Sermon ~ June 15, 2008 ~ “Discipleship I" ~ Matthew 9:35 – 10:15

A BRIEF Outline

A Correction and a Confession
- Correction: I did not need to get away FROM the congregation, but FOR the congregation; I did not need to get away FOR me but FROM me…
- Confession: Jesus saw the crowds & had compassion… like sheep without a shepherd. I have been convicted for I saw THIS congregation as without a shepherd.
     > Greek: splankh-ne-‘-zo-mi moved from the bowels
     > Hebrew: ra-kham’ – deeply moved, as a mother giving birth
*Years ago I urged members of the congregation to not see me as a “friend” but as a pastor. I was correct, but what I didn’t tell you then, because I couldn’t, which I can tell you know, is that I love you and have “ra-kham’” for you.

First, my dearest congregation, let me set the record straight. I did not request and receive my Study & Renewal Leave because I needed to “get away from Franklin Circle Christian Church! That is the farthest from the truth! I did not go on my 6-week leave in order to escape you or leave this church behind or even to take a vacation from you. This Study & Renewal Leave was necessary for me to get some distance from my daily routine in order for me to better understand how we do our ministry together, so that in the future we might do it more faithfully, which is to say, differently.

I went away so that when I returned we might be the church of Jesus Christ on earth more fully and more effectively.

It is spirit-led that this text would be the lectionary scripture selected for today’s worship since it beautifully melds together two of the themes I found most persuasive on my journeys: discipleship and hospitality. Both are required by Jesus for the reign of God to break forth into our lives, and both are learnings central to my time with the congregations and individuals with whom I worshiped and shared in my six weeks leave.


I must be your shepherd, even as I am shepherded by Jesus (Claim The Authority Given To Me); then you must go and shepherd others (Claim The Authority Given To You.) Rev. Joe Daniels: Be the pastor they called you to be!



Rev. Allen V. Harris
Franklin Circle Christian Church
www.FranklinCircleChurch.org


 

Copyright 2008 -- The Rev. Allen V. Harris

Franklin Circle Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

1688 Fulton Rd., Cleveland, OH 44113-3096