Rev Chris Roth

  Gen 15:1-6; Ps 110; Heb 6:13-20; John 2:13-22 We are continuing our Epiphany sermon series where we are dealing with questions that have been submitted by our congregation. Today’s question is:  “In Hebrews 6 there’s a verse about it being ‘impossible’ for God to lie about ‘these two things’- and I’m not sure- what are these ‘two things’?” We heard this part of Hebrews read today for us. We are looking specifically at Hebrews 6:17-18. The New International Version (NIV) says,  “Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.”  We want to know what these two unchangeable things are. It might be helpful to start by saying something about the letter to the Hebrews, in general. … We don’t know w...

  Ezekiel 36:33-38; Ps 51; Rom 7:14-25; Luke 15:1-10 We are continuing our Epiphany sermon series which is based on your questions. The question today is:  “Why is it so hard to change or repent. I want to… I pray. I’ve had 2 pastors pray over me. But I just can’t stop doing this one thing even though I want to so badly?” To this person I want to first say that you are not alone. All of us find ourselves in this place from time to time. And sometimes we can be in this place for years. It is easy to feel alone when you are struggling like this, but you have a lot of company. Our Bible is full of examples of people struggling to follow the ways of God. Psalm 51 is said to be King David’s response when he is caught in sin. He was described in the Bible as a man after God’s own heart. And yet, David did some terrible things. Psalm 51 is said to be David’s response to being caught and his realization that God saw everything. … We are in good company when we find ourselves in need o...

  Bar 4:5-18; Ps 5; James 1:9-16; John 9:1-11 We are continuing our Epiphany sermon series based on questions that have been submitted by the congregation. The question we are dealing with today is: “I read in Baruch recently that he does say calamities come from God, I know you disagree with this, but do you think maybe they are done to test our faith?” This is a question about suffering. Where does suffering come from? What is God’s role in the midst of human suffering? There are different perspectives on this within the Bible. The prophets will often draw the connection between sin and suffering. If the king or the people are sinful, then they may face an invasion by a foreign army, or be dragged off into exile, or face a locust swarm that eats the crops. … We see this with Pharaoh. Pharaoh ignored God’s command to release the Hebrew people, and the plagues are inflicted on Egypt in response to Pharaoh’s sin. In Baruch (from the Apocrypha) we read,  “It was not for destruc...

  The Philokalia is an anthology of texts written between the 4th and 14th centuries by spiritual masters of the Orthodox Christian tradition. It was first published in Greek in 1782.  The Philokalia has exercised a great influence on Orthodox spirituality. The Philokalia is spiritual advice gathered primarily for monastics.  I have gathered these sayings from the Philokalia on the topic of dealing with suffering.     The Philokalia: Volume 1 St Mark the Ascetic (Mark the hermit. Early 400’s ) (P.114) 56. Distress reminds the wise of God, but crushes those who forget Him. 57. Let all involuntary suffering teach you to remember God, and you will not lack occasion for repentance. 65. To accept an affliction for God's sake is a genuine act of holiness; for true love is tested by adversities. 66. Do not claim to have acquired virtue unless you have suffered affliction, for without affliction virtue has not been tested. 67. Consider the outcome of every involunt...

  Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Titus 3:1-11; Matthew 2:1-12 How should we vote as Christians? Today we are starting our Epiphany sermon series which is shaped in response to questions that have come from the congregation. So, these are your questions, and I’m going to do my best to answer these questions from a Christian point of view. … Epiphany is a time to think about light illuminating darkness. It is a time to think about the revealing of who this child in the manger really is. So, my hope is that this sermon series will be a time when we seek the light of Christ to illuminate our questions. I should say that I haven’t been able to fit every question into the sermon series, but I’m going to try to respond to the extra questions in The Link (St. Leonard’s newsletter). The question today is:  “On page 678 of the BAS, there is a prayer ‘for responsible citizenship or for an election’. What questions should Christians be asking when they decide who to vote for?”...

  Matthew 2:13-23 Our Gospel lesson today is not the sentimental picture we are used to seeing associated with the birth of Jesus. In the life of Jesus danger seems to be always looming. The birth of Jesus disturbs the balance of power. The messiah will bring with him a kingdom that is in opposition to the tyrannical powers of this world. The powers of this world are not comfortable with Jesus. The Pharisees are bothered by him. The Sadducees, and eventually the Roman Empire (represented by Pontius Pilate), are all disturbed by the presence of Jesus. Those who have power in this world do not want to give it up, and don’t like having their power challenged. Jesus will deal with constant opposition from the powers in this world and we see the beginning of this in our Gospel reading. King Herod was a bit of a puppet king placed in power under the Roman Empire. One of the things rulers like Herod are most paranoid about is losing their power. Herod even killed t...