In this sermon on January 29th 2023 - Fr. Dan Shoemake talks about the four-letter word O.B.E.Y.

Sunday, January 29th, 2023 (Epiphany 4)

Micah 6:1-8; Psalm 37:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12

SERMON

the Talk & the Walk: God-Talk, Human-Walk: Obedience

Two Weeks Ago: Walk the Walk

Last Week: Talk the Talk

1. Walk Humbly - (Micah 6:8)

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good,

and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice and to love kindness

and to walk humbly with your God?”
“Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers," Jesse Ventura

• How do we respond to Gov. Ventura?

YES, you're right! We are weak!

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

• CS Lewis - “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”
• Don’t be controlled by your impulses.
• Stop being surprised by your sin!

Tell what God is doing - (Matthew 5:1-11)

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Dave Furman on Weakness and Suffering

https://www.crossway.org/articles/dont-miss-what-god-is-teaching-you-in-your-pain/

How do you talk about your suffering?

1. Rejoice in Suffering (Matthew 5:12)

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

• Story of Suffering Priest

If we are the Church - all we need is Christ.

If we are the Church - all we have is Christ.

If we are the Church - all we are is Christ.

AMEN

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