October 28, 2008

Looking Ahead to November 2, 2008 -- 25th After Pentecost

The Scripture Readings this week are:
  • From the Jewish Scriptures: Joshua 3:7-17
  • Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37 (VU p. 871 Parts 1 & 4)
  • From the Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12
The Hymns this week are:
  • 625 I Feel the Winds of God Today
  • 288 Great is Thy Faithfulness
  • 651 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
  • 424 May the God of Hope
The Sermon Title is Wade in the Water

Early Thoughts: What do you do when there is a raging torrent between you and the Promise? What holds us back from taking those first tentative steps?

They have been wandering around for 4 decades. Most of the people who crossed the sea at the beginning have died. Even Moses, their great leader, has died. But now, finally, it is time to enter the Promised Land. There is only one small problem. The Jordan is in its annual flood and there is no bridge.

To overcome this the story has a re-enacting of the crossing of the sea. The journey began with a parting of the waters. Now the end of the journey is marked by parting another set of waters. And some of the same issues must of cropped up.

"You want us to do WHAT?" That is the question I hear coming from the people in both water crossings. It makes no sense to step out into a flooded river trusting that you will make it across. IT is an act of great faith to walk forward.

I think there is a truth here. Even when we have been told that something wonderful lies in the future there are so many things that make us hesitant to take that first step forward.

THere is another truth here. How do the people make the crossings? They step forward because they trust that God is with them. When the road ahead of us is flooded with troubles and uncertainty do we trust that GOd is with us? Are we ready to Wade in the Water?
--Gord

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