As we continue looking at the structure and purpose of the Bible, we’re going to focus in this week on the Bible’s organization, how our language about the Bible’s two “Testaments” gets us into trouble, and what the Bible is and is not trying to give us.
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I’ve received really positive feedback about the last two “Bible study” sermons, so I’m going to keep going. I will be taking my material from the series of Bible studies that I wrote for the Massachusetts Bible Society across my 13-year tenure as their Executive Director. We’ll begin with the first study in that series, What is the Bible? and then, if the pews aren’t empty, we’ll move to my introductions to the Old and New Testaments. We’ll start with an overview of why the Bible matters, even to those who don’t “believe” it, and a basic primer on how the bound book before us came together. Do you know what hapax legomena are? Are you a hexakosioihexakontahexaphobiac? Is the King James really the best translation? Ah, so much to talk about! There is more in the books than you will get in a sermon, so if you want the fuller picture, the link to the first book is above. I do not materially benefit from those sales, all proceeds go to support the Massachusetts Bible Society. The books are available in print, large print, Kindle, and audiobook editions.
Pastor Anne Robertson
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Last week we explored a parable found only in Luke that many people find problematic. This week we’re going to a passage that few people have issues with. In fact, it’s often a fallback passage to turn to when we feel stressed. We read it and hear, “Consider how God cares for the birds and the beautiful flowers; don’t worry—God will take care of you, too!” It can be found in Matthew 6:25-34 and Luke 12:22-34. In last week’s sermon, you learned some Bible study tips. We’re going to apply those to this week’s passage, too; because there’s a larger teaching here.
While the larger teaching is frequently missed in church, Hollywood did not miss it. Learn about the passage and have some fun by watching the 1963 classic film, Lilies of the Field, starring Sidney Poitier. You won’t regret it!
— Pastor Anne
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At the beginning of Luke 16, Jesus tells a parable that typically leaves people scratching their heads. It’s not that we don’t understand that there are corrupt money managers out there; it’s that Jesus seems to praise him. Even the rich man who fires him offers admiration. What’s the deal with that? Why is Jesus telling this story?
— Pastor Anne
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This sermon focuses on how public discussion of religion and politics might be different from the way we interact with individuals in more private settings. To do that, we’re going to consider an example from northwest Idaho, where unrelenting harassment and intimidation has led to the resignation of the Boundary County Library director, effective Sept. 10, 2022.
This is by no means a unique case, but it clearly mentions the role of some religious communities in the area. Since public libraries are part of local government, it seemed like a good case to examine as we look at the public clash of government and religion. If this were our library in Winchester, how might we respond? What might be appropriate and what might be out of bounds? Is there anything we could or should do from a distance? Most importantly, can you spot the idol?
For more information about the situation in Boundary County, an article from the Idaho Statesman can be found here: https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/northwest/idaho/article264781169.html.
— Pastor Anne
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