A postcard from the 13th Sunday after Pentecost 08/22/21
It would be a lot easier if Christians could just put on the right outfit.
At some point organizations switched from using the word “uniform” to calling it “teamwear.” I guess the idea was that the new nomenclature sounded more egalitarian. The end result was the same—matching outfits that clearly branded employees.
As Ephesians comes to a close [Ephesians 6:10-20], the new community in Christ is called to action. Paul offers a list of Christian teamwear. The “whole armor of God” that is described is what truly marks a Christian, not a t-shirt with a cross on it. The Christian is to be recognized by their truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and prayer. This is what we are given to stand firm against the evil powers and spiritual forces in this world.
When the darkness of this world is overwhelming, it can seem like the whole armor of God is not enough to protect us. If we are depending on our power and strength, we will easily be overcome. But we stand firm through God’s power and strength. We stand firm not on our own, but as the community of Christ.
There is a lot in the world that is overwhelming right now. What piece of the armor of God do you really need at the moment? How can you be transformed by God’s power? How can you proclaim the mystery of the gospel right here and right now?
A video postcard . . .
You can find me on TikTok.
As a communications person, I have to learn new social media platforms. This week I dived into the work of TikTok. So here is a 40 second snapshot of my Sunday on the road. And as proof that everyone has a learning curve, you will notice that the music cuts off before the end. So a work in progress.
A sermon from St. Paul’s in Greensboro:
Coming next
Next week, we begin the Book of James, which challenges the belief that faith is something that should be kept private and challenges a culture that sees very little value in religion at all.
- August 29 – Holy Spirit, Alabaster / “Just Do It” James 1:17-27
- September 5 – St. Barnabas, Roanoke / “Body and Soul” James 2:1-17
- September 12 – Messiah, Heflin / “Taming the Tongue” James 3:1-12
- September 19 – Messiah Heflin / “The Good Life” James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
- September 25 – Off the Road / “Powerful Prayer” James 5:13-20
Notoriously Episcopalian 