Hello Friends,
This week, we celebrate Christ the King Sunday. On this Sunday we recognize that Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords over all of time and space. Furthermore, it is an important day because it signals the end of the church year. Just think. We have walked through Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Ordinary time. On Sunday, November 27th, the cycle begins again as we wait expectantly for the Savior to arrive in the first Sunday of Advent.
The text for this Sunday is found in Matthew 25:31-46 and is the final piece of the triad of parables found in Matthew 25. You know the text as "The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats." I must say that this text is very disturbing to me because it gives a very powerful picture of the judgment you and I will face at the end of time. We will stand before Jesus and will be asked one question, "What did you do for the least of these?"
The reason this text is so difficult is because I am perhaps overconfident in my own religious standing. I can recite the books of the Bible. I understand the theology of the Cross. I attend church every week, I tithe, and I even try to pray for my enemies. That should make me a pretty good person and a pretty good Christian in the eyes of many.
With that said, however, the question is not so much of what we believe, but what we do with our beliefs in relation to those who cannot help themselves. Jesus describes the "least of these" as being the the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the prisoner, the stranger, etc. And if I am really honest, there are times when I see people like that, and walk the other way. They may be at the gas station or standing on the street corner. They may be at Wal-Mart or the shopping mall. Quite often, there are times when I am so focused on meeting my own needs or thinking about my own life that I simply walk right past and do not even consider "the least of these."
I believe this Sunday is a call for repentance of you and for me. It is a call to recognize all that we are and have and to understand that we are called not to hoard, but to share. More than anything, this Sunday's worship is about us meeting Jesus face to face and learning to share the compassion He has for us with those who need it most. I look forward to worshiping with you this week, and may we prepare our hearts for an encounter with the Risen Lord.
Sports Corner (18-9 on the year, 3-1 last week)
Ga Tech played very poorly, especially in the second half in their loss to VA Tech. With that loss, the Jackets gave away their opportunity to compete in the ACC Championship. They go on the road this week to face the Duke Blue Devils. In basketball, Duke would win, but this is still football season. Tech has a lot to play for in that they are trying to win 10 games; it is possible to do so, but I must admit, not probable at this point. Tech will beat Duke and will prepare for the showdown with UGA on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
GA Southern won the So con championship last week in beating Wofford. They are an excellent team and are well deserving of that honor. This week, however, they travel to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to play the mighty Crimson Tide. I hate to say it, but GA Southern simply is out manned and out gunned. While the Tide may struggle with the Eagle option attack at times, the Alabama athletes will simply over match the boys from Statesboro. Bama wins, but the game is closer than the experts think.
UGA hosts Kentucky on Senior Day; with a victory, the Dawgs will win the SEC East championship. While this can be a trap game, I tell you I believe UGA will run over UK much like they did Auburn last week. (On a side note, who in the world saw that coming 45-7 UGA?) After this victory, they will play the Jackets and then will most likely compete in the SEC championship game against LSU. Tough sledding ahead, but this victory is certain.
The Falcons lost by about a foot last week...that is why the 4th and 1 call has been played repeatedly. Those Birds face the Tennessee Titans this week. Both teams enter the contest 5-4 and needing a victory to remain in playoff contention. Though the Birds have been a bit up and down lately, I believe they get it done and come back to the forefront for a wild card slot.
Thanks for reading, and may God bless you as you serve,
Josh
This week, we celebrate Christ the King Sunday. On this Sunday we recognize that Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords over all of time and space. Furthermore, it is an important day because it signals the end of the church year. Just think. We have walked through Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Ordinary time. On Sunday, November 27th, the cycle begins again as we wait expectantly for the Savior to arrive in the first Sunday of Advent.
The text for this Sunday is found in Matthew 25:31-46 and is the final piece of the triad of parables found in Matthew 25. You know the text as "The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats." I must say that this text is very disturbing to me because it gives a very powerful picture of the judgment you and I will face at the end of time. We will stand before Jesus and will be asked one question, "What did you do for the least of these?"
The reason this text is so difficult is because I am perhaps overconfident in my own religious standing. I can recite the books of the Bible. I understand the theology of the Cross. I attend church every week, I tithe, and I even try to pray for my enemies. That should make me a pretty good person and a pretty good Christian in the eyes of many.
With that said, however, the question is not so much of what we believe, but what we do with our beliefs in relation to those who cannot help themselves. Jesus describes the "least of these" as being the the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the prisoner, the stranger, etc. And if I am really honest, there are times when I see people like that, and walk the other way. They may be at the gas station or standing on the street corner. They may be at Wal-Mart or the shopping mall. Quite often, there are times when I am so focused on meeting my own needs or thinking about my own life that I simply walk right past and do not even consider "the least of these."
I believe this Sunday is a call for repentance of you and for me. It is a call to recognize all that we are and have and to understand that we are called not to hoard, but to share. More than anything, this Sunday's worship is about us meeting Jesus face to face and learning to share the compassion He has for us with those who need it most. I look forward to worshiping with you this week, and may we prepare our hearts for an encounter with the Risen Lord.
Sports Corner (18-9 on the year, 3-1 last week)
Ga Tech played very poorly, especially in the second half in their loss to VA Tech. With that loss, the Jackets gave away their opportunity to compete in the ACC Championship. They go on the road this week to face the Duke Blue Devils. In basketball, Duke would win, but this is still football season. Tech has a lot to play for in that they are trying to win 10 games; it is possible to do so, but I must admit, not probable at this point. Tech will beat Duke and will prepare for the showdown with UGA on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
GA Southern won the So con championship last week in beating Wofford. They are an excellent team and are well deserving of that honor. This week, however, they travel to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to play the mighty Crimson Tide. I hate to say it, but GA Southern simply is out manned and out gunned. While the Tide may struggle with the Eagle option attack at times, the Alabama athletes will simply over match the boys from Statesboro. Bama wins, but the game is closer than the experts think.
UGA hosts Kentucky on Senior Day; with a victory, the Dawgs will win the SEC East championship. While this can be a trap game, I tell you I believe UGA will run over UK much like they did Auburn last week. (On a side note, who in the world saw that coming 45-7 UGA?) After this victory, they will play the Jackets and then will most likely compete in the SEC championship game against LSU. Tough sledding ahead, but this victory is certain.
The Falcons lost by about a foot last week...that is why the 4th and 1 call has been played repeatedly. Those Birds face the Tennessee Titans this week. Both teams enter the contest 5-4 and needing a victory to remain in playoff contention. Though the Birds have been a bit up and down lately, I believe they get it done and come back to the forefront for a wild card slot.
Thanks for reading, and may God bless you as you serve,
Josh
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