<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"></head><body><div>Forwarded: </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div id="composer_signature"><div style="font-size:85%;color:#575757" dir="auto">Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device</div></div><div><br></div><div style="font-size:100%;color:#000000"><!-- originalMessage --><div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: Judy <judy_boli@ecunet.org> </div><div>Date: 10/7/17 9:12 PM (GMT-05:00) </div><div>To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic@ecunet.org> </div><div>Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Proper 22A: “The Ten Commandments” or “God’s Roadmap” or “Don’t Talk Like a Christian and Live Like a Pagan!” </div><div><br></div></div><div dir="ltr">
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Dear Friends,</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">This Sunday’s sermon is entitled “The Ten
Commandments” or “God’s Roadmap” or “Don’t Talk Like a Christian and Live Like
a Pagan!” and deals with the Old Testament lesson (Exodus 20:1-4, 12-20).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Here it is: </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">We just heard the very serious parable Jesus told about the renters who
tried to take over the vineyard from the owner.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>They killed the slaves who came- even killed the owner’s son (i.e. Jesus),
and thought they were home free.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They
acted as if the owner did not exist- as if he would never intervene.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Then Jesus asked a frightening question- “What
do you suppose the owner (i.e. God) will do to those evil renters?”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The answer- terrible things!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In other words, don’t play with God!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We’ve got to be careful we’re not acting like
those renters- we act as if God does not exist and really will never
intervene.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If we’re not careful, it’s
just too easy to talk like a Christian, but live like an atheist.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Just like the renters started acting as if
the vineyard was their own, we start acting as if our lives are our own, not
God’s.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Did you hear the story of Former President
Clinton’s visit with the pope?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
meeting that was supposed to be short lasted for two days. Finally, a weary
President Clinton emerged to face the waiting news media.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The former president was smiling and
announced the summit was a resounding success. He said he and the pope agreed
on 80% of the matters they discussed. Then Mr. Clinton declared he was going
home to be with his family.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>A few minutes
later, the pope came out to make his statement.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>He looked tired and discouraged and was practically in tears.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Sadly he announced his meeting with the
President was a failure.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Incredulous,
one reporter asked, “But your Holiness, President Clinton just announced the
summit was a great success and the two of you agreed on 80% of the items
discussed.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Exasperated, the pope
answered, “Yes, but we were talking about the Ten Commandments!” My friends,
the Ten Commandments are not called the Ten Suggestions!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They are not open to negotiation!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You know the song that Frank Sinatra used to
sing- “I Did It My Way.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I’m not
supposed to live my life my way; I’m supposed to live my life God’s way. </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000">Why?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Why would God give us
orders?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For the same reason parents give
rules to their children?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>To keep them
safe so they can have a happy life.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
Rev. Bass Mitchell told a story illustrating why we need the commandments.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He wrote, <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“Once a people lived on an island.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They were a happy and content people.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But something started to go wrong.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Some of them began to disappear.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They discovered to their horror that all
around them were dangerous, deep pits that you could not see until it was too late.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When one of their children strayed too far
away one day and never returned, the people gathered at the hut of one of their
holy elders, pleading with him to do something.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>He went into the shrine and prayed for guidance.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Days passed by and he did not come out.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Then one day the people were summoned to the
shrine.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The elder told them that God had
granted their prayers.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The elder held up
before them a sketch of their island, and a large X mark identified each dangerous
pit for them.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They rejoiced!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They put the elder on their shoulders and
carried him in a parade.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They made
copies of the sketch and committed it to memory.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They gave thanks to God for such a great
gift. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That’s what the commandments are
for us- a life-map showing the basic potential pitfalls.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So you see, the commandments are not intended
to stifle our spirits, but to allow us to have happy lives and avoid tragedy.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></font></font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;">Let’s look at them (Exodus 20).<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>You’ll notice they fall into two categories: “Love the Lord your God
with all your heart and soul and mind and strength” and “Love your neighbor as
much as you love yourself.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The first
four commandments describe the greatest possible pitfalls we face in terms of
loving God.</span><font size="3"> </font></font></font></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px 16px 48px; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"><font color="#000000"><span style="margin: 0px; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Ø<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman">Do not worship any god except me (vs. 3).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></font></span></font></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px 16px 48px; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"><font color="#000000"><span style="margin: 0px; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Ø<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman">Do not make idols that look like anything in the sky
or on earth or in the ocean under the earth (vs. 4).</font></span></font></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px 16px 48px; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"><font color="#000000"><span style="margin: 0px; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Ø<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman">Do not misuse my name. I am the LORD your God, and I
will punish anyone who misuses my name (vs. 7).<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span></font></span></font></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px 16px 48px; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"><font color="#000000"><span style="margin: 0px; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Ø<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman">Remember that the Sabbath Day belongs to me (vs. 8).</font></span></font></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">The last six commandments deal with loving our neighbor- they describe
how God intends us to interact with our neighbors.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px 16px 48px; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"><font color="#000000"><span style="margin: 0px; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Ø<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman">Respect your father and your mother, and you will live
a long time in the land I am giving you (vs. 12).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></font></span></font></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px 16px 48px; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"><font color="#000000"><span style="margin: 0px; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Ø<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman">Do not murder (vs. 13).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></font></span></font></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px 16px 48px; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"><font color="#000000"><span style="margin: 0px; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Ø<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman">Be faithful in marriage (vs. 14).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></font></span></font></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px 16px 48px; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"><font color="#000000"><span style="margin: 0px; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Ø<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman">Do not steal (vs. 15).<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span></font></span></font></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px 16px 48px; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"><font color="#000000"><span style="margin: 0px; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Ø<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman">Do not tell lies about others (vs. 16).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></font></span></font></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px 16px 48px; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"><font color="#000000"><span style="margin: 0px; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Ø<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman">Do not want anything that belongs to someone else (vs.
17). </font></span></font></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Friends, our intentions are good- we Christians really do want to obey
the commandments, yet we frequently fail.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>What goes wrong?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When are we most
at danger of breaking one of the commandments?<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Did you hear the story of the Sunday school teacher who was discussing
the Ten Commandments with her class of five and six-year-olds? After explaining
the commandment to honor thy father and thy mother, she asked, “Is there a
commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Without missing a beat, one little boy
answered, “Thou shall not kill.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This
story gives insight into how the devil tempts us into breaking the last six
commandments (describing our duty toward our neighbors).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Have you heard the wisdom statement that says,
“He who angers you, controls you”- True!<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Strong emotions make us vulnerable, so we do what we want at the moment
rather than what we know is right and best in the long run.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Like the child in the story- anger or
jealousy tempt us to threaten or hurt or kill or lie about someone.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Strong sexual urges make us choose to
disrespect someone’s partner and family.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Seeing something we want makes us choose to steal.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So watch out when those strong feelings hit.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Take a breath, count to ten (or 1,000 or say
The Lord’s Prayer), get away from the situation for a while, and talk it out/
walk it out/ think it out/ pray it out.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">What about the commandments dealing with our duty toward God (the first
four commandments)?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We are most
vulnerable to breaking those commandments when we decide that we are Lord of
our own lives.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We’ll do it our way,
thank-you.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We talk like a Christian, but
live like an atheist.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Did you notice the
thought for the week- “Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory
position” (Anonymous).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>God doesn’t need
our advice, we need God’s roadmap.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>May
God bless us as we struggle to live what we believe.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000">For anyone who is
interested, this sermon and updated African-American wisdom statements are
posted on our parish’s web site under “Sermons & Stuff”. The address is: </font><a href="http://www.stpaulsepisag.org/"><u><font color="#0000ff">http://www.stpaulsepisag.org</font></u></a><font color="#000000"> .</font></font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Blessed preaching,</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Judy Boli</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">St. Paul's Episcopal Church</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 16px 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Saginaw, Michigan</font></span></p>
</div>
<p></p>
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