Journey to the Cross 2023: “The Temptation”

Week 2 of our BIG REPUTATION. An exploration of what we're known for, why, and what we can do about it.

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Music by Taylor Swift

BIG REPUTATION - Self- Righteousness

This is an audio article. "Commentary: Religiosity" originally published May 2023, by the COJCOM. Written by Minister Guy LaMar of The Independent Christian Church of God.

Original article: https://www.owensborocojc.com/2023/05/commentary-religiosity.html.

Commentary - Religiosity - Audio Article

When our world is so full of conflicts and opposing sides it is easy to get pulled into us vs. them mindsets that focus on our attention on wanting those on the other side to be "defeated." But winning the argument is always only tangentially important. What matters is fixing the problems. And often, to get there, we have to be willing to do the messy work of setting aside our self-righteousness to work of figuring out what will be most healing. 

Photo by Ricardo Viana on Unsplash

The Messy Work of Healing

"Faithfulness" in general culture is often associated with righteousness and certainty... a faith the stands strong in all circumstances. But this version of faithfulness can easily shift into a self-righteousness that centers on the faithful person themselves, rather than on God. When the followers of Jesus are faced with hard teachings, it is not those who feel certain and self-righteous who remain faithful. It is those who confess "Lord, to whom can we go?"

But as for me… Lord, to whom can we go?

This song is about ignorance, self-righteousness and compassion. 

Text:

THE OTHER WAY

Going home down the street
there she sits saying hello to me
Selling knitwear for food
I look the other way
He often sits right in front of Netto
And sell the Strada if he can
He reaches out, I have my motto
I look the other way
Yesterday she sat down at the harbour
In a winter coat in mid-May
Bruised face, child in arms
I look the other way

I can't help everyone, I see
Displaces that I am ashamed
But then catches my eye in the mirror
I look the other way

I know it well you know it well 
There is no time to waste
It hot or not gold or snot
Point of no return
It's time for us to take a turn
Imagine if it were your children

I wash my hands, everything I have is probably deserved
I grind my teeth because my heart is inflamed

Denne sang handler om ignorence, selvretfærdighed og medfølelse. 

Tekst:

DEN ANDEN VEJ

Går hjem ned igennem Gaden
der sidder hun siger hej til mig
Sælger strikketøj til maden
Jeg kigger bar den anden vej
Han sidder tit lige foran Netto
Og sælger Strada hvis han kan
Han rækker ud, jeg har mit motto
Jeg kigger bar den anden vej
I går da sad hun ned på havnen
I vinterfrakke midt i maj
Forslået ansigt, barn i favnen
Jeg kigger bar den anden vej

Jeg kan jo ikke hjælpe alle så jeg
Fortrænger at jeg skammer mig
Men fanger så mit blik i spejlet
Jeg kigger bar den anden vej

Jeg ved det godt du ved det godt 
Der er ingen tid at spilde
Det hot or not guld eller snot
Point of no return
Det er på tide at vi tager en tørn
Tænk engang hvis det var dine børn

Jeg vasker hænder alt jeg har er nok fortjent
Jeg skærer tænder for mit hjerte er betændt

Den Anden Vej

Luke 15:1-3; 11-32 The Outrageous, Extravagant Love of the Father

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property (OUSIA) that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property (BIOS… v.30) between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property (OUSIA) in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to[b] one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe (PROTOS – first robe), and put it on him, and put a ring (authority - exousia) on his hand, and shoes on his feet (sonship). 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it (sacrifice – relationships), and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. 

His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 
30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property (bios – stuff verses ousia) with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 

31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

The Prodigal God - Fr. Michael Flowers 03.23.25

Tom Watts
Series: Meet the King
Matthew 23:1-39
St John's Downshire Hill Sunday 1st June 10:30am

The King's verdict - Matthew 23:1-39

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