Fr. Christopher Leighton - Luke 16:19-31 - Spetember 26th

The Rich Man and Lazarus

 Introduction:

 Were you ever bullied?  What was it like?  Can anyone accuse of you of bullying?

 Have you ever heard or used the phrase, “They’ll get theirs” or “They’ll get what’s coming to them”?  What was the context?

Observation:

 What is the earthly life of Lazarus like?  The rich man?

 What is Lazarus’ afterlife like?  The rich man’s?

 What does the rich man beg of Abraham?

 Interpretation:

 Does the passage tell us why Lazarus was in heaven and the rich man was in hell?

 What does the fact that the rich man can view heaven show you about hell?

 What does v. 30 say is the basis for entry to heaven? 

 What does Jesus foreshadow in v. 31?

 Application:

 What keeps people from hearing this message about eternity?

 How can you take this teaching on hell more seriously?

 Have you ever discussed any of the concepts of judgment or hell or eternity with friends?

On the Mark – September 26th 2010

Astounding Luke!

I am so glad we are reading Luke together.  It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ told by an amazing man.  Luke was a physician by profession (Colossians 4:14).  We was a very well-educated man who assembled written material like a trained historian.  Luke was a companion of St. Paul and was, do doubt, discipled by him and retained Paul’s conviction of mission to the Gentiles.  By reading Luke and noting its distinctions we can see what Luke thought was important in Jesus’ teaching and ministry.

Like portrays Jesus Christ as the Saviour for all men and women.  No one is an outcast and everyone who believes will be saved.  Luke is “supremely interested in the poor” according to William Barclay.  He adds “his heart runs out to everyone for whom life is an unequal struggle.”  Jesus is a friend of sinners.  There is a strong emphasis on healing, prayer, receiving the Holy Spirit, the elevation of the status of women, and the joyful praise of God.  This praise in Luke is throughout the book but can be seen in three hymns unique to this gospel:  The Magnicat )1:46-55), the Benedictus (1:68-79) and the Nunc Dimittis (2:29-32).

On October 18, the Church celebrates the day of St. Luke the Evangelist with prayer about this astounding man.  May we pray this prayer together as we read this book together and may God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven!

“Almighty God, who inspired your servant Luke the physician to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of your Son:  Graciously continue in your Church this love and power to heal, to the praise and glory of your Name;  through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

Your brother in Christ,

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

Fr. Christopher Leighton - Luke 16V1-15 Spetember 19th

1.         When you read these verses what is most puzzling?  What do you think Jesus was intending in telling this story?  What does He want his disciples to know?

2.         In light of the manager’s dishonesty, why is he commended by his manager?

3.         How does Jesus summarize the story (v.9)?

4.         What is Jesus commending?  Consider vs. 10-12 to understand his point.

5.         To clarify this passage what would you ask Jesus?

6.         In v. 13 Jesus says we cannot serve two masters.  Why not?

7.         Who or what are some of the masters you have served in your life?

8.         How do you deal with them now in light of your commitment to Jesus Christ?

9.         The Pharisees “who loved money…were sneering at Jesus (v. 14)”.  How does Jesus confront them (v. 15)?

10.       In what way do you need to stop justifying yourself in the eyes of men?

On the Mark September 19th

By , September 19, 2010

Cædmon

Cædmon is the earliest of three historically accepted Anglo-Saxon poets.  He was a herdsman in the monastery known as Whitby Abbey. Cædmon ‘s earliest recorded date would place him during the abbacy of St. Hilda (657-680).

Probably getting on in years, Cædmon believed he was unable to sing with the brothers; as a herdsman, he slept with the animals.  In a dream one night, he had a vision of a male figure directing him to “sing his own song”. After weighing his attitude regarding being unable to sing, he did sing as he was charged, "the beginning of created things" which he completed with additional verses when he woke.  Word of Cædmon’s ability reached the abbess who charged him to write a poem entitled “a passage of sacred text or doctrine”.  Impressed with his heart-felt results, she then directed him to take monastic vows,   and she assigned scholars to teach sacred history and doctrine to this new monk in their midst.

Avoiding heroic or worldly stories, Cædmon ‘s poetry is purely religious.  He built on moral teachings and directives from the Bible.   Bede stated that many other English writers fell short in trying to imitate Cædmonian sacred verse.  His works featured his daily English life and monastic surroundings, vivid picturing of the armies heightened in comradeship and battle in the flight of Israel, and the dramatic upholding of Christ and put-down of Satan in Genesis.

This was the beginning of a long history of English sacred poetry.  Cædmon died in ecclesiastical care in about 680.

   Here is a West Saxon rendition of Cædmon ‘s only surviving hymn:

Now (we) must praise the Protector of the heavenly

kingdom,

the might of the Measurer  and His mind’s purpose,

the work of the Father of Glory, as He [made] each of the wonders,

the eternal Lord, established a beginning.

He shaped first for the sons of the Earth heaven as

a roof,

then the Middle-World, mankind’s Guardian,

the eternal Lord, made afterwards,

solid ground for men, the almighty Lord, (The Holy Maker).

                                                                        Alex Malloy

 

Fr. Christopher Leighton - Luke 15 v1-10 - September 12th

1. In what way are followers of Jesus criticized in this culture?  Is the criticism justified or not?

2. Jesus was criticized by the religious establishment for being too lenient with sinners.  Can you think of a similar situation today?

3. What do you like about Jesus’ story of the lost sheep?

4. Were you ever lost as a child?  What was it like?

5. Have you evr lost a valuable item as did the woman who loses a valuable coin?  What did you do?

6. In each instance of the lost being found, there is joy to be shared.  Reflect on an instance when you shared your joy with another and when someone else shared their joy with you.

7. When was the last time you shared joy in a lost soul being found by Jesus.

8. Whom do you know that needs Jesus and is being sought after by Him?  Pray for that person.

On the Mark September 12th 2010

We Are All Students

 

We are all students.  There may be some subjects that you have mastered and have moved on, but with God the learning continues for eternity! When you graduate you only go on for further glorious enlightenment.

Today is the beginning of our Fall Church School.  Please see that your child or grandchild is signed up.  If you have any questions, our Christian Ed leaders will help you.  Would you offer to serve this year, please?

One of our highest values at St. Paul’s is learning together.  We are all students in the school of Jesus Christ.  In fact, “disciple” means “student” in the original language of the New Testament.

How is your life as a student going?  Have you been studying the Gospel of Luke as I’ve asked all St. Paul’s members to do?  Let’s learn together as Jesus the Master instructs us.  Please keep the ministry of education in your prayers.

Thank you,

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

Jim Leach - Spirtual Identity Theft - September 5th

By , September 5, 2010

Romans 8:19
Colossians 1:25-27
2nd Peter 1:2-5
Ephesians 2

On the Mark – September 5th 2010

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

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