fault and the fault of the person who fitted it poorly. He proceeded to match my foot to a shoe perfectly.

We are coming to the conclusion of the summer series on the seven churches of Revelation: the good, the bad, and the ugly. If these churches were shoes and you were a foot, which church would fit you?

Your brother in Christ,

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

On the Mark – August 15th

Fr. Christopher Leighton Revelation 2:18-29 August 8th

Fr. Christopher P. Leighton — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 14:30:59 +0000

To the Church in Thyatira

Introduction:

How good are you at “sniffing out” a lie?

Are you a person that puts up with a lot before you say something or are you someone who says something right away?

Observation:

How does Jesus describe Himself in v. 18?

What is the church commended for?

How does the woman Jezebel mislead Christ’s servants?

What is ahead for the overcomer?

Interpretation:

Why would the facts that the Son of God has eyes like blazing fire and feet like burnished bronze be of particular importance to the church at Thyatira?

Look back to Jezebel in I Kings. What did she do? Why do you think Jesus gives the prophetess mentioned here this name?

What is the relationship between the church at Thyatira and this so-called prophetess? What needs to change?

What is the morning star?

Application:

Have you witnessed the impact of false teaching? Are you aware of it now?

In a culture that in many ways has made an idol out of tolerance, how are Christians to speak the truth in love?

How does this word help you to overcome?

On the Mark – August 8th 2010

Fr. Christopher P. Leighton — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 11:00:00 +0000

The Bible May be Old – But…

“The Bible is so old, and the lives of those people so distant from ours. Why waste time reading it?”

The Bible may be old but it is timeless. The lives depicted in its accounts are very much like ours. Besides, the God of antiquities is eternal and is as real today as He was thousands of years ago. When we read the Bible, the God of the Bible becomes the God of our daily lives. We learn more about His ways and we fall deeper in love with Him, desiring to serve Him.

Recently I led a Russian woman to the Lord and we instantly found an app on her phone and she began reading the Bible in her native tongue. “I’m listening to God talk to me!” she said. I once led a man to Christ and told him to read a chapter of John’s Gospel one day at a time. After twenty-one days, he called to say, “now what?” He began a new study and years later – at last check – he still reads the Bible daily.

The Bible is the daily bread God gives you to feed your spirit. The Bible may be old, but it is the best food for you!

Your brother in Christ,

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

On the Mark August 8th

On the Mark – August 1st 2010

Fr. Christopher P. Leighton — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 11:00:00 +0000

Stability

The other day I woke up and like a drone just started looking at e-mails and things that had to be done.

Then I felt a nudge from God and thought He was saying “come outdoors with me and listen to me.” I went out and looked up to see unusual cloud formations. One cloud looked like a human backbone, and I felt I was being prompted to think about stability – backbones certainly provide stability. “Backbone” is also a synonym for courage.

My appointed psalm I read that day was coincidentally appropriate: “He who does these things shall never be moved.” [Psalm 15:5]. I read on and saw a reference to Psalm 21:7 “for the king trusts in the Lord and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.” And then I reflected on Psalm 16:8 “I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand I shall not be shaken.”

People come and go. Seasons change as do many other things. Our own tastes and interests shift. But one thing never changes: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. [Hebrews 13:8].

I find that truth to be my stability!

Your brother in Christ,

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

On the Mark Augist 1st

Fr. Christopher Leighton – Revelation 2:8-11 July 25th

Fr. Christopher P. Leighton — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:07:06 +0000

To the Church in Smyrna

Introduction:

Is there a time in your life that you haven’t had enough money to buy what you wanted? What you needed?

Have you ever “known” about something before it happened? What was that like?

Observation:

Where else do you see the phrases “the First and the Last”, “was dead”, and “is alive again” earlier in this book?

What are the church’s strengths? Weaknesses?

What will happen to some of the members of this community?

Interpretation:

Why would the facts that the Son of Man is the First and the Last and that He died and came to life again be of particular importance to the church at Ephesus?

How can they be both poor and rich?

What is the “synagogue of Satan”?

What is the second death?

Application:

In what kind of economic situation have you found it most difficult to live out your Christian faith—with money or without it?

The church at Smyrna is commended for its perseverance and urged to continue to be faithful. How does the word that Jesus brings to them have an impact on you? What does this teach you about suffering?

How does this word help you to overcome?