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<div style="font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:10pt;color:black">-----Original Message-----<br>
From: Judy <judy_boli@ecunet.org><br>
To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic@ecunet.org><br>
Sent: Sat, Aug 31, 2019 10:03 pm<br>
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Prooper 17C: "Arrogance- Who Do You Think You Are?"<br>
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<div style="line-height:normal;"><strong><span style="font-weight:normal;">Dear Friends,</span></strong></div>
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<div style="line-height:normal;"><strong><span style="font-weight:normal;">This Sunday’s sermon is entitled<span> "Arrogance- Who Do You Think You Are?"</span> and is based on all the
lessons.<span> </span>Here it is: <span> </span></span></strong><br>
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<div style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br>
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<div style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Pride is the subject of two of our Bible readings for
today.<span> </span>Talk about confusion!<span> </span>Pride is listed as one of the seven deadly
sins, and yet how many times have I told a child, "Stand tall and
proud!<span> </span>You can do it!"<span> </span>Am I really teaching our children to
sin?<span> </span>I surely hope not!<span> </span>Actually, the word "pride" is
multi-meaning.<span> </span>Let’s think through this
most confusing and potentially life-destroying sin.</span></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">First, let’s see what pride is and is not.<span> </span>The opposite of pride is humility- and that
makes it worse, because our culture defines humility as passively taking what
life throws at us, thinking we are nothing- "I’m a worm!" kind of
thinking.<span> </span>That kind of humility is not
Christian.<span> </span>In fact it is sinful.<span> </span>God expects us to take control of our lives,
be the best we can be- not believe in the power of "fate."<span> </span>He created us in his image- so we are surely
not "nothings."<span> </span>After all- God
doesn’t make junk!<span> </span>We are children of
the King- the creator of the universe; we are princes and princesses!<span> </span>Christian humility is living our reality-
being who we are- no more and no less.<span>
</span>Now let’s look at "pride."<span>
</span>The Contemporary English Version of the Bible translates "pride"
as "arrogance"- pretending to be more than we are, better than other
people.<span> </span>The writer of Ecclesiasticus
(10:7) reminds us that "Arrogance and injustice are hated by both the Lord
and humans."<span> </span>People who are
arrogant see themselves as little (or not so little) gods.<span> </span>We heard Jesus condemn the arrogance of those
guests who assumed that they were better than everyone else and therefore the
best seats at the banquet were due them.<span>
</span>Let me tell you a story that illustrates arrogance.<span> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Little Leroy came into the kitchen where his mother
was making dinner. His birthday was coming up, and he thought this was the
perfect time to tell his mother that he wanted a bike for his tenth
birthday.<span> </span>Now the only problem was-
Little Leroy had not made life easy for his mother, father, teacher, preacher,
brother, sister, or anybody else.<span> </span>If
there was trouble to be made, he made it.<span>
</span>If there was mischief to be done, he did it.<span> </span>You catch on- he hadn’t been the best child
he could be this last year.<span> </span>When his
mother asked if he really thought he deserved a big present like a bike, he
lied and said of course he did.<span> </span>Leroy's
mother, being a Christian woman, wanted Leroy to reflect on his behavior over
the last year. She told him to go to his room and think about how he behaved
this year. Then she told him to write a letter to God and tell him why he
deserved a bike for his birthday.<span> </span>Little
Leroy stomped up the steps to his room and sat down to write God a letter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Letter 1: Dear God, I have been a very good boy this
year and I would like a bike for my birthday. I want a red one.<span> </span>Your friend, Leroy (Leroy knew that this
wasn't true. He had not been a very good boy this year, so he tore up the
letter and started over.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Letter 2: Dear God, I have been an "OK" boy
this year. I still would really like a bike for my birthday. Sincerely, Leroy
(Leroy knew he could not send this letter to God either. So he wrote a third
letter.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Letter 3: God, I know I haven't been a good boy this
year. I am very sorry. I will be a good boy if you just send me a bike for my
birthday.<span> </span>Please!<span> </span>Thank you, Leroy.<span> </span>(Leroy knew, even if it were true, that this
letter was not going to get him a bike. Now Leroy was very upset. He went
downstairs and told his mom that he wanted to go to church. Leroy's mother
thought her plan had worked, as Leroy looked very sad. “Just be home in time for
dinner,” she told him.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Leroy walked down the street to the church on the
corner.<span> </span>Little Leroy went into the
church and up to the altar. He looked around to see if anyone was there. Leroy
bent down and picked up a statue of the Virgin Mary. He slipped it under his
shirt and ran out of the church, down the street, into the house, and up to his
room. He shut the door to his room and sat down with a piece of paper and a
pen. Then Leroy wrote his letter to God.</span></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Letter 4: God, I'VE GOT YOUR MAMA. IF YOU WANT TO SEE
HER AGAIN, SEND THE BIKE!<span> </span>Signed, YOU
KNOW WHO!</span></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Little Leroy really wasn’t living in the real world,
was he?!<span> </span>Actually, our society inundates
us with arrogance, misnaming it as pride.<span>
</span>You can recognize it by the attitude that says: “If I want it, I deserve
it, so I’m going to get it,” “If it feels good do it; if it doesn’t feel good,
don’t do it.”<span> </span>“The rules were made for
other people, not me.”<span> </span>“Don’t get in my
way!”<span> </span>Real life examples:</span></div>
<ol type="1" style="margin-top:0in;" start="1">
<li style="text-align:justify;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:11pt;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">People
who have finally quit smoking/ drinking/doping/etc. and then bad-mouth
those who are still stuck in a habit: (Who do they think they are”)</span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:11pt;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Gang
members who casually take life.<span> </span>Who
created that life?<span> </span>(Who do they
think they are”)</span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:11pt;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Anyone
who responds to anger with violence, especially deadly violence; (Who do
they think they are”)</span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:11pt;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">A
person who breaks up with someone, yet expects that person not to date
anyone else; (Who do they think they are”)</span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:11pt;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Drivers
who park where they want, drive how they want, and then- when caught,
complain that the system is unfair; (Who do they think they are”)</span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:11pt;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">And
then- there is one of the over-riding sins of our society- what is racism
(or sexism or any "ism") if not arrogance?<span> </span>(Who do they think they are”)</span></li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">The trouble with arrogance is- it’s so
contagious.<span> </span>Remember last week’s
sermon?<span> </span>Stay centered in reality.<span> </span>Remember- God is in charge.<span> </span>You ARE God’s gift to the world- so serve God
and your neighbor well.<span> </span>In the words of
our opening hymn, “Forget about yourself and concentrate on Him and worship
Him.”<span> </span>Stay strong.<span> </span>Stay focused.<span>
</span>Coaches continually tell their players to maintain discipline.<span> </span>Well, maintain discipline.<span> </span>Show your respect for God by the way you
worship, the way you live, and the choices you make.<span> </span>Finally, you won’t find better advice for
living a reality-oriented life than in today’s reading from Hebrews (13: 1-8):
“Keep being concerned about each other as the LORD’S followers should.<span> </span>Be sure to welcome strangers into your home.
By doing this, some people have welcomed angels as guests, without even knowing
it.<span> </span>Remember the LORD’S people who are
in jail and be concerned for them. Don't forget those who are suffering, but
imagine that you are there with them.<span>
</span>Have respect for marriage. Always be faithful to your partner, because
God will punish anyone who is immoral or unfaithful in marriage.<span> </span>Don't fall in love with money. Be satisfied
with what you have. The LORD has promised that he will not leave us or desert
us.<span> </span>That should make you feel like
saying, ‘The LORD helps me! Why should I be afraid of what people can do to
me?’<span> </span>Don't forget about your leaders who
taught you God's message. Remember what kind of lives they lived and try to
have faith like theirs.<span> </span>Jesus Christ
never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” </span></div>
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<div style="line-height:normal;"><strong><span style="font-weight:normal;">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: <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="http://www.stpaulsepisag.org/"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none;">http://www.stpaulsepisag.org</span></a> .</span></strong></div>
<div style="line-height:normal;"><strong><span style="font-weight:normal;"> </span></strong></div>
<div style="line-height:normal;"><strong><span style="font-weight:normal;">Blessed preaching,</span></strong></div>
<div style="line-height:normal;"><strong><span style="font-weight:normal;">Judy Boli</span></strong></div>
<div style="line-height:normal;"><strong><span style="font-weight:normal;">St. Paul's Episcopal Church</span></strong></div>
<div style="line-height:normal;"><strong><span style="font-weight:normal;">Saginaw, Michigan</span></strong></div>
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