Emphasis Preaching Journal

Paul’s words in Galatians extol Christ’s gifts, ringing out like the chimes of liberty on July 4th: “For freedom Christ has set us free.”

“When the days drew near for [Jesus] to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.” (v. 51)

Good morning boys and girls,

Today I have some fun and interesting visual aids to show you.  I have a compass, and I have this flashing button I will wear on my (lapel, collar).

I have just recently returned from an out-of-town trip, and as I read our selected passages for this week, I find myself reminded of the days leading up to that trip. With a few exceptions, most of the traveling that you and I do is known in advance and planned. And therefore the days leading up to our departure are filled with deliberate preparations.

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
In an economy like ours that values flexibility, experience and loyalty matter less and less (Alan Wolfe, Moral Freedom: The Search for Virtue in World of Choice, pp.23ff .). The loyalty to legacy is what this story of Elijah and Elisha’s loyalty to the former’s prophetic legacy is all about.

Faith involves this kind of loyalty to roots. What Pope Paul VI once said about the liturgy could be applied to Christian life in general:

Contents
“Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus” by Peter Andrew Smith
“Continuing the Work” by Frank Ramirez

Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus
by Peter Andrew Smith
Luke 9:51-62

“This is unacceptable.” The woman opened the bags Kim handed to her over the food bank’s counter. “My kids are hungry and you expect me to feed them with this stuff?”

Linda peeked out from the back where she was putting bags together.

Cyril wormed his way through the soil to his brother Toby's side. "Toby," he pleaded, "tell me again what it's like out there."

I think that we are in a battle for the soul of the church. I'm not just talking about my Presbyterian denomination, although it certainly has its problems. I'm suggesting that we are in a battle for the soul of the whole church in our time.