Wesley Word – January 25, 2023

Carolyn Lemaster   -   January 25, 2023

To go along with service on Sunday, January 29, 2023

Experiencing Grace

 

Exploring Truth – A Light to the Nations: Foolishness – Part 2

Micah 6:1-8 & 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

We are continuing with our Epiphany series: A Light to the Nations. Throughout this Epiphany season, we are going to discover who Jesus is and how he came, not just to be the Jewish Messiah, but the Savior of the whole world. We are on week two of a three-week series within the series on the theme of foolishness.

Although the Corinthian Christians are God’s holy people through faith in Christ, they have been foolish in many ways. Last week, we saw that they were being foolish in fighting over preferred leaders. This week, we are going to see that they are foolish about wanting to be wise in the eyes of the world.

The Corinthians found themselves in the midst of high Greek philosophical culture. They want to be seen as wise and sophisticated. Paul tells them they are wasting their time. As Christians, no matter how hard we try, the world will also consider us foolish. This is because the proclamation that lies at the very heart of our faith, Christ crucified, is a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks. To strive to be seen as wise by the world’s standards is foolishness.

Paul reminds them where they came from and tells them that they should try to be humble instead of sophisticated. Or, like Micah 6:8 says, “Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.”

 

New Testament in a Year: https://wesleyonline.org/biblereading/

  • January 25    Matthew 16:13-17:9
  • January 26    Matthew 17:10-27
  • January 27    Matthew 18:1-20
  • January 28    Matthew 18:21-19:12
  • January 29    Matthew 19:13-30
  • January 30    Matthew 20:1-28
  • January 31    Matthew 20:29-21:22
  • February 1     Matthew 21:23-46

 

Expressing Love: Family/Mission Activity

As Christians, we know that our value is in much different things than what the world tends to judge as important. Sometimes we want to brag or think that our faith is our own doing. But the Bible makes it clear that God lifts up those who are weak and brings down those who seem strong. Our whole being should be found in Christ. Our value, boasting, and joy can come only from Him. Remember that our identity can be placed in several things in our mind’s eye, but ultimately there is only one hero who is worthy of boasting, and only one thing that gives us power. All of the positive skills or attributes we might have ultimately come from Him. When we remember that, God will honor our humility and raise us up again. We put other people up on a pedestal for their “human strength” and value things that are genuinely petty in the long run and big picture…how can we make sure our focus and emphasis are on things that matter?

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” CS Lewis

Take some time this week and reflect on what makes you special, truly special.

Announcements

  • WOW January 25th, 6:00pm
  • CAT Survey – Wesley will be participating in the CAT (Congregational Assessment Tool) provided by the Iowa Annual Conference. The CAT is an extensive survey for the whole congregation that will help us better understand the needs of our church. The survey has been postponed, it will now launch on February 12th. Stay tuned for how to participate.
  • Highrise UMC – We would like to send a donation to Highrise at the end of January. If you would like to donate, please mark your donation to  “Highrise.” Thank you.
  • Jackson Concert Series presents Skye Consort & Emma Bjӧrling Trans-Atlantic Band—Thursday, January 26, 2:30 pm.
  • Ash Wednesday Service – Wednesday, February 22nd, 7pm, at First Presbyterian Church.